The first game began with Max, the laziest knight in the order.
For days, he had been putting off clearing the snow, leaving it to his comrades while he remained buried under his blankets.
As usual, he was napping with his rabbit plushie, Merida, when suddenly, he was lifted into the air.
Edwin grabbed the back of Max’s thick neck and flung him into the snow without hesitation.
Then, with a bright smile, he said.
‘Shall we play a game?’
‘A… a game?’
‘It’s an icicle duel. Instead of swords, we’ll fight with icicles.’
It was a childish game.
But once the duel began, Max ended up crying.
That was the first time he realized how painful icicles could be.
Edwin didn’t even give him a chance to dodge, striking his vital points with swift and precise movements.
As if telling an amusing fairy tale, Edwin then narrated a story.
‘Did you know? If you stab someone with ice, there’s no evidence left behind. The weapon melts away completely.’
At those words, Max ran away on all fours.
From that day forward, every icicle around the base mysteriously disappeared—clearly the work of Max.
The second game was initiated by Harriet, the glutton.
As the one in charge of food, he had eaten half the bread even before lunch had officially started.
Because of this, many knights couldn’t fill their stomachs.
His insatiable appetite continued, and the next day, he devoured the bread again.
On the third day—
BANG!
The kitchen door burst open with a loud crash.
The cause of the noise was none other than Edwin, who should have been training at that hour.
Just as Harriet was about to stuff bread into his mouth, Edwin spoke.
‘Shall we play a game?’
‘What kind of game?’
‘A game where you eat every piece of bread in here.’
Harriet’s eyes sparkled as he eagerly nodded.
Looking at the vast spread of bread, Edwin smiled angelically.
‘The bread isn’t fully baked.’
‘But it looks perfectly fine to me.’
‘No, the dough is still raw.’
Edwin reached out toward the pile of bread.
Suddenly, flames erupted from the stack.
The fire grew larger and larger until it became an uncontrollable blaze.
Harriet, witnessing the power of the imperial family’s abilities for the first time, gasped and stumbled backward.
Panicked, he pleaded with Edwin.
‘Commander, at this rate, the entire dining hall will burn down!’
‘Isn’t that better than eating raw bread?’
The flames reached the ceiling.
Just as Harriet was about to flee, Edwin grabbed the back of his collar.
His grip was so strong that escape was impossible.
‘P-please spare me!’
‘The bread is done.’
Harriet turned around and sighed in relief to see that the flames had vanished.
However, all that remained were the charred remains of burnt bread.
‘Go on, eat up.’
‘How am I supposed to eat something that’s completely burnt?!’
‘Then let me help you.’
Edwin gathered the pieces of bread that had turned to charcoal.
Without hesitation, he shoved them into Harriet’s mouth.
‘Ack! Gahh! Nooo!’
‘I’m just helping you win the game.’
‘I-I forfeit! You win, Commander…!’
After that incident, Harriet didn’t touch bread for months.
Through these ‘games,’ Edwin managed to maintain peace within the knights’ order.
However, none of the Rune Knights wanted to be his next opponent.
When Edwin visited them again after a long time, he smiled despite the heavy atmosphere in the room.
“While I’m here, let’s just pretend we don’t know each other.”
“………”
The knights remained silent, exchanging nervous glances.
Edwin added in a friendly tone, “Don’t call me Commander or anything like that.”
“……..”
“Sounds fun, right?”
With that, Edwin casually grabbed some bread and fruit.
His subordinates could only watch in stunned silence as he left.
“………”
For the first time in a long while, the dining hall fell into complete silence.
***
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed through the room.
Dana, who had been sitting on the sofa reading a book, got up.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Senior.”
The gentle voice belonged to Edwin.
What could he want?
Dana opened the door, and he politely asked.
“I was hoping we could have breakfast together. May I come in?”
“Sure, come in.”
Edwin entered Dana’s room and headed straight for the table.
A few plates were neatly arranged on the beige tablecloth—fresh fruits and warm, freshly baked bread.
Surprised, Dana asked.
“Where did you get all this?”
“I borrowed the plates from the caretaker.”
“And the food?”
“…Just eat.”
Edwin pulled out Dana’s chair for her.
Then, with practiced ease, he gently placed a perfectly sliced piece of apple into her mouth.
The tart juice spread across her tongue, bringing a bright expression to her face.
Edwin watched her, clearly pleased.
Sitting across from her, he continued to serve her—cutting the bread into bite-sized pieces and refilling her glass before it could empty.
“You should eat too. You said we’d eat together.”
“Yes, Senior.”
Edwin took a bite of his bread.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked—
“Senior, have you ever been in a relationship?”
Cough!
Dana choked on her apple.
“W-what?! Why do you ask?”
Was that a question or an ambush?
Unfazed, Edwin handed her a glass of water.
“So, I’d be your first?”
How did that even make sense?
Dana stared at him in silence, but Edwin simply smiled.
“You’d be my first too.”
“……….”
“Do you know what’s important in a relationship?”
“…No.”
“It’s checking on each other’s well-being.”
“What, like we’re in the middle of a war?”
“Making sure the other person slept well, ate properly—that kind of thing.”
Now that she thought about it, that was a common topic among couples.
When Dana nodded, Edwin’s smile deepened.
“So from now on, let’s eat all three meals together.”
…How had the conversation led to that?
Dana’s eyes widened in shock.
Edwin added.
“I need to see for myself that you’re doing well, Senior.”
“I’m fine even without you.”
“Then, would it be okay if I ask about your meals every morning, afternoon, and evening?”
“…….….”
“You promised me, remember? That you’d accept my affectionate gaze.”
“Is this what you meant by that?”
“Yes. From now on, accept everything I give you—no matter what it is.”
His gaze was unwavering as he spoke.
Dana thought back to the past.
Had anyone ever cared about her meals like this before?
Her meals had always been dictated by her older brother’s preferences.
Even when she was sick and left her food untouched, her family never noticed.
And even if they had, they probably wouldn’t have said anything.
Realizing this, Dana spoke carefully.
“Hey, Edwin…”
“Yes?”
“When I said I was fine without you earlier… I didn’t mean to reject your kindness.”
Edwin silently listened.
“It’s just… this kind of warmth is new to me, and I don’t know how to accept it.”
“……….”
“It feels awkward and unfamiliar. So sometimes, my words might come out cold.”
Dana’s face flushed.
“But still… I’m always grateful.”
She closed her eyes shyly.
“From now on, I’ll accept everything you give me. Even if my response seems awkward, please understand.”
With her eyes closed, her hands gently clasped around her cup.
The sight of her sent ripples through Edwin’s heart.
“……….”
“……….”
Perhaps that’s why, for the first time, Edwin couldn’t immediately respond.
Dana, who had opened her heart to him—who had gathered the courage to express her feelings—was so unbearably precious.
“…Thank you for telling me.”
Suppressing the emotions threatening to overflow, Edwin finally answered.
Dana lifted her head and met his gaze.
Her small, tightly pressed lips quivered before curving into a soft, shy smile.
Seeing that smile, Edwin’s heart swelled even more.
My heart just grew three sizes. 💚