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“Do you like children?”
On the way to Bourbon Orphanage, Ivela turned to Tay, who was walking beside her, and asked.
“Not really.”
His answer was cold. From the faint wrinkle forming between his brows, it wasn’t just “not really”—he clearly didn’t like them at all.
“Why? I think kids are adorable. Even if I don’t get married, I’ve always wanted children.”
“Isn’t that even more miserable? For both the child and the mother.”
“Not everyone is like that.”
“Almost everyone is. A child born to an unmarried woman is pointed at no matter where they go.”
Tay answered cynically without even looking at her. His tone was firm, as if speaking from personal experience, with a controlled anger simmering beneath the surface.
“Did you…?”
The casual question about children had suddenly veered into unexpected territory. She didn’t argue further because something about his reaction felt personal—like he was speaking from his own life.
“Why don’t you like children?”
Ivela changed the subject instead of pressing. There was no need to start a sensitive argument so early in the morning. And if Tay’s words came from experience, she had no right to pry.
“Children are loud and selfish. And you have to take care of them.”
“Then why did you come with me? You don’t even like kids.”
“Because I don’t get bored when I’m with you.”
With his hands tucked in his coat pockets, Tay gave her a crooked smile. It was the kind of dazzling smile that could disarm anyone. Whenever he said something blunt, she wanted to pinch him, but when he smiled like that, her heart softened despite herself.
Ivela could tell he genuinely enjoyed spending time with her. Even when his words sounded offhand, he was fully engaged in their conversations. With him, she always felt a peculiar blend of calm and tension.
“I can’t stay with you the whole time here. I’ve got work to do.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll stick close on my own.”
“Instead of that, how about playing with the kids?”
“I’ll pass. I’d rather do heavy labor.”
Tay snorted and turned her down flat. His expression said, “Don’t even dream about it.” Honestly, she couldn’t picture Tay playing with children either—like cold winter trying to mix with vibrant spring.
“Well, I guess it’s something that you’re willing to help at all.”
She clicked her tongue and shook her head. He was a man she could never quite figure out—why follow her somewhere he didn’t care about, only to cling to her like a cicada?
Her sideways glare only seemed to amuse him, and his lips curved into a teasing smile.
Finally, they arrived at the front gate of Bourbon Orphanage. Pushing open the small door next to the big iron gate, it creaked loudly. Beyond the untidy garden stood a newly built three-story brick building. Unlike the gloomy, heavy atmosphere of the First Orphanage, this one had many windows and bright colors—perfect for children.
“I’m warning you, don’t make a sour face in front of the kids. If you can’t be nice, at least don’t make it obvious. Otherwise, I’ll kick you out right away.”
“Relax. Controlling my expression is something I’m good at.”
“How impressive. Now, please wait here a moment.”
“Why?”
“This place is run only by nuns. I need their permission to let you in.”
“Oh. Got it.”
Tay stopped where he was without protest. He didn’t look offended or concerned—he rarely showed genuine emotions anyway, and even when he did, they often felt like masks.
“Hey, Tay?”
Sometimes, reality and curiosity link for no reason at all.
“…?”
“Have you ever been to war?”
Even she didn’t know why she suddenly asked that. Maybe because she’d been haunted by war memories all night and wondered if he might understand. Or maybe it was because his detached expression reminded her of those hardened by battle.
“No. I’ve never even been near a battlefield. Why?”
“No reason.”
His straightforward reply didn’t sound like a lie. Ivela decided she was just being oversensitive and brushed the thought away.
Fortunately, Sister Agatha, the head nun, allowed Tay to enter. In fact, her eyes sparkled as she asked Ivela,
“Is he handsome?”
“…Yes.”
“Then hurry and bring him in.”
It was clearly a joke, but she was relieved nonetheless. Men weren’t entirely banned here, but the only ones who came were elderly workers, errand boys, or donors visiting once a year. If the head nun had refused Tay’s visit, it would have been awkward for everyone. She should’ve thought of this sooner, but Rusty’s injury yesterday and the sudden flood of memories last night had left her distracted.
