Chapter 14

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 14

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"Amelia, no need to feel bad about it. From now on, you'll get to eat lots of even tastier things."

"Really?"

The question came not from Amelia, but from Edwin.

"Of course. As long as I'm here, you kids will never go hungry."

I stroked Edwin's head as I spoke.

"I always keep my promises."

"...Yeah, you seem like the type."

"Hm? What was that?"

Her voice was too quiet for me to catch it.

"Nothing."

Amelia primly turned her head away. She looked like she wouldn't say more no matter how much I asked, so I let it drop. It didn't seem like anything important anyway.

"Then eat up quick. This is just for you, Amelia, so don't let the other kids spot it."

"Got it."

I was fondly watching Amelia reluctantly pop the cookie into her mouth when...

"Lady Lucella, you've arrived!"

The orphanage director belatedly noticed me and hurried over.

"I should have been waiting, but the kids suddenly got rowdy."

"It's fine. That's how kids grow."

"Shall we head inside then? I have some matters about the operations to discuss with you as well."

"Now?"

I turned to look at Lucian.

'Can I leave this walking time bomb of trouble alone?'

Lucian had changed, sure—but only when I was around. I had no idea what he'd be like without me there, especially with other kids his age.

'But I can't drag him along either.'

We'd surely be talking about punishments and embezzlement. Not exactly kid-friendly topics.

"Go ahead."

It was Amelia's voice that snapped me out of my worries.

"It's important, right? Lucian can play with us."

"You sure?"

I shifted my gaze from Amelia to Lucian.

Ever since that collapse, he'd been clinging to me like separation anxiety. Would he really nod along so easily?

"Auntie, you'll be quick, right?"

"Yeah, I will... but..."

"Then go ahead."

To my surprise, Lucian nodded readily.

"I'll play with Amelia like she said."

"Really?"

I couldn't believe it and asked again several times.

"Yeah. Just come back fast?"

"Got it. Auntie will wrap it up quick."

My little one's growing up so fast.

I swallowed the swell of emotion and followed Heidi. I had to finish the talk quickly—for Lucian's sake.

Left behind without Lucella, Lucian rolled his big eyes and stared at Amelia.

'I've never seen a girl this pretty before.'

That was his first thought upon seeing her.

He figured other kids would flock to his pretty, kind aunt. She might even push him out of Lucella's attention.

So Lucian had stuck to her side like glue to stake his claim. He wanted to shove away any kid who approached her, but he couldn't.

That would just make Auntie collapse again.

His compromise was to glare fiercely with those big eyes at anyone who got too close.

But that resolve melted away the instant he saw Amelia.

Bright golden hair like sunlight turned to liquid, eyes the light green of summer leaves, delicate features packed neatly on a small face. She looked just like the doll the countess's only daughter played with.

And so, he found himself clasping her hand without a second thought. Forgetting all about keeping a lookout on her.

Amelia, oblivious or not to Lucian's feelings, was busy chatting with Edwin.

"Lia, I did good, right? Now you can eat all the cookies without holding back!"

"Edwin, you're... so clueless it makes me want to cry."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"Forget it."

Amelia turned her head primly and crunched on a small piece of chocolate cookie.

'They must be close.'

Lucian wanted to squeeze in between the two chatting so intimately.

'I wanna call her Lia too.'

He wanted to talk more with Amelia, who had stolen his heart at first sight.

"Amelia, Edwin."

"Yeah?"

"What?"

"Are you guys beggars?"

That was all he asked.

Just moments ago, Edwin had acted like he'd never tasted a chocolate cookie before. Amelia had said she couldn't bear to eat it.

To cherish chocolate cookies—which rolled around everywhere in the ducal residence—meant they had to be beggars.

'If they're beggars, I can give them cookies and invite them over. We've got tons at home.'

What would Amelia say? Lucian stared at her, heart pounding with excitement.

"...What?"

But her reaction wasn't what he'd expected.

"You call that a question?"

He'd planned to invite beggars to his house. But for some reason, Amelia looked upset. Edwin next to her looked utterly deflated.

'Did I do something wrong?'

He hadn't yelled or punched, just like Auntie warned.

Still, Amelia had asked, so he had to answer.

"Uh... yeah..."

"Hah."

Amelia let out a scoff.

As an orphan without parents, she'd been looked down on plenty. But no one had ever outright insulted her by asking if she was a beggar.

Fury rising, she glared at Lucian.

But his face showed no malice or mockery. If anything, it was innocently bright.

Like he had no clue what was wrong.

'He's the kid Lady Lucella brought.'

A child raised by someone so upright and warm couldn't be rotten to the core.

Sensing something off, Amelia held back her anger and spoke again.

"Lucian, why did you ask that?"

"Huh?"

"Why ask if we're beggars?"

The sharp question made Lucian realize he'd messed up big time.

It had happened plenty in the past, but he'd never been scared. Kids making scary faces like that always screamed and cried when he shoved worms or frogs at them.

But this was Amelia. Beyond his promise to Auntie, he didn't want to do that to her.

In the end, Lucian spilled his honest intentions.

"You acted like you'd never had chocolate cookies before... We have tons at home, so if you were beggars, I was gonna invite you to eat them together..."

His voice was as small as an ant crawling. He was gauging her reaction.

"You're... a walking disaster with words."

"Disaster? What's that?"

"It's a thing."

Amelia shook her head and pointed straight at him.

"Your intentions seem fine, so I'll tell you: asking someone if they're a beggar is rude. Really rude."

"Why?"

"What do you think beggars are?"

Lucian rolled his eyes, thinking hard.

"People with no home, no family, who can't eat?"

"Would those people be happy or sad to be alive?"

"Sad."

"Then how do you think we feel getting asked that?"

"Sad."

"So should you say stuff like that?"

"...No."

The last word came with his head hung low. He'd finally realized his mistake.

'Auntie said not to do things that make others sad.'

He'd broken his promise to her again. If she found out, she might collapse from shock—or decide she didn't need a bad kid like him and leave.

"Sorry..."

Imagining Auntie walking away brought tears to his eyes. He'd even hurt Amelia, who he wanted to impress.

"...Sigh."

Seeing Lucian on the verge of tears, Amelia sighed and lowered her pointed finger.

"I'll let it slide this time."

"Really...?"

"Yeah. But not next time."

She planted her hands on her hips.

"Think twice before you speak from now on. Or I won't be your friend."

"If I watch what I say, will you be my friend?"

"Depends on how you do."

Lucian's eyes sparkled at Amelia. A far cry from the teary face moments ago.

"Amelia, you're so nice."

Other kids would've wailed or tattled to adults. But she forgave his mistake. Amelia had to be an angel!

"If you know, then do better."

"Yeah! I will!"

Lucian nodded so vigorously his eyebrows nearly flew off.

'He acts just like a stray cat that found its savior.'

His cuteness made Amelia chuckle despite herself.

Maybe it was because he was Lucella's nephew. Clumsy from lack of learning, but perhaps he had her same warm heart.

Amelia smiled softly and looked down at the chocolate cookie in her hand.

'...She kept her promise.'

Lucella was different from other adults. She didn't vanish after making empty promises.

And more—she'd even chased out the bullying director and staff.

'This person might...'

She stared at the cookie only briefly before unwrapping and biting into it.

The sweetness filled her mouth completely.