TCL 10

Chapter 10

└ [But sometimes I just want to shave my head too, it’s so frustrating]
└ [Ah, seriously, especially when drying hair]
└ [It’s so refreshing and liberating]

Even fairies genuinely recommending short hair for efficiency.

“Shaving it yourself and causing scalp problems are completely different things!”

Torn between scalp safety and personal safety, a comment of salvation appeared as if the gods had not abandoned me.

└ [Tiny tip: Before using hair dye, you can apply it to thin skin areas like the inside of your elbow or behind your ear and leave it for a day to see if there’s a reaction. It’s in the instructions, lol.]
└ [Yes! I didn’t do an allergy test and just applied it—thought I was going to die from the itching, seriouslyㅠㅠ]

“Really?”

I complained that useful information was being hidden, and yet here it was, immediately shared.

Following the instructions, I applied some petals mashed with salt to the inside of my arm, tied it with cloth, and confirmed by the next day that no hives appeared.

“Perfect!”

Now I was fully prepared.

I gathered the children under the pretext of having a “hair-dyeing game.”

“Be careful! If it gets on your clothes, you might get scolded!”

If the flower dye stained their clothes beyond repair, the miserly director might go berserk. Avoiding his wrath was my top priority.

And beside me…

“This! Put it on my hair.”

I was ready to become playful little Rose, accidentally dyeing her own hair during the game.

Since I couldn’t reach the back of my head with my short arms, I had to borrow another child’s hands.

Moreover, if the director or teacher caught us during the dyeing, they might try to wash it off, so I asked Leon and Eden to help for speed.

“Are you really making your hair red?”

“Yes. Actually, I don’t like yellow hair. Why? Don’t you like it?”

“Not really…”

Eden was cautious, so his flower dyeing was tentative.

In contrast, Leon worked fast enough to satisfy me.

“I like it—it’s similar to my own color.”

└ [Master flirter, wow]
└ [Leon, do you like her a little? hehe]
└ [Eden, say it’s pretty too, hurry]
└ [Oh my, Leon]

Well, inheriting the smooth disposition of Duke Clark, he probably hadn’t seen many children with hair color like his own.

Just having similar hair color made him happy; imagine his joy if he met a truly similar family.

I felt a strong urge to help him find his father quickly.

“You can do it, Rose!”

That evening…

“You… what’s with your hair?!”

The director gasped at my suddenly bright hair.

“From a distance it doesn’t look strange…”

Since the director knew my natural hair color, he probably assumed I had done something wrong to make it look odd.

Or maybe it was the uneven dye near the scalp that bothered him.

But considering the natural materials from the hillside and a child’s hands, this was the best possible result.

“Hat! I can wear a hat!”

I had prepared a beret in advance in case the director disapproved, pressing it firmly onto my head.

This made me look like a girl with coral-colored hair.

However, the director, already suspicious, showed no sign of easing his expression.

“This can’t happen now!”

Important tasks hadn’t even begun, and already leaving the orphanage seemed blocked!

In this desperate moment, surprisingly, it was a teacher who helped me.

“Isn’t it okay? It actually matches the hat better.”

That teacher isn’t usually the meddling type. Did he pity me being scolded by the director?

While I was puzzled, the comment fairies accurately interpreted his motives.

└ [He’s worried the director won’t go to the ceremony, 100%, lol]
└ [It’s like when a boss goes out for work, but complains about the outfit of the employee going with them—anyone would side with the employee]
└ [Hmm, I don’t like it either, but I understand]

Apparently, he thought the director wouldn’t go to the ceremony without me.

“If we match the ribbon and outfit, the nobles might find it cute instead. They might think it’s well-coordinated.”

“Hmm.”

Fortunately, the director cared about public appearances and was easily swayed.

“This is a great help for now.”

If only he didn’t embezzle…

No, nothing had happened yet, so I shouldn’t accuse him of that.

Thanks to the trust I had gained managing the orphanage, I managed to leave for the ceremony safely.

The Devellor Empire’s Ceremony

Count Torto often visited the ceremony for business and connections, and I had also spent long periods in the city attending social gatherings.

So it was familiar to me. Yet, seeing the unfamiliar scenery through the carriage window gave me a new sense of awe.

“Don’t wander off the path or you’ll be in trouble.”

“Yes, sir…”

I was only quietly looking out the window, but the director gave a warning.

└ [Director ♪♪~ Every time he speaks I want to smack him under the nose]

Ah, no, it wasn’t that harsh.

I obediently said “Yes,” but if I couldn’t coax the director to go where I wanted, straying was inevitable.

└ [Turns out the concern was valid]
└ [Ah, sorry for the swearing earlier]

I stopped looking outside and fiddled with the collar around my neck.

For this important day, I had borrowed a necklace from Leon.

It was precious, so I promised not to lose it, doubling the thread before wearing it.

I considered convincing the director to let Leon accompany me, but…

“Leon’s mother might have been harmed by someone.”

If someone killed the Duke’s lover, it could be a faction deeply connected to the Duke’s family.

The culprits were probably nobles, maybe even at today’s party.

Besides, the director wasn’t the type to manage two children on such occasions. So coming alone was best.

“Good thing it’s not a gemstone necklace.”

Made not as jewelry but as a symbol, the necklace was simple metal with engraved patterns.

Since the director’s eyes didn’t sparkle, it looked plain to outsiders, minimizing theft risk.

Upon arriving, we killed time at a nearby restaurant until the party began.

“I’m going to choke!”

Not because the director was with me, but because I was nervous about messing up!

Watching me nibble soup, the director clicked his tongue: “Tsk tsk, so frail, someone would think you’re starving!”

└ [Director ♩♪♪ under the nose]
└ [Sorry for the earlier swear]
└ [Even dogs aren’t bothered while eating]

Thankfully, the comment fairies whispered comforting words in my ear.

Unlike my anxious heart, the city was lively.

Celebrating the Devellor Empire’s victory and prosperity, war heroes and new nobles were welcomed.

The title ceremony was held in a secluded palace hall and was not open to the public, but access to the outdoor garden party was allowed.

“You can really feel the post-war atmosphere here.”

Ten years later, the gardens I remembered were even more luxurious.

So luxurious that palace gardeners were joked to earn the highest salaries.

Though impressive now, the landscaping seemed recent; more ornamental flowers than natural ones were visible.

“Oh, you’re here too.”

Our director wasn’t the only one hoping for patronage. He spotted familiar faces—likely nearby orphanage directors or caretakers—and approached them.

It’s natural for similar people to gather together.

“You wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this.”

“Who are you calling out?”

“Morally, let’s not step into each other’s territories.”

Though greeting cheerfully, they scrutinized each other like rivals.

└ [Truly similar people]

“…Exactly.”