Chapter 15
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Chapter 15
* * *
Heidi and I discussed the Orphanage's operations in the Director's Office.
"I checked with the Security Bureau, and they said the funds the Director embezzled will be recovered within next month. I've also reported this to the Duke, so punishments for the Director and staff should be handed down soon."
"Thank goodness. How could they abuse such angelic children? Those people deserve to rot in prison for the rest of their lives!"
Heidi clenched her fists in indignation. Seeing how passionately she advocated for the children earned my trust.
"Until we recover the embezzled funds, I'll cover the operating expenses from my own pocket. Have the budget proposal ready by next week...."
Even as I spoke with Heidi, my thoughts kept drifting to Lucian.
'I wonder if he's playing well?'
Surely they hadn't gotten into a fight in such a short time.
"Well then, let's call it a day."
I quickly wrapped up our discussion and hurried out of the Director's Office.
'Let there be no trouble.'
I walked briskly toward the Playground. But Lucian wasn't there.
"Where could he have gone?"
I changed direction and headed to the Playroom at the end of the building. Lucian was there.
"Mom, I'm going to feed Coco."
"Okay. Don't give him too much."
He was actually playing house with the children.
"Woof woof!"
And his role was the puppy.
"...."
I stood speechless watching Lucian crawl on all fours like a dog, eating cereal.
'Lucian is playing house....'
Normally, he would have scoffed at such childish games, or else he'd upset the children with some bizarre antics.
"That's right, Coco. You're eating well."
My shock was brief. I noticed that Lucian's gaze was fixed on Amelia, who was playing the mother.
"Eat up."
"Woof woof!"
As Amelia stroked his head, Lucian laughed like a real dog, his cheeks flushed. His gaze toward Amelia was completely smitten.
'Flushed? ...Wait a moment.'
As I struggled to comprehend the situation, I belatedly realized something was terribly wrong.
"Chi...."
I spotted Edwin in the corner, his lips pouting.
In that instant, my blood ran cold as if someone had turned on the air conditioning.
'He's fallen for her....'
It was unmistakable. Given the obedient demeanor I'd never seen before and his ears burning red, Lucian had definitely fallen for Amelia.
Edwin, who liked Amelia, was jealous watching the two of them play so affectionately.
'Lucian, absolutely not!'
I pulled at my hair watching Lucian become Amelia's devoted little puppy.
Not only was I falling short of impressing Edwin, but Lucian had to go and develop feelings for Amelia! And now he was upset because of it!
'What should I do?'
Part of me wanted to tear Lucian away from Amelia's side immediately. But I had no right to manipulate his heart as I pleased.
"Come on, children. It's time for bed now."
"Good night, dear."
"Mom, Dad, sleep well."
"Woof, woof, woof!"
As an adult, I couldn't very well interrupt children who were playing so happily together.
I turned my head to observe Edwin, whose lips were pouting stubbornly.
'First, I need to appease Edwin.'
Fortunately, Amelia seemed to quite like Lucian. So if I could just soothe Edwin's wounded pride, their relationship would likely be restored.
I carefully stepped toward Edwin.
"Edwin, what are you doing over there by yourself?"
Edwin's gaze, which had been fixed on Amelia, shifted to me.
"...Just something."
Even with his long hair partially obscuring his face, his dejected expression was plainly visible.
"Why don't you go play with them?"
Edwin shook his head. His reaction made it clear he was thoroughly upset.
"Are you sad because Amelia is playing with someone other than you?"
"...."
Just as I suspected. I found myself laughing at how his pure and honest emotions were so endearing, even as I wondered if his attachment to the heroine was already beginning.
'How should I comfort him?'
Lecturing him that Amelia isn't his alone didn't seem appropriate for this moment.
As I pondered, I plopped down beside Edwin.
"I understand that feeling."
"How would you know that, sister?"
"Because I once had someone I cared for too."
I recalled my first love, now so distant and hazy that I could barely remember it.
"I, I, I don't like Amelia like that, I, I mean——"
For someone claiming otherwise, he was stammering far too much.
It was such an obvious lie that I simply continued with what I was saying.
"I wanted that person to only look at me and only talk to me, you know? When they played with someone else, I felt jealous."
