“Please, come in. It isn’t much of a building to host a noble in…”
She was being modest. For a single woman’s holding, it was more than large enough.
Looking up, the structure easily extended three floors.
“That can’t be true. For a commoner to acquire something this size must have been a struggle.”
“An elderly couple, leaving Inivent, gifted it to us. Before, it was much smaller — the children were living cramped.”
I was ushered inside.
A table where all the children could share a meal together, with toys and study materials scattered together in the space.
In a corner, the children had pressed themselves together against the wall.
When they spotted Mio’s face, the boys and girls let out a “Waaa!” and rushed to embrace her all at once.
“Sister!”
“Mio nee-chan!”
“Fufu. Everyone, it’s all right now.”
…This is a perfectly normal scene, isn’t it.
I was puzzled by the difference from the Mio of a few minutes ago, when the children’s eyes turned to me.
“Chri—”
“AHEM!”
Alice cleared her throat in an obvious cough, and the children, catching on, clapped hands over their mouths.
“Ah, right…! Sorry! Alice-nee-chan!”
“Did you come to play!?”
So she was acquainted with the children.
Alice was patting the heads of the kids who came near her.
“It’s been a month. How have you been?”
“Mm! I’ve been practicing with my sword a lot!”
“Good, good.”
“Was it you who beat the bad guys, Alice-nee!?”
“No, not this time. The one who helped was my master.”
The pass came from Alice — and the children’s attention shifted to me.
Ten in total. For a one-woman operation, more than enough.
These children’s futures are already set: working themselves to the bone as my subordinates.
Now then. First impressions matter.
Let me imbue some authority and hammer in the hierarchy.
“My name is Ouga Veret. Eldest son of the Veret ducal house. I have come, at the request of my sword Alice, to protect you. You now belong to me. From today, the safety of this orphanage is guaranteed in my name. Be grateful.”
Alice and Mio applauded.
These two would probably applaud anything I do. They might be at the level of “you’re amazing just for being alive” — so I’ll ignore them.
The kids’ reaction, though — that’s what I want to see.
Heh. I’m a noble.
For these kids, I’m a person clad in clothing of a level they’ve never seen, carrying a noble aura.
Eyes filled with respect — that’s coming, no question.
Very well. I’ll forgive however clumsy your manners turn out to be.
Come, shower me in gratitude and make me feel good!
“Eh, he looks weak~”
“Alice-nee is way cooler~”
“He’s really a noble? He’s a kid like us.”
…………
“H-HEY! You guys!”
“But— but—”
“Nobles are all gangly stick-people, right? Alice-nee told us so.”
“That was before I met Lord Ouga, all right…”
“We learned the sword from Alice-nee — we’d probably beat him.”
“For real, hahaha.”
The children were having a lively time hurling insults at me.
Pale-faced, Mio rushed over and bowed her head repeatedly.
“I’m so sorry, Lord Veret! I’ll have a word with them at once—!”
”…It’s fine. They’ve got energy, that’s good.”
Endure. Endure.
If I snap here, I’ll prove my mental level is the same as theirs.
I am the adult. The only kids it’s acceptable for adults to take the bait from are bratty girls.
The ones insulting me are bratty boys.
So even when they tug on my clothes, or even pummel me, I’m not getting angry.
“Hey. Fight me!”
Calm down, Ouga Veret.
This is just the talk of immature children.
There. You’re fine.
Like a certain Student Council President, just paste on the smile and respond as an adult—
“Ah, you can’t, huh. Nobles are slow folk who don’t exercise.”
“——OH I’LL FIGHT YOU ALL RIGHT!”
These little brats need discipline, and I’ll deliver it personally!
I shrugged off my jacket and tossed it to Alice.
“Alice. I’ll handle these kids. While I do, finish what we need to do.”
”…! Understood.”
I whispered it in her ear. She quickly led Mio off toward another room.
That’s right — they need to put down Mashiro, who’s been unconscious on Alice’s back this whole time.
And if Alice’s eyes meet mine, I won’t be able to go all-out against the kids.
“I’ll teach you what ‘adult fear’ actually means…!”
And so, my battle (playtime) with the children began.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Big bro Ouga, amazing!!”
“Me next! Do me!”
“Ah, no fair! Me too! Do that flying thing to me!”
“Bwahahaha! As many times as you like! And shower me with more praise!”
The laughter of the children and Lord Veret echoed through the living area.
He’d scoop a child into his arms and toss them just high enough not to hit the ceiling, and catch them.
“Fufu…”
How long has it been.
Since I’ve seen the children look this happy.
Since this orphanage’s land became a target, our days have been spent cowering before angry voices.
Powerless, I would have everything taken from us.
Then so be it… on that thread of hope, I had contacted an old friend. I’m so glad I did.
”…Lord Veret.”
The [Savior] who saves all…
Alice’s words had not been wrong.
He is pouring this much love over the children.
“Phew… been a while. The pacing was tough.”
“Welcome back. Here, a towel.”
“Thanks.”
She handed Alice — who had just returned from the other room — a towel.
I won’t ask what she was doing.
But because there were spots of blood on her cheek, I can guess to a certain extent.
“We got the information we needed. We can hit the main den tomorrow. You can relax now.”
”…I see.”
I let out a long-held breath.
The children’s everyday lives won’t be threatened any longer.
“Alice, I will absolutely repay this. I’ll prepare money too — could you please ask him to wait a little longer?”
“Mm, of course. But I doubt Lord Ouga will demand money.”
She looked at Lord Veret as he played with the children, and her eyes were full of life.
A few months ago Alice had spat about hating nobles — and this is the noble she now reveres.
Please forgive my rudeness, Alice.
I had thought no such person existed.
To a noble, a commoner is an interchangeable existence.
That was true of my mother too.
For a noble to deliberately extend a hand to commoners — to people like us, who can offer no recompense — is unnatural in itself.
“Whatever the case, Lord Ouga decides everything. Let’s discuss it after the children are asleep.”
”…Yes. The food is ready as well.”
“That’s the good smell, I see.”
“L-Lord Veret…!”
He came over, leading the children behind him.
The smallest was holding his hand. They’ve all completely taken to him.
“I didn’t notice how much time had passed. Got a bit carried away.”
He said so, but he was almost certainly buying time for Alice to finish her work.
He kept glancing in the direction she had disappeared.
Most likely to keep the children from going that way.
“So what’s tonight’s dinner?”
“Since you’ve all come, I thought I’d make my best dish — curry.”
“YAAAY!”
“Sister’s food is so good!”
“I love Mio nee-chan’s cooking too!”
“That so?”
He stroked the heads of the excited children.
“Haha. You’re all lucky to get to eat Mio’s tasty food every day.”
“Eh…!?”
I get to eat her tasty food every day → I want to eat it every day too → we’re together every day → marriage.
Which means… a proposal?!
W-what should I do.
I, who have never been loved before, have no way to judge.
”…………”
Looking at Lord Veret, my cheeks took on heat.
…Perhaps.
This person might fill it.
The empty space hollowed out in my chest.
By passing judgment on my sin.