TSGDO 68

Chapter 68 Strikes When You Let Your Guard Down (2)

Eluciana hesitated for a beat before running her fingers over the forehead that he had touched.

“Has it healed?”

Since there had been no pain from the start, simply touching it wasn’t enough to tell whether it had fully healed.

But judging from Aster’s more relaxed expression, it seemed his words were correct.

Eluciana, glancing around cautiously, carefully spoke.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“You should be more careful from now on. Even a small wound is still a wound.”

“Oh, y-yes.”

“I mean, don’t get used to enduring pain.”

“…!”

With that, Aster started walking again. But Eluciana couldn’t immediately follow.

His last words kept echoing in her mind.

“Don’t get used to enduring pain… sigh…”

Once, long ago, when she was very young, she had said something similar to him.

It was the day Astein’s feet had gotten scratched all over because she was clumsy at ballroom dancing.

Even though he insisted he was fine and smiled, she had told him:

You shouldn’t get used to pain.

…Could this be a coincidence?

“If it’s not a coincidence?”

Eluciana muttered to herself without realizing it, shivering slightly. Why did she keep seeing Astein’s face in Aster’s features?

Was it because of his unusual constitution, which healed wounds faster than normal? Because he was so kind, even going so far as to bring candy while setting up a desk in his office?

Even the little glass bottles, which seemed to be mostly red, made her suspicious—as if they were signals asking her to recognize him.

Sigh… what ridiculous thoughts am I having…

At that moment, Aster turned around.

“Not coming?”

“Ah, y-yes! I’ll go! Let’s go!”

Eluciana dashed forward, leaving just one step of distance between them.

Then, she quietly followed him, occasionally casting him glances whose meaning she didn’t fully understand.

But before she knew it, a small seed of suspicion had taken root in a corner of her heart.

A few days later, it was the weekend.

Duke Sestain wasn’t a cruel employer, so a day off per week was given.

And today happened to be that day off.

Originally, she had planned to come up with ideas according to the instructions of Count Eragost.

Even though half a month seemed like plenty of time, preparing for Count Eragost’s party was no easy task.

The space itself was huge, and to avoid mistakes, meticulous preparation was required more than ever.

But as soon as she opened the store door, that annoying fellow appeared.

Clack, clack, clack.

Riding in the carriage with Noel, Eluciana’s face surprisingly carried a pleasant smile.

“So, you’re really going to sponsor it?”

“I don’t lie, Lucy.”

“Hehe. Well, just for today, I’ll trust what Noel says.”

Seeing the thick money pouch Noel produced, Eluciana’s crimson eyes sparkled.

Noel gave a hollow laugh and shook his head. It was a greedy look she had never seen directed at him before.

But somehow, it looked adorable.

Perhaps because she knew the greed wasn’t for his own benefit.

A soft smile spread across Noel’s face.

“How much further?”

“Almost there. It’s the outskirts, but not too far. Right near the border. We don’t want the children in too remote a place—it’s dangerous.”

“How do you know about such places, Lucy? Have you always been interested?”

“…Haha. Well, yes.”

Eluciana flinched slightly and looked out the carriage window.

“Ah. We’ve arrived just in time.”

“Already?”

“Sir, please stop here.”

The carriage came to a halt, and the two got out in front of the Angel’s House.

The iron-barred gate allowed them to see the lively scene inside at a glance.

“Come on, let’s go in quickly. Hehe.”

“Why are you so excited?”

Eluciana, tugging Noel’s arm, turned back toward him with a mischievous smile.

“They said they like you, right?”

“…Yes? Well, they did say something like that.”

At that moment, Noel felt a shiver run up his arm as if his skin sensed something.

“Our kids also like pretty adults.”

“Eh?”

“Come on, hurry up.”

Pushing the dawdling Noel into the building, Eluciana smiled victoriously.

She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted loudly.

“Childreeeenn!”

“Waaaaah! Lucy unni!”
“There’s a pretty brother too!”
“No, a pretty sister!”
“It’s the angel!”

The children, spotting the two, screamed and surged forward.

Noel unconsciously took a step back at the overwhelming scene.

From his perspective:

“…a pack of wild animals.”

While the children clung to Noel, begging him to play, time flew by.

Angela smiled warmly, watching Eluciana giggle at the window.

“Who is that young master from?”

“Huh? Oh, Noel? Umm, he’s the eldest son of Marquis Klaus.”

Angela tilted her head in slight confusion.

“The eldest son of the Klaus family I know?”

“Yes, Angela.”

“…He seems quite different from what the rumors said.”

“Do you feel that way too? On the outside, he seems very carefree, but inside… he’s delicate, suspicious yet affectionate.”

Eluciana’s eyes curved pleasantly as she spoke.

“So he’s someone precious to you, young lady.”

“Huh? Don’t say things like that, even jokingly. See, I have goosebumps on my arms?”

Rubbing her arms nervously, Eluciana made Angela smile warmly.

“The amount he sponsored is substantial.”

“How much?”

Eluciana, her eyes sparkling again, took them off Noel who was playing tag with the children while carrying Michael on his shoulders.

“Five hundred gold.”

“Whoa. Five hundred gold? That much?”

Seeing the thick pouch, she had thought he had gone a little overboard, but this was far beyond excessive.

Her concern was brief; Eluciana’s eyes shone brightly.

‘Excessive… is it really a problem? It’s a donation, after all. And a voluntary one!’

Angela, on the other hand, looked worried. From experience, such large donations often had other motives.

In the past, Pablo, a sub-owner of the Taark troupe, had tried to force marriage under the pretense of sponsorship.

After he mysteriously disappeared, things went quiet, but Angela had been shocked then.

She felt that the noble young lady’s honor had been reduced to nothing.

“Is it really okay to accept such a huge amount without any strings?”

“It’s fine. Noel said it himself. He just wanted it to help the children.”

“But, young lady…”

Eluciana laughed lightly, anticipating Angela’s concern.

“Angela, my honor is seeing our children eat well, grow strong, and live happily doing what they want.”

“…Young lady.”

“I don’t want them to be swept away by hardships and lose their lives unnecessarily. At least, they should be responsible for their own lives, Angela.”

That’s why she put so much effort into the children’s education. If they could read and write, they could work for a troupe.

Through meaningful work, they could raise their value and maybe someday run their own troupe.

At the very least, they wouldn’t die unfairly doing menial tasks.

“So, use that money to raise them well.”

“Yes, we will, young lady.”

Angela wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled brightly.

“Huh?”

Eluciana suddenly stood from her seat, staring out the window.

“What is it, young lady?”

“Is someone else coming today?”

“No, no appointments.”

“Then, whose carriage is that?”