"And what was it?"
"It's a sword."
His grandfather turned around, frowning, "sword?"
"Yes, grandfather. A sword that was found deep in the mountain where there are coal ores."
"And did you take it?"
Grandfather noticed Serdar's hesitation.
"Yes, I have it."
Grandpa So-and-so narrowed his eyes, noticing the hesitant expression on his face.
"What are you hiding from me, Serdar?"
". I'm not hiding anything." He raised his grandfather proudly.
"Do you think I can't spot you?"
A hint of coldness passed through Sev's eyes, as he stared at his grandfather with a blank stare. "I'm being honest."
His grandfather hummed sarcastically. "That's obvious." His grandfather took a step closer and put his hand on Saif's shoulder.
"I will ask you for the last time, what are you hiding from me?"
Saif gave him blank looks for a moment as he pressed his grandfather's palm, but then he sighed and said politely, mixed with worry.
". it's dangerous."
". Sword?."
"Yes, it is very dangerous. Three workers died just to extract it and two died to preserve it."
Grandpa removed his hand from Sev's shoulder. "Five people died to get it?"
"Exactly, so I say that it is dangerous to bring him here..."
his grandfather said angrily. "Does this require you to hide the matter from me? I should be informed of this quickly."
"Sorry about that,"
His grandfather exhaled and rubbed his face. "What did you do about those who died?"
"I took care of them and provided good compensation to their families."
"Well done, I hope it's adequate compensation."
. "As you see fit."
His grandfather asked without introduction. "Do you have the sword with you now?"
Serdar looked away. When grandfather Vilan found Serdar's silence, he repeated his question in a sharp tone.
".Serdar de Lir!, Is the sword with you now?"
His grandfather, So-and-so, would not pronounce anyone's full name except when he was angry or upset.
Serdar then knew that it was better to tell the truth, because in any case, his grandfather would find out about the plan.
Sev let out a cold sigh. "He's with me, he's safe."
His grandfather gave him a cold look. "Bring it to me now."
". no."
His grandfather raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"Sorry, Grandpa, but he's not with me at the moment."
"Where is he then?"
Serdar exhaled an angry breath, trying to control his nerves. His grandfather's questions sounded like a sharp interrogation.
"The sword is far from here, grandfather, in another place."
"In the mountain?" his grandfather asked in the formal tone he used with a subordinate.
"..."
Serdar was silent, staring at him. Grandpa Vilan raised his head arrogantly,
"I'm right then, you should bring him to me immediately."
Saif objected. "I'm sorry, seriously, but it's not possible."
"And why?"
Saif furrowed his eyebrows.
"I told you he was dangerous. He couldn't be brought into the palace."
His grandfather took a few steps towards the office. "Come with me then."
******
Yawn!
It's the third time in a minute I yawn.
I stayed up more than I should have tonight. I think it was midnight, and it was probably one o'clock in the morning.
I stopped my pen for a moment and rubbed my eyes sleepily, and then I felt my stomach demanding food. I ignored my hunger a lot, but it became unbearable. Food and I have a deep love affair, one I can't pass up.
I put away the notes and the stomach. When my feet stepped on the cold ground, I wanted to go back under the stomach, but here my stomach has the upper hand.
I left my room quietly and went down the stairs. The western wing was reserved for me and my mother, in addition to my deceased cousin, Leylin.
I made sure to sneak slowly in order to meet Saif. This idiot promised me to sneak into the kitchen together, but he seems to have forgotten about me and is now snoring deeply.
I reached the kitchen and ducked into it. The servants are not here.
This is good. I grabbed the soft bread and stuffed it into my mouth, then the slices of meat, which had cooled but were still delicious. I grabbed the cold porridge and ate it in one go.
After I finished, I grabbed a fresh apple and ate it with pleasure, filling my mouth with food to the end.
Of course, if my mother saw me like this, she would kill me. I am a Polite girl and I should not eat like this and things like that, but these things do not concern me. I don't really care for that style, the layered clothes. And the proper etiquette of a noble girl, and the perfect smile.
This is all really boring, what's the point, I hate pretending to be perfect.
I gulped down a jug of cold water to stop my thoughts, stared at the kitchen for a moment, then decided to bring some other snacks with me.
My hands filled with snacks as I walked up the stairs. I smiled broadly, and stopped for a moment when I noticed the shadows of two people in the lobby.
I stopped where I was and looked closely.
Our palace is not large, but it is quite suitable for the number of people, so it is easy to spot me while I am standing.
I had doubts that they were thieves. My enthusiasm rose within me, hoping that I might engage in a fight with the thieves and beat them to death, but I quickly thought that they might be my grandfather's men.
