Chapter 23

Kain's embroidery, which he had brought to the class, was highly praised by the participating ladies and young misses. Kain himself was also proud of his work and felt confident. However, after seeing the works of the other participants, he realized that his praise was merely that of a beginner, "You did well for your first time."

The delicacy was entirely different. Everything was embroidered with chain stitch, and the threads were changed to express a sense of movement, or layered to create a three-dimensional effect, and even beads were used for the eyes.

Moreover, they were simultaneously working on their own pieces in addition to the assigned task.

Kain reflected on his arrogance, thinking that as a character to be conquered, he could improve at anything he did.

Sitting opposite Kain's mother was the Countess Swantil, who said she was embroidering a veil for her daughter's wedding. Kain, whose goal was to embroider Dianna's wedding dress, had a conversation with her. They talked about the designs often used in weddings, the flowers and animals considered auspicious, and how incorporating the hair and eye color of the bride and groom would be appreciated. Imagining Dianna in her happy wedding dress, Kain was in a good mood as he watched the Countess Swantil's embroidery technique.

Suddenly, a loud noise came from the glass-walled terrace where the children were playing.

It was the sound of building blocks collapsing and rolling onto the hard floor outside the rug. Startled by the noise, Kain looked over to see cylindrical and spherical blocks still rolling, indicating the force of the collapse. In front of the collapsed blocks stood Dianna, her arm being pulled strongly by a boy in front of her. Dianna was shaking her head and trying to free her arm, but the boy, angered by her resistance, let go of her arm and pushed her shoulder. Dianna, suddenly released and pushed, lost her balance and fell on her bottom.

Kain saw everything that happened.

"Kain!"

Kain's mother, Elise, called out and tried to grab Kain's body from the next seat, but it was too late. Kain's movement was that fast. He jumped off his chair, ran to Dianna, and squatted down, looking into her face and asking, "Are you okay?" Dianna, startled by the fall, nodded, but when Kain took her hand and opened her palm, he saw that it was scraped and bleeding.

Elise, who arrived late at Dianna's side, heard a snap.

Kain stood up and faced the boy who was standing in front of him, trembling. Kain glared at him with a fierce look.

The boy, though trembling, tried to be tough and looked up at Kain, saying, "W-What?"

"Kain, Di's injury is just a scratch, and there's a healer on standby in the waiting room. It will be healed soon. Calm down."

Ignoring his mother's voice, Kain took a step forward and grabbed the boy's face with both hands. He really wanted to pick him up with one hand using an iron claw, but his seven-year-old hands couldn't manage it. To prevent the boy from escaping, Kain held his temples with both hands. Kain's hair lifted slightly, and his blue eyes turned purple, making the boy tremble.

"If the healer can heal the injury, then it should be fine if I injure him, right!?"

With that, Kain opened his eyes wide, and a wisp of heat haze appeared at his fingertips. At that moment, Kain's body was forcefully pulled backward. Since he didn't have the grip strength to pull the boy down, Kain's hands floated in the air with his body. At that moment, a ball of flame appeared in the air. The ball of flame, which appeared between Kain's hands, hit the nearby people with a hot wind and then disappeared.

Kain was hanging by the collar, held by his mother, Elise. Although his collar was choking his throat, he gritted his teeth and continued to glare at the boy angrily.

"Stupid Kain! What are you doing! You almost caused a serious injury!"

"He was the one who injured Dianna first! I can't forgive him!"

"You went too far! Who uses magic like that!"

"I can't forgive him! I can't forgive him! He committed an unforgivable act!"

Kain, hanging from Elise, flailed his arms and legs. When Elise let go of his collar, he landed gracefully and glared at his mother.

"Pulling a woman's arm forcefully and pushing her away when she doesn't comply! Such violence is unacceptable!"

Kain shouted, his voice filled with regret.

"A man must respect women. Women must be cherished! Women are delicate and fragile, like a rose made of thin glass, a snowflake in the palm of your hand, or a soap bubble floating from a laundry tub. They are so fragile that they can break even with the gentlest touch! And yet, he pulled her arm so hard! What if a bruise is left where he grabbed her! What if a joint is dislocated!"

Kain shouted, tears welling in his eyes.

"Women are the treasure of humanity! Only women can give birth! Only women can nurture with their milk! Without women, humanity cannot continue. What if he pushed her and she hurt her back! What if she can't have children anymore! Women are sacred beings. Women, who can give birth and raise children, guiding humanity to prosperity, are goddesses to be revered. He pushed her! This is an act of drawing a bow against the gods! A betrayal! A desecration of the gods!"

Kain bowed his head and muttered.

"If it's forgivable because a healer can heal the injury, then it should be the same for him. There should be no difference in the severity of the crime based on social status..."

Elise sighed deeply.

"Even so, it's not right to cause injuries that could have been avoided. Apologize."

"He should apologize to Dianna first."

"He won't bow to anyone."

Elise's words confirmed Kain's suspicions. He had thought as much.

A person who cannot bow to anyone in public is, in other words, a member of the royal family. The boy who pushed Dianna was the crown prince. Kain, who had tried to use magic to injure a member of the royal family, was a major criminal.

The sound of clapping echoed in the room.

"Let's end today's session. Embroidery is a calming activity. Today, everyone is too agitated."

The queen spoke loudly, looking around the room.

"To make up for today, I will invite everyone to a tea party later. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

Elise bowed deeply to the queen.

"I shouldn't have brought him. He almost caused a serious injury. I apologize. I will accept any punishment."

Kain stood next to her and bowed.

"I apologize for ruining the embroidery session."

Kain never apologized for trying to injure the crown prince.