Chapter 40
Since Gabriel's taking her, maybe I can visit later and ask? He said last time they'd capture the convent director too. Come to think of it, both are directors. High positions always have the most corruption, huh?
“All done.”
As I trudged back, Gabriel had just finished hearing the full story from Daisy.
“Sir Gabriel said he'll take the children.”
Kanna updated me on the conversation.
“It'd be hard for the two of you to take responsibility for them, so we're planning to place them in the temple's childcare facility.”
Fair enough. Daisy and Troy are young themselves. They'd struggle managing all the kids.
“Load the children into the carriage.”
At Gabriel's order, the knights moved efficiently.
Suddenly, the kids rushed over and bowed deeply at our waists.
“Th-thank you, thank you.”
One brave kid, undaunted even by Evangeline, stepped forward as representative to express gratitude. Bit his tongue mid-sentence, slurring a bit.
“...Yeah.”
Receiving thanks felt oddly novel. Even Raphaella's gratitude last time left me a bit dazed….
Every time novel characters acted so lifelike, they felt truly alive. Having cleared the major hurdle of thanking us, the kids followed the knights back to the carriage.
Troy decided to go with them, worried they'd be anxious alone. Daisy stayed behind, saying she had business with me.
Wait, didn't Troy borrow money? Hope he didn't blow it…. Sensing my unease, Gabriel assumed it was about him and explained further.
“...I'm from there too. So no need to worry about the children getting hurt again.”
What? Gabriel suddenly dropped an orphanage backstory bomb.
“Staying in an orphanage doesn't fix everyone's path in life either.”
Gabriel listed perks like he ran the place. Yeah, strict on education but equally strict on operations—no corruption, respects career freedom, ample support—unlike typical orphanages, it's top-notch, got it! Stop!
“I see. Reassuring to hear it from you, Sir.”
Only then did Gabriel halt his pitch. He looked less like a rom-fantasy male lead and more like a salesman just now.
Time for us to go too. Jelly and its friend boarded the carriage. Pudding followed Jelly's lead.
As I moved to board, the two kids from earlier approached again. Ranan and Yulma, right?
We already said goodbyes—what now?
“Can we come with you?”
“Ranan! What are you saying all of a sudden?”
Daisy panicked at the unconsulted request.
“If we get out safely, I promised Yulma we'd find work.”
“I know it's cheeky, but… Kanna sis told us to at least ask.”
Kanna avoided my gaze. When did she bond with the kids? The heroine, in love with the villainess, must want to spread word of my reform far and wide.
No big deal anyway. I could just donate, but they're asking for jobs—commendable.
“If it's my mansion, I'll give you work.”
“Thank you!”
Just offering jobs, yet they lit up. Natural for kids succeeding at job-hunting. Daisy looked anxious, though. Worried about mistakes since it's their first time working?
“My Lady, but….”
“If you're that worried, come back to the mansion too. Got nowhere else, right?”
“...Yes.”
Easy fix—join them. Plus, with Jelly there, won't Daisy and Jelly naturally grow closer under one roof? Troy's elsewhere.
“Me too!”
Then another kid piped up. That aggro-pulling one.
“Mary!”
Daisy got truly mad this time. Yeah, Ranan and Yulma are old enough, but Mary's too young.
“Sorry. I'll send her back right away.”
“Can't work, but staying's fine.”
What's one more kid? Not like I'll starve feeding her.
“...Thank you.”
Daisy gripped Mary's hand tightly in thanks. Her bowing frame looked especially small. The director forced a kid to parent another.
While we sorted that, Gabriel finished up. Temple carriages were ready, waiting for him. But didn't he come to the mansion for me?
“Come to think of it, didn't you have business with me?”
“Yes. I had something to say, but… couldn't send the kids off without a guardian.”
Fair. Better with the knight commander for ten kids suddenly.
So, farewell here.
Gabriel extended his hand. Another noble greeting? Too embarrassing to call it a hand-kiss.
Planned gloves next time, but never imagined seeing him today—bare-handed now. Still, it's courtesy, so fine.
I placed my hand in Gabriel's. He bent at the waist and pressed his lips to it. Soft sensation—what? Soft?
“Today's visit skipped procedure—my mistake. So I'll call on you tomorrow. Formally.”
Th-this crazy guy…. Too shocked for words. Did he just actually kiss it? And so casually? Right, you're a rom-fantasy native!
Gabriel left me stunned. A knight remained in his place.
Fantasy melon-colored hair. Why stay?
“Thrilled to see you again. Do you remember me?”
Looks familiar…. Ah! The one I poured Holy Water on!
“You from then?”
“Yes! I'm Michel, saved by you, my Lady. Too hectic then for proper thanks—regretted it. Heard the commander was visiting, so I tagged along. Heard you saved the kids today too. As I felt before, so merciful.”
“Michel, enough—let's go.”
Gabriel urged, and melon-head bowed deeply before leaving. Roughly means my good deed points rose, right?
“Miss, shall we head out?”
Yeah.
Worried it'd be cramped for everyone, but the carriage was comfy. Where'd Jelly's friend and the kids go? No Hena either. Thought they all boarded.
“Mr. Jelly sent them to the mansion first.”
Kanna explained; I slapped my knee. Right, Jelly's specialty is teleportation too. Underrated it today, treating him like a mere good-sniffer dog.
“You go ahead. I have business with Daisy.”
“Should I not hear it?”
Not really. I shook my head.
“Then I'll stay too.”
Pudding eyed if it could join, so I picked it up onto my lap.
Jelly said it'd go ahead, told the coachman Rohanson Mansion, and vanished.
Wheels rolled big as the carriage started.
Didn't Kanna and Daisy bond a bit earlier? Must've been my imagination—silence now.
Normally, Kanna's heroine sociability would shine, but wrong opponent. Am I the only one enduring this quiet? Got stuff to discuss anyway—might as well.
Kids found now, so casual ask okay? Too conscienceless on her shattered mentality?
Whatever.
“Daisy.”
“...Yes.”
“About the price for granting your wish.”
Daisy swallowed. Tension obvious.
“Just answer my questions honestly.”
Not demanding anything harsh. Just straight answers? Total freebie!
“What did you tell Gabriel about me?”
Daisy inhaled sharply. Looked ready to bolt, but can't from a moving carriage. I waited leisurely; after long hesitation, Daisy finally spoke.
“To Sir Gabriel…. I said you're not my lady.”
“What?”
What does that mean? Quit mansion work, so not your charge anymore?
“Y-you're not Evangeline Rohanson. I told him that.”
Wait, wait, wait!
They know I'm possessed? When! Why! Amnesia buildup was perfect!
Like not spotting a magical girl—possession shouldn't be noticed either! Can possession stories reveal it?
Sure, sometimes confessed near end or as emotional hurdle. But I'm just pond-managing? Gabriel shielding, or I'd be executed now.
And she told him?
Common sense: won't know possession, think ghost or demon. Gabriel too?
But he showed no sign earlier….
Then his 'business' tomorrow is this? Chills. H-how to face Gabriel tomorrow?
‘Wish tomorrow never comes.’
Hate myself for casually okaying his visit.
She told Hena too?
Explains Hena's low energy. Sudden 'your lady's someone else'—betrayal, confusion natural.
And now Kanna knows. Skip Pudding. Knew it'd be this, should've sent Kanna ahead!
No choice. Before Gabriel exorcises me, desensitize them first. Build immunity.
“Kanna. What do you think? Feel betrayed?”
