Chapter 40
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 40
Since Gabriel has the monastery abbot in custody, maybe I can visit later and ask him about it. He did mention he was going to catch the man, after all. Come to think of it, they’re both directors of a sort. Honestly, it’s always the ones at the top who are the most corrupt.
“It’s done now.”
As I walked back over, it seemed Gabriel had just finished hearing the full story from Daisy.
“Sir Gabriel said he would take charge of the children,” Canna said, filling me in.
“It would be difficult for the two of you to take responsibility for all these children,” Gabriel explained. “I intend to place them in the temple’s childcare facilities.”
That made sense. Daisy and Troy were still young themselves. It would be a heavy burden for just the two of them to look after so many kids.
“Load the children into the carriage.”
At Gabriel’s command, the knights moved in perfect unison.
Suddenly, the children ran over to me and bowed deeply.
“Th-thank you!”
A brave little boy—the one who hadn’t flinched in front of Evangeline earlier—spoke as their representative. He must have bitten his tongue, because his pronunciation faltered mid-sentence.
“…Right.”
It felt strange to receive such earnest gratitude. I’d felt a bit awkward when Raphaella thanked me before, too.
Whenever these characters act like this, they feel so much like real, living people. Having cleared the great hurdle of expressing their thanks, the children followed the knights and were loaded back into the carriage.
In case the children felt anxious traveling alone, Troy decided to go with them. Daisy stayed behind, likely because she had things to discuss with me.
Wait, come to think of it, didn't Troy say he borrowed money? He didn't spend it, did he? As I stood there looking anxious, Gabriel began to explain, perhaps thinking I was worried about him.
“I am also from that place. You need not worry about the children coming to harm again.”
Excuse me? Gabriel just dropped a major backstory hint out of nowhere.
“Even if they stay at the orphanage, it doesn’t mean their path in life is fixed.”
Gabriel continued to rattle off the advantages as if he were the director. Okay, I get it! I know it’s incredibly strict on education but equally strict on management, so there’s no corruption. I know freedom of career choice is respected, and the support is so amazing that it’s leagues better than any common orphanage, so please stop!
“I see. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease, Sir Gabriel.”
Only then did Gabriel end his sales pitch. For a moment there, he sounded less like a romance fantasy male lead and more like a door-to-door salesman.
It was time for us to head back as well. Jelly and his friend climbed into our carriage, with Pudding following right behind them.
As I was about to board, two more children approached me. It was the pair who had been acting independently earlier. Ranon and Yulma, was it?
We just said our goodbyes. What more is there to say?
“Would it be alright if we went with you?”
“Ranon! What are you talking about all of a sudden?” Daisy looked incredibly flustered, as if this hadn't been discussed at all.
“We promised that if we made it out safely, Yulma and I would start working.”
“I know it’s shameless of us… but Canna told us to at least try asking,” Yulma added.
Canna avoided my gaze. When did she get so close to the kids? It seemed our female lead, having fallen for the villainess, was determined to spread the word that I’d turned over a new leaf.
Well, it wasn't a difficult request. I was in a position where I would have given them money if they’d simply asked for a donation, but here they were, commendably asking for work.
“If you don’t mind our mansion, I will give you jobs.”
“Thank you!”
The two were overjoyed, even though I’d only said they could work. I suppose it’s natural to be happy about finding employment. Daisy, on the other hand, looked uneasy. Was she worried they’d make a lot of mistakes since it was their first time?
“Lady Evangeline, but…”
“If you’re that worried, you should return to the mansion as well. You have nowhere else to go, anyway.”
“…Yes.”
If she was worried about leaving the two of them alone, she could just come along. Besides, Jelly was at our mansion, wasn't he? If Troy stayed elsewhere and she lived under the same roof as Jelly, wouldn't they naturally grow closer?
“I want to go too!”
But then, another child chimed in. That bold tone could only belong to the little attention-seeker.
“Mary!”
This time, Daisy actually sounded angry. She was right; Ranon and Yulma were old enough, but Mary was far too young to work.
“I’m sorry. I’ll send her back immediately.”
“She won't be able to work, but it’s fine if she just stays with us.”
I mean, look at how much money I have. Taking in one more child isn't going to make me starve.
“…Thank you.”
Daisy thanked me, tightly holding Mary’s hand. She looked exceptionally small as she bowed. Because of that director, a child had been forced to take responsibility for other children.
While we were sorting that out, Gabriel seemed to have finished his arrangements. The temple carriage was ready to depart and was waiting for him. But hadn't he said he came to the mansion because he had business with me?
“Come to think of it, didn't you have something to discuss with me?”
“Yes. I had something to tell you, but… it weighs on my mind to send the children off like this without someone in charge.”
True. If ten children were being moved so suddenly, it would be better for the Commander of the Knights to be there.
This was where we would part ways, then.
