Chapter 16 …
The expressions of the two men who had completely fallen for it looked exactly the same.
Honestly, anyone could tell they were grandfather and grandson!
I could understand my brother’s reaction, but I hadn’t expected my grandfather to fall for it too!
I stared blankly as Grandfather held up the tiny hair ornament in his huge, pot-lid-sized hand, examining it closely.
The only reason he hadn’t been scammed by someone until now must’ve been…
‘Because of that overwhelming presence, maybe?’
While I was lost in that silly thought, a large hand suddenly reached toward me.
Grandfather gently tucked the ornament—sold to him with expert persuasion—into my hair.
It was a surprisingly delicate touch.
“…Huh?”
“It suits you well, my dear granddaughter.”
Grandfather said in a satisfied tone as he looked at me.
“That hairpin even has a happiness charm woven into it, so it’ll surely bring you good fortune, miss!”
“Ah, um, that’s really not necessary…”
“Don’t refuse it, child. In the North, it’s tradition to gift items of good luck.”
“Tradition?”
I blinked at him in surprise.
“In the North, we give lucky charms to those precious to us. I once received one myself,” my brother explained as he stepped in.
“Before the harshest part of winter arrives, families usually gift them to loved ones—or to anyone leaving the safety of the fortress.”
“Our northern lands lie close to Mount Pacheon,” Grandfather added, already having paid for the item. “It’s our way of wishing that no misfortune befalls them at the hands of spirit beasts. We pray for one another’s safety—and for victory to those heading into battle.”
He chuckled softly.
“It might just be superstition, but still.”
The deep wrinkles around his eyes curved kindly as he smiled.
“I see…”
“Now then, I have a gift too.”
My brother grinned and held out his hand. Resting in it was a small yellow tassel charm.
I blinked, dazed, as I accepted it.
A gift wishing good fortune and happiness to someone precious.
Just recalling that phrase made my chest warm and tight—so much that my nose prickled slightly.
‘This is… the first time.’
It was the first time anyone had ever given me something like this.
“…Thank you,” I murmured softly.
“Heh heh heh, you’re welcome, you’re welcome.”
My heart fluttered uncontrollably as I fidgeted with the little charm in my hands and gave a small bow of thanks.
I heard my brother’s proud laugh and felt Grandfather’s large hand patting my head.
‘Ah—wait a second…’
A brilliant idea suddenly popped into my head.
I turned my eyes toward the display stand again.
“Do you see anything else you want?” Grandfather asked.
“No, not for me…”
I looked up at the two of them and smiled brightly.
“Because I want to give you both a present!”
I scanned the display table carefully.
“You want to give us a present?”
“W–w–who, us?”
“Yes! Both of you!”
They looked absolutely shocked.
‘What’s with those faces? It’s only natural to give something back if you’ve received something!’
My gaze fell upon a few thick strings tied together in braids. I pointed.
“What’s this?”
“Oh, that? Those are sword tassels! People often give them as gifts to those going to battle or on monster subjugation missions. When tied to your sword, they’re said to strengthen your good fortune!”
The little shopkeeper, ever the enthusiastic salesman, explained quickly.
I nodded, pleased.
“Perfect. I’ll take two!”
“My little sister… giving me a present? Grandfather, is this a dream?”
“To think I’d live to receive a gift from my granddaughter…”
My brother held a tassel woven from green and black threads.
Grandfather’s was of deep navy and violet.
The two of them looked down at their gifts, mumbling in awe.
“She even picked the colors carefully, don’t you think? Maybe that—what was it—the personal color theory?”
“They suit us well. As expected, my granddaughter has inherited my sense of taste.”
“I don’t know about that, but… I just like it,” my brother said.
Watching them, I couldn’t help but feel…
‘Mortified…’
The happier they looked, the more I wanted to dig a hole and hide in it.
‘I totally forgot I don’t have any money!’
I’d proudly declared I’d buy them gifts, but only now did I realize I had no money at all.
In the end, they had paid for their own presents.
A gift where the recipients pay for it themselves… does that even count?
[Well, they don’t seem to mind, do they?]
Doory, my spirit companion, offered a dry remark as I buried my face in my hands in embarrassment.
‘Maybe not… but still!’
I sighed and lifted my head.
‘Even so, I’ll make sure these gifts are worth the money.’
Because these were my lucky charms.
They might just be trinkets with no real power right now, but…
‘With me, they’ll be more than superstition.’
