Chapter 13

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 13

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"If I'd known this would happen, I should've saved some instead of eating it all. To give to Amelia."

"What?"

"Amelia always gives me the tasty stuff. So I wanted to give you something you like too..."

Edwin rubbed the black stone at his feet with his toe—it looked just like a chocolate cookie. Recalling the sweet taste that had touched his tongue, his mouth filled with saliva.

Amelia giggled at the sight of him.

'If you're gonna act all cool like that, at least hide your expression.'

Edwin stared down at the black pebble like he was about to drool any second. She didn't even need to ask. He was clearly thinking about chocolate cookies.

Amelia gazed at the cookie in her hand for a moment before hardening her expression, as if she'd made up her mind.

"Edwin."

"Yeah?"

"Let's eat this together."

"...Huh?"

His already large eyes grew even wider at her sudden move.

"But you said it was too precious to eat..."

"Yeah. But I've changed my mind now."

Amelia tore open the paper wrapping.

"What's the point of saving it? It'll just go bad. So let's eat it quick."

If it was just going to lead to disappointment, better to get rid of that feeling fast.

"But..."

"No buts. If we leave it like this, it'll spoil anyway and we won't be able to eat it."

Better to savor that fleeting sweetness than let it rot uneaten.

"So let's just eat it."

The moment she broke off a piece and tried to put it in Edwin's mouth—

"Hiiing!"

A horse's neigh rang out from nearby. Both children's heads snapped toward the noise.

A large carriage had pulled up in front of the orphanage.

And soon, the person who appeared was...

"Amelia, Edwin. Have you been well?"

It was Lucella, with a little boy tucked under her arm.

The Bellomon Ducal Residence was in an uproar from morning. All because Lucian was pulling every outfit imaginable from the wardrobe.

"I wanna go too!"

The moment she'd announced her plan to visit Vusnie Orphanage today, Lucian had declared he wanted to come along. He was worried she'd collapse again.

"No, Lucian. Today, Auntie was planning to go alone."

"Whyyy? Can't I come with you?"

Truth be told, there was no real reason not to bring Lucian.

But he had a track record. A glorious history of making all his peers cry.

'We need to win over Edwin and Amelia as it is. If Lucian causes any trouble...'

I shook my head vigorously, until it practically whistled. I didn't want to imagine anything more.

"Have you apologized to Chernin Viscount yet? I told you not until Auntie does."

I placed my hands on my hips and asked sternly.

"I did."

But making such a stern face was for naught—Lucian nodded readily.

"We made a promise, right? To not bully others. So I went and apologized while you were sleeping, Auntie."

"Really...?"

"Yeah. So can you take me along now?"

Lucian's eyes sparkled toward me like the cat in boots. Those clear eyes made it hard to refuse.

'He really has changed since that day.'

The rowdy Lucian was gone. No more swinging fists wildly at the servants, no more pranks that troubled others.

Of course, people don't change overnight, so he still occasionally failed to hold back his emotions and huffed in frustration—but even then, he endured it well. By practicing the three deep breaths I'd drilled into him endlessly.

Everyone in the ducal residence was amazed by Lucian's transformation.

'Young Master Lucian, you're so cool!'

The servants praised him endlessly to encourage his change.

'Of course! I made a promise with Auntie!'

Whenever they did, Lucian's face lit up with pride. Praise makes even whales dance, after all—he'd clean up the mess he'd made in his room like it was nothing or greet passing retainers with proper decorum. It was nothing short of a miracle.

'I have to keep my promise so Auntie doesn't die.'

Something felt a bit off, but good was good.

"Auntie, are you listening?"

Lost in sentiment, I snapped back as Lucian tugged and shook my skirt.

"Yes. I'm listening."

"You said if I apologize to Chernin Viscount, you'd let me go out with you."

"I did."

Apologizing for a reward wasn't ideal, but the point was Lucian had listened and repented.

"So take me along. I'm worried you'll collapse again."

"..."

"I have to protect you so you don't fall, Auntie."

