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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Duke Adrian (1)
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I wonder if anyone else has ever had to face the person they killed.
No one had ever told her what to do in a situation like this. None of the books she'd read in secret, hidden from Marquis Dallas, had mentioned anything of the sort.
Rosette’s lips parted for a moment, and she instinctively mumbled.
“…orry.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m sorry.”
Duke Adrian showed a hint of confusion.
“For what?”
“Just… for everything.”
Rosette, who had momentarily stopped crying, burst into tears again.
“I’m just sorry for everything.”
The man before her had no memory of it. But that didn't change the fact that Rosette had killed him once.
-Do not cry, child.
-Never return to that man.
Besides, even in the moment of his death at Rosette's hands, Duke Adrian had worried about her being used by Marquis Dallas.
Rosette had killed such a kind man.
Though Joshua's tears had been the final trigger, Rosette had been tormented by guilt ever since killing Duke Adrian.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Duke Adrian looked down with pity at Rosette, who was crying at his feet.
He could understand how she felt. Commoner children Rosette's age often cowered and apologized at the mere sight of a nobleman.
But Rosette seemed different. Though she looked no older than six or seven, she seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders, grieving like an adult.
Feeling an inexplicable sense of compassion, Duke Adrian helped her to her feet.
“Stop crying now. You'll exhaust yourself… no, you'll collapse at this rate.”
Resisting, Rosette shook her head, refusing to get up.
“The wind is cold. Let's go home now. Where do you live?”
Just then, Jane came to her senses and was horrified to see him.
“Gasp! A... a nobleman!”
Seeing Rosette in tears, Jane immediately assumed the worst and dropped to the ground beside her.
“I-I don't know what m-my sister did wrong, but p-please, just this once, spare her. P-punish me instead.”
Duke Adrian looked bewildered for a moment, then turned to the aide standing behind him and murmured with a smile.
“Such devoted sisters, aren't they? It's a fine sight.”
“My lord, I hear they are children from the nearby orphanage.”
“The orphanage?”
“Yes. The one affiliated with the temple you were planning to visit.”
“How fortunate.”
Duke Adrian swiftly lifted Rosette to her feet. Even though she was small for her age, she was still seven years old, yet he seemed to lift her as easily as a feather.
The aide, who had been watching, helped Jane up.
“Now, now, stop crying and let's go back.”
Eager to get away from him, Rosette quickly nodded. Thanks to that, she, Jane, and Duke Adrian rode back to the orphanage in his carriage.
She trembled the entire way, completely unaware of what the duke was thinking.
“Goodness, what on earth happened to you?”
The oldest girl at the orphanage cried out in shock at the sight of Jane. Dried blood was caked all over her body.
Only then did Jane let out a questioning “Huh?”
“That’s strange.”
She patted herself down all over.
“I'm sure I was hit by a rock, but it doesn't hurt!”
“A rock? What rock?”
“Well, people accused me of stealing sweets... they called me a thief and threw rocks at me...”
“What? Those people!”
The oldest girl's eyes narrowed. She rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to storm into the village that very instant. Jane quickly grabbed her by the waist.
“Unni, I'm fine! It doesn't hurt!”
“How can it not hurt when you were bleeding so much? I need to go get a doctor right now!”
“I'm telling you, it's true!”
Jane lifted her bangs to reveal a spotless forehead. When the oldest girl's eyes widened, she showed her arms and knees as well.
“How…”
“I don't know! I passed out for a moment, and when I woke up, I was like this! Unni! Do you think the goddess protected me?”
Unlike the naively murmuring Jane, the oldest girl had seen much of the world and lost her innocence. She didn't believe for a second that this was the work of a goddess's blessing.
“You said Duke Adrian was here.”
Duke Adrian. He must have brought a mage with him. Since he'd brought Jane and Rosette back, he had likely taken pity on Jane and had her healed.
“Jane, if you see Duke Adrian later, be sure to thank him.”
“Huh? Why?”
At the mention of the duke's name, Jane flinched instinctively. Nobles were indeed a source of fear for children.
“Because it seems the Duke had you healed.”
“The Duke? Why me?”
“He's a kind man. He probably couldn't just see you like that and do nothing.”
“But all nobles are bad!”
“Shh, I told you not to say things like that...”
“I do agree with that sentiment to an extent, but there are good nobles as well. Duke Adrian, for example.”
Startled by the sudden voice, the three of them turned toward the sound.
A man with brown hair, dressed in clothes that looked just as expensive as the duke's, was standing there. The young man, who appeared to be in his thirties, adjusted his glasses and approached them.
