Chapter 63
“…Are you in puberty?”
“Maybe.”
Hogu answered as he brushed his bangs aside.
Even though he kept saying strange things, he didn’t look like a lunatic at all—only his face made that possible. Judging by his clothes, he seemed like a child from a noble family, but his parents probably caused quite a bit of trouble.
Eluana stepped boldly into the open orphanage and immediately shouted,
“This person wanted to donate, so I brought them here!”
The mention of a donation made the children lift their heads from various corners.
Eluana took a moment to look around the orphanage. It had quite a homely appearance. Though the building and furniture were old and worn, everything was clean. The children’s clothes were the same—though some showed signs of wear, they were spotless and tidy.
Hogu seemed to think the same and admired it.
“The person managing this place must be diligent.”
“Indeed. It’s maintained much better than I expected.”
Eluana agreed, looking toward the interior where there were signs of life.
Meanwhile, Hogu peeked around, making eye contact with each child who was curious about the visitor. When he waved lightly, the children blushed and quickly disappeared.
A moment later, a priest appeared from the inner door. Eluana’s eyes widened—she recognized him.
A person who made you feel you should live virtuously just by looking into their eyes.
“Priest?”
With silver hair and a white priest’s robe that suited him remarkably well, he was the priest who had treated Eluana in Aden.
“Miss. We meet again. How have you been?”
Eluana stepped forward when the priest acknowledged her.
“Thank you for that time. I didn’t know you were stationed in the Spes Duchy.”
“My name is Lotus. This is one of the orphanages I manage. Usually, I am in Arcas.”
“How many do you manage?”
“Three.”
Eluana admired him, and Lotus’s violet eyes sparkled.
“Is it you making the donation?”
The predatory glint in his violet eyes reminded her of Kairon.
“No, it’s this person,” Eluana said, pointing to Hogu.
After seeing Hogu’s face, Lotus spoke in an exaggerated tone:
“This is quite the combination. I never expected Marquis Peggy Mill’s heir and Miss of the Spes Duchy to come together.”
“Huh?”
Eluana blinked in disbelief, and then she finally noticed Alex’s face, which seemed full of things to say.
‘Is he really Marquis Peggy Mill’s heir?’
“You are Eluana Vita Spes?”
Hogu seemed just as surprised. When Eluana nodded, he laughed in disbelief.
“I’m Peggy Mill. Call me Fortio. Shavia told me about you.”
If Shavia had told him…
“I have a feeling it’s not a good story.”
“You know me well. Be careful—she has no mercy.”
“I don’t intend to seek mercy. I’m not the one who should.”
Eluana’s defiant response made Fortio theatrically surprised, and his playful gesture lightened the atmosphere slightly.
“By the way, why are you in the Spes Duchy?”
“I came to escape nagging. Today was the presentation day. Not many people here would recognize me, so it’s good for passing the time.”
“Meeting someone for an engagement?”
“Usually, families discuss it and arrange engagements. But I’ve broken engagements three times before,” Fortio said with an amused smile. Even that smile, hypnotic enough to make her head throb slightly, was captivating.
“Then the other party would be waiting for you.”
“Better they wait for a few hours and be stood up than marry me.”
Somehow, that reasoning made sense.
Clearing his throat, Lotus’s eyes lit up.
“So, how much do you plan to donate?”
“This is what I have now,”
Fortio pulled a gold coin from a silk pouch and held out the rest. Lotus’s eyes sparkled when he opened the pouch. The coins inside jingled brilliantly.
“Gwangeong will join too,” he said.
Smiling broadly, Lotus looked at Eluana.
“Since you’re here, Miss, you can donate too and receive God’s blessing.”
Originally, Eluana had planned to donate. The clean and trustworthy atmosphere of the orphanage and gratitude toward Lotus, who had treated her, prompted it. But with Peggy Mill next to her, things changed.
Eluana had to act as if she were a recently adopted noblewoman.
“I haven’t been allocated a budget yet. I’ll come back when it’s assigned.”
Trying to pass it off lightly, Fortio stepped in without tact.
“The Spes Duchess only officially enrolled the child without proper care? I’ll donate for the child’s share. Send the orphanage’s annual budget to the Marquis. I’ll approve it.”
Eluana frowned.
“Why, Fortio?”
“I have plenty of money. Donations are fun, and it’s interesting.”
“I’ll donate once I get a budget allocation.”
