Chapter 35
Just then, Clover, who had finished wrapping everything, came out of the room and walked over to me.
“The packaging is done. If you try it on and feel any discomfort, please let me know.”
“Thank you. And the children’s clothes—how much are they? At full price.”
When I mentioned the children’s clothes from last time, Clover answered with a slightly hesitant expression.
“The fabric is high-quality, but since they’re made by an unknown designer, altogether… about 17 gold, I think. Is that all right with you?”
Clover looked at me with worried eyes, clearly anxious that she might have quoted too high a price.
Seventeen gold…
It was certainly not a small amount, but considering the market price of dresses, it was perfectly reasonable. I nodded readily.
“Yes. Also, could I buy that fabric too?”
Clover’s gaze followed my finger. It was a night-sky-colored fabric, as though sprinkled with stars.
“Oh, I do sell it, but it’s not really suitable for making clothes. Are you sure?”
“It’s fine. I’m not buying it to make clothes.”
While Clover wrapped the fabric I’d asked for, I went over to Ren.
When I placed my hand on her shoulder, she looked up at me in surprise. I smiled and asked,
“Do you think that fabric is pretty?”
Out of all the children, Ren couldn’t take her eyes off it.
When I asked, she hesitated, then nodded.
“Yes, I’ve never seen such beautiful cloth before.”
Now that I thought about it, she had bought an embroidery kit at the toy shop.
So she’s interested in embroidery?
I’d never seen her sew before, but it suited her delicate personality well.
Looking at her, I asked,
“If you had some pretty fabric, what would you want to make?”
Ren thought for a moment, then replied,
“I’d like to make warm socks for Rodi. And a pretty handkerchief for Edy. For Cloen, since he falls a lot, I’d make knee protectors. For Jack-oppa, I’d make a bookmark. And…”
I listened with a pleased smile, until her gaze flickered toward me. Curious, I waited.
“And for you, Director, I’d like to make a sachet.”
“Oh? For me too?”
I hadn’t expected to be included, so I asked again in surprise. Ren nodded shyly.
“Yes, because you always cook us delicious food every day. So I want to make something for you too.”
Her pink eyes looked straight into mine, filled with affection. It stirred an indescribable emotion in me.
If we hadn’t been outside, I might have hugged her tightly right then. That’s how lovely she was.
Since I stayed silent, Ren hesitated. To reassure her, I smiled brightly.
“All right, I’ll look forward to it.”
At that moment, Clover finished wrapping the fabric and handed me the parcel.
“That’ll be 17 gold and 3 silver, including the fabric.”
After paying, I glanced back at Ren.
She seemed startled when she realized the meaning of my earlier words. I smiled at her, then took the children’s hands as we had before. Turning to Clover, who had come to see us off, I said,
“Thanks to you, I was able to buy beautiful clothes and fabric.”
“The pleasure is mine. You’re a special customer to me. If you don’t mind, may I know your name?”
She asked politely. I nodded.
“Ciela. I’m the head of Ciela Orphanage.”
“Ciela… I’ll make sure to remember it.”
Clover replied with determination, and I left the alley with the children.
The sky was painted with sunset. The day had passed in the blink of an eye.
Looking up briefly, then back at the children, I said,
“Let’s go out again sometime. Next time, we’ll bring a mat and food, and go on a real outing.”
The children looked up at me.
Next time.
I hoped that promise of the future would ease their anxiety, letting them know we could always go out again like this.
Silence lingered for a moment.
It was little Rodi, the youngest, who broke it. He clung to my waist with a bright smile.
“I want to go too! I want to go with Ren-unni, Edy-unni, Cloen-oppa, Jack-oppa, and you, Director!”
One by one, the others followed.
“Me too.”
“M-me too! I’d love that…”
“If Ren’s going, then I guess I’ll go too…”
“…”
Jack said nothing, just looked at me. Meeting the strange light in his eyes, I smiled softly and nodded, making a promise.
