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Chapter 10
Part 1
“……Yes, you did well. You really did. Thanks to you, weren’t the children trapped in the warehouse rescued too? You did a good thing.”
“Really? Then please grant me just one favor!”
“A favor?”
“When you receive praise, you can get something you want in return, right?”
I could feel irritation flashing across the director’s face every now and then, but I deliberately acted even more exaggeratedly.
In the end, as if she had given up, she slowly opened her mouth.
“……What is it? What could it possibly be that you’re asking for a reward for your praise in a situation like this?”
“Me! Please let me take care of the children! Saintess Melodia has given permission, but the director still has to allow it, right?”
“You take care of them?”
“They like me this much!”
I smiled brightly and held the children’s hands tightly.
Rohen slightly flinched, but I urged the director on with an expression as if nothing had happened.
“Right?”
“…….”
“Are you saying it can’t be done? Are you angry after all?”
I intentionally pushed her without giving her enough time to think.
“…….”
“It would probably be better this way. If you’re going to leave the children here anyway.”
At that moment, Saintess Melodia supported my words.
Perhaps because there was no other choice after things had come this far, the orphanage director nodded.
“Then do as you please. Washing them, feeding them. Everything. Do it all yourself. I won’t help you. Take responsibility for what you said.”
Had she given up?
Or was she planning something else?
‘Either way, one thing is certain. The orphanage director isn’t someone who will simply let this pass.’
No matter how much she ruled the orphanage like a queen, she wouldn’t be able to act carelessly in this situation.
‘That was what I wanted.’
At the very least, she wouldn’t be able to hit the children anymore.
Since the saintess had even said she would send people here, the situation had become slightly more stable than I expected.
“Yes! I can do it well!”
“……Alright. Then go and take care of Aisha and the children yourself. If there’s anything difficult, tell the teachers anytime.”
“Yes!”
Melodia smiled kindly and spoke as if comforting me.
Then, as she looked back and forth between me and the twins, she frowned as if something had suddenly occurred to her.
“But…… you look strangely like someone I know. Though it’s a little dull, silver hair and blue eyes……”
“Is that unusual?”
“Ah, no. It’s probably just a coincidence. Let’s go.”
Only then did she walk ahead.
Even while doing so, the holy knights kept glancing between me and the children, as if they were worried something might happen.
We arrived at the orphanage courtyard.
The saintesses who visited the orphanage usually gave gifts to the children or spent time playing with them.
Because of that, the children had scattered around and were enjoying time with the saintesses.
However, when Saintess Melodia, I, and the newly appeared children came into view, everyone nearby rushed toward us at once.
“Wow…… new kids!”
“Who are you guys?”
“Who are they?”
“Aisha. Who are they?”
“Saintess Melodia. What happened to those children?”
The other saintesses who had been watching over the children were surprised and hurried over.
The orphanage teachers were the same.
With pale expressions, they quickly approached the twins.
However, the twins, who clearly did not welcome that attention at all, quickly hid behind me.
Saintess Melodia, who had been observing us late, hurriedly stepped in front of the approaching people.
“Please step back.”
“Huh? But the children……”
“It’s fine. They seem afraid of adults, so please keep your distance.”
Only then did the people who had gathered like a cloud slowly step backward.
But instead, the children came closer.
“We can approach them, right?”
“We’re children too.”
“No. Even children should not approach them. For now, only Aisha should come near them. It seems they only lower their guard around Aisha.”
Only after hearing Saintess Melodia’s firm words did the children clinging to me reluctantly step back one by one with disappointed expressions.
Only then did the twins, seemingly relieved, slowly peek their heads out from behind me.
Afterward, Saintess Melodia looked around.
“Saintesses. Have you given all the gifts you brought to the children?”
“Yes, Saintess Melodia.”
“You all worked hard. I think we should return quickly today.”
Everyone looked surprised when Saintess Melodia, who usually stayed with the children until late at night, was the one suggesting they leave first.
“Suddenly?”
“Yes. I believe we need to offer our gratitude. Also, the orphanage director will be stepping down from her position for the time being. Therefore, the teachers will temporarily take over that role. We will send documents regarding the official procedures.”
At those words, the orphanage teachers’ faces darkened uniformly.
“What does that mean……”
“I’ll explain briefly. The orphanage director herself will explain the details. Even if not, the temple will send people, so you may hear about it through them. We will also inform you once more through official documents.”
Saintess Melodia slowly examined the orphanage teachers before shifting her gaze toward me.
She stared at us quietly for a moment, her expression hardening, then met my eyes.
“Then, Aisha. I’ll come visit again, so please take good care of the children.”
“Yes!”
“Next time I come, I want to hear what happened directly from the children themselves. You can make that happen, right?”
“Yes! Don’t worry, Saintess Melodia.”
I nodded enthusiastically and even bounced lightly in place.
I acted like a genuinely happy child.
Only then did Saintess Melodia look at me and the twins before walking toward the orphanage teachers.
“Let’s go over there.”
Only then did the teachers hurriedly begin organizing the children, as if they were about to follow the saintess.
“Th-then, for now, play among yourselves.”
“Yes!”
I quickly raised my hand and stopped them.
“Teacher. Can I go to the room with them? They’re very dirty, so I want to wash them.”
“Of course. El. Go with the other children and bring some clothes for Aisha.”
“Yes!”
Only after receiving permission did I take the twins’ hands and enter inside.
Of course, Rohen flinched as if he wanted to pull his hand away, but the more he did, the tighter I held his hand.
I brought the two of them all the way to my room and only then released their hands.