Gabriel reached out his hand. Is he going to do that noble greeting again? I can’t bring myself to call it a kiss on the back of the hand; it’s too embarrassing.
I had intended to wear gloves the next time I saw him, but I never imagined I’d run into him today, so my hands were bare. Still, Gabriel was probably just doing it out of etiquette, so it would be fine.
I placed my hand in his. Gabriel bent at the waist and pressed his lips to it. A soft sensation… wait. Soft?
“Today’s visit was my mistake, as I did not follow proper procedure. Therefore, I shall visit you tomorrow. Officially.”
You—you—you crazy man… I was so shocked I could barely form a thought. He actually kissed it, didn't he? How is he so calm? Right. I forgot I was dealing with a character from a romance fantasy novel.
Gabriel left me standing there, stunned. In his place, another knight remained.
He was a knight with melon-colored hair, fitting for a fantasy world. Why wasn't he leaving?
“I am truly moved to see you again. Do you happen to remember me?”
I felt like I’d seen him somewhere… Ah! He was the one I poured holy water on!
“You’re the one from back then?”
“Yes! I am Michel, whom you saved, My Lady. Things were so hectic at the time that I was disappointed I couldn't thank you in person, so I accompanied the Commander today when I heard he was seeking you out. I also heard you rescued the children. I felt it before, but you truly are merciful.”
“Michel, that’s enough. Let’s go.”
Urged on by Gabriel, the melon-haired knight gave a deep bow and left. So basically, my good-deed points just went up, right?
“Miss, shall we depart as well?”
We should.
I wondered if there would be enough room for everyone, but the inside of the carriage was surprisingly comfortable. Where did Jelly’s friend and the kids go? Hena wasn't there either. I was sure they’d all boarded.
“Mr. Jelly sent them to the mansion ahead of us,” Canna explained.
I clapped my hands in understanding. Come to think of it, our Jelly’s specialty was teleportation. I felt bad for treating him like a dog with a good nose all day.
“You guys go ahead too. I have something to discuss with Daisy.”
“Is it a conversation I shouldn't hear?”
It wasn't particularly secret, was it? I shook my head.
“Then I’ll stay too.”
Pudding looked at me as if asking for permission to stay, so I picked him up and set him on my lap.
Jelly announced he would go on ahead, told the coachman to head to the Rohanson mansion, and vanished.
With a loud roll of the wheels, the carriage began to move.
I thought Canna and Daisy had bonded earlier, but maybe I’d imagined it. The silence in the carriage was suffocating.
Normally, Canna would have used her typical female-lead sociability to break the ice, but her counterpart wasn't in the right state of mind. Was I the only one who found this quiet unbearable? Well, since I had something to ask anyway, I might as well be the one to speak.
Now that the kids have been found, it should be okay to ask, right? Is it too heartless to ask a girl whose mental state is already shattered?
Whatever.
“Daisy.”
“…Yes.”
“About the price for granting your wish.”
Daisy swallowed hard, visibly tensing.
“You just have to answer my question honestly.”
It’s not like I’m asking her to do something terrible. I’m just telling her to answer what I ask. This is a total steal for her, isn't it?
“What did you say to Gabriel about me?”
Daisy inhaled sharply. She looked like she wanted to run away, but she couldn't exactly jump out of a moving carriage. I waited patiently, and after a long hesitation, Daisy finally opened her mouth.
“To Sir Gabriel… I told him that you aren't my lady.”
“What?”
What does that mean? That I’m not the person she serves because she quit?
“Y-you aren't Evangeline Rohanson. That’s what I told him.”
Wait, wait, wait a minute!
I’ve been caught? No, when? How was I caught? My whole amnesia act was perfect!
Shouldn't a possession be something no one notices, like how people never realize a magical girl’s identity? Can you even get caught in a possession story?
Of course, sometimes the secret is confessed near the end or used as an emotional hurdle. But I'm in the middle of managing my harem! And I'm in a situation where I’d be at risk of immediate execution if Gabriel didn't shield me.
And she told Gabriel of all people?
Common sense dictates he wouldn't know what possession is, so he’d probably think I was possessed by a ghost or a demon. Is that what Gabriel thinks of me?
But he didn't act that way when we just met…
Then, was this what he meant when he said he had something to tell me? A chill ran down my spine. How—how am I supposed to face Gabriel tomorrow?
I wish tomorrow would never come.
I hate my past self for so mindlessly agreeing to his visit.
Then, did she tell Hena this too?
Now I knew why Hena was so listless. It made sense that she’d feel betrayed and confused if she suddenly heard that the Young Lady she served was a different person.
Furthermore, now Canna knows too. Pudding doesn't count, obviously. Ugh, if I’d known this was what we were going to talk about, I would have sent Canna away first!
This won't do. I need to get a little burned before Gabriel tries to exorcise me. I need to build up an immunity.
“Canna. What do you think? Do you feel betrayed?”