‘Changing your tune, are we….’
‘Ack, enough!’
Feeling a bit overwheld by Astina’s antics, I dismissed the status window.
Right now, I stood at a crucial crossroads—whether I would be accepted as the ward of the Pluto Ducal House or not.
“You’re such a kind child. What’s your na?”
“It’s Crescent.”
“My goodness, even your na is so radiant….”
At that mont, Eva approached with a delighted smile.
“Marchioness Pluto, Crescent is truly a kind and gentle child. All the children at the orphanage adore and love her. Crescent is also very thoughtful toward her friends. Just a few days ago, she collected leftover apple seeds to plant them in the ground.”
“…Is that so? How warm-hearted.”
Replying softly, Lady Rearwin turned to Eva with a question.
“Director Eva, would it be possible for to have a mont to speak privately with this child?”
“Oh? Of course, of course! Crescent, would that be alright with you?”
“Yes!”
I answered cheerfully, showing I had no objections.
The idea of having a private conversation with Lady Rearwin filled with a good feeling.
Lady Rearwin smiled, her expression brighter than the sunlight.
***
“I co from the North, from the Pluto Ducal House. Have you heard of it?”
As we began to stroll through the forest together, Lady Rearwin asked the question while keeping her gaze fixed on .
‘She’s so adorable… her head is as round as an apple… Is she really not a doll? Look at that peach-fuzz on her cheeks… It’s so cute I could die…!’
Everything about the child seed to put her heart at risk. Could soone’s heart actually stop from an overdose of cuteness?
Crescent smiled sweetly up at her.
“Yes! I adore it!”
“Oh? You adore our family?”
The girl nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes! My favorite fairy tale is about the Holy Knight Baldwin Pluto defeating the Great Demon King Baal. The Pluto Ducal House is the strongest Holy Knight family ever!”
“…Ah, yes, that story does exist. Now that I think about it, it would be odd if you didn’t know it.”
“Hehe.”
“Hohoho….”
Small bursts of laughter blossod between Lady Rearwin and Crescent.
Lady Rearwin felt as if a warm spring breeze had passed through her chest. What an unbelievably heartwarming sensation.
It was the first ti she had ever felt this way.
She was talking to a child she had just t, yet her heart swelled with emotion.
‘And this child… she resembles . Her nose… her nose looks like mine.’
The small, rounded, elegantly sculpted nose.
The world often called her nose a “masterpiece,” praising how it radiated a unique sense of nobility and elegance unmatched by anyone.
And Crescent had that very sa nose.
“…Little one.”
“Yes?”
Without realizing it, Lady Rearwin called Crescent softly, standing seriously before her.
“The truth is, I ca here for a reason. I’ve been searching for a child to bring to my estate, to live with as their guardian. If I could adopt a daughter, that would be ideal… but unfortunately, I can’t. Instead, I want to do my best to love and cherish the child as their guardian.”
“…Huh?”
The girl’s large eyes wavered slightly.
Lady Rearwin continued, trying to make her words sound as gentle as possible.
“That’s why I’ve been looking for a child who resembles . I can’t have daughters of my own, and I’ve always wanted to see soone who could feel like a daughter to . But as you might guess… I’m quite… exceptional in appearance.”
“That’s true! You’re so radiant!”
“Oh? Thank you, hohoho….”
Lady Rearwin chuckled at the unexpected complint. Composing herself, she spoke again with sincerity.
“I’m glad you think so. Maybe that’s why it’s been so difficult to find soone who looks like . But Crescent…”
“….”
“…You’ve appeared. Especially your nose… That rounded little nose looks just like mine.”
“….”
The girl stared at her silently.
Lady Rearwin gazed back at Crescent with a soft, affectionate expression.
It was ti to make the offer—to ask Crescent if she would like to beco the ward of the Pluto Ducal House and co live with her.
But Lady Rearwin hesitated.
‘What if she says no? She seems happy here at the orphanage… What if I scare her by asking her to co to a strange place with soone she doesn’t know? What if she cries…?’
She was so nervous!
Yet she couldn’t bear the thought of letting this child go.
She wanted to be a supportive roof over this angelic girl who seed to have been crafted with care by the heavens themselves.
She wanted to be a guardian who could act as a mother figure, soone who could cherish her as a beloved younger sister to her sons.
If she could take this child with her, she felt certain she would never again long for a daughter of her own.
But there was one issue.
“Well… The Pluto territory is a dangerous place. It’s the only region where Magi still appear. Thankfully, many Holy Knights live there, so there’s nothing to worry about. Still, if you’re okay with it… I’d like to take you under my care as my ward. What do you think?”
“…Huh?”
Crescent’s eyes widened.
Her sweet, round eyes growing larger made it look like light was pouring out of them.
The girl asked with surprise.
“Magi? There are still places where Magi appear?”
“…Sadly, yes. But don’t worry. It’s so rare that I’ve never even seen one myself. As you know, it’s been 500 years since the Great Demon King Baal disappeared. Our territory in the North remains connected to the Demon Realm, which is why weak Magi occasionally appear. Even so, they’re just low-tier Magi….”
“I see….”
“There’s truly nothing to fear. I’ll guarantee your safety. The Ebony Orphanage seems like such a warm and wonderful place. But at the Pluto estate, you could have a big, beautiful room all to yourself. You could have nicer clothes every day, the best food in the world, and pursue anything you want to learn or do.”
“Ah….”
The girl seed at a loss for words.
Of course, it must be shocking and unexpected.
“If you need ti to think—”
“Would I be able to see Holy Knights defeating Magi?”
“Pardon?”
Lady Rearwin was montarily taken aback by the child’s sudden, enthusiastic question.
Crescent’s eyes sparkled with excitent.
Recovering quickly, Lady Rearwin replied.
“Well, yes. You wouldn’t see it often, but if you live in the Pluto territory, you’d eventually get the chance.”
“Wow….”
“Huh?”
Could it be… that she wanted to see Magi?
What about the nice room and delicious food?
Was she that fascinated by the fairy tale about the Great Demon King Baal?
‘Whatever it is, this is my chance!’
Seeing the child’s interest, Lady Rearwin seized the mont.
“Watching Holy Knights train with their Divine Power is equally impressive! My sons train very diligently as well! Would you like to co with ?”
“Yes! I’d love to go!”
“Really? Truly?”
“Yes. I think it would be so much fun!”
“Oh my goodness! That’s wonderful!”
Without thinking, Lady Rearwin scooped the girl into her arms. She spun her around lightly on the spot before holding her close.
That she had co to her so willingly filled her with gratitude.
As they smiled at each other, Crescent let out a bright, bubbly laugh.
She looked every bit like an angel.
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