Chapter 14 

The first game began with Max, the laziest knight in the order.

For several days, he had been avoiding snow-shoveling duty, leaving it to his fellow knights while he curled up under his blanket.

As usual, Max had been napping with his stuffed rabbit, Merida, when he was suddenly lifted into the air.

Edwin grabbed the scruff of the burly Max and threw him straight into the snow.

Then he smiled brightly.

“Want to play a game?”

“A g-game?”

“The icicle game. Instead of swords, we duel with icicles.”

It sounded like a children’s game.

But once the duel began, Max burst into tears.

He never knew icicles could hurt so much.

Edwin didn’t give him any chance to dodge—he attacked with speed and precision, striking his weak points.

Then he narrated a story in a pleasant, fairy-tale tone.

“Did you know? They say if you pierce someone with ice, it leaves no murder evidence. The weapon melts and disappears.”

At those words, Max scrambled away on all fours.

After that day, every icicle around the base disappeared—thanks to him.

The second game was caused by Harriot, the glutton.

As the person in charge of meals, Harriot had eaten half the bread before lunchtime even began.

Because of him, many knights couldn’t eat properly.

His greedy appetite didn’t stop, and the next day, he devoured the bread again.

On the third day—

Bang!

The kitchen door flew open.

The source of the loud noise was Edwin, who should’ve been in the middle of training.

Just as Harriot was about to shove more bread into his mouth, Edwin spoke.

“Shall we play a game?”

“What gamee?”

“A game where you eat all the bread here.”

Harriot’s face brightened immediately, and he nodded.

Looking at the rows of bread laid out, Edwin smiled like an angel.

“The bread’s undercooked.”

“It looks perfectly baked to meee?”

“No, the dough is still raw.”

He stretched his hand toward the bread.

Flames erupted from the pile.

The fire grew rapidly, spreading into an uncontrollable blaze.

This was the first time Harriot had ever witnessed the royal family’s supernatural ability. He stumbled back with a squeak.

Panicking, he pleaded:

“Captain, at this rate the kitchen will burn down!”

“Better than eating undercooked bread, isn’t it?”

The flames shot up all the way to the ceiling.

Edwin grabbed Harriot by the scruff as he tried to run.

There was no chance of escape—Edwin’s strength was overwhelming.

“P-please spare mee!”

“The bread is fully cooked now.”

Harriot looked back and sighed in relief when the flames died down.

All that remained was an unrecognizable pile of charred bread.

“Go on, eat.”

“How can I eat something that’s burnt!?”

“Then I’ll help you.”

Edwin gathered the blackened pieces and shoved them straight into Harriot’s mouth.

“Gah—cough! I hate this!”

“I’m helping you win.”

“I—I give up! You win, Captain…!”

After that day, Harriot didn’t touch bread for months.

In this way, Edwin maintained peace within the knight order through games.

However, no one in the Rune Knight Order ever wanted to be his opponent.

Although he was visiting after a long time, Edwin let his eyes curl sweetly even in the tense air.

“While I’m staying here, pretend you don’t know me.”

“…”

The knights exchanged uneasy glances and stayed silent.

Edwin kindly elaborated:

“Don’t call me Captain or anything like that.”

“…”

“It’ll be fun, right?”

After finishing his words, he grabbed a few pieces of bread and fruit to take with him.

His subordinates could only stare blankly at his retreating back.

“…”

“…”

For the first time in a long while, silence filled the dining hall.

* * *

Knock, knock.

Dana, who had been sitting on the sofa reading a book, lifted her body.

“Who is it?”

“Senior, it’s me.”

The gentle voice belonged to Edwin.

What’s going on?
Dana opened the door, and he spoke politely.

“I wanted to have breakfast with you. May I come in?”

“Yeah, come in.”

Edwin entered Dana’s room and walked straight to the table.

A few plates were set on the beige tablecloth—fresh fruit and warm, freshly baked bread.

Dana, surprised, asked:

“Where did you get these?”

“I borrowed dishes from the caretaker.”

“And the food?”

“…Please have some.”

He pulled her chair back for her.

Then he lifted a neatly cut slice of apple and brought it directly to her lips.

As the sweet-tart juice spread in her mouth, Dana’s expression brightened.

Edwin gazed at her with satisfied eyes.

He sat across from her and continued to serve her—cutting the bread for easier eating, refilling her cup before it emptied.

“You should eat too. You said we’d eat together.”

“Yes, Senior.”

He took a bite of bread as well.

“Have you ever dated before, Senior?”

Dana choked on her apple.

“Wh-what? Why would you ask that?”

Was this a question or an ambush?

Edwin calmly handed her a glass of water.

“Then I must be your first.”

How does that conclusion make sense?

Dana stared at him silently, and Edwin smiled faintly.

“It’s my first time too.”

“…”

“Do you know what couples consider important?”

“…No.”

“Checking whether the other person is doing well.”

“Is this wartime?”

“Whether they slept well, whether they ate.”

Now that she thought about it, couples she knew often talked like that.

When Dana nodded, Edwin smiled happily.

“So from now on, let’s eat three meals a day together.”

How did the conversation lead to that?

Dana’s eyes widened.

Edwin added:

“I need to confirm with my own eyes that you’re doing well.”

“I can manage fine without you.”

“Then is it okay if I ask you every breakfast, lunch, and dinner whether you’ve eaten?”

“…”

“You promised, remember? That you’d accept my affectionate gaze.”

“That’s what this is?”

“Yes. From now on, accept whatever I give you. Whatever it is.”

His eyes were unwavering.

Dana thought back.

Had anyone ever taken care of her meals like this?

Meals had always catered to her brother’s tastes.

Even when she had fallen ill and left her food untouched, her family never noticed.

Even if they had noticed, they wouldn’t have said anything.

Realizing that, Dana spoke softly.

“Edwin…”

“Yes, Senior?”

“When I said I could manage without you… I wasn’t rejecting your kindness.”

Edwin silently listened.

“It’s just… this warmth is new to me. So it’s hard to accept.”

“…”

“It feels awkward and unfamiliar. So sometimes my words might come out cold.”

Dana’s face reddened.

“But… I’m always grateful.”

Then, embarrassed, she closed her eyes.

“So from now on, I’ll accept whatever you give me. Even if I respond awkwardly, please understand.”

Her posture—eyes closed, hands wrapped around her cup—sent a powerful tremor through Edwin’s heart.

“…”

“…”

Maybe that was why.

For once, he couldn’t answer immediately.

Dana, who had approached him with courage, was so incredibly precious in that moment.

“…Thank you for telling me.”

Edwin replied, suppressing the overwhelming emotion rising in him.

Dana lifted her head and looked at him.

Her small, tightly pressed lips quivered before curving into a soft smile.

And seeing that shy smile—something inside Edwin’s chest surged violently.