~Chapter 51~
“Really?” Calix’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Right. Now that you’ve decided the meaning behind holding your sword, you won’t recklessly swing it around. Your mistakes will decrease,” Lux said.
“Of course, Grandpa. I’ll work hard,” Calix said, full of determination.
“But don’t work too hard. The most important thing is not getting hurt,” Lux warned, crossing his arms.
Calix quietly watched Lux for a moment, then crossed his own arms and asked a question he had been thinking about.
“Grandpa, were you worried about me?”
“Of course not,” Lux replied with a chuckle. “I stopped your lessons because I was worried you’d get hurt.”
“I stopped because you couldn’t focus and were getting anxious,” Lux added.
Calix walked up to Lux and casually nudged him with his shoulder.
“Don’t be shy, I know everything.”
“What do you mean, shy?” Lux responded with a puzzled expression, but Calix was already certain that’s what Lux was feeling.
“I get it, Grandpa. I’ll be careful, I’ll work hard. I’ll keep it in mind,” Calix promised.
“…Hah, fine. Just do as you please. And from now on, wake up early and start with basic training,” Lux added.
“Yes, Grandpa!” Calix cheered without complaining.
Having finished what he needed to say, Lux turned and began walking back to his training ground.
As he walked away, Calix called out to him, “Grandpa, be careful during your training so you don’t get hurt!”
Lux stopped for a moment and looked back. The voice that called out to him sounded so familiar — it reminded him of something he had heard a long time ago.
He could see a reflection of his daughter’s face in Calix, and for a brief moment, it felt like he was seeing a ghost waving at him.
A sudden heat rose in his throat, and Lux hurriedly turned away, walking faster toward his training ground. He didn’t want to linger and risk showing a weak expression.
Once he was alone in the training room, Lux let out a heavy sigh, trying to shake off the overwhelming emotion.
“Mary…” he murmured quietly to himself.
He sat for a while, lost in thought, letting the memory resurface in his mind.
***
The next morning, Calix woke up earlier than usual and headed straight to the dining room. Ruby, who had already been there preparing breakfast, was surprised to see him.
“Calix, how did you wake up so early?”
“I woke up early to do some basic training,” Calix replied confidently.
“What? You woke up early and trained?” Ruby asked, still shocked.
She couldn’t believe it. Calix, who usually had a hard time getting up early, had gone out of his way to train before breakfast. Was this his own decision?
Just then, Lux appeared behind Ruby.
“I made him do it,” Lux said.
“Grandpa?” Ruby turned around, surprised.
“Yes, from now on, he’s going to train harder,” Lux added with a serious expression.
Ruby smiled brightly and followed Lux as he walked to his seat. “So, you’ve decided to resume Calix’s lessons!”
Lux just shrugged. “You were probably expecting this, weren’t you?”
“I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly,” Ruby said, still smiling. She walked over to Calix and patted his head. “Calix, you’ve worked hard. That’s why Grandpa has agreed to resume your lessons.”
“Yeah, I’m going to get stronger, for you, Ruby, and for Shasha,” Calix said, looking at Ruby with determination.
“What about Maria?” Ruby asked.
Calix immediately shook his head. “I’ll think about it,” he replied in a grumpy tone, his legs swinging under the table.
Ruby could tell it was better than a firm “no” and didn’t press him further. She just sat down beside him.
Soon, the nanny brought Maria to the dining room, and Shasha walked in holding the hand of her maid.
“Hello, sis!” Shasha cheered.
“Good morning, Shasha and Maria,” Ruby greeted, standing up to hug them both.
She lovingly stroked Shasha’s cheek and then picked up Maria, checking her condition. Fortunately, Maria was in good spirits after a good night’s sleep.
“Thank you for taking care of Maria again today, nanny,” Ruby said, as usual, expressing her gratitude.
“It’s nothing, Lady Ruby. It’s my job,” the nanny replied with a smile, handing Maria back to Ruby, who began feeding her.
As Ruby ate, she suddenly remembered something and looked up at Lux.
“Grandpa, I was thinking of adding a new subject to Shasha’s studies. Is that alright?”
“What subject?” Lux asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’d like to hire a teacher to teach Shasha how to handle a weapon. Also, it would be great if she could learn how to control her strength,” Ruby explained.
While Calix had been teaching Shasha some basics, it wasn’t proper training. Since Shasha showed an interest, Ruby thought it would be good to have her formally learn how to handle weapons, especially to control her overwhelming strength.
“Hmm, that’s a good idea,” Lux agreed after some thought.
“Do you want to start learning too?” Lux asked Shasha.
“Yes! I want to get stronger!” Shasha said, raising her fork excitedly.
“Shasha, put the fork down before you answer,” Ruby reminded her.
Shasha, not listening, waved her fork around. “I’m going to be a big, strong, and cool person!” she said.
Her strength was so great that the fork bent in her hands. The maid, now used to it, brought a new fork.
Shasha, excited by the whole situation, began humming a tune, and Lux couldn’t help but smile as he watched her.
Ruby, however, was busy wiping the food off Shasha’s fork, so she didn’t notice Lux’s smile.
“Alright, I approve. We’ll begin your lessons,” Lux said.
“Thank you!” Ruby and Shasha said in unison.
“What weapon will Shasha use?” Calix asked, curious.
“That’s up to Shasha to decide,” Lux replied.
“What should I use?” Shasha asked, not sure herself.
“Let’s try learning a few different ones, and you can choose which one fits you best,” Ruby suggested.
“Me?” Shasha said, nodding eagerly after thinking for a moment. She nodded so hard she almost fell over, and Ruby quickly caught her.
“You’re so strong, Shasha, I think a heavier weapon might suit you,” Ruby said.
“I’m not dumb!” Shasha protested, shaking her head.
“Yes, you are!” Calix teased.
“No, I’m not!” Shasha pouted, sticking her tongue out at Calix.
The two continued bickering as usual, and Ruby sighed, trying to calm them down.
“Stop fighting and eat your food,” she said, shaking her head.
“They started it!” Shasha shouted.
“No, I just said the truth,” Calix replied, sticking his tongue out at her.
Ruby muttered to herself, “I don’t know when these kids will grow up.”
Unexpectedly, Lux responded, “They grow up in the blink of an eye.”
His voice sounded as if it carried a hint of regret, as if he was reminiscing about something.
“Did your mother grow up that fast too?” Ruby asked, bringing up Mary.
Lux’s shoulders stiffened for a brief moment, but his expression didn’t change. “They grow up quickly and disappear just as fast.”
Ruby could only wonder what Lux had felt when his mother left the family so suddenly. How had he felt when they had come to tell him about her death?
Ruby could never quite figure out his emotions since he rarely showed them. But his words hinted at a deep affection for his mother.
“My mother was always happy,” Ruby said softly, remembering her parents.
Though they had been poor, Ruby remembered her parents as always smiling.
“Our treasure, we’re always happy because of you two.”
“Are you happy too?” her parents would ask.
Ruby, when she was younger, couldn’t fully understand what “happiness” meant. But now, she understood.
Calix and Shasha, on the other hand, answered those questions with a bright smile, saying “Yes, we’re happy!”
Ruby smiled bitterly at the memory, picking up her fork again.
“I’m glad you were happy,” she whispered.
Lux picked up his fork too, and in the quiet dining room, only the sounds of Calix and Shasha bickering filled the air.
Ruby didn’t mind it this time. It felt comforting, as though their playful noise was a sign that they were alive and well.
