Chapter 15

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 15

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Heidi and I sat in the director's office, discussing the orphanage's operations.

"I checked with the police department, and they said the director's embezzled funds should be recovered by next month. I've reported it to His Grace the Duke as well, so punishments for the director and staff should come down soon."

"That's a relief. How could they abuse such angelic children? Those people deserve to rot in prison for life!"

Heidi clenched her fists in outrage. Seeing her passion for the kids made me trust her even more.

"Until we recover the embezzled money, cover the operating costs from my personal funds. Prepare a budget proposal by next week..."

Even as I talked with Heidi, my thoughts kept drifting back to Lucian.

'I wonder if he's having fun.'

No way a fight could've broken out in that short time.

"Let's wrap up here for today."

I quickly finished up and hurried out of the office.

'Please, no trouble.'

I quickened my pace toward the playground. But Lucian wasn't there.

"Where'd he go?"

I turned toward the playroom at the end of the building. There he was.

"Mommy, here's some food for Coco."

"Okay, but don't give him too much."

He was actually playing house with the kids.

"Woof!"

And Lucian's role? The dog.

"......"

I stood speechless, watching Lucian on all fours like a dog, eating cereal.

'Lucian... playing house...'

Normally, he'd scoff at something so childish. Or worse, scare the kids with some bizarre antics.

"Good job, Coco. Eat up."

The shock didn't last. I noticed Lucian's gaze fixed on Amelia, who was playing the mom.

"Eat lots, okay?"

"Woof!"

Lucian grinned like a real pup as Amelia petted his head, his cheeks flushing pink while he stared at her.

'Flushing pink? Hold on.'

As I pieced it together, a chill ran down my spine. Something was off.

"Chi..."

I spotted Edwin in the corner, pouting.

It felt like someone had cranked the AC to full blast.

'He's smitten...'

No doubt about it. That obedient attitude I'd never seen before, those red-hot ears—Lucian had fallen for Amelia, hard.

Edwin, who liked Amelia, must be jealous watching them play so sweetly.

'Lucian, no!'

I wanted to yank him away from her, tearing at my hair as he turned into her tame little pup.

We needed to win Edwin over, not piss him off by crushing on Amelia!

'What do I do?'

Part of me wanted to drag Lucian away right then. But I had no right to control his feelings.

"Okay, kids. Time for naps."

"Goodnight, dear."

"Goodnight, Mommy and Daddy."

"Woof woof woof!"

I couldn't just barge into their sweet playtime as the adult and ruin it.

Instead, I turned to Edwin, who was sulking with pursed lips.

'First, cheer up Edwin.'

Amelia seemed to like Lucian well enough, so soothing Edwin should mend things.

I approached him carefully.

"Edwin, what are you doing all by yourself over here?"

His eyes shifted from Amelia to me.

"......Nothing."

Even with his long bangs half-hiding his face, his hurt expression was plain.

"Why not go play with them?"

Edwin shook his head. He was seriously upset.

"Are you sad 'cause Amelia's playing with someone else and not you?"

"......"

Bingo. His obsession with the heroine was kicking in early, but his pure, honest feelings were kinda cute. I couldn't help smiling.

'How do I cheer him up?'

Lecturing him that Amelia wasn't his alone felt wrong here.

I plopped down beside him.

"I get how you feel."

"How would you know, sis?"

"I had a crush once too, back in the day."

I vaguely recalled my ancient first love, barely memorable now.

"W-wait, I-I don't like Amelia or a-anything."

That stutter said otherwise.

Such an obvious lie—I just kept going.

"I wanted that person to only look at me, talk only to me. Got jealous whenever they hung out with someone else."

He'd just denied it, but Edwin nodded intently now, relating to my words.

"But the world's not just me and them, right? They're bound to interact with others, and getting hurt every time would wear anyone down."

"Yeah......"

"So don't be too down. You can't have Amelia all to yourself, but you can be her most important person."

"Her most important person?"

"Yeah."

Edwin went quiet, lost in thought, then nodded like he'd figured it out.

"You're right, sis. Amelia's so pretty and kind—she can't help but be loved by everyone."

Wait, now it sounded like he was bragging about her.

'Signs of a doting lover already.'

I could smell the hopeless romantic on him.

"Can't have her all to myself, but I can be her most precious one—so I gotta try."

Edwin balled his fists with resolve.

The usually quiet, shy Edwin talking this much? A miracle.

'What's Amelia's charm that's got Edwin and now Lucian hooked?'

It was like an antlion pit—irresistible.

"But... how do I become her most important person?"

His fire dimmed again, no ideas sparking.

"Hmm, well..."

I had no clue either.

But I couldn't crush a kid's hopes.

"From what I've seen, Amelia seems weak to cute, pretty things?"

"How do you know that, sis?"

"Just a hunch."

No way I'd admit it was from the original story.

"Anyway, why not try getting her attention with something cute and pretty? Love starts with interest, right?"

"Something cute and pretty......"

Edwin flexed his empty hands.

"But I don't have anything......"

What now?

His upturned eyes, like a wounded fawn's, made me want to hand him anything.

But bribing a kid with stuff wasn't right. Needed a real idea...

"Ah!"

It hit me.

"Edwin, let's cut your bangs."

"S-suddenly?"

"Yeah. You've got pretty eyes. If we show them off, Amelia'll love it. Like I said, she likes pretty things."

Edwin fiddled with his long bangs, then steeled himself.

"Okay!"

Determination to win Amelia's heart.

'Sorry, Lucian, but Amelia was never yours anyway.'

Lucian, you've got enough on your plate growing up right. We'll find someone else later.

And so, a little salon opened in the corner of the orphanage.

I sat Edwin on a tall chair and draped an old tablecloth over his shoulders.

"Lady Lucella, you know how to cut hair?"

"Lucian hated getting haircuts as a kid. He'd only sit still if I did it myself."

"I see."

Heidi and the teachers watched my skilled snips with admiration. The other kids' eyes sparkled with curiosity too.

'Everyone staring's making me nervous.'

Careful not to nick him, I trimmed Edwin's bangs.

Snip snip—the scissors revealed his thick-lashed eyes.

"Wow, your eyes are gorgeous."

His cherry-red irises, lush lashes filling his lids, bold brows for a kid—all perfect. Truly inheriting the best from the duke and Iris.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Right, Amelia?"

I deliberately singled her out. Amelia nodded.

"Totally. Your eyes are so pretty—like there's fire in them."

"For real?"

"Yeah! You should've cut them sooner. Suits you perfectly."

Bombarded with praise, Edwin beamed. His newly exposed ears turned red.

"There, Edwin—all done."

"Thank you......"

He bowed to me—his first polite words ever. Must've been thrilled by Amelia's compliments.

"No need to thank me. I'm the one grateful you trusted me."

I gently brushed his face with a sponge, then swept up the hair clippings. Time to clean up.

But Lucian stopped me in my tracks.