Pride - Steve
I am Steve, the eldest son of a blacksmith.
After graduating from the academy, I started working at the smithy alongside my father and the other senior craftsmen. My younger brother, Martin, who is eight years younger than me, has already joined the private army and now lives in the private army dormitory.
Honestly, I envy Martin... As part of the private army, he maintains the town’s security and occasionally goes on monster subjugations near the Lampail territory—his work is fulfilling. I wanted to take the private army entrance exam too, but I couldn't, considering my responsibilities to the smithy and my father. So instead, I supported Martin as much as possible to help him get in. I taught him reading and writing before he even entered the academy, trained with him to build stamina, and sparred with him. Thanks to that, he passed the exam, and when he did, I was as happy as if it were my own achievement.
But... I couldn't help but envy the private army over my monotonous blacksmith work.
That was until I met Young lady Joan.
"Big bro~ Big bro~! You here~?"
Martin, who should be at the private army dormitory, calls out for me.
"I'm here. What's up? You look like you’re in a rush."
"Good, you're here! Madam is calling for you at the mansion. Come with me!"
"Madam is calling for me...? Don't tell me you did something stupid again!"
"No!! Young lady Joan wants to make something, and she wants to ask if it's possible."
"What!? We're busy preparing for the year-end rush, and she wants me to entertain a kid's whims? Young lady Joan, isn't she the one rumored to have a Null attribute from the spring assessment? She probably just wants us to make some magic tools to compensate for her dud attribute, right?"
"Big bro!! Even you shouldn't say things like that! Young lady Joan may have a Null attribute, but she’s amazing! She’s cute, kind, considerate, a great cook, and—"
"Alright, alright, I get it. I just need to go, right?"
"Ah, yeah. Oh, and Daniel from the woodworking workshop is coming too. The carriage is waiting outside."
"What, that guy too...? Hmm, a carriage, huh..."
Daniel, from the woodworking workshop, is my childhood friend—we grew up in the same neighborhood and are the same age. Just like me, he couldn't join the private army and instead pinned his hopes on his youngest brother. Because of that, we still go out drinking together.
I explained the situation to my father, left the work to the other craftsmen, and stepped outside.
I expected a simple cart, but what I saw was a proper carriage bearing the Lampail family crest. Standing beside it were Daniel and his youngest brother, Gan.
"You're late, Steve. Let me guess, you complained and resisted, didn't you?"
Daniel hit the nail on the head.
"Shut up. I came, didn't I? But are we really allowed to ride this?"
"Yes, Madam specifically arranged it for you, Big brother."
Gan answered.
"Wow, all this for her daughter, huh... Talk about doting parents."
"Steve, don’t you dare say that at the mansion."
Daniel warned me, but I wasn’t stupid enough to say it out loud there.
Meeting Young lady Joan was one surprise after another.
At just five years old, she had come up with ideas we craftsmen had never even thought of and had them all listed out. As a gift, she handed us the highly sought-after "Jo Company" salt butter cookies and tea pound cake, which were difficult to buy in town.
On the way back, Daniel and I remained silent the entire ride.
We were utterly crushed by the ideas of a five-year-old.
When I got home and showed the list while explaining, my father and the craftsmen were so shocked they stood there with their mouths agape.
I thought they were as devastated as I was, but instead...
"This is damn interesting! Alright, let’s surprise Young lady Joan! We’ll have a prototype ready before the deadline!"
The craftsmen all laughed excitedly.
When I asked Father if he wasn’t at least a little shaken, he scoffed.
"Don’t say dumb things! So what if we couldn’t come up with it ourselves? What matters is what we do from here. Young lady Joan can come up with ideas, but she can’t make them. We’re the ones who can. And getting to make something entirely new—that’s thrilling! Plus, if we get the prototype done on time, we’ll get to see her reaction! What’s not to love about this!?"
My father’s eyes sparkled like an excited kid.
I see... The frustration I felt at being outthought, the irritation at a mere five-year-old... that was just my petty pride. Father was right. If we finish the prototype on time, how will Young lady Joan react?
I bet those big, round eyes of hers will widen even more.
Alright! Let’s do this!!
On the promised day, I felt uneasy going alone, so I headed to the mansion with Daniel.
As expected, when we presented the prototype, Young lady Joan’s eyes widened, and she thanked us with a beaming, sparkling smile. Seeing that, I felt relieved—we had made the right choice.
Then, at Madam’s suggestion, we got to try dishes made using the prototype, and we were left in shock once more.
The food was amazing. It was hard to believe a five-year-old had made it. The cocktail, in particular, was incredible! Who would’ve thought mixing alcohol with fruit juice could taste so good? At first, I was nervous drinking with the lord and the former lord, but with great food and great drinks, I quickly relaxed.
Now, I understand why the lord dotes on her and why Martin sings her praises. Next time I hear someone badmouthing Young lady Joan in town, I’ll set them straight and tell them just how amazing she is.
On the way back, just like before, Young lady Joan sent us off with gifts and a carriage. But unlike last time, Daniel and I weren’t silent—we were talking and laughing the entire way.
Inspired by Young lady Joan’s ideas, Daniel eagerly shared new concepts, and I did the same, though mine all seemed to be cooking-related... It seemed that, unconsciously, both of us were thinking about what Young lady Joan would use.
If it makes Young lady Joan happy, then I’ll throw away my pride. I just want to see that smile again.
For now, let’s finish the blender prototype. And while I’m at it, I’ll pitch my own idea too.
Just imagining her surprised expression makes me grin.
What do you think about this chapter?