The sword tassels themselves had no innate magic.
But I could infuse them with true power.
After all, I really did have the ability to cast charms.
‘Doory, Doory!’
[Got it. Just a second.]
When I called her inwardly, she replied at once, understanding without explanation.
Careful not to be seen, I extended one finger.
Ssshh—
A faint white glow seeped from my fingertip, invisible to others.
‘Thanks,’ I whispered inwardly.
Using that light, I traced glowing letters in the air.
‘Please protect these two, so that even if danger comes, they’ll survive unharmed.’
I wished it with all my heart.
A talisman symbolizing protection formed in midair, glowing faintly before dispersing into motes of light that sank into the sword tassels in their hands.
‘There.’
Watching the light fade into the items, I lowered my hand.
I flexed my fingers—thankfully, the magic hadn’t drained much energy.
[That’s because the items already carried the belief of being lucky charms. You didn’t need much power.]
‘Thought so.’
Perception was vital for any spell to work effectively.
Whether it was believing that carrying a lucky charm brings fortune, or that scissors can cut paper—it all came down to shared understanding.
When the magic aligned with such beliefs, it required far less energy.
And since I had the tassels as physical vessels, it became even easier.
‘I was worried I’d have to stay glued to them to keep the spell active—but this should do!’
With this, even if something happened to them, the charms would buy enough time for help to arrive.
‘At the very least… they’ll be protected until someone can intervene.’
I grinned at the two men still marveling at their gifts.
“You must carry them with you at all times, okay?”
Because those charms will protect you both.
That evening, after we returned to the castle from our shopping trip—
“You got gifts? Even you, Hyun?”
Doha, buried under endless paperwork, looked up as the two men beamed proudly.
“Hahaha, indeed! Look here—my granddaughter picked out this sword tassel herself!”
“Check out mine too! She suddenly said she wanted to give us presents, and she really picked them herself!”
Their smiles had been glued to their faces ever since we came back.
They shoved their swords toward Doha’s face. Each had a tassel he hadn’t seen before.
“How is it? She spent ages agonizing over the colors,” my brother said.
“Hahaha, her expression was absolutely adorable,” Grandfather added.
“So cute! She even scolded us to carry them everywhere!”
“I couldn’t refuse after that, of course. I tied mine on right then and there.”
As they talked excitedly, Doha frowned slightly.
‘She picked them out herself?’
His eyes narrowed as he examined the tassels.
“Hmm.”
He couldn’t quite explain it, but… somehow, they felt just right.
His gaze kept drifting toward the simple knots.
‘That kid… has quite the eye for design.’
To think she had such taste at that age.
He had no idea he was gushing just as much as they were.
“But wait…”
Something bothered him.
“You two were the only ones who got presents?”
What about me?
Doha’s brow furrowed slightly.
He had a sword too.
And he went on the most subjugation missions out of all of them.
‘Did she… just not think of me at all?’
Grandfather chuckled. “You weren’t with us, were you?”
“Only those who went out together got them, Father. It was like a gift exchange!”
Both men grinned triumphantly.
A smile of victory.
“Ha…”
Doha let out a defeated sigh.
A gift exchange, seriously?
It sounded unnecessarily grand, but it worked.
“I should’ve gone with them no matter what!”
Thud!
His palm slammed onto the desk, full of frustration and envy.
“Bwahahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
Their laughter rang through the room.
Doha stared at them, silently suffering.
They’d been out having fun while he’d been stuck inside all day working.
“Can you two stop being so happy? I’m starting to feel personally attacked.”
“Hahaha, are you jealous because you didn’t get a gift?”
“…”
That stung.
“…That settles it,” he muttered gravely, straightening up.
“Hmm?”
“I’m going to play with the kid right now.”
This wasn’t just about the gift.
A child giving a present meant she saw that person as close.
He couldn’t afford to miss out on that kind of bonding moment.
“Do you think I’m doing this just because of a gift? Hah. I’m not that petty.”
‘…I’m really not,’ he insisted to himself, though his eyes were blazing with determination.
Without another word, Doha stormed out of his office.
The two men left behind exchanged knowing glances.
Then—
Smirk.
They both grinned.
“He’s jealous, isn’t he?”
“He didn’t even close the door. Poor boy must be desperate.”
Their mission to make him jealous was a complete success.
I rolled my eyes.
It was because a certain someone had suddenly barged into my room.
“…My lord?”
“Yeah.”
