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Chapter 21
Lynette said that, then turned and left. Everything she had told Angela to throw away was still perfectly fine. In other words, she meant for Angela to take it and eat it. Angela cried and cried with a face full of boiling frustration.
After crying for quite a while and calming herself down somewhat, Angela carried some cookies and milk outside.
❅
Two days later.
Angela went to work but kept her head down the entire day, unable to look Lynette in the eyes. She seemed lifeless and timid. When work ended, she couldn’t even bring herself to go home and lingered in front of the shop instead.
“Um, Miss Lynette… about the other day…”
“Angela, you’re still here? In that case, why don’t you guide me to your house. As your boss, I’ll make a home visit.”
“Hic, what? My house… it’s really not a place worth seeing…”
“Angela! Are you ignoring your boss?”
“N-no, never. Absolutely not.”
Lynette wasn’t angry, but her blunt tone made Angela hurry and lead her to a shabby house hidden in a filthy alleyway.
“Sis, you’re back?”
“Y-yeah. But today I brought a guest with me. This is my boss…”
“Your boss? The one who’s supposed to be kinder and more beautiful than an angel?”
“Oh? Personally, I think she’s prettier than an angel too, not just kinder.”
Inside, Lynette saw Angela’s younger brother—thin to the bone. At least Angela ate scraps from the café, but her brother, left at home, looked malnourished.
“Wow! You’re even more beautiful than the angel I dreamed about. You’re so beautiful I can’t even talk straight. Miss Angel, my name is Angelo.”
The boy seemed to have a good eye for people. Seeing Angelo greet her without standing up, Lynette tilted her head.
“Did you hurt your leg?”
“Yes, I was running away after digging through food scraps outside… hehe.”
Scratching his head, he grinned. Lynette examined his leg—swollen and hot to the touch.
“Have you seen a doctor?”
“No. We’re paying back the debts Mom and Dad left with my sister’s wages…”
They couldn’t even afford to live, let alone get medical help. Stroking Angela’s head, Lynette lifted Angelo onto her back and rushed him to the clinic.
The diagnosis: his leg was full of pus. The doctor said that cutting it open and draining it was the fastest way to heal.
“Can you endure it?”
“Yes.”
When Angelo answered firmly, Lynette nodded and left him in Angela’s care while she stepped outside.
A while later, Angelo came out with his leg heavily bandaged, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Oh my! You wouldn’t believe the amount of pus that was inside. If this had gone on any longer, the boy might have died.”
After paying for the treatment and medicine, Lynette immediately set off again.
“Uh, this isn’t the way to our house…”
“Of course not. It’s my house. If something else gets into your brother’s leg, he really could die. Stay here until he’s healed.”
Lynette brought the siblings to her home. Since she had already explained the situation briefly, Cathryn—who had raised Lynette as a child—welcomed them without surprise.
“Oh my! Angela, we meet again here. And this must be Angelo? Once he’s washed, I bet he’ll look adorable.”
Making sure his bandaged leg didn’t get wet, Cathryn bathed Angelo clean. Afterward, he turned out to be a handsome blond boy. Narrowing her eyes, she remarked:
“His bone structure looks sturdier than most kids.”
“Hehe, I’m stronger than other kids my age. I’m the alley boss of our neighborhood.”
Hearing this, Lynette studied him closely. Even among knights, such a build was rare. With little food to eat yet unusual strength, the boy’s natural potential made her eyes sharpen.
If left alone, he’d grow up as a common laborer. But with a bit of support, he might become a famous knight.
“Angelo, have you ever thought about becoming a knight?”
“Me? I’ve never even imagined that…”
For a boy who’d lived scavenging scraps, dreams for the future didn’t exist. The only wish he had was not to starve tomorrow.
Nodding, Lynette dressed him in the new clothes and shoes she had bought.
Seeing her brother transformed, Angela lowered her head in front of Lynette.
“I already owe you so much, but taking care of Angelo too… I can’t…”
“If you quit over that, what am I supposed to do? So just stay here for now. And about that debt—how much is left?”
“Two goldrons…”
“Here. Take this. It’s not a free gift—I’ll deduct it gradually from your wages.”
Handing her two goldrons, Lynette made Angela’s eyes brim with tears again. Not good with crying children, Lynette left them to Cathryn and sat down at the table.
“Angelo, come eat. Cathryn’s cooking is the best in the world.”
“Th-thank you… Miss Angel… really, thank you so much.”
About to cry again, Angelo spoke. Lynette replied with a smile:
“Don’t thank me—thank your sister who scavenged for angel’s leftovers. Now eat.”
When Lynette picked up her spoon, Angelo finally dug in. The moment he tasted the food, he flinched as if struck by lightning, then devoured it greedily.
“By the way, we don’t keep stomach medicine here, so eat slowly. No one’s going to steal your food.”
