Chapter 31
Her nun's habit was unfamiliar, so I didn't recognize her right away, but examining her features, it was definitely Daisy.
We're nowhere near the orphanage—why is Daisy here, drenched in the rain and looking so forlorn?
“How did you spot her?”
It was raining hard, making it hard to see.
“Mr. Jelly did.”
Ah, makes sense. I nodded in understanding. Last time at the temple, Jelly had sniffed out the way when we were lost. Must've used its nose again. Werewolves and their sense of smell, indeed.
So this is an event? Jelly spots the disheartened Daisy in the rain and rescues her, building some chemistry…. Yeah, Daisy must be a character slated to appear briefly as Jelly's sub-couple in the original story or side stories. But because I've wrecked the original plot, she's become a character obstructing love now.
Ah.
“Jelly, wanna go get her?”
“Me? Too cold, pass.”
Jelly burrowed into some fur coat from who-knows-where. Where'd that come from? Did it sneak one into the clothing shop earlier? Totally plausible. Well, buying it one outfit isn't a big deal….
But refusing because it's cold? That's kinda shameless, isn't it? Is this guy really a sub-male lead? Werewolf, mage, thuggish looks—he's got the full package, yet won't go out in the rain for his mate? No, not Jelly's fault. This is all because I monopolized the route and messed up the flow.
Annoying. Fine, I'll go myself. Gotta make nice with Daisy and clear the past.
“Miss, let me go instead.”
“It's fine. Stay with Pudding.”
I handed Pudding, asleep on my lap with Kanna, and stepped out of the carriage, opening the umbrella. Gotta thank that clothing shop owner who gave it to me. Hope he got home safe.
I strode up and stopped right in front of Daisy. Her lips were blue from the rain—hope she doesn't catch a fever and collapse tomorrow. I tilted the umbrella toward her.
Daisy must've thought I was just a passerby, apologizing as she tried to move aside. Who's she worried about right now?
“Daisy.”
She recognized my voice—or maybe my calling her name—as she slowly lifted her dazed head.
“Evangeline… Lady Evangeline. How… how did you get here….”
She trembled last time too, still shaking. How nasty was pre-possession Evangeline? Traumatizing a perfectly fine girl.
Cleaning up the mess falls on me, which is depressing.
“I was looking for you.”
A miracle I found her. Without Jelly, I'd be waiting pointlessly at the orphanage, and Daisy would've sat in the rain all day. One misstep, and romance-fantasy leads veer wildly off course. Really hits home that this is a romance-fantasy world.
Now, gotta coax Daisy into opening up. Better take her in the carriage to Rohanson Mansion first.
As I tried to help her up, Daisy suddenly clutched my skirt.
“I have a request. You said you'd grant my wish.”
What? Oh right. I said that before parting. To compensate for the bullying and get her to stop badmouthing Evangeline's deeds.
About to ask what it was, a great idea hit—well, not great, more like nasty.
I was gonna offer first, but she brought up a request. Plus, she's already badmouthed me to Gabriel and Hena, so the scales aren't balanced.
So, not granting the wish for free—tell me what you said to them, and I'll grant it.
“Sure. But there'll be a price.”
Feels like I'm living up to the Evangeline name for once. I've ditched my conscience long ago, so it's fine.
“You know what I want, right?”
As if she would. Just fishing for her to spill anything. Evangeline seems like she'd demand heaps of gold or servitude. Act like I want something huge, then downscale to spilling the convo details—they'll think it's a steal and talk!
“I-I'll offer myself.”
Gah. Nearly choked on nothing. Whoa… that's big too.
Why offer herself when she's still scared? Must be the suspension bridge effect mixed with romance-fantasy tropes.
“So please, help me.”
Couldn't tell if Daisy's face was wet from rain or tears. Her desperate voice swallowed my retort.
“Alright. I'll do it.”
I extended my hand to help her up. After hesitating, she took it.
“Get in the carriage first.”
Once inside, Daisy gasped at Kanna, then sat quietly in the corner upon seeing Jelly, too shocked for more.
Kanna glanced coldly at Daisy, then fussed over me entering behind.
“Oh my, you're all soaked.”
Just a few drops on me—Daisy looks like she was fished from a river. Seems Kanna's snubbing her because of whatever Daisy told Hena, affecting her state.
Kanna snatched the fur from Jelly and draped it over Daisy instead of me. Jelly chuckled dryly as its coat passed through hands to Daisy.
“Hey, your good times are over now.”
“Shut it, Mr. Jelly.”
What? Did I hear wrong? Staring at Kanna in shock, she acted like she'd never said such a harsh thing, all innocent. Must've misheard.
“Long time no see?”
Jelly called to Daisy. Felt like peeking into someone else's romance—heart pounding. Daisy didn't reply.
“Ignoring me? Us?”
Us! Us! Pretending disinterest, I focused entirely on them.
“We weren't really anything.”
“We held hands and escaped together, us.”
“Who held ha—!”
Daisy nearly yelled, then clamped her mouth. Worried last time from her fear, but now they suit as a sub-couple. Grumpy girl and smirking guy? Classic combo.
Expected more bickering, but Daisy shut up, stalling things, so onto the main topic.
“So, what's the request?”
Daisy clenched her clasped hands.
“I'm… an orphan.”
Ah, spilling backstory to bond with Jelly. Flows even with me here.
“Abandoned so young I don't remember, raised at the orphanage. Luckily, the director's kind—even now independent, I visit sometimes.”
Info I got threatening the butler—dunno how to react. Admit background check? Villainess vibes, despised. Stay quiet, feign ignorance.
“Today I visited, and everyone was gone.”
What? Why a disappearance in romance-fantasy?
One guess: Daisy and Jelly escaped slave traders. Could recur.
“Lady, my wish. Find the director and kids.”
“Wow, sounds annoying just hearing it.”
Jelly, shut your mouth! Why trample this smooth romance route?
But Daisy's deep story aside, heroine's Kanna. Sub-couples link late, so Jelly's disinterested now. You'll regret it later, Jelly.
“Fine. I'll find them.”
Glared at Jelly, answering for it. Houseguest anyway—does what I say. Don't complain about overwork; it's for your future.
Smashed Kanna's route, so pair sub-couple properly. Kanna, I'll hook you with the world's best. Gabriel's my lifeline….
But will Kanna romance? She's yelling 'friendship over love!' to the villainess now.
“Any guesses?”
“Troy.”
“Troy?”
Possible slave trader link. Asked for guesses, got a name. Trader's name?
“Director's son. Real son. That scum did it.”
Daisy explained Troy.
Kind director's son was nasty and twisted since childhood. Jealous of equal love for all kids.
Especially violent toward director's favorites.
“Once poured hot stew on a friend's arm pre-adoption, scarring and ruining it.”
Tormented chubby kids as pigs, starving them; hogged spots for noble volunteers.
“Said it's fine as director's son. Scolded but unrepentant.”
What trash exists?
“Grew up, they couldn't take it and kicked him out. Still visits, ranting to shut down the 'such things' orphanage.”
Romance-fantasy logic: Troy tied to slavers. Maybe involved in kids' vanishing.
Wait, Troy. Never seen his face, but villainess iron fist incoming.