“If both of you donate, that would be great. There are three orphanages after all,” Lotus said, smiling brightly, showing his intention to gather as much donation as possible.
“Lotus is very different from his first impression,” Eluana thought.
“He cares for the children according to God’s will, but what really helps is not faith—it’s gold coins,” Lotus said, showing the silk pouch in his hand.
He was a practical priest, but he didn’t seem bad. The children’s curious eyes were alive and full of energy.
“Alright, I’ll come back, Lotus,” Eluana said, bowing and turning to leave. Fortio followed closely.
“Leaving now that your business is done?”
“You weren’t part of the party.”
“Because I’m Peggy Mill?”
Bingo.
“Uh… yes, actually.”
Eluana answered awkwardly and kept her mouth shut. Fortio wasn’t unpleasant or uncomfortable—he was strange but not bad. Yet, he was Peggy Mill, and being entangled with him was never good.
Fortio smiled wryly and stepped back.
“Take care.”
With a light farewell, he turned and walked away.
‘Why do you look so wounded? Makes me feel sorry for no reason.’
Eluana’s taste felt bitter. Watching Fortio walk away, she moved on with slightly heavier steps to the final place: the magic shop.
In fact, she didn’t need to buy any magical items. Most items in the Spes Duchy’s magic shop were created by 1–2 circle magicians. Considering that the Ducal warehouse had various artifacts made by 4–5 circle magicians, it wasn’t a necessary purchase. But she came to maintain appearances.
Today’s shopping had the pretense of being for “Louis,” who would temporarily leave the Duke’s mansion for successor training. As they approached the entrance, Alex, following quietly, spoke.
“Don’t be surprised if you see people who look like children inside. The core is an old magician.”
“Oh, okay,” Eluana replied and stepped inside. A child with pigtails welcomed them.
“Welcome to the magic shop. What are you looking for?”
Although the child’s appearance felt off, Eluana concealed her discomfort.
“I’d like to see protective magical items. I have a reservation.”
“You are Miss Spes, I see. This way, please. I will take you to the first room. Someone is waiting inside.”
The child smiled. Had Alex not mentioned that the “core is an old magician,” she might have instinctively patted the child’s head.
Alex explained that the first room was reserved for VIPs. Following the child, the atmosphere felt tense. Magicians in robes were busy, and even the ordinary staff moved awkwardly.
“What’s going on?”
As she entered, Eluana heard an unwelcome voice.
“Seeing me again?”
Drawn to it, she looked and saw Regis sitting in a luxurious chair. A servant with an eye patch stood behind him. Regis. What an unpleasant coincidence.
Or was it really a coincidence?
It was hard to imagine why the First Prince would be in the Spes Duchy’s magic shop. Moreover, he had said someone was waiting when she was guided in. Initially, she dismissed it lightly, but now suspicion was unavoidable.
Eluana raised her eyebrows and greeted lightly.
“Prince, it’s an honor to see you.”
“Seeing you often. Your greeting is getting better.”
“Thank you, Prince.”
“Is that all?”
“Do you need more words?”
Normally, a young lady would feel grateful for such a coincidence, but Eluana still looked annoyed.
Regis smirked.
“You’ll dismiss the guards, right? It’s cramped here.”
Eluana sighed slightly and nodded at Alex. Alex left the first room reluctantly and signaled Ring.
Ring nodded resolutely.
“You said you’re shopping for the child’s travel items,” Regis said.
Eluana stiffened at his presumption.
It wasn’t a coincidence. If he came upon hearing that she would go shopping in the Duchy, it bordered on obsessive. Her next thought was, ‘How did he know?’
She had told the servants this morning that Louis would leave, asking them to prepare items she would buy.
And Regis had appeared in the Duchy—specifically at the last destination she had reserved, the magic shop.
Eluana smoothed her almost-twisted expression.
“I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from excessive attention.”
“Where is your younger brother going?”
Eluana quickly prepared an excuse.
“He’s attending successor training. There are many overly attentive people around. Were you really waiting for me?”
“Oh, I just asked for the same time slot as you since everything else was booked. We’re not strangers; that’s reasonable, isn’t it? Buy what you need and go.”
Regis surprisingly stepped back. Eluana bowed slightly and approached the awkward magician.
“Protective magical items are prepared this way.”
While Eluana examined the items, Ring subtly positioned himself to block Regis’s view. Even though Ring’s intentions were obvious, Regis merely smiled faintly and did not react.
