Chapter 50

***

Lulien thought it was lucky that she didn’t drink tea. If she heard that while having the tea in her mouth, she would obviously spat it out or even choke.

 

She put the teacup near her mouth in order to not seem agitated, she used it only to moisten her lips before putting it down again. And he asked back calmly as much as she could.

 

“The Duke of Deimos? So, your position is becoming an aide to Duke Deimos?”

“Yeah. That’s a very bad deal, yet I agreed because I just wanted to come to the Empire.”

Lulien narrowed her eyes slightly as it reflected her doubt while she stared at Nocturne.

 

Is this all really a coincidence? Nocturne came as the duke’s aide when Duke Deimos was actively hitting on Elly.

 

Nocturne’s ability was obviously higher than anyone else’s, even she admitted it.

 

But if she were in the duke’s shoes, she wouldn’t have brought him and even bothered to manage the hassle of bringing someone who came from another country. It’s not like their country lacks talent.

 

Lulien, who was lost in her thoughts, came back to her senses at Nocturne’s voice.

 

“And I was curious about your queen.”

“What?”

“The one who made you throw away all the things you could have had.”

 

Even she barely heard the last words said by Nocturne, but Lulien could figure them out through his mouth movement.

 

She slowly opened her mouth after having a moment of silence.

 

“Because it’s my Queen that gave all the things you said. My Queen was far more precious than all of those put together.”

Perhaps it sounded cruel to Nocturne, but Lulien didn’t regret her answer.

 

The oath she made to God when she was a child was still engraved in the depth of her heart, and she intended to keep it regardless of the situation that she faced in her life.

 

Lulien’s eyes lit up obliquely at Nocturne and fumbled in the air as she recalled distant memories.

 

***

 

Har and Lulien met Elly for the first time at a nursery school.

 

The nursery they were in was honestly a place that did not have a really good environment.

 

No, she might have to say it was the worst. Because the director only thought of nursery school as a tool for making money.

 

He said they must know the horror of the world and added that they would be given a minimum portion of meals and put into miscellaneous labor if you’re over five years old.

 

If they complain or don’t listen to him, they have to be trapped in a punishment room and hit by a birch stick, and they also have to starve the whole day without eating anything.

 

Therefore, the children naturally felt afraid and wished to avoid being taken to the punishment room.

 

Thus, the director educated the children as they pleased.

 

However, some of them didn’t comply with the director. Those who represented them were Lulien and Har.

 

Lulien, who was seven years old but was able to speak well like an adult, would always stand up against the director’s tyranny with logic and be taken to the punishment room by the fuming director.

 

Although Har, who was the same age as her, didn’t confront or cause accidents, he was often taken to the punishment room for covering up the crimes committed by other children.

 

Lulien told him several times not to do it a lot of times to avoid being used by some children, but when she saw a child crying while trembling, he said he would do it, so Lulien dumped her thoughts and gave up.

 

What they shared in common was that they never said they were wrong. So, their punishment was naturally harsher than other children, but they couldn’t give up their determination.

 

The director even said that he would send them to another nursery school when they reached the age of 8 as he gnashed his teeth because they were so strong to stand their ground.

 

Every time Lulien spoke to Har, she would do that in a low voice.

 

“We have to leave when we reach the age of 8 anyway, why does he keep reminding us about that?”

They were in a nursery school that could only take care of children until they reached the age of seven. Therefore, once they reached the age of 8, they had to be moved to another school where basic education was provided.

 

Lulien and Har were waiting for the time to come as quickly as possible. They wondered if there was any place worse than this.

 

Then one day, the director suddenly called the children over the age of five and had them changed into clean clothes. It wasn’t new pieces, but at least the clothes didn’t have holes anywhere or worn out.

 

“I think a noble is going to come over. It’s lunch time, so the food will be served as well.”

 

Lulien whispered to Har while holding the clothes given to her.

 

It’s to prepare the children that things are running well when the noble who sponsors the facility or would likely become the sponsor visits.

 

While the noble was visiting the nursery, they didn’t have to work, and more than anything, a proper meal was served when lunch time came around.

 

It’s not a poor meal that barely satisfies their hunger, but a proper meal that fills their stomach.

 

That’s why the eyes of the children, whose clothes have been changed, were gleaming with expectations.

 

The director took the children outside when they were properly dressed. Lulien and Har were also included.

 

When they wondered how long they had stood up like that, a large yet not extravagant carriage came into sight and stopped in front of the nursery.

 

Before the makeshift stairs were installed in front of the opened door of the carriage, the first thing to jump out was a small and pretty red-haired girl who looked like a doll.

 

Lulien and Har, as well as other children, doubted their eyes for a moment.

 

Before them, there have been several nobles who have brought their children along, but no child has ever jumped out of the wagon first.

 

It was understandable for them to be surprised because the children only remembered how they descended the stairs gracefully while holding the hands of adults as if showing off their noble status.

