Chapter 36
The other children were chattering among themselves, so only I could hear that voice.
Jack’s voice trembled strangely. The fingertips holding onto me were shaking too.
I knew what Jack was afraid of.
Jack’s parents had been murdered by the Emperor. And that same Emperor was trying to kill Jack. For him, the Imperial family and the Emperor must have been nothing short of a nightmare.
That was why I had refused the Imperial family’s sponsorship. Partly to avoid the Emperor’s gaze, but mostly because I knew what Jack was afraid of.
Since Jack was usually so good at managing his emotions, this side of him felt a little unfamiliar.
It overlapped with the memory of him, long ago, telling me he wanted to study.
I stared at Jack for a moment, then pulled him into an embrace.
His body, fuller than before, fit into my arms.
Jack froze. I could feel his surprised gaze on me.
“It’s okay.”
“……”
“Nothing will happen, so don’t worry. You don’t have to be anxious.”
Jack didn’t know that I was aware of his true identity.
So, this was all I could say.
The suddenness of my action made the other children stop chattering and look at us.
After holding Jack for a moment, I let him go and smiled brightly.
“So, you’ll be able to wait patiently, right?”
At my tone—gentle, as though coaxing a child—Jack’s face flushed red. He nodded, answering with a slight grumble.
“I’m not… worried.”
I looked at him with a proud expression, then rose to my feet. Outside, the sound of carriage wheels was drawing near.
Before leaving the room, I spoke to the children.
“And when I come back, I’ll be bringing someone new with me.”
“Someone new?” Ren asked.
I smiled softly and replied,
“Yes. Someone who will protect you all.”
Leaving behind the curious children, I stepped out.
Soon, the carriage that had stopped came into view. It bore no ducal crest.
Still, compared to a carriage from a rental house, it was on a completely different level—splendid and imposing.
Perhaps because it was bound for the Imperial Palace, it looked even larger and more ornate than usual.
“We have come to escort you to the palace.”
The coachman approached and politely opened the door.
Swallowing hard, I climbed in.
The door shut, and the carriage began to move.
It was far too spacious for one person. As I watched the scenery pass by, my mind wandered.
‘It’s only for a day, but will the children be okay without me?’
The doors had been locked securely, and the children wouldn’t leave on their own—but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
‘That’s why I need her.’
I glanced at the travel bag I had set down carefully at my side.
Inside were a rune pouch, a perfume bottle, and a black robe.
They had nothing to do with one another, yet all were essential for the plan ahead.
‘I hope I won’t have to use the rune pouch.’
The truth was, I didn’t know much about her.
She had simply come to mind while I was going over the original story, wondering if something significant was supposed to happen around this time.
‘Lodi’s master.’
Around now, she was being sold at a slave auction.
Sold to a cruel noble, she killed and killed her master’s enemies until she was deemed useless and sold again.
That next place was the gladiator arena where Lodi worked. Their fateful bond began there.
‘But right now, I need her.’
She would surely be a great help in protecting the children.
Everything I had prepared was meant for rescuing her.
‘Will I be able to pull it off?’
Given the place, this plan was going to be extremely dangerous. Even more so than when I had sent a letter to Duke Crayman.
I wondered how he would react if he found out about this plan now.
‘He’d definitely get angry, saying I was getting into dangerous business again.’
Without a doubt.
The thought made me chuckle softly.
“We will arrive at the palace shortly,” the coachman’s voice came from the driver’s seat.
The smile faded from my lips.
From this moment on, I had to be cautious.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, I stepped down from the carriage and looked at the coachman.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“I will also assist with your return journey.”
I shook my head.
“It’s fine. I already have another carriage arranged for my return. You may go back now.”
Of course, I didn’t. But I couldn’t leave in his carriage either.
The moment I did, word would surely reach his ears.
The coachman gave me a worried look.
“But…”
“Really, it’s fine.”
“…Understood.”
Reluctantly, he drove the carriage away.
I stood watching it recede until I sensed someone behind me. Turning, I saw a maid in uniform—likely assigned to guide newcomers to the palace.
I handed her my invitation. After confirming its contents, she bowed and said,
“I will escort you to your room.”
She led the way, and I followed with a resolute expression.
“You may stay in this room until the banquet. If you need anything, please call.”
After the maid left, I looked around the room for a while before sitting down on the bed.
‘Wow, this is comfortable…’
The softness of the mattress melted the tension from my body. I glanced at the wall clock.
‘I left in the morning, but it’s already noon.’
Apparently, <Ciela Orphanage>, like Duke Crayman’s estate, was located on the outskirts of the capital, making the palace quite a distance away.
Still, there was plenty of time until the banquet.
I turned my head toward the terrace, gazing at the view of the palace.
‘I really am in the Imperial Palace…’
A place that would later become a key setting in the original story.
Thinking of it that way, this was a rare opportunity. When else would I have the chance to come here?
‘It wouldn’t hurt to use this chance to familiarize myself with the palace layout.’
I knew about trade routes and the empire’s geography from appendix maps in books, but I didn’t know the palace’s geography.
And since Jack’s connection to the palace was deep, I needed to pay closer attention.
Determined, I shoved my travel bag deep under the bed just in case, and then stepped out of the room.
I wasn’t worried about getting lost—the palace was full of staff, and I could always ask someone for directions.
‘Ah, so refreshing.’
The cool breeze hit as I walked outside.
Following the path, I turned slightly and walked along the outer walls of the buildings, memorizing their shapes and positions.
Using the main palace as my reference point, I intended to later draw a map of what I could see.
As I walked, I eventually wandered far from the main palace.
Still, its tall roof stood out clearly in the distance, making it easy to find my way back.
‘Maybe I should head back now.’
I didn’t know how long I had been walking, but it was clear a long time had passed.
The sun, once high overhead, was already beginning to sink. I turned to retrace my steps.
And then—
Rustle.
A sound came from behind me.
Startled, I spun around.
‘What… what was that?’
No human figure appeared—only thick bushes swaying in the wind.
‘Just the wind…?’
But it felt too deliberate to be mere wind.
Gulp.
I swallowed nervously, tense.
Looking around, I realized I had strayed from the path into the woods. No one else was nearby.
Two choices presented themselves: ignore it and head back, or check out the source of the sound.
Naturally, I leaned toward ignoring it.
After all, this was the Emperor’s domain—the palace. Getting caught up in something unnecessary here would only bring trouble.
I just wanted to finish the banquet safely and move on to my next plan.
So, had I not heard the next sound, I would have ignored it and returned to my room.
“Ugh…”
A muffled sob came from beyond the bushes.
“Hic… sob…”
The faint sound of someone trying to hold back tears.
“Kh… sob…”
I let out a deep sigh.
Then I turned and pushed aside the bushes.
A boy with golden hair stared back at me in shock.
