Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: 4. The Most Conscientious Orphan Merchant
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It could be called a crazy idea. Treating a noble as an orphan and accepting her into the orphanage—normally, that would be absolutely impossible.
However, right now, coincidences upon coincidences had created the perfect opportunity. Of course, that didn't mean I was going to eliminate Luton to make Riel a real orphan. I didn't have the power for that, and it would strip away the high-value element of her being a current noble.
‘If what Riel said is true, then Baron Luton must be in a tricky spot to take her back.’
They had fought so badly that the youngest daughter ran away, and if he had intended to drag her back by force, he would have done it already.
Obviously, this situation wouldn't last forever. Unless Baron Luton outright abandoned Riel, he would take her back eventually.
And what I was aiming for was the time until then.
‘Selling Riel in the meantime is obviously impossible, but I just need to leave a favorable impression of our orphanage.’
Moreover, Kyle—the one Riel showed affection for—was destined to become our orphanage's force multiplier or kiosk in the future. If Kyle stayed at the orphanage, Riel would naturally develop ongoing interest in it.
In other words, making her an honorary orphan. In her current state, she wasn't physically an orphan, but mentally she was close, so you could call her a half-orphan. There's a saying: once an orphan, always an orphan. Through this orphan angle, I could fold her into the orphan network.
And the best way to plant goodwill in Riel, the honorary orphan?
‘By nurturing her talent.’
“One condition, though.”
“A condition...?”
At the word "condition," Riel's expression wavered for a moment, but then she spoke up first, as if she had expected it.
“If it's money, I can provide some. I couldn't give it to Brother Kyle because I had to hide my identity.”
“That's part of it, but Lady Riel, you need to receive some education.”
“Education?”
I hadn't planned to ask for money, but if she was offering, I wouldn't refuse. I swiftly pocketed the cash and continued naturally, as if it had been my intention all along.
“Since you've asked us to hide your identity, we'll have to treat you the same as the other children on a day-to-day basis. And in our orphanage, every child has duties.”
“Labor?”
Labor? What labor. She must have overheard things while hanging around with the prospective merchandise, but I was different from those low-class merchants.
Merchandise—no, a lost item in this case? Anyway, I was a conscientious merchant who provided custom processing, education, and packaging until the owner came to claim their lost item.
“It's Talent Training.”
“Talents...? Do you know what my talent is?”
“I have an eye for these things. The calluses on your fingertips, the rhythmic sense that comes through in your movements, and the way you handle the violin—the answer is obvious.”
Every back-alley orphan had calluses, and the rhythmic sense bit was just me talking out of my ass. But since the result was right, who cared about the process?
“...You mean I have talent for the violin? No way.”
“No, it's definite. Lady Riel, you have real talent. The kind that shines brightly.”
“Director...”
A 2-star—no, maybe 2.5-star glow. Anyway, even a streetlamp's light was still light. Sure, it paled next to 3-stars and 4-stars, but objectively speaking, it was excellent talent. I didn't have a single 2-star talent myself, after all.
But there was one problem. No option to hire a violin teacher. I could find one, but bringing in a teacher would raise suspicions about a mere orphan playing the violin—and above all...
‘It's expensive and a waste.’
The violin wasn't called a noble instrument for nothing. Teachers who taught it charged a fortune. It might be worth it as an investment to win her favor, but... What mattered now wasn't teaching her "well." It was leaving a strong impression on her.
She was a fake orphan I had no intention of selling, but if I had to compare, Riel's value was on par with 3-star Kyle.
“So, how does Talent Training work? Is someone going to teach me?”
“Exactly.”
“...But if you're planning to hire a violin teacher, it'll attract too much attention. So.”
“No need to worry. I'll teach you myself, Lady.”
“You? You know how to play the violin?”
“A little.”
I'd watched Hella play it plenty of times, and since I always stared with interest, she even taught me how to give it a try.
Of course, that didn't make me qualified to teach anyone else, but from watching Riel's fingering earlier, she had only the barest grasp of the violin. Probably self-taught rather than lessons from a proper teacher.
Her actual playing skill was probably about on my level... but that wasn't what I planned to teach her.
‘There's something more important than playing itself.’
Anyway, with the policy set...
It was time for the rice-eating teacher's lesson.
These past few days had felt like the world itself had changed for Riel.
It wasn't wrong. Her world had consisted solely of her home—a place she wanted to escape even a second sooner—and the back alleys, where she could relax among the orphans.
Her life had shifted in one go to orphanage living, so calling it a changed world wasn't an exaggeration.
And orphanage life was...
‘...Kinda like home.’
Of course, she didn't mean the orphanage was as wealthy as her home or the Luton baronial estate. What she had in mind was the structured routine, the leisure, and the living conditions.
Unlike the back alleys, she woke at set times, ate at set times, and spent her days on scheduled activities. She could spend her free time leisurely, slept in a proper bed like at home, ate delicious and nutritious food, and got plenty of rest.
Riel had grown somewhat accustomed to back-alley life while spending time with Brother Kyle and the other orphans, but as a noble at heart, she found this way of living more comfortable.
If you judged it purely on that, it might feel similar to her home—that suffocating place.
“Hey! That's my bread!”
“You've got tons already! You even have some from Uncle Hope Bakery!”
“That's the honey bread Eric bro made me! Ugh, I hate you!”
“Fine, I'll give you the meat from my soup instead. Deal?”
“...Take the broccoli too.”
“Tch.”
“Pfft, look at them. Still being picky eaters like kids.”
“You took the carrots out too, though?”
“Eek, Mina sis!”
“Haha!!”
It was lively and boisterous—and above all, filled with laughter.
That was completely different from home. Her home had been so vast, yet always deathly quiet and hard to breathe in.
