Chapter 32
The Reason for the Outing
Jane couldn’t help but ask, seeing Ellea’s face brighten in an instant.
“Who sent the letter to make you smile like that?”
“It’s from someone who used to call himself my brother. Judging by the contents, he hasn’t changed at all.”
“He must be a very kind person.”
From the way Ellea looked at the letter, and just by listening to her, Jane could tell how close the two siblings were.
“Yes, too kind for his own good.”
To the point it made me feel guilty.
Jane quietly left the room to give her some time alone.
Despite what she said, Ellea’s gaze remained fixed on the heartfelt letter.
Inside were lines filled with small concerns: asking how she was doing, if she was feeling well, if the food suited her, if the people around her were nice.
And as expected, it ended with nothing but worry about her.
“If anyone bothers you, just say the word. I’ll come running right away… That’s just like you, Belrea.”
Perhaps it was because she had just been talking about Vandell and family that Ellea felt even more sentimental than usual.
Even though they were far apart, knowing there was someone who truly cared for her warmed her heart.
There’s no need to tell him the truth.
She felt that if she could reassure her family, she’d be able to live a bit more comfortably here as well.
She didn’t want to make them worry any more because of her. It was already enough that she had collapsed from illness.
After reading the same lines over and over, Ellea finally picked up her pen to write a reply—pleasantly pondering what to say.
* * *
“I’m planning to go out for a while, Jane.”
“Huh? Where exactly are you planning to go?”
Early in the morning, after returning from her usual training, Ellea informed Jane of her plans while getting dressed.
Just as she had resolved since arriving here, today she would go outside the imperial palace.
I’ll decide what to say based on how things go today.
She thought for a moment, then decided to explain it all later—she didn’t even know what might happen when she got there.
“There’s somewhere I want to visit. I won’t be late, so don’t worry.”
“Then I’ll have the carriage prepared.”
“Thank you.”
Jane was curious about where Ellea was headed, especially since she had only ever stayed in the palace until now, but didn’t ask for details.
“And could you also prepare the things I mentioned earlier?”
“Of course. Just say the word.”
As Ellea listed what she needed, Jane’s expression gradually filled with confusion. But the requests weren’t difficult, so she nodded right away.
“I’ll prepare them right away. How would you like me to help with your outfit?”
“Please make it as comfortable as possible. Nothing too extravagant.”
Jane braided Ellea’s long hair into a single plait and pinned it in place.
Then she helped her into a simple dress—no decorations, nothing that would get in the way.
As Ellea hurried to get ready for her outing, all the items she had requested were prepared as well.
Standing before the carriage, Borens looked uneasy as he spoke.
“Still, I think it would be best if at least one escort accompanied you.”
“It’s fine. I’m not going anywhere dangerous, and I’ll be back before long.”
Though she felt uneasy letting Ellea go alone, Jane had no choice but to give in to her stubbornness.
“Very well. Then please be careful.”
With that, Ellea’s carriage slowly set off. Once they had left the palace grounds, she told the coachman her destination.
As they moved quickly through the capital’s streets and neared their destination, the roads became more familiar. A look of anticipation slowly spread across her face.
“I wonder if everything’s been okay without me.”
With a trace of worry, the coachman soon informed her they had arrived, and Ellea quickly stepped out of the carriage.
At the end of the path stood a large yard and an old two-story wooden house.
Turning to the coachman who had carried her things, Ellea said:
“Please leave the luggage here and come back to pick me up later.”
“Yes, understood.”
Once the coachman left, Ellea took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Soon, she heard commotion from inside.
As soon as she recognized the sound as children, she smiled, already picturing the scene inside.
Footsteps approached, followed by voices.
“I’m going to open it!”
“No way! I said I’d do it!”
This place hasn’t changed a bit.
Just as she took a step back, the door burst open.
The children, all trying to get out first, lost their balance and tumbled forward in a heap.
“Move over!”
“You go first!”
Despite the chaos, Ellea didn’t panic. She calmly helped each child to their feet and settled the situation—clearly, this wasn’t her first time.
Finally, the children noticed the visitor. With her elegant clothes and beauty, she looked like an angel to them.
“Who are you?”
“Hello. Are any of you hurt?”
“Nope.”
As the children stared blankly at her, a middle-aged woman appeared behind them.
“What’s going on here?”
Ellea greeted her with a barely concealed sense of joy.
“Hello.”
“Yes, and who might you be?”
“I’m sorry for coming unannounced. If it’s not too much trouble, could we speak inside for a bit? I brought some gifts for the children, too.”
She gestured to the luggage filled with items. The word gifts immediately caught the children’s attention.
“Gifts?”
“Really?”
“That’s right. I brought some things I thought you’d like. Now, who’s the oldest among you?”
