DHDF 06

chapter 06

He looked smug, as if he’d found a weakness.

I had fallen away from the orphanage to avoid a situation like this, but honestly, even if I’d been caught, it wouldn’t have mattered much.

“Yeah. So?”

“Huh?”

He seemed flustered, probably because my reaction wasn’t what he expected.

“As far as I know, there’s no rule saying you can’t meet other people, right?”

From my perspective, there was nothing to worry about. The only reason I had tried to hide it before was to avoid being a nuisance.

“I’m not talking about that kind of issue. What if that man tried to adopt you? Do you know that you’re a demon?”

Exactly like that. Ignoring Margaret, I walked into the room. I shouldn’t have underestimated her.

“Did your meeting go well?”

Arthur, waiting at the hotel as an aide-turned-attendant, asked.

He was concerned that having two unfamiliar adults around might make the child uncomfortable. Indeed, if Arthur had been present as well, Verjene would have been even more tense.

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“She asked to be made my daughter.”

Wait, what? Daughter? Arthur was dumbfounded by the unexpected reason.

“She actually said that to Your Excellency?”

“Yes. She asked to be protected until she came of age.”

“And what did you do?”

“I refused.”

“Well done. Even if she’s young, it’s suspicious,”

“Instead, I’ll take her as my daughter-in-law.”

Leopold was a good master and superior to serve—except for the way he impulsively made major decisions.

The fact that Verjene was an orphan with no known parents wasn’t an issue. In the Edendale ducal family, the spouses of direct heirs are chosen not for their background but for their abilities. Even the current duchess was the daughter of a commoner merchant.

“…So you liked her, huh?”

“Well, that’s part of it.”

Of course, Arthur also found it unusual that such a young girl dealt in poison. But he couldn’t ignore the possibility of someone being behind it.

“It’s better to observe her a bit longer, Your Excellency.”

Leopold said nothing, taking out a cigar. Arthur quickly lit it for him.

Watching Verjene’s emerald-green eyes, which shone even after sunset, he sensed that the potential danger was worth the risk.

“I guess I’ll have to visit the orphanage tomorrow.”

Leopold discovered Verjene’s secret faster than he had expected.

Without any prior appointment, he headed straight to Sanctu Orphanage.

When Arthur asked the children about the director’s whereabouts, a girl with braided hair approached Leopold.

“You’re the man who was with the monster yesterday, right?”

She trembled with fear but didn’t run.

Leopold looked down at her without saying a word.

Her nape was clean, and compared to the other children, her clothes were of good quality. He guessed she was the daughter of the director or a teacher.

After a brief observation, Leopold spoke.

“Monster?”

“Verjene, sir.”

“And?”

“I have something to tell you. I think that man is being deceived by her.”

It didn’t seem like a child’s attempt to grab attention. Arthur also thought the same.

Margaret, the director’s daughter, led the visitors to the parlor. Even though it was the most luxurious room in the orphanage, it suddenly seemed shabby with the two of them inside.

“Uh… would you like some tea?”

Margaret asked cautiously. She didn’t know how to brew it herself and had considered asking the teachers, but Leopold coldly declined.

“No. Forget the tea. Tell me what she’s hiding.”

Even though I had started the conversation, why did it feel like I was being scolded?

But there was nothing to lose.

“She… is called a monster or demon at the orphanage.”

“We discussed that earlier.”

“It’s because of a ‘curse.’ Just being near her puts your life at risk. Her mother died giving birth to her, and the teacher who cared for her also fell ill and died.”

Margaret noticed that they didn’t believe her. Outsiders might just think it was coincidence.

“Do you know why she wears clothes that cover her whole body? It minimizes the harm. If her bare skin touches someone, it turns red, swells, and oozes.”

The reason Verjene wore clothes covering every inch of skin, even in warm weather, was because of an accident at the orphanage where she collided with another child.

Fortunately, the child who was affected didn’t suffer serious harm, but it became an incident that made everyone keep their distance from her.

“So taking her along is… hand, um…”

“Handicap.”

Seeing Margaret struggle to find the right word, Arthur intervened.

“Ah, right. Handicap. She’s undeniably cute, but there’s a ‘curse.’ You’d probably end up abandoning her again. But I don’t have that ‘curse.’”

Leopold, who had been quietly listening, let out a short laugh.

“She’s certainly interesting.”

Margaret was considered cunning at the orphanage. If she wanted something, she would take it—even if it belonged to someone else. That included teddy bears, candy, and more…

And she was sure this time would be no different.

‘Finally, I’ll leave this miserable orphanage behind.’

Having lived in the orphanage, she enjoyed a princess-like status as the director’s daughter, but that wasn’t enough. She was so greedy that she momentarily forgot she even had living parents.

This time, she assumed she could seize what she wanted, just as always, but she was mistaken about one thing.

First, Leopold had never intended to adopt Verjene as his daughter.

Second, Leopold had a sharp eye for people.

“That sounds like you’re being chosen.”

“Yes…!”

“I’m afraid there will be no change in my decision.”

A firm refusal. It was her first time facing this, and Margaret’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

“Why?”

Leopold’s personality matched his sharp appearance, but as a father of three, he tried to be kind to children.

He didn’t tell her she wasn’t being considered for adoption because Margaret showed neither talent nor potential.

“I don’t see how it would benefit you to know this.”

“Th-Then what about Verjene?”

“There’s no need to tell you.”

The conversation ended.

“When will the director arrive?”

Since visiting the administrative branch, I spent my remaining time in the library.

Though it had only two bookshelves and old picture books, it was quiet and comforting.

I was staring at the words in a book I had read over a hundred times when I sensed someone approaching.

“I thought you’d have finished these picture books by now.”

It was the Duke. I was a bit surprised that he wanted to see me so soon, the next day even.

“Even if I wanted to, there are only picture books here.”

“I see. You have money—why not buy more?”

“That’s… because I’ve been saving them for Your Excellency.”

I added, feeling embarrassed.

“It’s not a lot, though.”

Of course, this applied only to the Duke. With 600 gold, I could live comfortably even without a special income.

The Duke looked at me quietly, then patted my head.

“I’m not interested in snot-money.”

“…It’s not snot.”

“How old are you?”

“Twelve.”

“Then it is.”

I had nothing to say. At twelve, it was hard to argue. A suppressed chuckle came from behind me.

It was a man I hadn’t seen before.

“Oh, I haven’t introduced us yet. Berry, this is Arthur. He helps me with my work.”

“Nice to meet you, Berry. I’m Arthur Koweltz.”

I looked between the two and awkwardly greeted them.

“Hello, Mr. Koweltz.”

“Arthur is fine. Berry, you’ll become part of Edendale, which I serve.”

It seemed Arthur knew my situation too. Still, I wondered if “becoming part” was accurate, since I’d only be an fiancée.

“Understood, Arthur.”

There was no need to argue.

“Berry, unless you need to finish reading The Mysterious Star’s Adventures, how about we take a walk?”

The Duke lightly tapped the book. He was straightforward, but still retained a touch of noble speech.

‘He’s not really suggesting a walk; he probably wants to show me the orphanage.’

I hesitated. I might see the other children scared of me—was it okay to show that side?

“Berry?”

Then I decided. Perhaps the Duke wouldn’t realize that the children’s fear came from me. His presence intimidated even adult men.

“Yes, let’s go.”