TBRFC 05

“Annelia.”

I lowered my gaze for no reason in front of Teacher Anne.

“What in the world is going on here, hm?”

Around us, the Abner soldiers were busy preparing to return.
It looked like they intended to activate a movement spell using scrolls all the way to the main castle.

“The Duke said we’ll see each other again soon. So until then, make sure you eat well and take care of yourself…”

“Ria’s okay.”

Teacher Anne closed her mouth.

“Don’t worry, Teach’r. Ria’s all grown up now.”

I meant it sincerely.

Even at the orphanage, I had always been the kind of child who could handle everything on my own.

And after regressing and living life for the second time, that was even more true.

But Teacher Anne’s expression refused to soften.

In the end, she let out a deep sigh.

“Teacher really doesn’t understand you, Ria.”

I blinked in surprise.

“I knew all along. That you touched my seal and my drawer.”

My mouth fell slightly open on reflex.

A faint crease formed between Teacher Anne’s brows.

“You were right. Our Ria really has grown up. You’re so clever. You brush your teeth by yourself, sleep by yourself… but still…”

Teacher Anne carefully unfolded the little fist I had clenched.

My palm was a mess.

Countless scratches and dried blood covered the pale, delicate skin.

The blisters from carving the seal had burst and healed over again and again.

Some spots were still oozing.

“What am I supposed to do with you, hm?”

I hurriedly pulled my hand back, but Teacher Anne was already on the verge of tears.

“What kind of four-year-old steals her teacher’s seal and carving knife?”

She glanced once toward Sharon Abner and the Abner soldiers before lowering her voice.

“Was it when we went into town last time? You said you wrote about how to catch rats in the letter. But why would you suddenly think to write something like that?”

My eyes darted around.

“It’s a good thing the Lord found it cute. Sending instructions on rat-catching all the way to the main castle…”

I awkwardly avoided Teacher Anne’s gaze.

Of course, my mind was thinking about something completely different.

‘She knew I stole the seal and carving knife?’

Until now, I’d thought it was the perfect crime.

‘Why was I so convinced nobody would notice?’

But thinking about it now, it was obvious.

The seal had always sat in the same place on her desk.

And the carving knife was used often enough that she would quickly realize it was gone.

I seriously pondered it.

‘Is it because I became a child again?’

I truly hadn’t noticed until now.

That my supposedly perfect plan had holes all over it.

‘From now on, I really need to be more careful.’

Just as that thought crossed my mind—

“The preparations are complete. We’ll be departing now.”

A low voice sounded from behind me.

It was the tall knight who had lifted me up behind the barn.

“I am Wendel Lucian. I will be accompanying Lady Annelia to Abner Castle.”

Teacher Anne hesitated.

“But our Ria has never ridden a horse before…”

Wendel answered calmly, as though telling her not to worry.

“There is no need for concern. We will travel using a transfer gate, madam.”

Teacher Anne nodded awkwardly.

Which made sense.

There weren’t many knights who addressed a commoner orphanage director as “madam.”

“Well then.”

Soon, Wendel’s long, powerful arms lifted me effortlessly.

My viewpoint rose in an instant.

Without even giving me time to properly say goodbye, Wendel carried me away from Teacher Anne.

From farther away came childish voices.

“Ria! Have a safe trip!!”

“See you again!”

The other children had gathered near the orphanage entrance.

I could only stare blankly at them, unable to wave back.

They were faces I had desperately missed in my previous life.

People I had longed to see again, even just once.

But after returning, I had been so busy that I hadn’t even properly talked with them.

“You may feel a little dizzy.”

At Wendel’s words, I finally tore my gaze away from the orphanage children.

“Hold on tightly. If it becomes difficult, you may tell me anytime. It should take about two minutes.”

I nodded as I looked into his indifferent brown eyes.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the center of the garden.

Soon, a heavy vibration shook the ground, and it felt as though my body floated upward as a massive blue light spread around us.

A short distance away, Sharon Abner sat atop a white horse.

Even amid the bustling commotion, she was gazing toward the plains beyond Evehill Orphanage.

The light flared several more times, and a dizzying sensation slammed into me.

“Please close your eyes. A small body has difficulty enduring mana—”

Wendel’s voice faded into the distance.

It was the second time I was leaving Evehill Orphanage.

The dim central courtyard of the eastern wing.

Jaden, who had been sitting at the entrance, lifted his gaze at the sound of someone approaching.

Before him stood Wendel Lucian, accompanied by several knights.

“What.”

He spat the word out aggressively, and Wendel gave a slight bow of his head as he answered.

“We have a guest.”

Jaden’s brow furrowed.

Wendel Lucian—the young knight who served as his mother’s guard.

For a long time now, Jaden had found him thoroughly unpleasant.

“So what.”

“Her Grace has assigned a room on the second floor of the eastern wing for the guest.”

“And now you’re telling me to move?”

“You are blocking the way.”

Jaden glared at Wendel with obvious displeasure.

Only then did he notice something in the man’s arms.

Wrapped tightly in a thick blanket—it looked like a child.

His brow creased slightly.

“That’s the guest you were talking about?”

“This is Lady Annelia.”

A short scoff escaped Jaden’s lips.

Brushing back the silver hair he had inherited perfectly from his mother, he tilted his head lazily.

“She’s barely out of the cradle. Mother brought that thing into the estate?”

“……”

Wendel remained silent, standing his ground.

Jaden rose irritably to his feet.

His body swayed from alcohol, but he managed to steady himself.

“Just take it to another building. The eastern wing is mine.”

“Her Grace assigned Lady Annelia’s quarters to the second floor of the eastern wing.”

“I said—!!”

Jaden stopped mid-shout, his expression disappearing.

Silver hair identical to Sharon Abner’s.

Even soaked in alcohol, his eyes gleamed sharply in the darkness.

The high nose inherited from the previous duke, his tall stature, and slender frame all made his appearance even more striking.

“Then go tell Mother yourself. The eastern wing is mine, so whether it’s a guest or some brat, let it sleep somewhere else.”

“That’s enough, Jaden.”

At that moment, someone stepped out from behind Wendel.

Jaden froze.

Sharon Abner, a thin fur cloak draped over her shoulders, was staring coldly at him.

“How dare you behave so rudely toward my guard. Have you lost your mind?”

“……Mother.”

“The eastern wing is not a place for you to drink yourself senseless every day. Your chambers are already prepared in the western wing.”

Unlike with Wendel, Jaden could no longer speak carelessly.

Sharon Abner’s presence was simply overwhelming.

“If you understand, then return to your quarters. And stop causing disturbances.”

Jaden flinched and clenched his fist tightly.

Wendel walked past him while carrying Annelia.

Then it happened.

A gust of wind swept through, and the blanket wrapped around the child in Wendel’s arms slipped loose.

Moonlight illuminated the side of her face.

“……?”

Jaden suddenly stepped back.

Silver hair similar to the Abner family’s, yet somehow different.

Her eyes were closed, so he couldn’t see their color, but the line of her forehead, nose, and lips overlapped for an instant with someone else in his memory.

Without realizing it, Jaden swallowed hard.

After hesitating, he asked,

“Where… did you bring that child from?”

Sharon Abner’s gaze turned toward him.

She silently watched her son for a moment before replying flatly,

“She is a child I decided to sponsor.”

Jaden frowned.

‘So she’s an orphan?’

He blankly watched Wendel walk farther away, then pressed a hand to his head.

‘…Right. There’s no way.’

He was trying to shake off the baseless unease that had suddenly taken root in his heart.