Despite having just denied it, Edwin nodded with complete concentration on his face. He clearly empathized with my feelings.
"But this world doesn't consist of just me and that person, does it? Inevitably, they have to interact with others, and if your heart aches every time that happens, you'll have nothing left inside."
"I suppose..."
"So don't be so gloomy. Even if you can't have Amelia all to yourself, you can still become her most precious person."
"Her most precious person?"
"Yes."
Edwin fell silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, then nodded as if he'd realized something.
"You're right, sister. Amelia is pretty and kind, so she can't help but be loved by everyone."
Somehow the conversation seemed to be drifting toward praising Amelia.
'I'm seeing signs of someone completely smitten.'
The scent of a lovesick fool wafts through the air, as they say.
"Even if I can't have Amelia all to myself, I could become her most precious person if I try hard enough."
Edwin clenched his fists tightly.
The day had finally come when the usually quiet and timid Edwin spoke so much.
'What exactly is Amelia's charm that has made both Edwin and Lucian fall for her?'
Her appeal was practically an antlion trap.
"But... how can I become Amelia's most precious person?"
Edwin, who had been burning with enthusiasm just moments before, fell back into dejection. He couldn't seem to think of a good solution.
"Well, that's..."
I wasn't entirely sure myself.
But I couldn't heap greater despair upon a discouraged child.
"From what I've observed, Amelia seems weak to things that are pretty and cute, you know?"
"How did you know that, sister?"
"Just a feeling, really."
I absolutely couldn't tell him it was because I knew the original story.
"Anyway, why don't you try capturing Amelia's attention with something pretty and cute? The first step of love is always interest, after all."
"Something pretty and cute..."
Edwin opened and closed his empty hands.
"But I don't have anything..."
What should I do?
As he added this, Edwin's eyes looking up at me resembled those of a wounded fawn. Seeing those tearful eyes, I wanted to place something in his hands.
But one cannot tempt a child with material possessions. There had to be a good solution...
"Ah!"
A brilliant idea suddenly struck me.
"Edwin, let's cut your bangs."
"R-right now?"
"Yes. You have beautiful eyes, you know. If Amelia could see your eyes without your hair hiding them, I'm sure she'd love it. Like I said, Amelia loves pretty things."
Edwin, who had been fiddling with his long bangs that fell past his nose, soon opened his mouth with the look of someone who had made a decision.
"Understood!"
It was the determination to win Amelia's heart.
'I'm sorry, Lucian, but Amelia was never meant to be your match anyway.'
Lucian, you have your hands full just growing up properly. So let's find you a different match later.
* * *
And so a small salon opened in a corner of the Orphanage.
I seated Edwin on a tall chair and draped an unused tablecloth over his shoulders.
"Lucella, do you know how to cut hair?"
"Lucian hated having his hair cut since he was little. He would only sit still if I cut it myself."
"I see."
Watching me cut with considerable skill, Heidi and the teachers wore expressions of admiration. The other children's eyes gleamed with curiosity as well.
'Everyone staring makes me nervous.'
Careful not to injure him, I moved my hands cautiously and trimmed Edwin's bangs.
With a soft snipping sound, Edwin's eyes—framed by thick lashes—were revealed.
"Wow, your eyes are really beautiful."
His crimson irises like Cherry's, the long lashes that densely lined his eyelids, the dark brows that seemed too mature for a child—all of it was beautiful. He truly inherited only the finest qualities from the Duke and Iris.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Right, Amelia?"
I deliberately singled out Amelia for confirmation. She nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Your eyes are really pretty. It's like there's fire burning inside your irises."
"Truly?"
"Yeah. You should've cut it sooner! It looks so beautiful and suits you perfectly."
Bombarded with compliments, Edwin broke into a bashful smile. His ears, now exposed by the shorter hair, flushed red.
"There, Edwin. All done."
"Thank you..."
Edwin bowed deeply to me. It was the first time he'd ever greeted me this way. He seemed genuinely delighted by Amelia's praise.
"Don't mention it. I should be thanking you for trusting me with this."
I carefully brushed the hair from Edwin's face with a sponge, then began tidying up the strands scattered across the floor. With the task complete, I intended to clean up.
It was Lucian who stopped me.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org