Either way I have to check. I put the food on the stairs and went down lightly and quickly without even feeling antsy.
I reached the outskirts of the hall, then hid behind one of the thick columns. And beware of who, my grandfather and Sev were standing at a distance from the door.
It looks like they're coming back from abroad now, at two in the morning? The two stood talking seriously, especially Serdar, who got emotional and pulled his hair with obvious emotion.
Well, it's not a good idea to overhear, but in a situation like this my curiosity got the better of me, especially seeing Saif get emotional like that for the first time.
I let out some energy, focused more on my hearing.
No one knows about my power, even I don't know how far it reaches.
I started hearing the ant, that's good, my strength worked.
I closed my eyes and focused on them.
"How did you know that, Grandpa?!"
This was Saif's excited voice.
In return, my grandfather answered with a strange calmness, which I picked up easily despite the distance.
"You forgot that you are my grandson. The blood running through your body is the same as mine, you idiot."
"So?! You knew from the beginning?!"
"That's for sure!"
"...and about Benn..." Saif stopped his question.
I opened my eyes when I felt him, and found him looking at me blankly.
I was so nervous, I was caught, my grandfather would kill me for eavesdropping.
Well, I don't deny that their conversation is a bit suspicious, in addition to Saif's look that suggests that I shouldn't know anything. But soon Serdar smiled his usual smile
The one that makes you feel comfortable immediately.
As a result of his stare, my grandfather turned.
"Benny!.." my grandfather shouted at me, frowning.
Screw you, Saif! go to hell.! I smiled nervously, pretending to be innocent while waving my hand. ". Good evening, grandfather.."
". Lubna! Come here!" I left the column slowly.
I would have run to my room had I not noticed Serdar's look.
Ummm? This seems strange, wasn't I supposed to listen to their conversation?
Without thinking, I walked slowly to where they stood.
"Why aren't you in your room now?" My grandfather asked, and now I realized that I had no excuse.
Of course my pride would prevent me from telling my grandfather that I was hungry because of him.
"I was just walking around for a bit."
I asked sternly, "At this time?!"
I lowered my head, frowning.
"Yes! What's the problem?!"
"Stop! -" Serdar cut off my grandfather.
"Grandpa, calm down, Benny, don't lie."
Serdar looked at me to agree. "Yes! He and I usually take a walk at this time. Right?"
Serdar replied, "Yes, grandfather, we are used to walking at a time like this."
This is suspicious, Saif has never agreed with me on matters like this before. He often likes to turn it against me.
My grandfather pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, I don't want to hear any more excuses. Go up to your rooms."
I nodded reluctantly and turned to leave, while my grandfather apparently headed to his room, and Serdar followed me.
"Thank you, Seve," I said as I stood at the front of the stairs.
Serdar let out an exhausted sigh: "It's okay. I know you must be hungry."
I smiled embarrassedly, "Well...this is normal. I've been waiting a long time for you to eat together."
"Sorry about that, I was busy."
"Are you finished?"
He extended his hand to ruffle his black hair as he answered tiredly,
"Not quite, but I was tired."
I could already sense his exhaustion from the tone of his voice. I went down a flight of stairs and said anxiously,
"Is there a problem? Saif?"
He shook his head no, and gave a tired smile. "No, things are good. Go to sleep. It's late now."
I felt really anxious at this moment. I said cheerfully: "Did you bring the gift ?"
Serdar laughed lightly.
"Stop asking me. The gift is called that because it is anonymous."
I crossed my arms meanly. "I will not stop asking you, unless I have the gift."
For nearly a month, I have been asking him daily about the gift. It seems like he is obsessed with gifts, but I love teasing Saif more than anything.
Saif is the quiet type who does not come out of his shell unless someone knocks on him, while I like shells knocking to bring out the calm.
I'm a very active type, maybe a little intrusive, but I don't go beyond privacy. Serdar gave a pained look, I think?
"Tomorrow is your birthday, you will see the gift anyway."
I gave him a fierce expression. "That's right! I'll see her tomorrow, and I hope it won't be like last year."
Last year he brought me a dress. I don't deny that it was beautiful, but he knew that I hated dresses, which made me angry with him for a while.
"Don't worry, it will be a wonderful gift, trust me."
I smiled contentedly at his words. We did not talk further, each of us went up to his room.
Of course, Serdar's hunched back was not hidden from me as if he had gone through a difficult time.
********
".Penny!"
"Penny, my dear!"
"Penny!!"
I woke up to my mother calling and my cousin Leylene shaking.
