He grabbed the second boy and tossed him right out beside the first one, then slammed the door shut with finality.
"Lock it," Gardiyan said coolly without lifting his eyes from the book.
Yerin didn't question it. With a sigh, he pressed a palm to the door. A flicker of blue light spread like veins across the wood — a magical seal.
"Let's see you get in now," he muttered, smirking.
Knocking came almost immediately.
He ignored it, sitting back down and chuckling. "Persistent little gremlins…"
Gardiyan didn't even glance at the door. He continued eating, as if nothing unusual had occurred.
Then — silence.
"Ah, finally. They gave up." Yerin leaned back with satisfaction, stretched, and picked up his fork. "Now, where were we, lovely roasted chi—"
"Is that roasted chicken?"
The unfamiliar voice came from inside the room.
Yerin's fork froze in the air.
Slowly, he turned. Gardiyan did the same.
The twins were back, standing on either side of the table like curious little statues.
"BY THE STARS—HOW DID YOU GET IN AGAIN?!" Yerin exploded.
"Through the window, obviously," said one boy, grinning.
With a snap of his fingers, Yerin banished them again. They vanished in a flash of wind.
He stood up from his seat, muttering curses, and this time sealed every window with enchanted gusts. The wind curled like fingers over the windowpanes, locking them shut.
Finally, he collapsed onto the couch, wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead, and lifted a forkful of food.
"Bless my hands~" he hummed with satisfaction.
But before the bite could reach his mouth, two voices chimed in unison:
"Smells really good!"
He looked up.
The twins were back — arms crossed, standing confidently before him.
"You've got to be joking." Yerin's voice was hoarse with disbelief. "How now?!"
"Through the kitchen door," one replied.
"I DON'T HAVE A KITCHEN DOOR!" he roared, gripping his hair.
"You should get a hair tie. Your hair's longer than my mom's," one said, pulling out a small yellow band and holding it out.
Yerin squinted. "How did you know I like yellow?"
The boy only smiled.
Suspicious, Yerin took the tie, looped it around his long silver hair, and secured it neatly.
He eyed them again. "If I see you here one more time, I swear I'll put you in a jar and toss you into the ocean."
Gardiyan gave a small chuckle but continued eating.
Yerin narrowed his eyes. "Fine. I'll ask one last time. What do you want?"
The twins looked at each other.
"A lot of things," one said thoughtfully.
"But right now…" the other leaned toward the table, eyes shining, "we want to eat this beautiful food."
Yerin arched an eyebrow, lips curling. "So my food looks good to you?"
"We haven't tasted it yet, so we can't be sure," one said diplomatically. "But it looks amazing."
"Well then. Taste it — and judge for yourselves."
The boys cheered and sat without hesitation.
Gardiyan raised his eyes just enough to give them a cold, calculating stare.
Cunning little rats.. he thought. Their presence meant a smaller share for him — unacceptable.
The twins dug in with excitement, sampling every dish. They gave detailed reviews of the seasoning, the tenderness, the presentation — all in exaggerated praise.
Yerin soaked in the compliments, his chest puffing. "Hahaha! You two have excellent taste! Wait until dessert. You'll think you've eaten sunshine!"
He disappeared into the kitchen, humming.
Silence returned, save for the chewing.
"What's your name?" one boy asked Gardiyan suddenly.
He didn't reply.
"What's your name?"
"…"
"What's your name.?"
"…..."
"What's your name? What's your name?"
"What business is it of yours?" Gardiyan finally snapped, voice sharp as a blade.
The child scowled, then turned to his brother. "Brain, I think this one's the real old man. Not the other one."
Brain nodded. "Old man! Old man.!"
"Silence!!" Gardiyan's voice cracked through the air. His glare could've frozen a dragon.
"If I'm a child, what does that make you?"
"We're older," Rain said quickly, puffing out his chest. "Unless you're more than nine."
"Nine? You're nine?"
The twins nodded in unison.
"You look five."
"That's from malnutrition," Brian replied, arms crossed. "We eat half a loaf every two days. You look like that because you eat like a king."
Yerin returned with dessert plates and placed them down gently.
"You eat half a loaf every two days? Why didn't you just steal something?"
"Stealing is bad. That's what our dad taught us," said Brain solemnly, eyes locked on the cake.
"Didn't he also tell you breaking into someone's house is worse?" Gardiyan muttered.
"Did you make this dessert?" Brain asked Yerin, ignoring Gardiyan's jab.
"Yes. Beautiful, isn't it?" Yerin beamed.
"Mister… can we live with you?"
"Huh? Why?"
"To eat this amazing food every day!"
"We'll clean, do chores, anything!" Rain added.
"What about your family?"
"They're dead."
Yerin paused, looked away for a brief moment, then said, "I don't need you. I'm the most powerful mage in the world. I can clean the whole castle with a snap. Eat the dessert, flatter me, and leave."
The twins looked at each other again.
Then Brain grinned. "Then adopt us — like that kid.