“Yes. Definitely.”
I hoped today’s market trip would remain a wonderful memory for the children. And that little by little, those memories would pile up until they felt like ordinary everyday life.
Leaving behind the regret of a short outing, we went home.
A week passed like that.
With the dress ready and even the old white shoes set aside just in case, I had nothing else to do. So I spent the remaining time reading an herbal book I’d bought at the bookstore.
There were far more herbs here than I’d expected—many suitable for tea or sachets.
After several more trips to the market, I bought herbs and, after many trials, managed to make decent tea bags and sachets.
And finally, the day of the banquet arrived.
Since it was difficult to prepare alone, I received help from Ren and Edy in dressing.
Makeup was simple, just lipstick. Thanks to Ciela’s naturally striking features, that alone was enough to shine.
Her wavy, sunset-colored hair was left as it was. With that, preparations were complete. I checked the time.
The carriage should be here soon.
After one last look in the mirror, I swallowed a gasp.
Ciela might be an undeniable villainess, but setting that aside…
She’s truly beautiful.
Among everyone I’d ever seen, perhaps the most beautiful.
Well… except for Duke Crayman.
He had something beyond beauty—a unique, enigmatic aura that lingered in the mind long after seeing him.
“You’re so beautiful!”
Lost in thought about him, I was brought back by Ren’s voice. I smiled at the children.
“Am I?”
This time Edy nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, really, really beautiful. Like an angel…”
Her turquoise eyes sparkled as she looked at me. Come to think of it, Edy had always been interested in dresses and accessories.
Maybe we could all have a party together someday.
Looking at her admiring gaze, I thought about it. A year-end party where we could all dress up sounded nice.
Smiling, I checked the bag I’d packed in advance.
Inside were a pouch of runes, a black robe, a golden mask, and a perfume bottle filled with water.
Satisfied, I left the director’s office—only to see Cloen topple backward.
“Cloen?”
Startled, I looked at him. His face flushed red as he scrambled up awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Rodi came running, hugging my skirt. Jack watched quietly from behind.
“Director, you’re so pretty!”
As Rodi rubbed his face against me and looked up with shining eyes, I laughed and bent down to meet his gaze.
“Pretty, am I?”
“Yes!”
“How pretty?”
This much!”
Rodi stretched his arms as wide as possible toward the sky. I couldn’t resist hugging him, rubbing my face into his hair.
“To me, Rodi is just as pretty.”
“Hehe.”
“But Cloen, what were you doing? Don’t tell me…”
Ren narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Cloen’s odd behavior, as though accusing him of spying. Cloen flailed in protest.
“No, it’s not that, Ren! Don’t you trust me?”
“Then what were you doing, that you got so startled you fell over?”
“Th-that’s… Edy, say something for me!”
“…Sorry, Cloen. But it is suspicious…”
When even Edy wouldn’t defend him, Cloen’s face turned pale.
Normally, I would’ve stepped in to help him out, but this time I was curious myself.
After a long pause, Cloen bowed his head and muttered weakly,
“…It just looked fun, everyone gathered together without me…”
“But we said we’d help the Director get ready.”
“But Ren! I wanted to be with you too!”
“Sigh, Cloen, you’re still a kid. We’re already ten, you know.”
“…Tch, fine. Lucky you, being so grown-up.”
Finally sulking, he stuck out his lip. To me, they were all the same children—it was so funny and adorable that I had to stifle my laughter. If I laughed, it would only hurt his pride.
Instead, I soothed him.
“All right. Next time, I’ll call you too.”
“Hmph…”
He turned his head away, but I could tell his mood had already lifted.
I smiled and looked up at Jack.
“I’ll probably be back by tomorrow morning. You’ll be okay until then, right?”
I asked, but Jack didn’t answer. Instead, he came closer and grasped my hand.
Looking up at me with uneasy eyes, he whispered,
“Can’t you… not go?”