This is annoying! What do they want now? I'm so sleepy.
I moved away from them, turning my back to them and hiding my head under the pillow.
But they did not stop. Rather, the matter increased.
"Penny, wake up! Come on quickly."
"Come on, honey, we don't have time!"
"Benny! Lubna! Come on!" Their screams punctured my eardrums and my body ached from the intense shaking.
I stood up and shouted at them,
"Enough, enough! I woke up!"
My mother laughed when she saw my scattered appearance.
My hair looked like a bird's nest, my face was smeared with saliva.
"Penny! You should see yourself! Haha!"
Leylin said with a laugh. I frowned hard and jumped off the bed, running after her.
The age difference between us was not small. She is still seven years old and I will be fifteen years old today. Hey! Today is my birthday!
I stood there, understanding why they had woken me up so forcefully this morning. My mother said, bringing me out of my morning distraction.
"You have finally recovered. Today is your birthday. Happy New Year!"
Leylin approached. "Yes! Happy New Year, Penny!" She gave her a wide smile.
Then we got into the preparations. It was a really tiring morning.
My mother bathed me harshly and sprayed expensive types of soap and perfumes on my body, then drenched my skin with numerous creams and moisturizers.
"Mom, ah, gently, please!..."
My mother hurriedly combed my hair, and because it was thick, my mother struggled to straighten it.
I just thought about cutting my hair. It's long and thick anyway, so it won't be affected if I cut it a little.
"You can tell my mother's story."
My mother stopped combing him and looked at me from the mirror coldly,
"Shut up..."
" My mom! I'm honest!".
". No, I will not cut it."
" And why, mother, he is tall and thick and will not be affected by his haircut."
My mother let out a sigh. "Don't you remember the last time I tried to cut it?" I looked at her blankly for a moment.
" Of course I can't forget, especially on a fateful day."
She smiled with sadness that I tried to hide.
". It's okay, mom, this time I want... You can try."
My mother said with her hand holding the strands of my black hair.
" It will be a loss if this beauty is cut off."
She laughed lightly. "Mom, it makes me tired to comb it, and it makes me tired even more while sleeping. Isn't it worth it? And in any case, it will still be beautiful. You will just cut it a little, just a little."
I pointed to a small amount with my hand, and waited for a few minutes until my mother finished thinking and nodded.
". Okay, I will cut it... Lelin, bring the scissors."
************
". Oh!! "It's broken!"
Leylin gasped as the scissors smashed into my hair.
My mother tried to cut the ends of my hair, but the scissors broke for the second time in the process. " Well...I kind of expected that."
My mother shook her head helplessly.
"It's okay, I told you that my hair is as strong as yours."
I tried to look cheerful and ward off doubts.
". My dear, my hair is cut easily, unlike you!."
He's just strong, you know? "I once read that eating a lot of fresh, delicious food strengthens the hair,"
Leilin said with a laugh. "So your hair is strong because you don't stop filling your mouth with food!"
" Stop bullying, little girl, or I will eat you!"
Leylin ignored my warning and I indulged in more laughter while my mother sighed as she looked at the broken scissors.
After that, my mother brought a sharp knife as I told her, and she held the ends of my hair with one hand and the other had the knife in it.
As soon as the knife touched my hair, it became Not sharp, as it did not cut even a hair.
" Give me my mother.... I will try..." She handed me the knife, I held it and brought it closer to my hair trying to cut it.
This time after many movements, he cut off with difficulty the fragile lower parts.
I noticed the astonished looks from my mother, Lelin and the maid.
Yes, this seems strange from At first glance, how could someone break a pair of scissors and sharpen a knife, except that I am not an ordinary person.
********
Soon the evening came and people began to come.
They were those whom my grandfather had invited and some of our relatives, and let us not forget some of the villagers It was a big party, but it was warm, and because my grandfather was not a fan of parties, he was waiting for any occasion to throw a party and invite some people.
While I was going down the stairs with my mother, I held the edges of the light blue dress in my hands.
I stumbled several times This one, and guess what, it's the same dress that Saif gave me last year. I can't deny that it's very beautiful, so I kept it for my birthday.
I looked at the party, where there were a few people, well that's what's expected from my grandfather.
They could range in number. 20 or 25 in addition to my family members, and to mention them, my grandfather and my uncle were standing with two men who were engaged in conversation.
It seemed that he worked with my family.
When I reached the end of the stairs, I looked for Serdar and as soon as I saw him, I was interrupted by some people welcoming and congratulating me.
Well, who doesn't know the naughty granddaughter of Lubna de Lier?