CHAPTER 36
“Maybe it’s because I finally had a real meal for the first time in ages, but I feel like I could fly.”
“Oh, Sir Renald…”
“No, really. It’s not just me—look at those kids. Don’t they seem full of life?”
Renald chuckled as he looked at the children running around the training ground.
The kids, who normally pouted and grumbled at every meal, were now happily munching on handfuls of chocolate handed out as snacks.
Ah, children.
With an inevitable smile, she gracefully walked toward them.
Even with her striking appearance that caught eyes wherever she went, she now carried the unmistakable air of a temple volunteer.
“Alright, that’s enough, everyone. Time to go back inside.”
“Aw, come on, sis! Can’t we watch just a little longer? We’re gonna be knights like them someday!”
“Nope. That’s not happening.”
Adele caught Nero first, folding up his chocolate-stained sleeve with a smile.
“Those knights over there were swinging swords on barely three or four hours of sleep a day when they were your age. If just watching could make you like them, wouldn’t that be terribly unfair to them?”
It was like a group of kids buying Seoul National University hoodies just from visiting the campus store—delusional.
Adele kindly, but firmly, delivered this dose of reality in the gentlest tone she could muster.
“If you really want to become a knight, your hands should be stained with the blood of your enemies, not chocolate.”
“W-What?!”
“Chocolate can be washed off. Foolish ambition? Not so much. So if you want to become a knight, maybe go train or at least change into clean clothes, alright?”
The boys, who had been happily enjoying their sweets, now looked utterly crushed.
Even Renald looked pale and cleared his throat, overwhelmed by Adele’s cutting words.
Still, since what she said was true, he helped herd the children inside.
“She’s right. The Archbishop will be here soon—you should be properly dressed.”
“The Archbishop?”
“He’s supposed to arrive this afternoon. Are you planning to meet him looking like that?”
At his stern tone, the children quickly began brushing off their clothes.
Adele chuckled and helped straighten each of their outfits. The kids quieted down immediately.
Though her tongue was sharp enough to cut through steel, her hands, as she adjusted their collars, were surprisingly gentle.
“What now, Nero? Like I’ve told you over and over—if you’ve got something to say, don’t just glare at me. Use your words.”
“Are you really leaving?”
“…Huh?”
Only then did Adele lift her head. She had noticed how unusually obedient the kids were today, but apparently, it wasn’t just the scolding.
“Leaving?”
“I heard from the priests. They said you were only staying until the Archbishop arrived.”
“Ah…”
“Is that true?”
Nero asked urgently. The other kids also looked gloomy and stared up at Adele.
“But why would a chore girl like you need to meet the Archbishop?”
“Nero.”
“Are you going to ask him for something? If that’s it, maybe I can help! I haven’t caused any trouble lately and haven’t gotten kicked out, so if I talk to my dad, I’m sure—”
“…Wow. You really wanted to help me that much?”
Adele gently stroked Nero’s head, eyes warm with emotion. The boy’s face flushed red.
In that moment, he regretted ever stopping her from getting cursed by the Archbishop in the first place. But it was too late—he was already caught in her clutches.
“Let go! What the heck!”
“What do you mean ‘what the heck’? Come back in ten years, squirt.”
Finally, Adele burst into laughter, and the kids began to bustle around again.
Though Nero grumbled that she never appreciated his concern, Adele’s heart wasn’t entirely at ease either.
‘It’s almost time.’
The Archbishop would arrive in three hours at most.
The main temple was already buzzing with preparations.
Looking at the colorful lanterns the priests had hung up, Adele tried her best not to show her anxiety to the children.
“…Are you really okay, chore-girl sis?”
“Nero.”
That boy was too perceptive.
Adele gave him a wide smile, trying to look indifferent. Still, it was endearing in its own way—he was clearly worried about her.
‘But the only man who can really help me is just one.’
The more she thought about it, the more it was clear—no one could compare to Killian.
Quiet, humble, disciplined, emotionally reserved… all perfect qualities for the future husband of a conglomerate heir.
“Alright, get going.”
Just as she was picturing the ever-composed Killian, she suddenly grabbed Nero’s little hand before he could question her further.
With her mind focused on the monk-like Killian, she didn’t even notice the boy’s breathing quicken.
“L-Let go! What if someone sees us?!”
“So what if they do? No one’s going to think twice about a little kid like you— Wait. Commander?”
“….”
Adele froze mid-turn at the entrance of the training ground, spotting Killian standing there.
There had been a similar encounter in the prayer room before, but this time, even the breeze that passed over him felt different.
“Commander, what brings you to the training ground all of a sudden—”
“Lady Adele.”
Even his voice was cold, as if dipped in ice. His jaw tightened, like he was trying hard to hold back emotion.
“I’d like a word with you.”
“…Pardon? Right now? Then let me at least take the kids inside first—”
“No need. If they want to be knights, I’m sure they can walk themselves.”
No one delivered harsh truths more expressionlessly than Killian.
His piercing gaze shifted from Nero to Adele’s hand, which was still holding the boy’s, and somehow the very air between them seemed to freeze.
“There’s no need to carry them like royalty.”
