The light blue button that I received from brother Stefan, it's supposed to ward off evil, so it must be a good luck charm, right? If it's a charm, I should always wear it.
"Can you make it so I can carry it around all the time?"
"Understood. Please give me a moment."
When I asked Kitty, she turned it into a brooch. It came back with a gold trim and decorations around the button, making it look like some kind of medal. Cool! When I asked how brother Sevran handled his, he had made it into a ring. That's stylish too! If my hands were a little bigger, I would have made it into a ring as well.
Today, Kitty attached the brooch for me. I looked in the mirror, felt super pleased, and giggled. Since both my brothers are away, and I don't have any study plans, I thought I might explore the garden until lunch.
Our garden is so big that just walking around makes me tired. It's enormous. As I strolled, I glanced back to make sure Kitty and the others were following me. I'd get lost without someone with me, even at home!
Humming to myself as I explored, I spotted a bird with a long tail and a beetle glowing like a firefly. As I ventured further, I found the old gardener.
"Gramps!"
"Young Master."
Gramps is a muscular old man who wears a straw hat. He's always trimming the plants with a tiny pair of scissors in his huge hands.
I like Gramps because if he has time, he plays with me. But I've been told not to hug him while he's holding the scissors. So I stay put until he puts them away.
"Sorry for the wait."
"Gramps!"
Once Gramps put the scissors into his tool belt and brushed off the small branches from his clothes, he bent down, and I ran towards him with excitement. I climbed up his big body like a tree until I reached his thick shoulders, where he gave me a piggyback ride and spun me around. It's more fun than any ride I had in my previous life!
"Yay! Hahaha! Ahaha!"
"You're full of energy, Young Master."
Gramps easily lifted me and swung me back and forth. It felt like I was on a boat. Whoa!
"Haha! Ahaha!"
"Piotr, that's enough. The Young Master is getting too excited."
"Oh, is he okay?"
"It's fun!"
"Glad to hear it."
Gramps gently lowered me to the ground and straightened my clothes. The fun was over... a bit sad.
"Gramps, what were you doing?"
"I was tending to a tree that's not doing well."
"There's a tree that's unwell? Show me!"
Since I didn't have anyone to play with, I decided to stick with Gramps while he worked. He's too big for me to hold hands with, and from experience, I know that if I try too hard, my shoulders will hurt. So instead, I walk next to him! Gramps has long legs, so I end up walking a bit faster. It feels like jogging, which is refreshing!
On the way to see the sick tree, Gramps told me about different plants and birds. He's so knowledgeable, and his stories are fun.
"You're so smart, Gramps."
"I had to study hard when I came here, thanks to the head of the house."
"My Grandfather?"
"Yes, he took good care of me."
Grandfather retired to the countryside. He shows up in the summer, enjoys some good food, and leaves. He doesn't give me any allowance but occasionally brings me delicious treats.
"Hmm... Oh, Gramps, don't you ever get lost in the big garden?"
"I got lost at first, but I'm used to it now."
"How did you get used to it?"
If I get lost in my own house, there's no way I won't get lost in the city. Getting lost while sneaking out would be bad. There's also the issue of not being able to find Gramps when I want to. He works in the garden every day, yet the chances of running into him are so low. It'd be more fun if I could see him more often.
I looked up at Gramps, whose face was far above mine. He smiled brightly and said, "It's all about spirit!"
Gramps is a bit like my father. What a guy.
"There it is, Young Master."
Gramps pointed to a tree with soft, fluffy leaves. It's a popular tree among guests because of its fluffiness. There's one planted in front of my room too.
Even though the leaves are fluffy, they're yellow. It looks sick...
"What's wrong? Poor thing."
"It could be the roots or the soil... I've tried everything."
If Gramps, the expert, doesn't know, then it's too tough for me.
But it's sad to see the difference between this one and the one by my room.
Hmm... Oh, how about brother Stefan's charm? Since it's a good luck charm, maybe it can prevent it from getting worse? I'm not sure if it works on trees, though.
"I hope Stefan's power helps you get better soon."
I hugged the tree tightly with the brooch pressed against it.
"Young master, you're so kind."
"How merciful...!"
"Young Master...!"
Gramps and the maids sounded moved. Kitty was on the ground, clutching her chest.
"Huh?" Something... dark and misty seemed to float away from the tree. And the button from brother Stefan glowed. I think.
I spun around to look at Gramps and the others.
"Did you see that?"
"We saw your kindness, Young Master."
They smiled at me, and I felt a little embarrassed. The maids nodded too, but that's not what I meant.
"Well, Young Master, it's nearly lunchtime. Shall I carry you back to the house?"
"! A shoulder ride, please!"
Gramps gave me a shoulder ride to head back! He's so big, it feels like riding a giant robot!
I wanted to talk about the black mist, but this was too much fun.
"Do it again!"
"Here we go."
Gramps crouched down, and I climbed onto his shoulders again.
Walking while riding on him feels great!
"I can't wait to grow up!"
"You're already very cool, Young Master, even though you're small."
"Hehehe..."
I am embarrassed!