A tall girl hesitantly raised her hand.
Ellea handed the bags to her.
“Can you distribute these fairly? I’m sure you can do it.”
“Yes!”
“Good. Be nice to each other while I talk with the director.”
The middle-aged woman watched Ellea’s affectionate interaction with the children, then led her to the director’s office.
They sat across from each other, ready for a proper conversation.
“You’re Director Lemille, correct?”
“Yes, I’m Lemille. But I don’t think we’ve met before—what brings you here?”
“Apologies for the late introduction. My name is Ellea. Do you perhaps know someone named El?”
At that name, Lemille’s expression changed immediately.
“Yes, I do. I was actually worried since she suddenly stopped coming. How do you know her?”
“I came here on El’s behalf. She had to leave the capital unexpectedly and asked me to check in on this place and the children.”
Ellea had struggled over how to introduce herself.
She considered telling the truth—but when she thought of the children who had adored her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
That El was dead.
So this vague excuse was all she could offer.
“I see.”
“She also asked me to apologize for not being able to say goodbye properly.”
“The children will be the ones most disappointed. They’ve been waiting for her… but we never got a response to our letters.”
Of course they didn’t. El was no longer in this world.
Though it was their first meeting, Lemille cautiously explained the current situation. Help was desperately needed.
“I’m sorry to bring this up right away, but we’re in a rather difficult situation.”
“Don’t worry. El already told me about it, so please don’t feel burdened. I hope I can be of help.”
Relieved, Lemille felt grateful for Ellea’s willingness to support them. She had been agonizing over what to do next.
El had been a long-time sponsor of this orphanage.
Because of that connection, she had grown close with the children, who only knew her as someone working in the palace.
Like many places, this orphanage was struggling. El alone couldn’t fully support the fifteen children before.
But things were different now. As a princess of the empire, Ellea could do far more than she ever could before.
“Thank you so much. El’s support made a huge difference, and when it stopped, we didn’t know what to do.”
Ellea had meant to explain her absence sooner, but too many things had happened.
And so, instead of El, it was Ellea who had returned here.
Having supported the place for so long, she had a good idea of what the situation would be. As soon as she had time, she rushed to visit.
She knew better than anyone how precarious the children’s lives were—especially here, where they lacked proper noble sponsorship.
As their conversation ended, Ellea made one request of Lemille.
“Could I ask you to keep my connection with El a secret from the children and others? There are… circumstances.”
“Of course. The children may be disappointed, but we’ve always been grateful to El. If this is how we can repay her, I’ll gladly do so.”
“Thank you. And I look forward to working with you.”
When Ellea stepped out after speaking with Lemille, the children were happily playing with the gifts she brought.
She wished she could have brought even more, but the visit was sudden. Most of the items were just school supplies and snacks.
Judging by the children’s faces, that was more than enough—but Ellea still wanted to give them only the best.
As she watched them, she noticed one child and quietly approached. It was the girl she had asked to distribute the gifts earlier.
“Did you share the gifts well?”
“Yes, thank you. The younger ones loved them!”
“I’m Ellea. What’s your name?”
Though she already knew, Ellea pretended not to.
The girl shyly responded.
“I’m Karin.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
Seeing that the other children were preoccupied, Ellea took Karin by the hand and led her outside.
When they were alone, she looked into her eyes and handed her a hidden envelope.
“This is for you.”
“Huh?”
“You gave your share to your younger siblings, didn’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“I could tell. It’s hard to fool me. This is all yours.”
Touched, Karin hugged the envelope tightly.
She had indeed given away her share for the others. Seeing them happy was enough—but she still wished for something of her own, sometimes.
Just like El used to give her something special, too.
“Thank you. El used to do this for me, too.”
“Thank you for always taking care of your siblings. But Karin, if you ever need or want something, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”
“Okay.”
Seeing how quickly Karin had been forced to grow up, Ellea gently stroked her hair and walked back inside with her.
Lemille seemed about to formally introduce Ellea to the children.
“From now on, this lady will be visiting in El’s place. Let’s all welcome her warmly.”
One child raised a hand.
“What about El?”
“Well… El said she won’t be able to come anymore due to personal reasons. But she misses you all very much. Let’s try to understand her.”
Hearing that El wouldn’t return, the children were clearly disappointed. Some even began to cry.
As Lemille hesitated, Ellea stepped forward.
“Don’t cry. If you do, El will be sad, too. That’s why I came. My name is Ellea, but my family calls me El. If you want, you can call me that, too.”
She had worried that the children might feel hurt by El’s sudden disappearance. Wanting to comfort them, she used the name El—as a last resort.
Unaware of what ripple effect that choice might one day bring.
