anwhile, back in the new district, Virgil had arranged for Andre and Jennie’s security. This ti, he specifically assigned two Tier 5 individuals to rotate shifts guarding the couple.
He then sat with the couple, waiting for them to wake up naturally.
Jennie was the first to stir. Opening her eyes, she saw Andre still asleep beside her and Virgil sitting at a nearby table.
“Ah, young man, I recognize you...” she said, looking at Virgil.
“Do you rember what happened last night?” Virgil asked, leaning forward.
“Let think...” Jennie rubbed her temples, recalling the events.
Last night, she and her husband had gone downstairs, only for her husband to collapse by the door and a black-clad figure to appear. After that, she had lost consciousness.
“It seems soone tried to break in last night,” Jennie said. “Was it you who saved us?”
“Yes.” Virgil nodded. “And you don’t need to call ‘young man.’ Call Virgil.”
“Alright, Brother Virgil, thank you.” Jennie sat up, looking at him.
“Tell the truth, Brother Virgil—are you from the Duke’s household?”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, I’ve never seen you before, and the very night you appeared, we were attacked. It seems too coincidental.”
“Alright, to be honest, I am indeed soone from the Duke’s household,” Virgil said, nodding. “Last night, a group of people took money from soone to try and kidnap you. I happened to be nearby, saw what was happening, and imdiately called for reinforcents to rescue you. When I saw you were still unconscious, I decided to wait until you woke up to inform you.”
“I see...” Jennie glanced outside. Seeing the sun high in the sky, her expression turned apologetic. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting, Brother Virgil.”
“It’s no trouble.” Virgil smiled and shook his head. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“Brother Virgil, since you’re from the Duke’s household, can you tell how Litte is doing lately?” Jennie asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“Young Master Litte...” Virgil smiled. “He’s doing very well in the family. Everyone loves him. Recently, he started attending the Imperial Academy and even earned the top spot in his class. His future is incredibly bright.”
“That’s good to hear.” Jennie nodded. “Brother Virgil, could I ask you to keep sothing secret?”
“What secret?” Virgil asked, his expression curious.
“Ah, never mind,” Jennie quickly said, realizing he might not know what she was referring to. She relaxed slightly.
“Anyway, thank you, Brother Virgil.”
“You’re welco.” Virgil shook his head, then added, “Please be cautious over the next few days. Avoid going out at night, and during the day, try to stick together and not separate.”
“Also, I apologize... I couldn’t convince the Duke to let you stay at the estate...”
“It’s fine,” Jennie said, waving it off. “To be honest, we’re used to the simple life. Back then, it was all about toiling in the fields, hoping for a good harvest so we wouldn’t go hungry. Moving into a grand estate would just feel uncomfortable.”
“As for people targeting us... our lives aren’t worth much. It’s not a big deal.”
“I can’t have children. To us, Litte felt like our own. We understand the Duke’s feelings, and as long as Litte is doing well, our hearts as parents are at ease.”
“Alright, enough of my rambling. Brother Virgil, you must have other matters to attend to. Don’t let us keep you.”
“Alright...” Virgil nodded, standing up.
Ah, the hearts of parents.
Though Virgil was an orphan, without parents, this only heightened his appreciation for the warmth of family.
Because he had never experienced it, he imagined it to be sothing fantastically beautiful.
Andre, Jennie, and Lucius all loved Litte in their own ways.
As he set off for Saint Roland City, Virgil couldn’t help reflecting on this.
—
At the Imperial Academy.
Today, Litte was attending Hecatia’s alchemy class. She was the only student in the class, making for a relaxed atmosphere.
For the most part, the two worked independently. When Litte had questions, she would approach Hecatia, and when Hecatia felt bored, she would strike up conversations with Litte.
“Um... Professor Hecatia, do you have more of that potion you gave last ti?” Litte suddenly asked while working with her alchemy equipnt.
“Or... could you tell the recipe and proportions? I could make it myself.”
“Well... I do have so left,” Hecatia said as she quietly approached Litte from behind, tapping her on the shoulder.