He gave a slight nod and handed something to Jane. It was the paper bag she had been clutching so dearly in the square.
“Ah! The sweets for Rose!”
Jane snatched the paper bag, but after a look inside, her eyebrows drooped in disappointment.
“Oh, no. They're all crushed. I bought these for my Rose.”
“Unni, I'm fine…”
“I anticipated as much, so I came prepared.”
The brown-haired man produced a paper bag he'd been holding behind his back. It was three times the size of the one Jane had.
Ignoring the oldest girl's attempt to stop her, Jane snatched the bag. It was filled with an assortment of cookies, candies, and chocolates. A sweet aroma wafted out the moment she opened it.
“I can give these to my Rose.”
As Jane beamed with happiness, the man murmured apologetically.
“I apologize, but may I borrow the young lady for a moment?”
Me? Why would Duke Adrian's aide want me? Rosette looked up at Jane and the oldest girl, her face clearly saying she didn't want to go, but they were in no position to refuse a nobleman.
Even if she had said no, the man might have listened, but to the two older girls, a noble was still a terrifying figure. They exchanged a glance before gently pushing Rosette forward.
Finally, Rosette managed to force the words out.
“I don't... want to.”
“There's nothing to be afraid of. If you come with me, you can have some delicious snacks.”
“I want to eat snacks here with my sisters.”
The man hid his unease with a smile.
“In that case, perhaps tomorrow...”
Just then, Jude came running from a distance.
“Rose! The head priest is looking for you!”
“He is? I'll go right now!”
Rosette scurried off, eager to escape the immediate situation. Had she known who was in the director's office, she probably wouldn't have been so hasty.
* * *
The orphanage director wiped a cold sweat from his brow as he faced Duke Adrian, who sat opposite him.
Until now, Duke Adrian had only ever been a patron to the orphanage; they had never had a private meeting like this. For the duke to suddenly request one left the director utterly bewildered.
‘I heard he arrived with some of the children earlier. Could it be that they did something wrong?’
Duke Adrian was known to be generous with children. If he were to take issue with their behavior, they must have done something truly serious.
His mind racing, the director asked.
“What can I do for you, Your Grace?”
“There's a child here named Rosette, is there not? A girl with pink hair and blue eyes.”
“Yes, there is. But may I ask why you're looking for Rose? Did she, perhaps, cause some offense?”
Rose was always so well-behaved, that seemed unlikely. As he puzzled over it, the duke made a declaration that struck him like a bolt from the blue.
“I wish to adopt Rosette into the Adrian family.”
“…”
The sudden proposal left the head priest speechless. The ducal family already had two sons and one daughter. All three were rumored to be exceptionally skilled with the sword, as befitting members of the Adrian family.
With three such capable children, why would he want to adopt Rosette?
The duke's reputation was spotless. Despite his station and being one of the most renowned knights in the empire, he always strove for humility and never flaunted his status. He was said to be a devoted family man, without a single scandal to his name.
But rumors could hide a different side to a person. It was a horrible thought, but the director couldn't help but consider the worst-case scenario.
Finding a new family was a great blessing for the children, but he couldn't knowingly send a child he cared for into danger.
Abuse, pedophilia, a sacrifice... All sorts of negative outcomes flashed through the director's mind.
But as if reading his thoughts, Duke Adrian offered a kind smile.
“I have a fair idea of what you must be thinking, but I assure you, it's nothing of the sort. Please, rest easy.”
He then began to recount a curious story.
“Did you know that Rosette has a talent for magic?”
“Rose? That can't be.”
“No, I saw it with my own eyes. I saw Rosette completely heal her older sister, who had collapsed after being struck by a rock.”
“Struck by a rock and collapsed? Who?”
“A child named Jane, I believe.”
“Good heavens! Jane!”
The head priest was about to leap from his seat and rush out, but Duke Adrian stopped him.
“I confirmed that she is perfectly fine, not a scratch on her, so please do not worry. Of course, I have also taken appropriate measures against those who threw the stones at the child.”
“Stones... but why would anyone do that to such a young child...”
“It seems she was accused of being a thief. You can discuss that with the children later. For now, I would like to talk about Rosette.”
“Ah, I see. But are you certain it was Rose who healed Jane?”
“Unless you are doubting my abilities, then yes.”
The director quickly waved his hands in denial.
“Who in this empire would ever doubt Your Grace's abilities? Then, does this mean you wish to... with Rose...”
Duke Adrian nodded at the director, who had asked the question half in disbelief.
“Yes. I wish to adopt the child and help her develop that ability.”