When Ivela brought Tay inside to introduce him to Sister Agatha—
“Belle!”
“It’s Belle!”
“Belle!”
Just like the patients at the veterans’ hospital, the children here didn’t know Ivela’s real name or identity. To them, she was just a kind young woman who volunteered often.
The children dropped their toys and rushed to her, clinging to her legs. The place instantly filled with cheerful noise. Their excitement showed just how much they adored and missed her.
The noisy energy was overwhelming, but Ivela liked it. Being with children was different from treating wounded soldiers. Here, it often felt like the children were the ones healing her. Their bright smiles and innocence calmed her worries and filled her with warmth.
“Roy, how have you been? Oh no, you didn’t wash your face today. Look at that eye gunk—eww.”
“Julie, what a pretty dress! You look just like a princess.”
“Jamie, I heard you did ten good deeds last time? Well done, Jamie. You’re the best!”
Ivela sat on the floor with her shoes still on, greeting and gently patting each child as she met their eyes.
“The kids were so excited when they heard you were coming today,” Sister Agatha said with a smile.
Ivela felt a pang of guilt for having considered canceling her visit earlier.
“Beeeelle!”
In the middle of the joyful atmosphere, a drawn-out call of her name echoed as quick footsteps approached. The children around her groaned and stepped aside—they knew that if they didn’t, the crying would last all day.
“Belle!”
Into her open arms ran Sienna, a six-year-old girl with shoulder-length curly blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and beautiful blue eyes. Among everyone Ivela had met, Sienna was the most affectionate and charming child. But despite her sweet looks, she was the little troublemaker of Bourbon Orphanage. Stubborn and prone to crying for hours if things didn’t go her way, she clung to Ivela fiercely and hated seeing other children in her arms.
“Sienna!”
Ivela laughed brightly and scooped her up.
“When she heard you were coming, she got up early to wait,” Sister Agatha said. “She adores you so much—it’s becoming a problem!”
“Oh, really? You have no idea how much I missed my Sienna too.”
“Heehee. Belle, this is our home now. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Yes, it’s so, so wonderful. And it’s even better because my Sienna loves it here.”
“Hehehe.”
Sienna hugged Ivela’s neck, giggling sweetly.
“Hey, how is this our home? This is an orphanage!”
A boy’s sharp voice interrupted from the side. Turning, Ivela saw Gordon, an eight-year-old boy with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorway. He was Sienna’s older brother and a very smart child.
Their father had died in the war, and their mother had abandoned them soon after due to hardship. The siblings had moved between relatives before finally settling at Bourbon Orphanage. Sienna, being so young, didn’t remember the hardship and stayed cheerful, but Gordon, who’d known hunger, neglect, and scorn, built walls around himself. Ivela understood that his aloof attitude was a defense mechanism. He acted indifferent, but whenever she visited, he always came to meet her and would “accidentally” show off by reading difficult books in front of her. He craved love and recognition but didn’t know how to express it, trapped by fear.
“Gordon, an orphanage is just another kind of home. So let’s enjoy our time here, okay?”
“…We’ll see.”
Her gentle reassurance made him lift his chin stubbornly before backing away.
Meanwhile, Sienna, still in Ivela’s arms, noticed Tay for the first time. Her eyes and mouth opened wide in awe.
“Woooooow. He’s tall.”
She gawked up at Tay, amazed. To a little girl, someone as tall as Tay must have seemed larger than life. She looked between Ivela and Tay, eyes sparkling.
“Who’s that? Belle’s boyfriend?”
“Hahaha, no. He’s just a friend. His name is Tay.”
“Tay?”
The child’s mention of a “boyfriend” made Ivela burst into laughter. She gently brushed Sienna’s curly hair aside. She thought that was the end of it, but suddenly, Sienna stretched her arms out toward Tay.
“Hug me.”
“…What?”
Tay frowned in utter bewilderment, not sure he’d heard her right.
