Chapter 14
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Chapter 14
"Amelia, don't regret it. From now on, you'll be eating far more delicious things than this."
"Really?"
The question came not from Amelia, but from Edwin.
"Of course. As long as I'm here, you'll never go hungry."
I said this while gently stroking Edwin's hair.
"I always keep my promises."
"...It does seem that way."
"Hmm? What did you say?"
His voice had been too quiet for me to hear.
"Nothing."
Amelia turned her head away with a coy expression. From the look in her eyes, she wouldn't tell me even if I pressed further. Besides, it didn't seem like her words held any particular significance.
"Now eat quickly. I gave this cookie only to you, so don't let the other children find out."
"Understood."
I watched contentedly as Amelia reluctantly put the cookie in her mouth.
"Lucella, you've arrived!"
The Orphanage Director, who had just noticed me, approached.
"I should have been waiting for you earlier, but the children suddenly caused quite a commotion."
"It's fine. Children grow up that way."
"Then shall we go inside? I have some matters regarding the orphanage's operations I'd like to discuss with you."
"Now?"
I turned my head and gazed at Lucian.
'Can I really leave this troublemaker time bomb alone?'
Lucian had changed, or so they said—but that was only when I was with him. I couldn't gauge what Lucian would be like without me, surrounded by children his own age.
'And I can't exactly take him with me either.'
They would surely discuss matters like punishment and embezzlement. It wasn't exactly appropriate content for a child to hear.
"Please go ahead."
It was Amelia's voice that broke through my hesitation.
"It's an important matter, after all. Lucian will play with us."
"Are you sure?"
I shifted my gaze from Amelia to look at Lucian.
Ever since he collapsed once before, Lucian had clung to me like he had separation anxiety. Would such a Lucian really nod his head willingly?
"Auntie, you'll be back soon, right?"
"Yes, though..."
"Then go ahead."
To my surprise, Lucian nodded readily.
"I'll play with them like Amelia said."
"Really?"
Unable to believe it, I asked several times over.
"Yes. But you have to come back quickly, okay?"
"Understood. I'll be back shortly after handling this matter."
My child, how much you've grown in such a short time.
I pushed aside the surge of emotion and followed Heidi, thinking I needed to finish this conversation quickly for Lucian's sake.
* * *
Left behind without Lucella, Lucian stared at Amelia with wide, rolling eyes.
'I've never seen a child this beautiful before.'
That was my first thought upon seeing Amelia.
I thought that since Auntie was pretty and kind, surely other children would flock to her. Perhaps I might even be pushed out of Lucella's attention.
So I clung to Lucella's side like a guardian, and while I wanted to drive away every child approaching her, I couldn't do that.
If I did, Auntie would collapse again.
I settled my resolve by fixing my eyes with a sharp glare. If any child approached Auntie, I would give them a piercing stare.
But that determination melted away like snow in sunlight the moment I saw Amelia.
Hair as bright as melted sunlight, eyes the color of summer leaves, and delicate features perfectly arranged on her small face—she looked just like the doll Count Brahms' only daughter played with.
So, enchanted, I grasped her hand without thinking. I had even forgotten that I was supposed to keep her in check.
Amelia, whether aware of my feelings or not, was busy talking with Edwin.
"Ria, I did well, right? Now I can eat all the cookies without holding back!"
"Edwin, you really... lack any sense of the situation."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"Never mind."
Amelia turned her head away with a pouty expression and crunched on a small piece of chocolate cookie.
'They seem close.'
I wanted to join in their intimate conversation.
'I want to call her Ria too.'
I wanted to talk more with Amelia, who had stolen my heart in an instant.
"Amelia, Edwin."
"Yes?"
"What?"
"Are you two beggars?"
That was all I was asking.
Just moments ago, Edwin had acted like he was tasting chocolate cookies for the very first time. Amelia had also said she couldn't eat them because they were too precious.
If they were so precious that they couldn't afford to eat them—cookies that were scattered all over the Duke's Mansion and even rolling around—then they must certainly be beggars.
'If they're beggars, I can give them cookies and become friends. We have so many chocolate cookies at home, so I should invite them over.'
I wondered what Amelia would say in response. I stared at her with an excited, fluttering heart.
"...What?"