She'd heard it used to be different in the past. But that had changed completely after she was born. To Riel, home was just an uncomfortable, stifling place.
By contrast, the orphanage overflowed with the laughter and energy of kids her age. The back alleys had been similar, but they required constant vigilance against rival groups and struggles for survival—this place was far more peaceful and cozy.
“Alright, alright. I'll eat the broccoli and carrots. Happy now?”
“As expected of Kyle! Casually doing what we can't!”
“That's what makes it so cool! I admire you!”
“I'll take the meat too.”
“Ah, Kyle!”
Even Brother Kyle—the one whose rumors had drawn her to the back alleys, where he'd formed his own group of kids—had changed. In the alleys, he'd always been confident and cool-headed, but here at the orphanage, he was gradually letting his guard down and showing genuine smiles.
Call him "brother" or not, he was still just a young teen. Brother Kyle was setting down his heavy burdens and starting to laugh like any boy his age.
Watching him, Riel set down her spoon.
“Oh, Riel. Done already?”
“Yeah, Brother.”
Kyle looked at her with kind eyes. No hint of suspicion that she was a noble.
That had been risky at first. She'd nearly been caught by accidentally using noble dining etiquette in the alleys. After that, she'd made sure to correct anything that might raise eyebrows among the other kids, including table manners.
‘And yet the Director still figured it out.’
It wasn't just sharp eyes—he'd had every reason to suspect. At first, she'd wondered if he was one of those orphanage directors with back-alley gangs under their thumb, but that suspicion vanished after just one day.
After all, this orphanage was as good as a noble house. Director Yujin was a true saint and good soul who always put the children first.
Unless he had some backer who tipped him off about her identity, it must have been something special in the Director's eyes.
‘Does he have some kind of ability?’
Riel pondered it briefly but soon laughed it off. The very idea was pointless—and if he did, why run an orphanage instead of being an adventurer?
It was enough to know he was a genuinely good and pure man, unlike other orphanage directors. Sure, she'd given him some money, but it was only natural for running the place—and above all...
“Then, Brother, I'm off to Talent Training.”
“Got it. See you during break time.”
“What about you, Brother? What are you up to?”
“For now, I'm following Laila sis and learning orphanage work. Honestly, having both of us around is a bit of a burden... ahem, well. Anyway, it's useful time. What about you, Riel?”
“...Secret.”
“You and your secrets again. You'll tell me later, right?”
“Yeah... sure.”
Knock knock.
“Director, it's me.”
“Come in, Riel.”
She was even receiving lessons under the name of Talent Training. From Director Yujin himself, no less.
As he'd said at first, the Director did know how to play the violin. His skill level was surprisingly about the same as hers, objectively speaking.
“No, not like that—point your thumb downward.”
“Like this?”
“Yes. Now move the bow in that position. Slowly, smoothly, but with firm pressure.”
“...It's way easier now.”
“Good. Proper grip and posture are the fundamentals.”
The Director taught her things beyond just playing—specifically, the absolute basics like posture and fingering.
They would have been obvious if she'd had a real teacher, but Riel's violin skills were entirely self-taught. At least when it came to the violin, she couldn't rely on her home or her father.
Riel's violin skills improved rapidly. Just as the Director had promised, she had talent.
Talent like her mother's.
And it wasn't just the Director helping her out.
“I'm Laila, temporary staff at the orphanage.”
“...Temporary staff?”
“Yeah, temporary ‘staff.’ I heard you've been learning your talent from the Director lately?”
“Ah, yes!”
“Violin, right?”
“Hehe, whatever do you mean?”
“No need to hide it from me. I'm temporary ‘staff,’ not some ordinary orphan. Anyway, take this.”
“Th-this is...?”
“It's not top quality, but better than what you're practicing on now. Sheet music's a bonus.”
“How did you...? This seems at least mid-grade. A violin like this would cost...”
“No obligation to explain. Just one thing matters.”
“Yes?”
“That the Director's paying a lot of attention to you. That's why I'm helping.”
“.........”
“The Director's eye never misses. So don't betray his goodwill.”
“No need to worry about that.”
Laila was probably an orphan hiding her own identity to get into the orphanage, or maybe she had some unknown backer.
But it wasn't something Riel needed to figure out right now. Laila's support was a huge help regardless.
A week passed like that. For Riel, it was a time that was utterly novel, joyful, and above all, comfortable.
Spending time with Brother Kyle, making new friends, practicing violin.
It was like a dream.
Then—
Bam bam bam!!
“From the Luton baronial house! Orphanage Director, come out at once!”
“Eh...?”
Contrary to Riel's belief that they wouldn't come for her.
The Luton barony had sent a knight, who was pounding roughly on the orphanage door.
“What's the matter?”
“You the orphanage director?”
“Yes.”
“Then open the damn door. We need to inspect inside.”
“...Ah.”
The arrogant-looking middle-aged knight jerked his chin, resting his hand on his scabbard in a cocky stance. A clear threat that he'd draw his sword if needed.
Seeing his intent to search the orphanage no matter what, Riel let out a hollow laugh.
If they were going to find her and drag her away, why wait until now—after all this happy time?
The orphanage had already become more comforting to Riel than home, so she squeezed her eyes shut.
‘I'll go out.’
Director Yujin was a kind and naive man. If he faced this knight's rough interrogation, he could get hurt—and the other kids who respected him would be wounded too.
The knight's goal was her anyway, so it was right for her to step forward. With that thought, Riel looked toward Yujin.
Their eyes met as Yujin glanced back briefly, and he nodded. It seemed he'd read her mind. She steeled herself to go out—
“I'm sorry, but we can't allow that.”
“...?”
“What'd you say?”
“The children are resting inside right now. Even for a knight, we can't disturb their rest time.”
“...Hah.”
Eh.
Eh?