Debutante? A Satisfying Recruitment.
Debutante? It was a satisfying recruitment. I'd planned to snag Ludric from the start, and things went exactly as I'd hoped. For him, it went beyond just getting a hideout—he'd found a safe haven.
"Please take good care of me, Director Luagwen."
"The pleasure's mine. Lud... Pir... What should I even call you? Whatever, that."
"Just call me Rick. That's what everyone used to call me."
"Got it. Rick."
As the legend of Lü Bu, Ding Yuan, and Dong Zhuo from Romance of the Three Kingdoms shows, people with three names in theirs are exceptionally strong. With the three-named Ludric Biern on board, I could proudly claim that Porern Orphanage now boasted the strongest forces in the southern slums—untouchable by any other orphanage.
[This is developing in a weird direction.]
"What, he'll be useful somehow."
The Goddess could suddenly appear in a dream, shouting about war! War once more! and issuing a revelation. Or if Ludric couldn't secure funding, we'd have to rename Porern to "Mongol" and switch to a plunder economy... Thinking about it that way, his role was pretty crucial. Hm...
"Rick. Hold out your hand."
Lee Seoha, the cool-headed businessman. From a business perspective, it was time to dangle a carrot to boost morale.
"...? Why a handshake again?"
He must've thought I wanted another handshake. When I gripped his outstretched hand firmly, he looked flustered right away.
"This is..."
He couldn't have missed it—it was the same thing I'd done just moments ago. He seemed about to say something but shut his mouth, probably figuring it might disrupt things.
"Consider it an advance payment."
I channeled my energy to conceal his aura. Practice makes perfect; it felt more stable than before.
"...What if I don't keep my promise? Why do this first?"
Hm. Perfect effect. His eyes widened in surprise. If I had to guess his mood, it was like asking Dad if he could play computer games only after homework, and Dad coolly saying, "Do it tomorrow and play with your sibling instead." People can't help but soften toward those who show kindness first. Better a bond of mutual goodwill than a transactional one-and-done deal.
"You don't seem the type."
"Nothing's more foolish than trusting a wastrel."
"Then I've lost nothing. And you don't even seem like one."
The guy who plays sub-male lead throughout the novel because of his promise to Kiara wouldn't break it. In the original story, fleeing his father Biern's pursuit, Ludric eventually left the south for the north. There, he met Kiara before she encountered the Grand Duke. Kiara had already met him multiple times by then, but he was unaware. Desperate and penniless on the run, Kiara helped him proactively. With nothing to offer in return, Ludric made one vow to himself.
'I'll protect Kiara, no matter what.'
That promise from the so-called wastrel held true for life. When I read the novel, I thought it was just a chance encounter—a fated one. But knowing he'd met Kiara as Pirra at the guild made it look different. Maybe deep down, Ludric had wanted to head where Kiara was. Not by chance or fate, but by his own will. Perhaps he'd instinctively known who would treat him kindly.
"Urk... Could you show me to my room?"
...More sensitive than he looks. I wouldn't think calling him not-a-wastrel was that moving. Seeing his eyes subtly moisten left me speechless.
'Well, even I was touched that he wasn't scared of me.'
Factor in adolescent sensitivity, and it made sense.
"Sure, let's go. I'll show you every nook and cranny."
By original status alone, Ludric was far above me or anyone at the orphanage—we could never share a table with him. Kiara hadn't yet entered House Rostyra and had been unjustly expelled from the Erdel barony, reduced to just Kiara. My name was Tisha Luagwen, but no one knew the family name.
'At best, remnant of a fallen noble.'
Nobles without land were just pride without substance— no different from commoners. Ludric, bastard or not, was registered Biern. The empire needed no further explanation. He'd run away, but he wasn't struck from the family register.
Common courtesy would demand preparing a guest room for this noble lord, but the orphanage lacked decent ones. I had to choose between a slightly larger room abandoned for years (rat-infested symbiosis likely) or a managed shared room unfit for nobility but better maintained. Obviously, the latter for now.
"Ed..."
"..."
"...ward. From today, share a room with this big brother."
