Chapter 57
“Gifts? But today isn’t any special day.”
The one who answered was Ren.
“Seyd said that during the festival you’re supposed to give presents to people you’re grateful for. So we all prepared something together.”
“……”
For some reason, I felt a lump in my throat. I silently looked at the children one by one.
Maybe the situation felt awkward to them, because they pretended to look elsewhere.
‘So this is what you were sneaking around with yesterday.’
I glanced at Hoyeon. He flinched and gave a forced cough.
“Thank you. I’ll gladly accept it. But I didn’t prepare anything for you… what should I do?”
“You’ve already given us a gift, Director.”
At Idi’s words, I tilted my head.
“Me?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, we’re happy now.”
“But that’s…”
It was simply what you were supposed to have all along.
Seeing the children so happy and thankful for something so natural made my heart ache.
But I kept a smile so it wouldn’t show. I didn’t want to spoil the moment when they had worked so hard to prepare this.
“Thank you so much.”
I took the gift into my arms carefully and said it with all sincerity.
“I’m really happy. You worked so hard.”
“Hehe.”
Seeing me so pleased, the children looked proud. I turned to Hoyeon.
“You worked hard too, Hoyeon.”
Looking after the children.
No doubt they had pestered him while preparing in secret.
But Hoyeon shook his head and replied,
“No, not at all. I enjoyed it too. It was fascinating, actually…”
“Fascinating?”
“Giving gifts to people you’re grateful for—that’s not part of Myeoin tradition. Same with today’s festival. Regardless of personal feelings, I think it’s a wonderful custom.”
As if recalling the festival, Hoyeon’s expression grew bright. I looked at him warmly and said,
“I promised to take the kids on an outing next time. You should come with us too, Hoyeon. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”
“…Would I really be allowed to join?”
“Of course. You’re practically family to us now.”
At my answer, Hoyeon’s face took on a strange expression.
Just then, Rodi, who had been listening, tugged on Hoyeon’s hand.
Startled, he looked down at Rodi, who squinted his eyes adorably and said,
“Teacher Hoyeon, come with us too.”
The other children soon gathered around Hoyeon as well.
“That’s right. Come with us.”
“We should pack sandwiches or something.”
“Well, if it’s Hoyeon, I agree too.”
Overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, Hoyeon hesitated, then gave a small nod.
“Hehe, I like Teacher Hoyeon!”
Overjoyed at his answer, Rodi clung to his waist.
Hoyeon hesitated for a moment, then very carefully patted Rodi’s head.
“I do too…”
His quiet voice spread softly through the room.
Watching this scene with delight, I clapped my hands and said,
“Now that we’re done talking, shall we eat before the food gets cold?”
“Ah, right! We can’t let it get cold!”
At my words, Chloan hurried over to take his seat. The other children quickly followed suit.
Lastly, Hoyeon carefully sat down, and I ladled out the chicken stew.
“It’s hot, so eat slowly.”
“Yes!”
But despite their loud answer, the children shoveled it down hungrily, clearly very starved.
“Director, you should eat too.”
When I only sat there watching, Jack spoke up.
“You’re right.”
I nodded, finally sitting down next to Hoyeon and taking a spoonful.
Even though I made it, it was truly delicious.
After the meal, back in my room, I opened the box the children had made. Inside were various items.
“This is Chloan’s drawing.”
The first thing I pulled out was a page torn from a sketchbook. Since I often saw Chloan doodling on walls, I instantly recognized it as his work.
‘His drawing skills have improved already.’
“Is this supposed to be me?”
The background was the orphanage, and a woman stood in front of it—red-gold hair, golden-brown eyes, even the beige dress I often wore.
‘I’ll have to frame this and hang it up.’
Next was a flower crown made of wildflowers. A tag was attached, with Rodi and Idi’s names written on it.
“A joint project, huh.”
It wasn’t flashy, but it was neat and simple.
I tried it on. It was made to fit a child’s head, so it was a little small, but it sat well enough.
“…Pretty.”
I murmured to the mirror. The modest flower crown suited my striking looks perfectly.
Still wearing it, I pulled out the next gift.
“A pouch…?”
It was made of fabric the color of the night sky. On closer look, it wasn’t just any pouch, but a scented sachet filled with herbs.
I immediately knew who had made it.
‘So you finished it.’
Back at Clover’s shop, when asked what he wanted to make from fabric, Ren had answered “a sachet.”
And here it was, complete. Seeing it filled me with pride.
I inhaled the fragrance once more before setting it down and picking up the last gift.
From the context, it had to be Jack’s.
“This is…”
I was stunned.
It was a wooden plaque with “Director’s Office” engraved on it.
Currently, my office at Ciela Orphanage has no sign—I had torn it down on the very first day.
‘So you noticed.’
My chest tightened. It felt as though I had truly been acknowledged as their director.
“You little darlings…”
If the children had been in front of me, I might have hugged them all and burst into tears.
That’s how moved I was.
‘I’ll have to keep these safe.’
I carefully placed all the gifts back into the box and locked it in the safe.
When I checked the time, it was already close to ten.
I hurried to change clothes, getting Hoyeon’s help since it was too much to manage alone.
I wore a white mermaid dress with a jacket over it, matching shoes, and a blue sapphire necklace.
Makeup was kept simple, since I would be wearing a mask.
Lastly, I tied my hair up into a bun.
Just as I finished, I heard the sound of a carriage outside. I rushed out.
As expected, a carriage without any crest had stopped, and from it stepped Duke Crayman.
‘Wow…’
Almost as if planned, he too was dressed in pure white dress uniform, and it suited him perfectly.
If his usual presence was silent and steady, now he looked almost like…
‘A prince straight out of a fairy tale…’
You know, the kind that rides up on a white horse to rescue the princess.
That was exactly how the duke looked now.
When he saw me, he smiled and walked over. I stood still, watching.
Finally, standing before me, he looked at me silently for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.
“It suits you well. I’m glad I chose carefully.”
“Ah… thank you. Your Grace, you look wonderful as well.”
I said it with genuine sincerity, and his eyes curved as he replied,
“Thank you. Seems my efforts paid off too.”
Was it my imagination? He seemed in an especially good mood today.
After a moment of watching me, he extended his hand. Not knowing what he meant, I just blinked.
“An escort,” he explained.
“Oh…”
“Rick said that when dealing with women, one should always offer an escort. This is my first time trying, so I’m not sure if I’m doing it right.”
He looked slightly uncertain.
Without hesitation, I took his hand. Surprised, he looked at me, and I smiled brightly.
“You’re doing wonderfully.”
At my affirmation, he smiled faintly.
“That’s good to hear. Shall we go, then?”
“Yes.”
I climbed into the carriage holding his hand. He followed after, and the carriage set off.
Playing with the butterfly mask on my lap, I asked him,
“By the way, what made you decide to attend the ball?”
As far as I knew, the duke wasn’t someone who enjoyed parties. In fact, he disliked the attention they brought.
So why was he attending Count Simor’s ball this time?