The sudden gesture startled Litte. She quickly turned, her guard up.
Seeing that it was Hecatia, she sighed in relief.
“Professor Hecatia, please don’t scare like that.”
“You’re too easily startled, Litte. It’s just the two of us in this room.”
“Here’s the potion you wanted,” Hecatia said, holding the bottle out to Litte.
As Litte reached for the bottle, Hecatia pulled it back, leaving her grasping at thin air.
“Professor, please don’t tease ,” Litte couldn’t help but say.
“Litte, you rember that last ti I gave you this potion as compensation because you were upset, right?”
“Yes.” Litte nodded.
“Then I can’t just give it to you without a reason,” Hecatia said. “Tell , Litte, what do you plan to do with this potion?”
“N-nothing...” Litte turned her flushed face away, avoiding Hecatia’s gaze.
There was no way she could admit that she wanted to use the potion to put Orson to sleep again so she could take advantage of him.
She had tried that before, but when Orson hadn’t taken the potion and wasn’t naturally tired, he would wake up the mont she approached him.
Each ti he caught her, Litte could only awkwardly pretend she was sleepwalking, letting Orson wake her up.
Recently, Orson hadn’t been busy with Student Council duties, so he wasn’t tired at all.
As a result, Litte found no opportunities to approach him.
Most importantly, Litte could feel that Orson’s patience was gradually wearing thin. If she kept disturbing him like this, he would definitely start locking his door, which would an that she would have absolutely no chance in the future.
“Really?” Hecatia stared at Litte, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Really!” Litte nodded firmly.
“Sigh.” Hecatia let out a long sigh and then continued, “Alright, Litte, I won’t tease you anymore.”
“Litte, do you like Orson?”
“Eh?!” Litte looked at Hecatia in shock, her face instantly turning bright red.
“Professor Hecatia... what... what are you saying... Orson, he... he’s my...”
“I know, he’s your brother,” Hecatia said, nodding. “But he’s only been your brother for a short ti, right? And he’s not even a biological brother—not even a little bit related by blood.”
“Over this ti, he’s been taking good care of you, hasn’t he? So, as a girl, it’s completely normal for you to develop feelings for such a handso, kind, and considerate guy, isn’t it?”
The latter part of Hecatia’s speech had an overly deliberate tone, as if soone had coached her to say it this way. However, Litte, lost in her flustered thoughts, failed to notice this detail.
At that mont, Litte’s mind was a whirlwind of panic. Oh no, soone’s figured out that I like Orson! This is so embarrassing! I want to grab Orson and hide in a cave forever, or maybe bury myself underground and never co out again!
“Litte? Litte?” Hecatia waved her hand in front of Litte’s face, noticing the girl was completely frozen.
“Ah... I’m here...” Litte finally snapped back to reality, lowering her head, her face still flushed. “Professor Hecatia... when did you figure it out?”
“I started suspecting it the mont I found out you were a girl,” Hecatia said directly. “And recently, after noticing how you interact with Orson and hearing a few things about your daily life together, I beca certain.”
“Eh? Eh?”
“Anyway, here, take the potion.” Hecatia extended the bottle toward Litte.
“But let warn you—this potion does have side effects.”
“Huh?” Litte froze upon hearing that, her expression quickly becoming panicked.
“Side effects? What do you an?”
With her mind racing, Litte’s voice beca tinged with urgency. “Professor Hecatia! You never ntioned this potion had side effects before!”
You’ve got to be kidding ! If the side effect turns out to be poisoning or a curse or sothing awful, I might as well just die now! Orson treats so well, and I’ve gone and done such a terrible thing to him...
“But you never asked, Litte. Isn’t it common knowledge that every dicine has so level of toxicity?” Hecatia muttered under her breath before continuing, “Relax, relax. While there are side effects, they’re not that big of a deal.”
“The potion was made using Orson’s hair as the material, rember? So, after soone drinks it, their hair will grow considerably longer for a little while. But that’s all. Just cut it off, and it’s no problem.”
“Phew...” Hearing this, Litte finally let out a long breath of relief.
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