Edward was mischievous but treated me respectfully, so he'd behave with Ludric.
'Instinctively senses danger, maybe.'
Plus, with no big brothers here—only sisters like Kiara or Alice—this could teach him hierarchy and social skills.
"Hi. Ed."
"Hello..."
"Nice to meet you. Let's get along with your big bro. I'll finish introductions and come back soon."
Kids naturally admire cool, handsome older siblings. Edward didn't seem to mind his sudden roommate.
"Should've given you a single room. Sorry."
"It's fine. After the knight order and mercenary guild, solos feel awkward anyway."
"Good."
He'd lived with comrades at the guild too—as Pirra...
"Oh... mi..."
"No, I had my own room then! Dealt with tons of mercenaries. Who else works there besides me?"
"...The garden is beautiful."
I'll make a roshi for "lo." Phew, nearly lost my head for insulting a noble. Spring flowers were blooming beautifully. Dark fantasy standards, anyway. But Ludric and I, hardened by harsh lives, weren't ones to dwell on flowers—the talk naturally shifted.
"Director. Mind if I ask something?"
"Shoot."
"Does Kiara live here too?"
"Yeah. Oh, right. Kiara's been to the mercenary guild before, yeah?"
"......That was the first time."
"Got it. I believe you."
He was hiding it since Kiara seemed reluctant to reveal. Ah, right—need to check her reaction too.
"Thinking about it, I'll introduce you properly. You're probably same age."
"Pardon?"
Perfect timing. He'd just dropped his disguise magic anyway. Have them meet now. The garden had nothing more to see. Spotting Kiara in the distance chatting with Alice and other girls—this fell right into place.
"Oh, there she is. Kia...!"
"Director, wait!"
"Why...?"
"Just wait!"
Suddenly Ludric fussed with his hair, huffing into his palms a few times. No wax, no need for brushing or cologne—nothing changed. Unsatisfied, he swiped his palm over, shifting to Pirra form.
"That form defeats the purpose of introductions...? You'll stay as yourself inside the orphanage."
"Just... just."
"...Fine. We'll do it later."
Wasn't my original plan, but watching him...
Kiara's reaction could wait. No big deal if she didn't react properly.
'Yeah. Who cares about reactions.'
Truth be told, bringing Ludric here had one worry: what if derailing the original changed their relationship completely? Ludric free but unloved, Kiara succeeding easily but unloved... Would the worldview turn out like that?
'Looks good.'
But no need to worry. Ludric's ears were bright red. His heart raced seeing Kiara. Even meeting differently, he was still pure love.
Ludric visited my office a few days later.
"How about a charity party?"
"Charity party?"
"Nobles use it as an excuse to gather when there's none."
An elegant, cultured party for "charity." Entry via purchased invitations with "donations." In reality, just nobles making excuses and splitting costs. But run properly as intended, it'd help the orphanage finances. A noble's donation could exceed our entire budget.
"I have connections to lend venues."
"Oh..."
"No proper socials in the south lately—they must be itching."
The truly rich hold soirees at central capital villas; mid-tier nobles settle for tea parties. Good timing too. And one more thing I liked.
'Debutante...!'
Originally, Kiara would've debuted via House Rostyra after leaving the orphanage. Now, who knows. We couldn't host a solo debut party, but showing her face to nobles could pave the way for central social circles!
'Once in central society, she might connect with the Grand Duke.'
Couldn't follow the original exactly, but I'd steer it similarly.
"Gotta get Kiara a dress."
No top-tier artisan with centuries of tradition like for the Grand Duke, but even plain clothes would shine on her. Protagonist perks.
"She'd look pretty... but if dresses, you first, Director."
"Why me?"
"You're the director? And a noble rep is easier."
"Kiara too..."
...Not a noble? Right.
"Good chance to debut in society and build connections."
"Uh..."
Kiara. Tisha Luagwen. Kiara Rostyra... no, just Kiara now. Tisha Luagwen. Kiara Erdel... formerly, now Kiara Luagwen of the Luagwen family. Tisha.
'...Huh?'
Me, a debutante?