"It's too beautiful to be hidden. So… can't you show it?" he said.
Christian knew this was probably a sensitive topic. But after spending more than two months together, he couldn't help but ask. It had been bothering him for a while.
Anastasia didn't reply right away.
She seed to be thinking about sothing… deliberating. And then, without much of a warning, she took the eyepatch off with a flick of her fingers and teasingly said, "Happy now?"
Christian blinked, caught a little off guard.
"Well… yes, I'm happy," he admitted with a faint smile.
'But it was that easy?'
For a mont, he wondered if he'd misunderstood the situation this whole ti — if there really was no deep story behind it. But when he looked into her mismatched eyes — one violet, the other golden — and saw the playfulness in both, he decided to stop caring about the reason.
Instead, he focused on his work — blacksmithing.
His progress on her android, especially the skeletal structure, was nearing completion. Just a few more days, and he'd be able to move on to the chanical parts.
After that, Christian didn't plan to rest.
He was going to begin preparing everything for Iris's body. That alone would take an enormous amount of ti and effort… but he didn't intend to stop there.
He had plans for one more android.
A new one — this ti built specifically to be his chanical assistant. She would be responsible for managing the workshop and overseeing the technical tasks that didn't need his direct involvent.
Christian was already preparing for his retirent.
Iris as the head of the androids.
Alpha as the head maid.
Beta — the upcoming android — as the workshop supervisor.
And Zero, handling all the external duties.
With those four in place…
Life should beco easier, right?
Christian couldn't help but hope.
-------
One month passed.
With unprecedented concentration, Christian was currently putting the final touches on Anastasia's android.
Her excited gaze lingered at his side, but it didn't bother him — not even slightly.
He was too absorbed in his work.
So absorbed, in fact, that when sothing suddenly unexpectedly happened… he didn't even notice.
[Due to prolonged and intense focus, the skill Concentration has been created.]
Christian still knowing that he suddenly acquired a skill, didn't stop. If anything, he beca even more imrsed in his work.
Anastasia, however, was not in the sa state.
She had noticed it instantly — the subtle external shift, and the much more profound internal one. Her pretty eyes widened, astonishnt overtaking even the excitent of receiving a new toy.
For a mont, she was stunned.
But she quickly gathered herself. Her eyes glowed, and strange, foreign runes shimred within them as she tried to trace the anomaly. To understand what just happened.
But once again… she found nothing.
Not that she minded.
With a shake of her head, she turned to Christian with a quiet, aningful gaze — and a faint smirk.
She had thought she was already used to his surprises. That nothing he did could astonish her anymore.
But apparently… she was wrong again.
'I really should make you my disciple,' she thought, her golden eye twinkling with amusent and interest.
Ti passed quickly after that.
And then, suddenly, Christian's voice broke the silence.
"Done," he said.
His hair was disheveled, and so sweat clung to his forehead. His clothes were wrinkled, and his posture slouched from hours of work.
But despite all that — his smile shone through. It was the smile of soone truly satisfied.
At least for this mont — he was content.
Content, because he had finished a job for soone else… and it was finally over.
"Good job," Anastasia said, walking to his side with an approving nod. Her gaze was locked onto the android, visibly pleased.
Christian, seeing her expression, suddenly lifted his hand — and before he could stop himself, he reached out and gently patted her head.
He ran his hand through her silky hair, ruffling it lightly.
And that's when Anastasia turned her gaze toward him. Slowly.
Christian paused.
He had been swept up in the mont.
And completely forgot about that incident from three months ago…
Now, staring into her narrowing eyes, the mory ca back in full force — like a hamr to the head.
Slightly nervous, but still not taking his hand away, Christian waited for the consequences.
But… Anastasia didn't say anything.
That emboldened him.
He continued patting her head, and even grumbled under his breath, "It's your fault for having such a cute appearance and… such a patable head."
His muttering was t with a cold smile from Anastasia.
"Really now?" she said slowly. "It's not that you've forgotten your place?"
She looked angry. Her voice cold, her expression sharp — but Christian wasn't fooled.
He caught the playful tone beneath the surface, buried just under the act.
So, he pushed his luck.
He kept patting her for a few more good monts before — in one swift move — he pinched her cheek.
Her soft, warm cheek.
Christian wore a pleased, thoroughly content expression after that, clearly proud of his boldness.
But Anastasia, who now rubbed her cheek and tried to smooth down her tousled hair, glared up at him with puffed cheeks and narrowed eyes.
"It seems," she said, with adorable nace, "like I really should teach you so proper manners. Like how to treat your future master with more respect."
Christian pretended not to hear her, turning away slightly with an exaggerated hum.
But Anastasia only chuckled — low and sinister — and said, "I was going to give you another gift. Since you finally finished making my android."
She paused, then added sweetly, "But I changed my mind."
Christian's smile faded a little.
He knew just how valuable anything from Anastasia was.
So, he looked at her and said carefully, "The high and mighty Stasy… can't possibly be this petty."
"Surely you wouldn't take my childish acts that seriously, right?"
But Anastasia only tilted her head — and without hesitation, replied, "Unfortunately, you're wrong."
A dark smile crossed her lips.
"I can be even more petty and childish."
And with that… Christian went silent.
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