Chapter 2

The creation of magical artifacts was extremely difficult.

I threw the failed pieces aside. The box filled with junk made a pleasant clanging sound.

"I can't... It's impossible to perfectly replicate the magical patterns..."

Each mechanism was flawless.

Yet, the replication of the magical patterns never reached 95% accuracy.

Even if I tried to sell them elsewhere, the designs were one-of-a-kind, made specifically for the prince.

I could either remake them later or melt them down to recover the metal... either way, they were nothing but junk at this point.

"If only I could concentrate on my work..."

The amount of chores my parents assigned me in between tasks was overwhelming.

I glanced at the pile of unprocessed materials and sighed.

For example, a magical fabric dress takes multiple artisans working full-time at least a year to complete.

Yet, the money earned from selling one dress is only enough for a commoner to live for a few months.

To make a living, a magical artifact shop has to cut corners in design, skimp on materials, and produce four or five dresses to survive.

I make a hundred dresses a year and countless other magical artifacts, but our household finances are still in dire straits.

This is because all the money our shop earns is spent by my sister.

Tuition for the magic academy.

Dresses, jewelry, and cosmetics.

Horse-drawn carriages and drivers.

To transform into a noble lady worthy of the prince's attention, it costs a fortune.

I stopped working and ate the bread my mother had brought me.

The cheapest, black bread from the neighborhood bakery.

Even without jam, butter, or olive oil, it was delicious when lightly toasted near the high-temperature furnace.

...A little lie.

Truthfully, I want to eat white bread.

I envy my sister, who can eat white bread to her heart's content every day.

...If my sister can successfully marry into a wealthy family, she has promised to provide me with a comfortable life.

If I just keep working a little harder, I'm sure I'll be able to live a life where I can eat white bread.

I have to keep going.

I swallowed the bitter nutritional powder given to me by the old herb seller and returned to my work.

I want to eat delicious bread.

I want to eat delicious meat.

I want to eat delicious cake.

I was a horse with a carrot dangled in front of me.

I've made hundreds, maybe thousands, of magical artifacts.

Even if my skills are only good enough for menial tasks, my passion is unmatched by anyone.

I will turn this passion into strength and surely obtain the best, most delicious meals.

Thinking about the steak my sister told me about, from a calf raised on the coast, eating slightly salty grass, I worked with all my heart.

***

I kept working.

I don't even remember how many days had passed.

But the completion was sudden.

"I... I did it...!"

I compared it with the magical pattern recorded in my sister's notes.

Yes, a perfect match.

One hundred percent.

It looked like something my sister had made, no matter how you looked at it.

I didn't have the energy to cheer, but I was overjoyed inside. The sense of relief was overwhelming.

I took the artifact to my mother with wobbly steps.

"You finished it? Hmm..."

It was exactly as requested, and the quality was perfect.

Yet, my mother's face showed a fleeting look of disgust.

"Can I have something to eat? Preferably, some meat..."

I was really hungry, so I ignored my mother's unpleasant expression and asked.

My mother raised her eyebrows, just like my sister.

"Are you getting a bit too full of yourself? You might think you've made something amazing, but this kind of skill is only useful for counterfeiters."

"Yes... you're right."

My mother was right; it was just a skill to replicate magical patterns.

A skill that could only be used to sell fakes at a high price, and if I boasted about it, people would think our shop sold counterfeits.

I knew it wasn't a skill to be proud of.

But that didn't matter; I wanted meat!

I wanted to eat meat!

I was seriously craving meat, but my mother was merciless.

"There's still time before dinner, so you'll have to wait. And since you need to reflect on your arrogance, you'll only have bread and water for dinner."

I was so shocked that I almost collapsed.

Meat...

I worked so hard because I wanted to eat meat...

I returned to my room, sobbing quietly, with lingering regret.

***

When my sister received the news, she hurried home and started inspecting the magical artifact as if snatching it from me.

"Is it okay this time?"

"Absolutely. So, can I have something to eat... maybe a treat if you have any?"

"I don't eat sweets. They make me fat and cause acne, and sugar ruins my teeth. My beautiful figure is the result of hard work. Do you understand?"

My high-minded sister scoffed at me and quickly returned to the academy.

I thought about how hungry I was while munching on the black bread and returned to the chores my parents had assigned me.

If I didn't finish quickly, I'd be beaten, and my bread-only diet would be extended.

My thoughts were dominated by the desire not to be beaten and the craving for meat.

Later, when I reflected on this, I thought it was like being a "fully trained dog," but that's a secret.

***

Prince Albert praised the magical artifact Artemisia brought to the limit of his words.

"Amazing... What a beautiful magical artifact. To have such a high-density spell array so subtly integrated into such a compact design... To fit so much magic into such a small exterior... It's so efficient and compressed... Oh, it's truly amazing. It's beautiful even as a simple accessory. To create a masterpiece that is both functional and a work of art..."

Artemisia listened to the prince's words half-heartedly.

Unlike her sister, Artemisia had no interest in magical artifacts.

"I'll show this to the king and persuade him this time."

Receiving the prince's embrace, Artemisia smiled slyly.

"The next queen can only be you."

Even without an interest in magical artifacts, being sweetly whispered to by a handsome prince was a great ego boost.

—Soon, the engagement of Prince Albert and Artemisia, the granddaughter of a former princess, was announced with great fanfare.

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