Chapter 25
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Chapter 25
Coveting Amelia, who was not his match, and thereby earning Edwin's jealousy.
The only consolation was that he was still young enough for his feelings to change, and—
"Then Lucian will stay here. Aunt will go have fun playing with the other children."
"What?"
—that his jealousy of his aunt actually worked.
"I think it's time for a game of hide-and-seek. Or would tag be more fun?"
"You're going to play with other children instead of me right now?"
Lucian's dependence on me and attachment to me were extraordinary, after all.
It could not be I who invited Edwin to the mansion. This was something only Lucian could propose as a "friend."
He could not remain under his aunt's protection forever.
This life was Lucian's life. I was merely someone to push his back forward; the child needed to grow into someone who could walk on his own.
He had to maintain intimate relationships with Edwin, or with others besides me, even without me. Only then could he escape the crisis of death and grow into a proper adult.
"Aunt wants to play tag... but unfortunately, tag is a game that can only be played with multiple people, isn't it?"
To achieve this, I needed to exploit Lucian's jealousy a little, however reluctant it made me feel right now.
"Sigh, what a shame. It would definitely be fun."
"..."
"Since Lucian doesn't want to, I suppose I have no choice but to go alone."
"..."
"Everyone will ask. Why didn't Lucian come? We wanted to see him."
With each word I spoke, Lucian's small shoulders flinched.
I did not stop there and cast the biggest bait.
"I'm bringing Amelia too... I wonder what our Lucian will do here all alone."
"I, I want to come too!"
Hooked.
* * *
I set out for the Büsnie Orphanage with Lucella, Amelia, and Claude. The children, hearing the carriage, had already come outside to greet us.
"Sister Lucella, why did you come so late? We've been waiting!"
"Amelia, where have you been all this time? We looked for you for ages!"
"But who is that tall man next to you?"
"It's cold, so let's go inside and talk."
I led the children inside the building, leaving their relentless questions in my wake. Barely had I recovered from the shock of them swarming around like young rabbits when Claude followed behind me and Amelia as well.
"All right, everyone pay attention!"
After seating all the children, I clapped twice to gather their attention.
"First, let me tell you why I haven't been able to come for a while. It's been snowing heavily these past few days, right? I caught a cold and couldn't come."
"I see."
"So you should have washed your hands thoroughly!"
"And you shouldn't be picky about food either!"
The children who nodded added their own words.
"And this gentleman who came with us today is Amelia's uncle."
"Uncle?"
The children's bright eyes suddenly turned toward Claude.
"That means...."
"That's right. I've found my lost family."
The answer came from Amelia. She grasped Claude's hand firmly and smiled.
"Wow, congratulations!"
"How wonderful, Amelia!"
Congratulations poured in from all around. Many children gazed enviously at Amelia, who held Claude's hand.
"Are you going home with Uncle now?"
"Yes."
"Then... you're leaving here."
A subdued voice came from Edwin. When their eyes met, Amelia nodded slowly.
"Mm-hmm."
At that answer, Edwin's face darkened.
The boy's expression held emotions difficult to name. Sorrow, regret, and envy painted his features—his face seemed ready to crumble into tears at any moment.
"So we won't see each other anymore?"
"Sniff. What do I do, I'll miss you so much."
The other children wore sorrowful expressions as well.
"Don't be so sad. I promised I'd visit often. Isn't that right, Amelia?"
"Of course."
Amelia answered firmly, her fists clenched. The other children quickly brightened with laughter, but Edwin did not. The despondent boy's face remained unmoved.
"Edwin."
Releasing Claude's hand, Amelia approached Edwin and embraced the boy, who was noticeably smaller than her.
"I'm sorry. For leaving you behind."
"...There's nothing to apologize for. This is something to celebrate. You wanted to find your family, didn't you?"
"But you're sad right now. Because I'm leaving."
"...."
"Understanding with your head is different from what your heart feels."
Amelia patted Edwin's back as she held him. At that tender gesture, tears finally glistened in Edwin's eyes.
"The truth is... I don't want to say goodbye."
"Edwin...."
"It's a good thing, so I should congratulate you."
"...."
"I want to ask you not to go."
With those words, Edwin buried his face in Amelia's shoulder. Soon his shoulders began to tremble softly. The boy who had not wept even after losing his mother now cried sorrowfully in Amelia's embrace.
"Edwin, don't cry."
"But you're crying, sniff, so now I'm crying too."
The children watching Edwin and Amelia began to grow misty-eyed as well. Soon the room filled with the sound of children's sobs and sniffling.
"Ugh, you little rascals."
I gathered the sorrowful children into my arms.
"It's not like you'll never see me again. I'm coming back to visit, so why are you crying so sadly?"
I wiped away the snot and tears smeared across their faces and patted their trembling shoulders.
"If you cry, the scary old grandfather will come and take you away."
"R-really?"
"Yes. My aunt told me so."
Even Lucian, who had never comforted anyone in his life, began to console the children following my lead.
It was more of a warning than actual comfort, but the children quickly stopped crying. They seemed terrified of being taken away by the old man with the sack.
"D-don't cry."
Claude also patted the children with stiff, awkward hands.
"Eek! Your tone is scary, mister!"
"...Why am I a mister?"
Of course, it had no effect.
I let out a quiet laugh watching Claude wipe away the children's tears with such clumsy movements.
* * *
The children, who had been crying pitifully for quite some time, stopped crying like ghosts the moment I mentioned giving them snacks. Today's snack I had prepared was milk chocolate studded with almonds.
"It's delicious!"
While the children were completely absorbed in their snacks, I subtly shifted my position toward Edwin.
Edwin was clinging to Amelia like a koala.
The perceptive Amelia seemed to sense that I had something to say to Edwin, and she quickly excused herself. Edwin's reluctant gaze followed Amelia as she moved away.
"Um, Edwin."
"...Thank you."
Edwin, who had been staring blankly at me, suddenly bowed his head to me.
"Why so suddenly?"
"Amelia told me. She said Sister found Amelia's uncle and helped him when he was in danger."
"Is that so?"
I didn't know Amelia had said such a thing.
"Amelia's matter is my matter too. Thank you for helping."
"My, how well-mannered you are."
I stroked the back of Edwin's head as he bowed to me once more.
How did he grow up so properly and respectfully all on his own? Is this what they call the male lead's blessing?
"Lucian still seems like a baby."
Seeing Lucian, who instead of being well-mannered causes trouble every single day, gave me a fresh sense of emotion.
"Edwin, there's something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
I popped a piece of chocolate I had broken into bite-sized pieces into Edwin's mouth and spoke.
"Would you like to come visit my house next week?"
"Your house, Sister?"
Edwin blinked his large, deer-like eyes in surprise at the sudden invitation.
"Your house means... the Bellomen Duchy, right?"
"Did you already know?"
"I heard it from Amelia and the teachers."
"I see."
Strictly speaking, it was Lucian's home, but it was also where I was living now, so it hardly mattered.
"Come visit and play knight games with Lucian, eat delicious food—we'll have a wonderful time."
"But...."
Edwin's eyes, which had been fixed on me, dropped downward. His fingers fidgeted with his hands resting on his knees as he continued speaking.
"I'm a commoner, though. Would that really be all right...?"
He was asking whether it was truly acceptable for someone of common birth to visit the Duke's Mansion. I hastily waved my hand in protest.
"Don't think like that, Edwin."
"But still...."
"You're Lucian and Amelia's friend. You're also a resident of the Orphanage that I sponsor. There's no reason you shouldn't come to the Duke's Mansion."
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