CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 96: THE LIFE OF A FACTORY BOY – PART II

As they walked, the girl pointed at the wooden box her brother carried. "What’s inside?"

Boris glanced at it. "Soap. We’ve been making it, and I’m supposed to deliver it to Kaelmart before they close."

His sister raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t that your owner’s shop?"

He nodded. "Yes."

By the time they reached Kaelmart, the doors were already shut and the windows dark. A small wooden board hung on the front of the door—painted with bold letters: "Closed."

"It’s closed," she said, stopping in front of the door. "Should we take the box back?"

"No," Boris said firmly. "Someone must still be inside."

He stepped forward and knocked on the heavy wooden door. They waited. Then he knocked again—louder this time.

After a short moment, the door opened and they saw a tall, muscular woman. It was Seris.

She looked at them with a tired expression. "Sorry, the shop’s closed. We’re not selling anything right now."

Boris quickly shook his head. "No—no! We’re not here to buy." He held up the box with both hands. "Manager Renn asked me to bring this to you."

Seris glanced at the box. "Ah. Soap, is it?"

Boris nodded. "Yes, that’s right."

She reached out, took the box from him, and gave a small nod. "Thanks for bringing it."

"There’s no need to thank me," Boris said respectfully. "It was my duty."

He bowed his head slightly, then stepped back. "Please allow us to take our leave now."

Seris gave a short wave and gently closed the door behind her.

They also started walking.

Boris’s sister glanced at him with curiosity. "Brother... was that woman a slave? I saw the collar on her neck. Should we really be so polite to someone like that? We might be poor, but at least we’re free."

Boris sighed softly, a hint of firmness in his voice. "Listen, even if she is a slave, we still have to show her respect. She belongs to Master Kael, which means she’s higher than us. Besides, I’ve seen her—she’s very close to Master Kael himself."

His sister nodded slowly. "You’ve told me before that your master is different... that he’s very great."

Boris’s eyes brightened as he spoke with admiration. "Yes, he takes care of us better than any other master. Every day, he makes sure we have food—morning, noon—right here at the factory. I truly believe there’s no master like him anywhere. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to repay him for all he’s done."

He spoke as if Kael were an angel sent from the heavens.

His sister frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh.

"Ah, you’re saying the same thing again," she mumbled. "I shouldn’t have brought it up..."

Then, suddenly, her face lit up and she tugged at his sleeve.

"Brother, look over there! That food stall’s still open. We should buy something—I haven’t had that kind of food in a long time!"

Boris followed her gaze. On the side of the road, a small food stall was still lit by oil lamps. The smell of sizzling meat and warm bread filled the air, making his stomach growl.

His sister grabbed his hand and pulled him toward it, her eyes sparkling with excitement. On the grill, pieces of meat were roasting slowly over an open flame, while flatbread crackled on a hot stone.

The shopkeeper, an older man with a kind face, greeted them warmly.

"Good evening! What can I get for you two?"

Boris’s sister eagerly pointed to a few things. "I want that one... and those! They smell so good!"

Boris chuckled quietly, watching her joy. A week ago, he would have hesitated to spend even a single copper. He might have told her, "Not today."

But not tonight.

He reached into his pocket and touched the small pouch of coins Renn had given him. Sixty coppers. Just a handful, yet enough to make this moment possible.

It’s all thanks to Master Kael, he thought. I don’t know where we’d be without this job.

The shopkeeper wrapped up the food carefully in cloth and handed it to them. Boris paid without a second thought. His sister clutched the warm bundle in her arms like a treasure.

"Thank you, Brother!" she beamed. "Our brothers are going to be so happy when they see this!"

With their food in hand, the two of them walked through the quiet streets, heading toward home.

They passed from the stone roads near the main gate into the narrow dirt paths of Ginip—the slum area. The buildings here were old and crumbling, patched with wooden boards and broken clay bricks. Boris’s home was one of the smallest on the street, made of worn stone and covered by a sagging roof.

He pushed open the wooden door. A faint, flickering light greeted them.

"Big brother’s home!" shouted two small voices in unison.

Two little boys rushed toward him, their faces bright with excitement. The warm glow of the fire pit lit their eager smiles.

Their mother, a tired but gentle-looking woman, stepped out from the back room. "You’re home," she said softly.

"Yes," Boris replied, smiling. "I brought something for everyone."

He handed her the food, and in moments, the small room was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread. The boys clapped their hands in joy, and their mother’s eyes welled up slightly as she began to serve the food.

The whole family gathered around the fire. Laughter filled the room. For the first time in many days, their stomachs were full, and the air was light with joy.

Boris sat quietly for a moment, just watching them. His heart felt full.

A few days ago, they had a lot of trouble getting three meals a day. Their income wasn’t much. After their father passed away, there were times when they went to bed hungry for days.

The pain of those days still clung to his memories.

But now... things were changing. He had a job that paid well. His employer was good, and his working environment was decent.

And his family—his precious family—was smiling again.

He looked at them and made a silent vow.

I’ll work even harder. One day, I’ll give them a better home... a better life. I promise.