Chapter 18: Apology

Chapter 18: Apology

The next day, Bran went into the Storehouse again. Previously, Bran had just said softly that he was going to the Storehouse. Faced with such a plain sentence, Danny actually could not bring herself to stop him. It was like a long-ill old man telling a child he was going out for a walk. Though worried, one could not prevent it.

Bran wandered around the Storehouse for more than half a circle. Then, with Danny’s help, he took apart a pile of scattered metal, gems, and wood, and moved them all back to the bedroom. He then asked Danny to guard the bedroom door to stop outsiders from entering, especially his siblings.

By evening when he came out to eat, Bran’s face was pale, clearly a sign of overused Mana. For several days in a row, Bran stayed busy in the bedroom. Every time Danny entered the room, her eyes would be glued to the items on the table. On the table were two hair clips. One had a delicate butterfly that seemed to tremble as if about to fly. The other was relatively plainer, but from different angles, one could see Starlight flickering. With breathing and movement, the reflections from different angles made the Starlight on it brighten and dim. A bracelet seemed enveloped in a halo, as if glowing by itself. Several simple belts, fitted with weapon hooks, had a crystal-clear snowflake engraved on the front metal buckle.

While Danny stared dreamily at the table, Bran casually tossed one of the belts over. Danny caught it and then heard, “For you.”

Just as Danny was slightly stunned, Bran stood up and gave Danny a big hug, or rather, he hugged her thigh. Given the height difference between Danny and Bran, Bran literally hugged a thigh, making what should have been a warm scene somewhat comical.

Danny seemed a bit uncomfortable with this closeness and asked subconsciously, “For me?”

“Yes, Danny.” Whatever reason made Danny become Bran’s Attendant, Bran understood that with the troublesome nature of the Northlanders, no one could force her if she wasn’t willing. And for a known Idiot, no matter what reason Danny agreed to become an Attendant, it was something Bran should be grateful for. This was what Bran suddenly realized when he noticed his older siblings’ Attendants. Their Attendants were mature and seasoned Knights, definitely not something Danny could compare to.

“Thank you, Danny,” Bran said.

The Duchess was resting in the room, with Bran’s sister Xirui sitting beside her. The door was pushed open quietly, and then the Madam noticed her worrying son walking in silently, though today was different from before. Watching the child walk quietly to her side, he put a beautiful bracelet on her wrist and said, “For you, Mom.”

Bran sat beside the Madam and slowly said, “Don’t worry.” Bran emphasized, pointing to his head. “I always remember, all of it…”

The Madam’s eyes grew slightly moist. She reached out and patted Bran’s head. Then she raised her hand, looking at the circle of halo around her wrist, so dazzling, so brilliant…

…

Seeing their little sister bouncing over with a butterfly hair clip, Bran’s older brother and sister stopped their training. Everyone’s gaze was drawn to this butterfly, including the Knight instructing them. Bran, however, was left aside, like an invisible person, just as before. When the Little Loli happily announced that her brother gave it to her, everyone finally shifted their gaze to Bran.

Bran first handed the belts to his older brother and sister. Watching them put them on, their eyes moved back and forth between the Little Loli’s head and Bran, as if they wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

Bran stood in front of his sister and slowly opened his left hand. Under everyone’s watch, Starlight flashed from his palm, catching everyone’s eye. Lily snatched it into her hand and then asked, “For me?”

Bran nodded and gave a firm “Mm.” Then he was pulled into his sister’s embrace, and she gave him a hard kiss on the cheek. Only when he was still in swaddling clothes did his sister have similar actions. When did the siblings start drifting apart bit by bit? As he gradually grew up, gradually became the Idiot in others’ eyes, it seemed this sister no longer liked taking this Idiot brother who reacted little to anyone or anything.

As for the two older brothers who hoped for the same treatment, forget it. The age gap was somewhat large, there was a generation gap between them, and they rarely played together, so Bran decisively took his little sister’s hand and left.

During dinner, the other three males of the Duke’s family seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Bran. When the Duke just showed a hint of this, Bran bluntly retorted, “Your waist is too thick, so for the same belt, it used the most materials and Mana. Counting it this way, you are the person I spent the most on. What is there to be unhappy about?”

“As for my two dear older brothers, when accepting gifts, don’t pick and choose. You can accept it and say thank you; or, refuse.”

So the men of the Duke’s family shut their mouths, only occasionally glancing at the halo on the Madam’s wrist and then at the headpieces of the two ladies, silent…