Chapter 33
See. They say if you look ordinary, you have no charm. Or not? If an extraordinary person looks ordinary up close, it conversely makes them feel approachable and likable?
Hmm. From my rom-fantasy knowledge, the latter seems more common. It's no wonder tyrants or northern dukes are so popular. It's not just because they're powerful—they act like ordinary guys overflowing with love only for their heroine, and that's what hooks people.
“First, to Ainoa Orphanage.”
“Did I mention the orphanage name?”
Oh shoot. Did I not say the orphanage name? How to play this off? Admitting a background check would be awkward.
“You said it earlier.”
“…I see.”
Can't spit in a smiling face, so I smiled silently, trying to implant the memory. Fortunately, Daisy bought it with an 'oh, must've.' Feels like I'm the one magnanimously overlooking it…. Nah, probably not?
Since the original destination was Ainoa Orphanage, we arrived smoothly without getting lost. No navigation in this world, yet the coachman found the way perfectly. Daisy was impressed too, staring at him in awe even after disembarking.
“That coachman….”
“Yeah. The one from back then. Pretty reliable, right?”
Must be the coachman who shares memories with Daisy and Jelly. What? That's weird! A couple sweetly promising love with a coachman…. A couple strolling with a coachman…. Fits nowhere—what exactly did those three do!
“We rode that carriage when we escaped.”
Jelly gave a curt explanation. Ah, right, that happened. A desperate fleeing couple with a coachman…. Yeah, okay. Not weird. I can vividly picture the coachman's frantic whipping. Daisy scowled the moment Jelly spoke.
“Calling a person reliable.”
“A person? You think he looks human? You're hilarious too.”
I look human though.
But Jelly's acting like that means he's not human. Whoa, is he kin? Like the same werewolf? Knowing they were kin, he risked helping escape from slave traders. Coachman uncle's a good guy! No, good non-human!
While same-species friends hustle for cash, our Jelly mooches off a noble. Best born as a rich house pet, huh. Well, I once dreamed of reincarnating as a rich house cat too.
Tearing eyes from the couple—no, trio—I looked at the orphanage.
“It's quiet.”
As Kanna said, even accounting for early evening, it was eerily silent, and the streetlamps were dimly flickering, low on gas. Being outskirts and not a wealthy area, maintenance was poor.
Dim lights make it spooky, huh? Like ghosts might appear. I've never watched horror movies with ghosts, even on pain of death.
It's fine, calm down. No ghost episodes in this rom-fantasy world. Unless the heroine sees ghosts or something contrived, no random spirits. Surely not?
“Kanna, can you see it?”
Too scared to say 'ghost' myself, skipped the subject. Ghosts stick if you mention them. Chills just thinking. No subject, but Kanna gets my weird phrasing fine. Rom-fantasy heroines' perceptiveness works everywhere but romance.
“Yes. I can see it.”
What! No, isn't this just a dark rom-fantasy? Why add ghost-seeing! Ghosts are horror—that's genre shift. Hate it!
“That person, what are they doing over there?”
I hate ghosts…! Wait, a person?
Calming, I focused where Kanna pointed. At the orphanage entrance, a shadowy figure lurked. Staggering oddly, but definitely human. Phew, relief. Thought it was a ghost.
“Troy…?”
Troy? Daisy sounded uncertain, but if not mistaken, definitely Troy. Fast plot progression.
“Jelly.”
“Me? Again?”
Urging him to shine, Jelly rebelled. Who else? Me in high heels? Your future girlfriend? Our flower-like Kanna? Or Pudding who can't talk yet?
Hey, you didn't sniff out Troy, at least catch him!
Jelly snapped fingers obnoxiously, freezing Troy mid-escape. Culprit walked right into confession. Just ask where orphanage folks were sold.
About to, but Troy suddenly face-planted forward. Behind him, Daisy stood holding a shoe. She'd snuck behind and whacked his head with the heel.
“You really love back-of-head strikes.”
Jelly muttered 'he's not dead, right?' checking Troy's nape. Relieved no blood. Loves nape strikes? Daisy's…. pretty aggressive.
***
“Ugh, reeks of booze.”
Keen-nosed Jelly pinched his nose. Staggering from drunk, huh. Face beet-red from booze. Sold kids, got paid, drank it up. Classic fantasy villain.
“Hey. Wake up.”
Jelly shook by collar, but Troy stayed out cold. Already head-smashed, shaking more—he might not recover sane, so I stopped Jelly.
Troy flopped ragdoll-like on release. Still no signs of waking.
“Might take a while to come to.”
“Sorry for stepping in.”
Daisy bowed tight-gripping the shoe she'd used, at delay warning. Heel not that high—how'd she KO him? Not hit myself, but nape stings. Really glad she didn't target mine.
“Let's wait inside till he wakes.”
Enter orphanage, wait there.
Wanna wait in carriage, but too cramped. Not count's—standard four-seater. Can't leave KO'd Troy outside as shoe stand.
Bonus: search inside for evidence.
“The door….”
Unlocked. Past iron gate like prison bars, modest front yard for kids' play, pitch-black orphanage building—no lights.
Streetlamps dying made it murkier. Moon hidden, pitch dark. Using faint cloud-filtered light, crossed yard. Jelly dragged Troy by collar fine.
“Bedrooms probably have candles.”
Silently followed Daisy. Footsteps shattered silence. So quiet.
“Here.”
Already there? Big room with multiple beds for kids. Daisy rummaged drawer, lit candle. Flame whooshed, flickering red on her face.
Daisy held one; Kanna and Jelly took others.
“This okay?”
Jelly dumped Troy on bed, plopped at edge. Kid bed creaked under two adults. Daisy eyed bed warily.
“Kids' bed—be careful.”
“Kids aren't here.”
“Lady said she'd find them.”
Kids…. No matter sub-couple bickering, not now…. Glared; they shut up. Wouldn't early bonding be nice?
“…….”
Silence fell.
Kanna ignored Daisy, staring blankly at flame; Daisy fidgeted watching Troy; Jelly played hand-games with Pudding on bed.
Troy showed no signs. Wasting time—stood.
“Lady?”
“Gonna look around inside.”
Wanna hide scared, but if idle and Daisy complains later 'what'd you do?', trouble. At least show effort moving.
Kanna rose naturally; Pudding leaped to my arms.
“I'll come too.”
Daisy grabbed candle, stood. Smart—me and Kanna might get lost alone.
“Jelly, stay here.”
“Yeees. I'll watch him good.”
Jelly waved lazily. Left bedroom, wandered rooms. Bathroom empty, halls lifeless, dining room…. Soup smell hit entering.
“Dining room used recently?”
Kanna eyed unwashed cookware. Yeah, smell lingers—maybe yesterday max.
Kidnapped today? Close miss arriving early. But just one day—kids likely safe. Relief.
Then odd sound.
“B—oomph.”
Eek. What? No signs inside, yet voice-like on wind.
Like hungry mutter—starved orphan ghost from funding woes? Not scary, just sad.
Only I heard? Real ghost? Arms chilled. Hugged Pudding tight, sidled to Kanna.
