By the time all the ingredients were prepared properly, Rex and Lionel had finally perfected the art of freezing the water in champagne glasses and delicately melting the sides to allow the popsicle to slip out of the glass. Fortunately, only one other glass was broken during this time.
The seven of us finished the popsicles by pouring juice into each glass and adding as many berries as we wanted.
I forced everyone (mostly the oldest three) to eat the popsicles and leftover fruit outside in the garden as we sat on the ground and watched the wind blow leaves around.
Isaac ended up leaving first, taking Kai, Kira, and Ryan with him.
"We still have studying to finish," he claimed.
Rex left shortly after, grabbing an apple from the tree on his way out.
"Don't break any more glasses," Rex warned.
Only Lionel and I were left.
I turned towards him, saying, "You can leave if you want."
"Let's clean up first," he said, standing up. "I'll help you, since we've finished eating."
With Lionel here to help me, we cleaned and stored the dishes much faster.
All the bowls and glasses were put away, and the basket was returned to the cupboard.
Both of us awkwardly stood in the kitchen, but I managed to muster up the courage to say something.
"How did you like the popsicle?"
"It was good. But you're going to make it better?"
"Yep, I have a plan for that."
Another short silence occurred before Lionel spoke up.
"You've changed a lot over such a short period of time."
"Oh... yeah." I didn't know how to respond to that.
"You used to hate talking to me for some reason."
Yeahhh... I think I know the reason. I thought back on all the conversations that Corvalia had with Lady Catherine. It was definitely her fault.
"I'm sorry for anything I've said in the past," I apologized. "I'm trying my best to make up for my mistakes. I hope you can forgive me."
"I was never mad at you or anything..." Lionel mumbled. "You're my sister. I've always blamed father and Lady Catherine for how you turned out."
Wow, this ten year old is really mature for his age. I almost teared up a bit...
"That's... Thank you," I finally replied.
"Just, please don't revert back to your old personality. No one liked you back then."
Harsh, but understandable.
"There's actually another thing I was hoping to get your help with," I admitted.
"What is it?" he turned to look at me.
"Can you come with me to go out of town tomorrow? I need to find a blacksmith to help make the molds for the popsicles."
"We still have training though," he frowned. "We won't be able to leave until the afternoon."
"I'll ask Commander Landon for some knights to come with us too. If you accept, let me know tomorrow at training."
"Alright."
We both left the kitchen and walked towards our rooms. But this time, the silence wasnt so awkward anymore.
I opened the door to my room and waved goodbye to Lionel. Then I went to my desk and pulled out a few pieces of paper.
Time to draw a design for the molds.
I brought out the fork that I stole from the kitchen drawers.
Making popsicle sticks may not be possible yet, but I can give the blacksmith this fork as a reference.
A/N: What is your favorite trope in fiction/fantasy?
Mine is healthy family relationships, whether it's between parents and children, or siblings. I also really like tsundere characters, lol.