But the reaction I received was not what I had expected.
"Are you seriously asking that as a question?"
If they were indeed beggars, I was planning to invite them to my house. But for some reason, Amelia's expression wasn't good. Edwin beside her looked completely deflated.
'Did I do something wrong?'
I didn't raise my voice or throw a punch, just like Auntie warned me.
In any case, since Amelia was asking, I had to answer.
"Mmm..."
"Ha."
Amelia let out a bitter laugh.
I had been looked down upon for being an orphan without parents more than once or twice. Yet no one had ever insulted me by calling me a beggar until now.
As anger surged within me, I glared at Lucian's face.
However, there was no hostility or mockery in his expression. If anything, his face was almost innocent.
Like someone who didn't understand what was wrong.
'He's a child that Lucella Sister brought here, of all people.'
How could he have turned out badly when he was raised under someone so proper and warm-hearted?
Sensing something amiss, I suppressed my anger and spoke again.
"Lucian, why are you saying that?"
"Huh?"
"Why are you asking if we're beggars?"
At my sharp question, Lucian sensed that something was terribly wrong.
This had happened several times in the past, but Lucian had never been afraid. Even children with such scary expressions would cry their eyes out if he dangled worms or frogs in front of them.
But this was Amelia. Apart from my promise with Auntie, I didn't want to do such things to Amelia of all people.
In the end, Lucian laid bare his true feelings.
"Earlier, you spoke as if you'd never eaten chocolate cookies before.... We have tons of cookies at our house, so I thought if you were a beggar, you could come eat them with us...."
My voice was as small as an ant crawling. It was because I was watching Amelia's expression.
"You really... have a talent for saying disastrous things."
"Disastrous? What's that?"
"It's something."
Amelia shook her head and pointed a finger sharply at Lucian.
"I'm telling you this because your intentions don't seem bad, but asking someone if they're a beggar is rude. It's incredibly impolite."
"Why?"
"What do you think a beggar is?"
At the question turned back on him, Lucian's eyes rolled around.
"People without homes, without families, people who can't eat?"
"Would such people find life joyful or sorrowful?"
"Sorrowful."
"Then would we be joyful or sorrowful if asked such a question?"
"I think we'd be sorrowful."
"So should you say such things or not?"
"... I shouldn't."
I spoke the last words with my head bowed low. I had belatedly realized what mistake I had made.
'Auntie told me not to do things that make others sad.'
I had broken my promise with Auntie again. If Auntie found out, she might collapse from the shock. Or perhaps she would leave me, saying that a bad child wasn't needed.
"I'm sorry...."
As I imagined Auntie leaving, tears began to well up. I had even hurt Amelia, whom I wanted to look good in front of.
"... Sigh."
Seeing Lucian on the verge of tears, Amelia let out a sigh and lowered the index finger she had been pointing so sharply.
"I'll let it slide this time."
"Really...?"
"Yes. But next time, I won't."
Amelia placed her hands on her hips with a decisive gesture.
"From now on, think carefully before you speak. If you don't, I won't be your friend anymore."
"So if I'm careful from now on, you'll be my friend?"
"Depends on what you do."
Lucian's eyes sparkled as he looked at Amelia, his tears from moments before rendered utterly meaningless by his sudden brightness.
"Amelia, you're really kind."
Other children would burst into loud wails or rush to tattle to the adults. Yet she forgave my mistakes like this. Amelia must be an angel!
"Then prove it by behaving well."
"Okay. I will."
Lucian nodded so vigorously that his eyebrows seemed to flutter with the motion.
'He's acting just like a stray cat who's found his savior.'
His appearance was rather endearing, and Amelia couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
Perhaps because he was Lucella's nephew—he lacked refinement only because he hadn't been taught, but this child might possess the same warm heart she did.
With a gentle smile, Amelia lowered her gaze to the chocolate cookie in her hand.
'...She kept her promise.'
Lucella was different from other adults. She wasn't the type to disappear after making promises she couldn't keep.
More than that, she had even driven out the Orphanage Director and staff members who had subjected me to mistreatment.
'If it's this person....'
After gazing at the cookie for a moment longer, Amelia unwrapped it and took a bite.
The sweetness that bloomed across her palate was utterly delightful.
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