Chapter 4
“Hello!”
Selena entered the bakery with a bright and energetic greeting.
“Welcome—”
The shop owner, who was about to greet her with a kind smile, stopped mid-sentence. His face twisted with displeasure the moment he saw her.
It was because the children from Tryce Orphanage often came short on money when buying bread.
“I’m here on an errand from Director Sun-saen-nim!”
Selena spoke clearly and cheerfully, but the bakery owner’s response was cold. He didn’t even reply and turned his head away.
Most children would’ve shrunk back at such a cold attitude, but Selena wasn’t an ordinary child.
‘In my past life, I worked so many part-time jobs and learned how to read the room. This is nothing.’
“I’d like one cookie set and two wheat buns, please.”
She pulled out two silver coins. The shop counter was too high, so she had to stand on tiptoe to reach it. The bakery owner’s lips twitched slightly when he saw her trying.
Keeping a stern face, the shopkeeper spoke stiffly.
“I can only give you one wheat bun.”
“Huh? Why?”
“You don’t have enough money. You need five more copper coins to buy two buns.”
“But… the director said this would be enough…”
Selena looked up at him with teary eyes, her brows furrowed and voice trembling.
Even so, the shopkeeper stayed firm. He looked away and coughed. The way he crossed his arms said, “I won’t budge no matter how you look at me.”
‘Tch. Didn’t work. In romance-fantasy novels, when the heroine transmigrates into a little girl’s body, she can get anything with cuteness alone.’
Reality wasn’t that easy.
If she couldn’t bring back two buns, she wouldn’t get to eat today. Even though she knew this, Selena didn’t beg or plead for more.
“Okay, then. Just one wheat bun, please!”
Selena smiled brightly. The bakery owner’s eyes wavered.
He packed the cookie set and wheat bun into a bag and hesitated. He seemed to consider adding another bun, but in the end, he closed his eyes tightly and handed her the bag as it was.
“Thank you very much! Have a great day!”
She gave an even more cheerful goodbye on purpose.
The shopkeeper seemed a little guilty watching her walk away. If she had begged just a little more, he probably would’ve added another bun. But Selena didn’t look back.
‘Alright. Got the supplies I need.’
Selena didn’t head straight back to the orphanage. She looked around instead.
‘It’s about time for the Candy Lady to show up…’
The Candy Lady.
She was one of the nobles who regularly visited Tryce Orphanage. Selena didn’t know her real name. But she always brought a jar of candy and handed them out, so the kids called her Candy Lady.
“I saw the Candy Lady when I went on an errand.”
“Really? Where?”
“At the bakery nearby.”
According to other kids sent on errands, she always stopped by this bakery to buy candy before visiting the orphanage.
Selena waited for her.
After pacing around for a while, a fancy carriage stopped in front of the bakery. The Candy Lady stepped out and entered the shop.
As soon as Selena saw her, she moved to carry out her plan.
Across from the bakery sat a woman and her child who always begged in the same spot. The mother’s skin was covered in red patches due to a disease, and she had lost her voice and couldn’t speak.
They lived off what little they received from begging.
Selena walked over to them.
Just then, the Candy Lady exited the bakery.
“Here, take this.”
Selena crouched down and offered the cookie and bun. The child’s eyes lit up at the sight of the cookie, something he’d probably never eaten before.
“Wow! A cookie!”
The boy eagerly grabbed it.
His mother moved her lips as if to speak, but only faint, broken sounds came out.
Selena was wearing her orphanage uniform. The mother must’ve known she was a child from Tryce Orphanage, so it made sense that she hesitated to accept her kindness.
As the mother tried to return the cookie and bread, Selena smiled softly.
“It’s okay. Really.”
She refused to take them back and stood up. Then, she turned her head slightly and sneaked a glance—
The Candy Lady was watching the whole scene unfold from in front of the bakery.
‘Nice!’
Selena cheered inwardly. Everything was going according to plan.
Selena returned to the orphanage empty-handed. The director was chatting with some nobles who had arrived earlier. Selena made a gagging face at the sound of the director’s fake, polite laugh.
Knock knock—
She knocked and opened the door.
The director, who had been about to greet her with a bright smile, suddenly froze.
‘What? Thought another noble had arrived and got disappointed when it was just me?’