 

Lulien, who thought she was a peculiar child, noticed that Har was unable to take his eyes off the girl and whispered to him in a mischievous voice.

 

“You have eyes that see her like a man. Is she pretty?”

 

“No, it’s not like that……”

“Then, what is it?”

Har opened and closed his mouth as if wanting to say something and eventually chose to remain silent.

 

Lulien also turned her head back to the carriage without questioning him any further. She wanted to tease him more, but if they get caught chatting with each other, they would also be given punishment.

 

A moment later, someone appeared after the child.

 

She was a very beautiful woman with neatly tied-up red hair like her child.

 

The moment the children saw her, they were astonished once again.

 

She wasn’t wearing fancy dresses like other noblewomen.

 

She was wearing a white jacket and black pants that hugged her hips while emphasizing the line of her upper body.

 

The children were bewildered seeing the uniform that was usually worn by noblemen.

 

Meanwhile, the woman got out of the carriage and scolded the girl who was waiting for her while stroking her head.

 

“Elly, I already said you could get hurt by jumping like that. You should be careful.”

 

“But I want to meet my friend quickly.”

 

“All right. But you should always be careful.”

 

“Yes, mother.”

 

A gleam of envy reflected on the children’s faces as they watched the girl smiling brightly and answered bravely.

 

They envied the pretty clothes the girl was wearing, but what they envied more than that was the mother’s affectionate gaze while looking at her daughter. It’s as if looking at the precious treasure.

 

The conversation between the mother and daughter was cut off when the director approached them hurriedly.

 

“Welcome, Marquess Camellia. It’s a great honor to have you visit this humble place.”

The children were astonished again. Due to the fact that the woman was a marquess. It was when the children, who thought that nobles only consisted of men, were shattered almost immediately.

 

Marquess Camellia turned away from her daughter and looked at the director when he greeted her.

 

“It’s nice to meet you, Director Quilton.”

“I am pleased to meet you, Marquess Camellia. I have heard about Marquess Camellia’s well–respected and famous reputation.”

Lulien, who was listening to the constant compliments that came out of the director’s mouth as if he had prepared for it, whispered to Har.

 

“I think he put honey on his mouth. But what about it, though? The Marquess doesn’t look so pleased.”

Har looked at the Marquess Camellia.

 

As Lulien said, her expression gradually stiffened each second the director went on with his words. The faint smile around her mouth would disappear soon if he went on a bit more.

 

The director probably felt it as well, so he quickly finished his words and changed the subject.

 

“Then I will guide you around the nursery school….”

Marquess Camellia’s calm voice finally stopped the director who was about to proceed introducing the nursery almost immediately.

 

“I’ve been informed about this place. I came here today because my daughter wishes to meet a friend of hers.”

“Pardon? May I ask what do you mean……..”

 

“I heard that a friend I made a few days ago lives in this nursery.”

 

After Marquess Camellia glanced at the gathering children, she leaned down and asked, making eye contact with her daughter. Her voice was gentle and completely different compared to when she talked to the director in a businesslike manner.

“Elly, which one is your friend here?”

 

The girl, who was called Elly, glanced around with bright eyes after Marquess Camellia asked and raised her finger to point toward the children.

 

“There he is. It’s that kid.”

Lulien blinked. If she wasn’t mistaken, the girl’s finger was pointed toward her.

 

‘Why did she point in this direction? Don’t tell me it’s him?’

 

Lulien, who recalled how Har couldn’t take his eyes off the girl a moment ago, turned her head in astonishment. It was when the stiff appearance of Har appeared before her.

 

“Har, you……..”

But Lulien couldn’t get any words out of her mouth. The girl took Marquess Camellia’s hand and began to step forward.

 

The girl walked between the children who spread out and stood on both sides and stopped in front of Har. Lulien was able to take a closer look at the girl thanks to that.

 

The girl who she saw closely was so pretty and cute, she looked like a fairy.

 

The cheerful voice of the girl came into Lulien’s ears, who was thinking if there was a fire fairy, she would probably look like this.

 

“Mom, this is my friend, Har.”

 

After the girl finished her words, Marquess Camellia slowly lowered her body to meet Har’s height and Har met with her eyes. Her eyes were as warm and tender as when she looked at her daughter.

 

“So you’re Har. I’ve heard a lot about you from Elly. Thank you very much for helping my Elly.”

“……Yes.”

Har contemplated for a moment and nodded when Marquess Camellia greeted him. His face remained expressionless, but the tip of his ears were red.

 

Lulien thought she never heard a word of gratitude coming from the adult before and a noblewoman of high status at that, and she was surprised at the girl’s voice that followed shortly after.

 

“Mother, can I play with Har here while you work at the palace?”

 

As soon as Lulien heard the girl’s bomb-dropping question, she looked at the director while wondering about this trouvaille.

 

If the girl were to stay here, the director wouldn’t let them work. He wouldn’t be able to get any support if the girl told her mother, Marquess Camellia, about it after she got back.

 

As expected, the director stepped forward in a haste.