BCHA 10

Chapter 10

“Uh, well… I was just wondering—what’s the best thing to give someone if you want them to like you?”

Only when I finally spoke did Melinje relax a little. She’d been on edge earlier, but her naturally cheerful personality quickly returned as she thought seriously about my question.

“Hmm… to win someone’s favor, you say?”

“Yeah! To make them like me.”

“Let’s see… what would be good…”

She continued brushing my hair for a long while, thinking hard, before her eyes suddenly lit up.

“Oh! I know!!”

“Huh?”

“They’ll love it, I’m sure!”

“What will they love?”

“Whatever you give them, my lady! But if you ask me…” She smiled warmly. “Why not give them something precious to you? Something special that means a lot.”

I nodded right away.

Now that I thought about it, close friends often shared things they cherished, didn’t they? I’d been so caught up in surviving all this time that I’d forgotten something as simple and human as that.

If I gave the twins something I truly liked, they’d probably be happy too. The idea felt obvious, yet comforting.

“That’s perfect! I’ll do that!”

“Would you like me to help you prepare it?”

“No, I’ll do it myself! It has to be a special gift!”

Since the twins didn’t trust adults, it was better if I prepared and gave it to them on my own. But what should it be?

While I was thinking, Melinje tied my hair into two neat braids and added ribbons at the ends. Then she tidied the room with her usual bright smile.

“Then, should I leave you alone for a bit?”

“Yup!”

I didn’t know why she looked so cheerful, but I ignored it and began looking around the room for something I could give the twins.

But what could I possibly give two ten-year-old boys—older than me by two years?

I couldn’t give them my doll set. And giving them a dress, hairpin, or jewelry would just be weird.

Then my eyes landed on something perfect—
a mountain of chocolate stacked in the corner of the room.

Ever since I’d complained about not getting enough sweets, Father had told the maids to let me have as much chocolate as I wanted.

Before, I was only allowed three pieces a day. Now, boxes of it piled up to the ceiling.

I grabbed as many as I could and stuffed them into my pockets until they bulged.

Of course, my destination was the twins’ room. For some reason, my steps felt light as air.

I even hummed a little tune.

At this point, I’d been visiting the twins every day, so no one thought it was strange anymore. It was just part of my routine—like waking up and eating breakfast. People probably just assumed their fickle young lady had found a new hobby.

“You’ve come, my lady,” the maid standing guard by the twins’ door said, stepping aside politely.

“Mm-hmm! Open the door!”

“Yes, my lady.”

The door was tightly shut, but all the windows were wide open. The room was on the second floor, so they couldn’t jump out, but it must’ve helped them breathe easier.

As soon as I stepped inside, the younger twin’s annoyed voice rang out.

“Why are you here again? It’s not meal time!”

What a personality. The brat had thrown his manners out the window once again.

Despite being twins, their differences were stark.

The older one—gentle, quiet, and angelic—looked pleasantly surprised by my sudden visit.

The younger one—rude and sharp-tongued—looked more like a little devil than a child.

People said they were identical, but to me, they couldn’t have been more different. One was an angel. The other… a demon.

“Why are you here?” the younger one repeated harshly.

I just looked at him quietly, which seemed to make him even more irritated.

“You’ll regret coming here, you know.”

“Regret? For what?”

I ignored him completely and walked straight toward the older brother, smiling proudly.

“Tada!”

I pulled out the chocolates. They’d melted slightly from my pocket’s warmth, but they still looked fine.

“What’s that?”

“Chocolate! You’ve never had any, right? I brought them especially for you.”

I puffed up my chest proudly, but the younger twin quickly stepped in front of his brother.

“Don’t eat it, Brother! How do you know it’s not poisoned?”

“But she’s never given us anything bad before,” the older one said softly. “Thank you. I’ll try it.”

Even so, there was still a hint of caution in his voice.

He carefully took one from my hand, hesitated for a moment, then peeled back the shiny wrapper.

“Brother, I said don’t eat it!”

But it was already too late. The chocolate had vanished into his mouth.

Chocolate—the divine creation itself. Every child’s weakness.

And sure enough, the older twin’s expression slowly changed.

At first, confusion. Then his eyes widened. His lips curled upward, his cheeks lifted—until his whole face was glowing.

“Wow…”

“It’s good, right?” I said with a grin.

“It’s amazing… Chocolate, you said?”

“Yup! I told you—I wanted to get along with you two. That’s why I brought you something I like best.”

The older twin’s expression softened. For the first time, he looked truly happy.

“It’s the first time someone’s ever given us something they loved most.”

“Ugh, Brother, stop it! She’s one of them!” the younger one hissed.

I shrugged and emptied both pockets, scattering chocolates in front of them.

“Here. You don’t have to eat them if you don’t trust me. I won’t force you. But I really hope you’ll start to open up, even just a little. I truly want to get along.”

With that, I turned to leave.

“You’re leaving already? You really came just to give us this?”

The younger twin’s voice wavered slightly, his eyes uncertain.

“Yup.”

“That just makes you more suspicious.”

“I told you—don’t eat if you don’t want to. Anyway, I’m done here.”

Without a single glance back, I walked out of the room.

It didn’t matter what faces they made now.

All I wanted was to create a small crack in their walls—a chance for trust to grow.

Because soon, I’d need that opening for what I planned next.

I couldn’t remember every detail of my past life, but one thing suddenly came to mind.

It happened the day after my eighth birthday party—the day we visited Grandmother.

Father had felt guilty about keeping the twins confined all the time, so he’d finally allowed them to move freely around the west mansion.

That was the day they tried to escape.

Even if I helped them, they wouldn’t make it far. But at least I could give them hope—show them this place wasn’t their prison.

And even if they got caught and brought back, I’d make sure they weren’t locked up again.

That alone would change everything between us.

Smiling to myself, I held back a laugh and headed to my room.

***

That afternoon, as always, Father came to find me.

Whenever I had to visit Grandmother at the main estate, he always came along.

She scolded me endlessly every time she saw me, so Father’s presence was my only shield. He’d cleverly divert her rants, making excuses until she ran out of breath.

Today was no different—except for one thing.

Father looked oddly excited. His lips kept twitching, like he was trying to hold something in.

Finally, as we were preparing to leave, he couldn’t keep quiet any longer.

“Amannet. Ahem. Daddy’s ready.”

“Me too! Let’s go!”

“No, not that.”

He grinned in that weird way of his, even his eyebrows wiggling playfully.

“You know… that thing…”

“Dad, you’re acting weird. Do you have something to say?”

“Well… Daddy heard a little rumor.” His eyes sparkled mischievously. “You’re preparing something for me, aren’t you?”

Huh? What nonsense was this? Preparing something? What was he talking about?

But his red eyes were gleaming with excitement, filled with pure, childlike anticipation—like he was waiting for a surprise gift.