Normally, she would’ve yelled at Selena for being late and punished her.
But with nobles present, the director couldn’t show her true colors.
“Why are you so late, Selina? I was worried about you,” she said in a sweet, fake tone.
‘Yeah, right. Worried, my foot.’
“I’m sorry…”
Selena fidgeted her hands together and made the saddest, most pitiful face she could.
“Selina, where’s the cookie I asked you to buy?”
Noticing that Selena wasn’t holding anything, the director asked. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were burning with anger.
The once cheerful room grew silent.
“Well…”
“…”
Selena moved her eyes back and forth like she was debating something. She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, as if unsure whether to speak. Then, after a long pause, she shut her eyes tightly and shouted,
“I’m sorry! I ate the cookie because I really wanted to…!”
The director’s face twisted in rage. She was so angry, she couldn’t even control her expression despite the nobles watching.
“Do you think that’s something you should be saying?!”
Her sharp voice made Selena flinch.
That reaction wasn’t acting.
It was a reflex, born from the many times she had been abused under the name of “punishment.”
“Haa… Fine. We’ll talk later. There are guests here right now.”
The director clenched her trembling fist, trying to calm down.
‘Almost time…’
Click.
The door opened, and the person Selena had been waiting for entered.
“Miss Sophie Elenion, I’m sorry to interrupt, but may I say something?”
The Candy Lady spoke politely. The director, who had been glaring at Selena just moments ago, instantly switched to her fake smile.
“Of course, Lady Mechenren. Please speak freely.”
“Thank you.”
Lady Mechenren turned to Selena with a warm smile.
Selena had predicted this would happen—it was all part of her plan.
Still, she pretended not to understand what was going on and blinked innocently. A perfect performance.
“Ladies, I witnessed the most touching scene before I arrived here.”
The nobles all turned their attention to Lady Mechenren, who seemed genuinely moved.
“This child gave her freshly bought cookie and bun to a poor mother and child. I’ve never seen such a beautiful act in my life.”
Lady Mechenren closed her eyes as if remembering the moment fondly. After a pause, she looked at Selena kindly and asked,
“Dear, why did you give them your bread and cookies?”
‘Lady Mechenren, you are amazing!’
Selena thought she’d just be praised as a good child—but now she was even being asked a question!
She wanted to cheer out loud, knowing this would earn her maximum favor. She fought to keep a straight face and slowly opened her mouth.
“I just… thought they might be hungry too… I knew I shouldn’t, but… I’m sorry…”
Here came the tears.
She didn’t wail—just quiet, pitiful sobs.
Selena trembled her shoulders and sniffled softly. The sight of her bowing her head with tears dripping moved the hearts of all the nobles present.
“It’s alright, dear. No one’s going to scold you. You did a wonderful thing.”
Lady Mechenren hugged Selena and gently patted her back.
‘Now for the closing line.’
“But… because of me… hic… the ladies don’t get dessert… and my friends won’t get to eat either…”
“That’s not true. Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged dessert for the guests and food for the children.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You did a kind thing, so you deserve a reward.”
Selena’s eyes, still wet with tears, sparkled brightly.
“Thank you very much! I’ll keep doing good things!”
“A poor child from the orphanage gave her food to someone even poorer.”
The beautiful story spread like wildfire.
“My goodness. That really happened?”
“She’s so kind. What orphanage is she from?”
The nobles were full of interest.
“Miss Elenion, I’ll be increasing my donation.”
The amount of support flowing into the orphanage multiplied—far beyond what they’d ever received before.
All thanks to Selena.
Every time nobles visited, Selena played the role of the sweet and polite child. She drew from the countless romance-fantasy childcare novels she’d read in her past life to become the “lovable child.”
Polite, mature, but not overly adult-like.
She showed just enough childish innocence to charm them all. Nobles fell for her act and opened their wallets generously.
As a result, Tryce Orphanage became just as wealthy as those with “gemstones.”
Even after the director stuffed her own pockets, there was enough left to improve the orphanage’s living conditions.
She had finally created a livable environment. Now, the next goal…
“Hey, you’re short, so you need to eat lots of veggies. I’ll give you my carrots.”
“…”
“Oh, me too.”
“I want to give my carrots to Leotis too.”
Now… what should she do about those punks piling carrots on the male lead’s tray?