“I-I couldn’t help it, it’s too delicious! I’ve never eaten anything like this before.”
Even when his parents were alive, he’d never eaten food like this. His only memory was of porridge made with a handful of flour and greens, twice a day.
So poor had he been that now, every bite drew an exclamation of wonder.
“If only Cathryn could see you now, she’d be so pleased.”
“Miss, I am watching right here. Don’t make it sound like I’m dead.”
Cathryn laughed, and Lynette also smiled.
“I was joking. Come, let’s eat together. It’s nice to have a lively table again after so long.”
❅
Lynette later found the siblings a modest, clean apartment with low rent. Living in her house together must have made them uneasy, since they began doing chores like washing dishes and cleaning unasked.
Annoyed that her sleep was being disturbed, Lynette insisted they live on their own and moved them close to the café.
“I really am such a good boss. I might even go to heaven when I die… but not yet, I hope.”
To avoid dying young as she had in her past life, she broke off her engagement after granting her family’s wishes. If she stayed in that house, she would have been consumed by grief. Leaving gave her some hope of living longer this time.
Yawning, Lynette dragged her feet. She had woken early to buy fresh fruit, and fatigue hit her hard.
“Ugh, I’m sleepy. Angela won’t come today since she’s sick.”
Glancing at the grapes and peaches in her basket, she yawned again. The sky looked ominous. Even earlier that morning, thick clouds had loomed.
Cathryn had told her to take an umbrella, but Lynette hated carrying extra baggage and ignored her. It looked like rain was coming, but she figured she could make it home before it started.
Whoosh—
A heavy summer wind brushed her skin.
“Looks like a shower’s coming. I’d better hurry.”
She quickened her pace, but soon fat raindrops smacked against her forehead. Looking down, she saw dark spots appearing on the parched ground.
She rushed under a nearby tree just as a torrential downpour began. The rain was so strong it pierced the thick leaves and drummed against her hair.
“It’ll pass quickly. I’ll wait a little.”
Showers never lasted long—or so she thought. But the parched ground couldn’t absorb the flood, and streams of water began forming like little rivers.
Seeing this, Lynette realized she’d have to take off her shoes to walk. The café didn’t keep spares.
“A cool summer rain is nice… but only if it falls while I’m indoors.”
Her hair was damp now, and the rain showed no sign of stopping.
“Anyone who comes to our café in weather like this must either really love coffee… or me.”
Usually the rain stopped after a few drops. But today it poured so hard people didn’t dare step outside.
“Maybe God’s prostate troubles finally cleared up.”
As she stared blankly at the rushing water, two large wet leather boots appeared before her.
“Were you taking shelter here?”
It was Sian, still wearing his hat pulled low and holding an umbrella.
“Yes, I was waiting for the rain to stop, but it doesn’t seem to be letting up.”
Lynette’s calm reply made his lips curl faintly.
“Then would you like to borrow my umbrella?”
“No need. It’s not like I could return it at the café later.”
“But opening time is a promise to customers. Is it all right to linger here leisurely when it’s almost time?”
“Well, you’re right about that…”
Even if no one came, she had to open the doors. She considered braving the rain, but Sian spoke first.
“I also need the umbrella, and you need one too. Let’s share. But if we walk side by side, we’ll both get drenched… so, please hold onto me.”
“…What?”
“I’ll carry you, and you can hold the umbrella. That way you’ll stay much drier.”
“But…”
“The café opens soon. Do you want to risk being late?”
At the crossroads of keeping her word or waiting, Lynette had no choice but to accept. She held the umbrella while Sian lifted her into his arms, carrying the basket as well.
Ever since he’d saved her in that alley, whenever she touched him, her heart raced and she instinctively pulled away.
“If you pull away like that, you’ll get wet. Stay close.”
“Am I not heavy?”
“No, lighter than a feather.”
The arms holding her were firm and strong. He had joked about being narcoleptic after taking down thugs, but now he supported her securely as they walked through the rainy streets.
“Sorry for troubling you.”
“Not at all. Don’t apologize. In fact, holding you feels like holding my first love.”
Blushing awkwardly, Lynette smiled faintly. When they reached the café, she immediately took out a towel to dry him.
Though she had stayed dry, he was soaked through. While he wiped his face and hair, Lynette quickly patted his waist and thighs with the towel.
Sian flinched and caught her wrist.
“I… I can handle that part…”
“No, let me. You’re wet because of me.”
She switched hands and kept patting his legs until he quickly grabbed her other wrist too.
“Miss Lynette, please. I can do it myself.”
“Don’t feel so guilty, Sian. I can handle at least this much.”
She stopped only because he kept insisting. Looking up, she found Sian’s face red as he covered his eyes with one hand.
“Lynette… no more. I’m in danger like this.”