"Lucian..."

My heart swelled. Seeing how much he'd grown after just one big incident made me proud.

I felt sorry too, for having shown him such an unseemly side.

"So can I come too? I'll really listen to you this time, Auntie. No lie."

I hesitated. Considering his past behavior, bringing Lucian to the orphanage was absolutely not a good idea.

'But he's changed.'

He didn't always obey perfectly, but at least he wasn't harming others anymore.

'And above all, his concern for me is admirable.'

With Lucian as he was now, maybe he could befriend Edwin and Amelia.

And if the kids became friends with Lucian, it might prevent his villainous future. Friendships could teach him new emotions.

Alright.

"Okay. Let's go together."

"Really?"

"Yes. Hurry and get dressed."

"Yay!"

I urgently instructed the maid helping him change, drilling it into him.

If he bullied or made the orphanage kids cry, we'd head straight back to the mansion.

Lucian nodded vigorously, saying he understood. He even pinky-swore on it.

And so, the three of us ended up here at Vusnie Orphanage.

"This is my nephew, Lucian. He's six."

Noticing the questions in Edwin and Amelia's eyes, I quickly introduced him without mentioning his status or family name, lest they feel uncomfortable.

"He insisted on coming when I said I was visiting you two. Right, Lucian?"

Glancing back at Lucian casually, I froze in surprise.

Normally, he'd wave brightly at anyone—but now, he was hiding behind me like a wary kitten facing an enemy.

"Lucian?"

Lucian absolutely had to win them over. Even if it meant being ingratiating.

That way, he'd survive. Forming bonds with the protagonists from childhood would keep death at bay.

'But he's being so guarded!'

Why was this lively kid suddenly acting out of character? This wasn't the scene I'd envisioned!

Flustered, I gently pushed Lucian's back.

Reluctantly, he let go of my skirt and stepped in front of the two.

But he didn't greet them.

'Wait.'

Wasn't it wariness? Looking closer, Lucian seemed tense.

'No wonder he's nervous. This is his first time making friends after getting scolded by me.'

As I opened my mouth for their first meeting—Amelia beat me to it.

"Hi, Lucian. I'm Amelia. I'm a year older than you."

I was moved watching Amelia extend her hand first.

'How can she be so kind!'

From what I remembered, Amelia wasn't one to open up easily. Her warmth was reserved for family and orphanage kids.

For her to reach out first to Lucian, who was obviously a noble child and not even orphanage folk—this was an unexpected development.

"H-Hi. Amelia."

Lucian glanced at me, then hesitantly took her hand.

He didn't rudely ask, "How are you older but shorter than me?" like usual. Lucian really had changed.

"I'm... five years old. My name's Edwin."

With Amelia breaking the ice, Edwin stammered out his introduction. For the quiet boy who always hid in corners, this was huge progress.

'Why is everyone suddenly so nice? Do they like Lucian or something?'

I hoped so.

Watching their first meeting with bated breath, something caught my eye.

"By the way, Amelia, what's that in your hand...?"

"Oh..."

Amelia hurriedly hid her hand behind her back. But I'd already seen it.

"That's the chocolate cookie I gave you, right? Why haven't you eaten it yet?"

"Just..."

"She said it's too precious."

Edwin spoke up for the fidgeting Amelia.

"Chances to eat something that delicious don't come often here. So she must've hated to eat it."

"I see."

How precious could a chocolate cookie be? I looked at Amelia with pity.

"Edwin, you...!"

Embarrassed at having her thoughts exposed, Amelia scolded him with a flushed face.

Edwin, on the other hand, looked smug. He must've been thrilled at the thought of giving her more tasty things.

'That's weird, though. Amelia's a noble, so she must've eaten plenty of treats before coming to the orphanage.'

For such a girl to hesitate over one cookie?

'That damn orphanage director. How much did he starve her?'

The question quickly turned to fury at the director. How harshly must he have treated them for this polite girl to cling so desperately to a single cookie?