Chapter 33
[Year 753 of the Imperial Calendar. The second prince, Ioman Hesser, led a rebellion, and the Hesser royal family was annihilated. The one who ascended the throne afterward called himself Ioman Price and opened the history of a new imperial dynasty.
However, the central nobility questioned the legitimacy of his rule, seeing it as gained through illegitimate means. To solidify his authority and strengthen ties with external powers, Emperor Ioman Price arranged a marriage with Princess Iris Redna, who held the right of succession.
That same year, Emperor Ioman Price had a child with Empress Iris.
This child would become the first prince, Said Price.]
The following content was the current yearbook of the central nobility. The latest history of the imperial line ended here.
I closed the book and let out a quiet sigh.
“The contents match the record.”
Exactly fourteen years ago. The rebellion that occurred the year the second prince came of age—and the fall of the Hesser royal family.
Aside from the distant Baron Morn branch, no bloodline of the Hesser family survived. All had perished at the hands of the former second prince, now the Golden Emperor.
…Or so it was known publicly.
Officially, the previous emperor and empress were said to have no children. But in reality, they had a hidden child.
A child secretly born by the empress to avoid the public eye.
To protect her child, the empress cast magic to change the child’s appearance and sent them to a region where they had no ties.
I turned my gaze.
Among the gathered children, I saw Jack reading a book aloud.
Jack Friedt.
A child absent from the future in the book.
…The last surviving member of a fallen royal family, unknown to anyone.
In the original story, Jack is dragged to the imperial palace after Ciela discovers his identity and loses his life.
And Ciela, expecting a reward, realizes the emperor intends to silence her by killing her, so she sells the orphanage and flees to a distant province.
The children, suddenly losing their home and the eldest protector, are scattered by the invading soldiers.
At that time, Cloan was eleven years old—exactly one year from now.
“But Jack will never be dragged to the palace.”
Of course, there would be no deaths, and no children would be scattered.
My goal is simple:
To raise the children well and ensure they become independent safely. And that includes Jack.
That’s why, as a precaution, I chose Duke Crayman as a patron.
I hoped that if the emperor learned of Jack’s identity and attempted to threaten him, the duke would act as a shield.
“…Huh.”
I took a deep breath.
Suddenly, I wondered.
What must Jack be thinking as he reads this book? Does he dream of revenge? Or perhaps…
“Don’t overthink it.”
Knowing the original story, I unconsciously compared the current situation to the book to gather information and predict the future. But obsessing over the original story too much could cloud my perspective.
Now, I must focus on the present.
I relaxed my expression and forced a smile. Then I approached the group of children.
The children, upon seeing me, beamed and held out the books they had chosen.
For now, my priority was to safely finish our market trip with the children.
Leaving the bookstore, my hands felt heavy, weighed down by the bags of toys and books.
For a moment, I wondered if I should have brought a coachman along, but I quickly shook my head.
The children still distrusted adults other than me, so even if I was comfortable, they would not be.
I looked back at the children. The ones who had bought what they wanted were thrilled. Watching their joy made me briefly forget the burden in my hands.
“Let’s visit just one last place before heading back.”
“Where?”
Ren tilted his head at my words. I smiled slightly and replied,
“To buy clothes.”
The children looked puzzled, but I didn’t say anything more. I slung the bags over my shoulder and reached out to Cloan and Eddy as I had before.
Eddy grabbed my hand firmly. I smiled at him and looked at Cloan.
Even though he had held my hand all this time, now that I was offering it again, he seemed a little shy. But as I silently held out my hand, Cloan carefully took my fingertips.
I praised him warmly.
“Good boy.”
“What are you saying…?”
Cloan pouted slightly but held my hand tightly.
Fortunately, the distance between the bookstore and Clover’s shop wasn’t far.
Upon entering, Clover recognized me and smiled warmly.
“Welcome back. You’ve come again.”
I smiled back, sweating from carrying the bags, and set them down. My shoulders were beginning to slump under the weight.
“Here’s some cold water. Are you alright?”
“Oh, thank you.”
Clover handed me a glass of cold water. I accepted it without hesitation and drank deeply, finally feeling some relief.
Meanwhile, the children explored the shop quietly, thankfully under Jack’s supervision.
Well, except for Cloan, they were generally well-behaved.
“Looks like you’re out shopping. Are these the children you mentioned last time?”
She referred to what I had said previously. I nodded. Clover’s eyes shone with affection.
“They’re adorable children.”
“Right? Today I came to buy clothes for myself with them.”
“For yourself as well?”
Clover asked again. I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed—after buying so many clothes last time, here I was again.
But the previous outfit had been far too revealing, inappropriate for the weather, and not to my taste.
I explained the situation.
“I’m attending a banquet soon, and I don’t have a proper dress. Buying from a tailor would be expensive and time-consuming, but I remembered the dresses you made last time.”
“I see.”
“While I’m here, I’ll also buy clothes for the children. They loved the outfits they got last time.”
“Oh my…”
Clover looked genuinely touched. The children were even wearing clothes bought here previously. Perhaps Clover had already noticed when we entered.
“I just made some new children’s clothes. You should look at the banquet dress first… Would you like to see it?”
I nodded.
“The dresses are inside. Please come this way.”
“Oh, yes. Just a moment.”
I excused myself and approached Jack.
“I’ll be inside for a moment. It won’t take long. Can you watch the children until I get back?”
Jack looked at me briefly, then nodded.
“Thanks.”
I thanked him and followed Clover inside.
As Ciela went in, the children explored the shop, especially Cloan, whose eyes sparkled.
“Ren! Look at this!”
Cloan called out excitedly. Ren approached with Eddy and Roddy, who were looking together.
Ren marveled.
“Wow, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“The color is amazing!”
“Like the night sky!”
Roddy tilted his head back, his golden eyes reflecting the night sky’s hue.
The four children were looking at fabric dyed like the night sky, displayed on the wall as if the sky itself had been transferred.
It was the most beautiful cloth they had ever seen. Ren’s gaze was dreamy as he murmured,
“The market is really amazing…”
Eddy and Roddy nodded in agreement. Cloan, though silent, wore a comfortable expression.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen so many people together. Good food, amazing things, and nobody looks down on us.”
“Like a wonderland.”
Roddy replied. Ren tilted his head.
“Wonderland?”
“Yes! The character in the book I read recently fell into a wonderland filled with amazing things like this.”
Ren smiled gently, patting Roddy’s head, murmuring,
“You’re right. It really feels like a wonderland.”
Eddy and Cloan said nothing, but all four thought the same thing.
Each had been born in harsh conditions and abandoned before they could even speak. They had to struggle to survive and had eventually gathered here at <Ciela Orphanage>.
But their misfortune had not ended.
Tired from the poor conditions, the director’s harsh words, and neglect, the children had once longed to escape everything, even through death.
Then, one day, their world began to change—exactly when Director Ciela herself changed.
They began to have proper meals, wear new clothes, draw what they wanted, read what they wanted, and run when they wished.
They no longer had to watch anyone’s eyes or flinch at harsh words.
The children felt this world was like the wonderland Roddy had described.
Though this comfort felt foreign, as if they had fallen somewhere they didn’t belong.
They were happy, but fearful that this world might return to its old ways.
“……”
Silence fell. Even without words, they likely shared similar thoughts.
Only young Roddy continued to gaze at the fabric with sparkling eyes.
