Chapter 12 – A Peaceful Evening
[Gray’s POV]
By the time Amy and I left Mother’s office, the sky outside had already begun turning orange.
The warm light of the setting sun poured through the mansion’s tall windows, bathing the corridors in a gentle glow.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
We simply walked side by side.
A small smile remained on my face.
Today had been...
Perfect.
Mother liked the bracelet.
She even wore it immediately.
Just remembering the smile she showed when opening the gift made me feel strangely happy.
Maybe...
Simple gifts really could make people happy.
Amy suddenly glanced sideways at me.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Hm?"
"You’ve been smiling like an idiot ever since we left Mother’s office."
I blinked.
"Was I?"
"You were."
She nodded confidently.
"It’s kind of creepy."
"..."
I looked at her in disbelief.
"You’re the one calling me creepy after everything you did today?"
Amy puffed out her cheeks.
"I only helped improve your fashion sense."
"You tortured me."
"I educated you."
"You forced me to change clothes twenty times."
"It wasn’t twenty."
"It definitely was."
She grinned mischievously.
"You looked adorable every single time."
I let out a defeated sigh.
"There it is."
"My real sister has finally appeared."
Amy giggled.
"What do you mean?"
"The devil hiding behind that beautiful face."
"Hmph."
She lightly bumped my shoulder.
"You should feel honored."
"I don’t play around like this with anyone else."
I smiled helplessly.
"...I know."
That much was true.
Around everyone else, Amy always acted like a proper young lady.
Elegant.
Calm.
Cold.
Many people were intimidated by her.
If they saw the Amy standing beside me now...
They probably wouldn’t believe she was the same person.
Honestly...
I preferred this version much more.
⸻
By the time we reached the dining hall, the maids had already finished preparing dinner.
Mother joined us shortly afterward.
Dinner was peaceful.
Mother occasionally asked about today’s outing.
Amy exaggerated certain parts of the story.
Especially the hot pot incident.
"...And then Gray stole food from my bowl again."
"I only borrowed it."
"You stole it."
"It was a temporary transfer of ownership."
Amy laughed.
"Then explain the spicy mushroom."
I immediately looked toward Mother.
"Mom..."
"Sister tried to murder me."
Mother covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I believe that’s a slight exaggeration."
"It wasn’t!"
"My tongue almost caught fire."
Amy burst into laughter again.
"You should’ve seen your face."
Even Mother couldn’t suppress her smile any longer.
Watching both of them laugh together...
I found myself laughing as well.
It felt...
Comfortable.
The dining hall, usually so quiet, was filled with laughter tonight.
For some reason...
I hoped it would stay like this forever.
⸻
After dinner, we walked together toward the hallway.
Mother still had work waiting for her.
Amy needed to prepare for tomorrow’s training.
As for me...
I was already exhausted.
Mother gently rubbed my head.
"Sleep early."
"We’ll begin your training tomorrow."
I nodded eagerly.
"I will."
Amy stretched lazily.
"I’m actually looking forward to tomorrow."
She looked at me with an evil grin.
"I wonder how long my little brother will last."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Just wait."
"I’ll surprise you."
She laughed.
"I’ll believe it when I see it."
Mother shook her head helplessly.
"You two..."
"Don’t argue before training has even begun."
We all laughed softly.
After saying goodnight, Mother returned to her office.
Amy headed toward her own room.
Before leaving, she waved without turning around.
"Goodnight, Gray."
"Goodnight, Sister."
Watching her disappear around the corner, I finally returned to my own room.
⸻
The room was quiet.
Moonlight filtered gently through the window.
I changed into my sleepwear before lying down on my bed.
My gaze drifted toward my wrist.
The silver bracelet reflected the moonlight.
A small star.
Simple.
Yet...
For some reason, I liked it very much.
Tomorrow...
Training would finally begin.
A new Chapter of this life.
I didn’t know what awaited me in the future.
The protagonist.
The calamities.
The gods.
Those were worries for another day.
Right now...
I only wanted to treasure these peaceful moments.
My family was safe.
Amy was laughing.
Mother was smiling.
That alone...
Was enough.
A small smile appeared on my face.
Slowly, my eyelids grew heavy.
Before long...
I drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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Sorry guys short Chapter!