Chapter 10

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 10

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10

"Ugh...... Too noisy."

Amelia woke to the piercing wail. Her ears were especially sharp to sounds when asleep.

She lifted her head and stared toward the source.

"She pooped......"

Judging by the faint stench wafting over and Lucella's resigned expression, Cherry had clearly done a big one.

A really satisfying one, at that.

'Normally, Ritz would've stepped in.'

Ritz, nine years old this year, was the oldest at Vusnie Orphanage.

Because of that, the director piled every chore on him. His adoption chances were next to nothing—too old, too plain-looking.

From bedtime routines to changing diapers on fussy babies who woke in the night, Ritz handled it all, standing in for the director and staff who slept like logs.

"Urgh."

But right now, Ritz wasn't caring for Cherry—he was barely sleeping himself. He'd endured far too much in a single day.

The other children were no different. Tense all day long, perhaps? Not one stirred at Cherry's cries.

'Should I handle it?'

Lucella was a sheltered noble lady, clueless about the real world. No way she'd tackle a filthy diaper.

Shit was gross and stank, but they couldn't just leave Cherry stewing in it.

With that thought, Amelia started to rise—just then.

"I'll get it done quick. Hang in there just a bit?"

A gentle voice rang in Amelia's ears. Lucella, fresh diaper and clothes in hand, headed for the bathroom.

'She's doing it solo?'

The director never dirtied her own hands. Chores were strictly staff territory.

But the staff slacked too. Tedious, messy jobs like diaper laundry or baby baths? Rock-paper-scissors decided.

Even assigned tasks got half-assed. Diapers left unwashed, babies uncleaned. Redos fell to the older ones—Ritz, Amelia, and such.

Yet this noble lady was bathing a baby and changing its diaper?

'She'll rush it 'cause it's a pain.'

Amelia watched closely. But "rushed" wasn't in Lucella's vocabulary.

She washed Cherry with utmost care. Hands flew diligently, guarding against any chill that might bring a cold.

"Aww, what a hefty load—you must've eaten well, huh? Really emptied the tank."

Face scrunched at the stench, she still coaxed a smile. Worlds apart from the director and staff.

And she soothed the newly woken kids without a hint of scolding.

'Definitely...... not like the director.'

Amelia stared at Lucella, eyes wavering.

Lucella cradled two children at once. Her petite frame made it look grueling.

That image spurred Amelia into motion.

"Give her here."

"Amelia, you're up?"

"Hand over Cherry."

"Huh?"

Brushing past Lucella's stunned face, Amelia scooped up Cherry. In the corner, she expertly laid her down and stripped her.

"Not too bad, luckily. Just a diaper swap—no bath needed."

"Oh?"

"I'll handle it. You do the rest."

"Eh?"

Lucella, dazed from start to finish, finally caught on.

"You'll change the diaper?"

"Yep."

No chance to intervene. Amelia swapped it in seconds and was dressing Cherry now.

"They don't usually wake this much. Blame the huge dinner. Days like today don't come often."

Fearing she'd pull funding over the hassle, Amelia explained rapidly. Hands never stopped, though.

Lucella, thoroughly flustered, spoke up.

"Got it. But Amelia, no need for you to tackle the tough stuff."

"Why not?"

"Kids shouldn't have to."

"Noble ladies shouldn't either."

"......"

Lucella went speechless for a beat.

Logically, Amelia had a point. Without past-life memories, Lucella wouldn't be diving in like this herself.

Even so,

"If one of us has to, it's me. You're young, and it's nighttime."

Lucella took Cherry back from Amelia. Then, to the oddly blank-looking girl, she added,

"I really appreciate the offer to help."

Lest she feel shot down.

"But I can manage solo, so you—"

Words cut short.

"Waaah!"

This cry came from elsewhere. Not Cherry—another child.

Amelia cocked her head.

"Sure you don't want help?"

"......"

"Four arms minimum for all these criers."

"Haa......"

Lucella gazed ceilingward, sighing deeply.

She hated being the villain adult dumping childcare on a kid. But options were nil.

"Fine, just tonight then, Amelia."

Amelia handled the crying child with pro-level skill. Tears stopped, then gentle pats lulled back to sleep.

That was just the start.

"I wanna sleeeep......"

"Bathroom's not that side—that way."

Edwin pitched in too, somehow awake.

"I'll hold your hand. Follow. No stepping on sleepers."

"Ung......"

Edwin's heroics meant no trampling, peaceful slumbers intact. Even the potty-dance kid made it in time.

"Thanks. You're Edwin, right?"

Pretending ignorance of his name, I thanked him.

He'd never spoken to me, never met my eyes from his corner. Gratitude hit double.

"Must be exhausted, yet you helped. Truly thanks."

"No biggie. I just followed Amelia......"

Edwin flushed, rambling. He'd seen her help me and tagged along.

'Amelia's the one who moves Edwin, huh.'

Even this young.

Curiosity bloomed. What made Amelia so trustworthy to him?

"Ria sis, hurts here. Sion stepped earlier."

"Gotcha. Sis huff-huff. All better?"

"Yeah. Hehe."

Tenderness for the young'uns.

"Ria, can't sleep. Pat-pat me."

"You the baby now, big bro?"

"S-sorry......"

Charisma for the elders.

'Impressive.'

Original heroine vibes, through and through.

"Hmmnya......"

By then, the restless kids dozed off anew. Two hours post-chaos: peace.

Just Cherry in my arms remained.

'One's easy solo.'

Emergency averted. Time to rest Amelia and Edwin.

"Amelia, Edwin, enough now...... Huh?"

Moments ago, patting a chest. Now? Heads on shoulders, both out cold.

"Wiped out, poor things."

Peak dreamtime hours—of course.

Still, they battled yawns to help. Heartbreaking yet proud. What now?

"Up we go."

I lifted the seated sleepers one by one, bedding them down. Tucked blankets tight against sniffles.

"Thanks a ton today."

I beamed at their angelic faces.

This instant, they weren't future threats to my nephew—just adorable tots.

New childcare teachers arrived pre-dawn.

I, eyes burning from wakefulness, bolted out like an oasis-spotter in the desert. Five saviors at the door.

"Heavens, still up?"

"Rough night...... You all came early, though."

"Riley pleaded for speed."

Riley—my personal maid. Her network snagged them fast.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention."

"No, seriously. Truly, really......"

I clutched the lead teacher's hand. Night's montage flashed; tears pricked.

"Lilfrey lady......"

Pity swelled in their gazes.

"Those bags! Go home, rest up."

"Wanted to see kids wake."

Sudden vanishing after last night—scare them?

"All-nighter obvious. You'll drop."

"Twenty kids solo? Rest now."

Maids' prodding tipped my stay-plans.

'Was brutal, admit it.'

Sheltered noble lady, me.

"Fine. Tell the kids...... Heading out today, but next time: tons of play."

Emphasized thrice, lest sulks.

"Right—and this to Edwin and Amelia. On the down-low."

"Secret?"

"Yeah. They helped last night."

Meant eye-contact at wake-up, but exhaustion won.

Plenty of later visits.

"Off I go. Send ops plan to Riley."

"Yes, lady."

Tip-toeing past sleepers, I boarded. Collapsed into instant slumber.