Chapter 11
After leaving the audience chamber, Sylvia took a small deep breath, still unable to calm her rapidly beating heart.
“Are you alright, Vivian?”
The Duke of Werner asked gently as he watched Sylvia trying to steady herself.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“It seems you had some connection with the Crown Prince at the café where you worked.”
“Yes. His Highness was a regular customer at our café. Actually, even on the day you came, Duke, I was waiting for him.”
Sylvia said with a small smile, and the Duke smiled along with her.
“I think that’s probably how His Majesty found out about me so quickly.”
“That seems likely.”
Now that he knew the source of the information, the Duke’s expression relaxed.
“Vivian!”
At that moment, someone called out to her from the direction of the audience chamber.
When she turned around, Ezmond was walking toward her with confident strides.
Soon, he stopped in front of Sylvia and spoke with his usual smile.
“It’s truly nice to meet you again here.”
“It’s nice to see you too, Your Highness.”
“The name Vivian feels a bit unfamiliar, but I suppose that’s what I should call you now. I look forward to working with you, Water Saint Vivian.”
After speaking, Ezmond extended his hand toward her.
It was a gesture for a handshake, but Sylvia simply stared at his hand for a moment.
“Vivian.”
The Duke of Werner called her softly.
Only then did Sylvia come back to her senses and take the Crown Prince’s hand with both of hers.
“It’s an honor.”
“No need for that. I’d like to see you often from now on. If it’s alright, may I visit you from time to time?”
“Pardon?”
Caught off guard by the sudden suggestion, Sylvia glanced at the Duke.
Since she was currently staying at the Werner estate, she hesitated.
Noticing her glance, the Duke nodded without hesitation.
“That’s fine.”
Only after receiving permission did Sylvia nod with a faint smile.
“Yes, that would be fine. If you come, I’ll serve you tea just like I did at the café.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you again. Duke of Werner, it was a pleasure seeing you as well. Until next time.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Farewell.”
After a brief exchange of farewells, Ezmond turned and left.
The Duke and Sylvia stood there for a moment, watching him walk away.
“Shall we go as well?”
The Duke extended his hand to Sylvia.
When she took it, he gently escorted her forward.
After leaving the palace and getting into the carriage, they headed toward the Clarita Orphanage, which was supported by the Werner family.
Compared to the Lontime orphanage where Sylvia had stayed before, Clarita Orphanage looked incomparably cleaner and better.
There were no cracks in the building, no peeling paint. Even the playground where the children ran around was well-maintained, without a trace of rust.
“I didn’t know a place like this existed even in the capital.”
Having only lived in the slums, Sylvia couldn’t help but be amazed.
Seeing her reaction, the Duke of Werner gave a bittersweet smile, feeling a pang in his heart.
He was about to say something comforting when—
“We’ve arrived, Duke.”
The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the coachman announced their arrival.
“Can I get off right away?”
Excited to see the children, Sylvia asked eagerly.
The Duke nodded slowly.
“Go ahead.”
The carriage door opened, and the Duke and Sylvia stepped down.
The children, surprised by the sudden arrival of the carriage, gathered around it in small groups.
“Huh? Is that Sylvia?”
One child murmured in a small voice after recognizing her.
“What? Sylvia? That person?”
“It really is Sylvia!”
Voices of confusion and certainty mixed together.
Soon, after confirming it was really her, the children began running toward Sylvia.
“Big sister!”
“Sylvia noona!”
“Everyone! Have you been well?”
Sylvia bent down and opened her arms.
The children rushed into her embrace.
“I missed you!”
“Where did you go?”
At their whining voices, Sylvia’s eyes grew moist.
It had only been a few days, but seeing them again made her heart ache.
She had heard that, thanks to the Duke, the children had been rescued from the abusive director and moved to a better orphanage—but she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes until now.
Seeing their condition now, she finally felt relieved.
The children were wearing clean, high-quality clothes, and their once-thin faces were now fuller with a healthy, rosy color.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
Sylvia apologized softly.
“It’s okay! You came back!”
“Yeah! As long as you’re back, that’s enough!”
The children nodded all at once.
Their 모습 made Sylvia laugh softly.
“Are you doing well here?”
“Yeah! They give us clothes and lots of food, and—”
“They even give us eggs! And meat stew!”
“It’s really delicious!”
The children spoke excitedly all at once.
Every response was positive.
Sylvia let out a sigh of relief.
“That’s good. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
Since the Werner family supported this place, proper food, clothing, and shelter were guaranteed.
That alone brought her comfort.
“Big sister, you look like a princess now!”
“Really? Does it suit me?”
“Yes! I thought a real princess had come! I almost didn’t recognize you, but I did! I did a good job, right?”
“Yes, you did. Thank you for recognizing me.”
Sylvia gently patted the child’s head, and the child smiled brightly.
“But… are you going to live with us again now?”
At that question, a small wave of unease appeared in the children’s eyes.
They were worried she might leave again.
Seeing that, Sylvia couldn’t immediately answer.
She had already promised to stay at the Werner estate for a while.
At that moment—
The Duke of Werner, who had been listening, knelt down to meet the children at eye level.
“Children, Sylvia has truly become a princess now.”
“Really?!”
“A princess?!”
Their eyes widened in shock.
“Do you know where a princess lives?”
“In a castle!”
“That’s right, in a castle!”
The Duke nodded.
“Exactly. Sylvia now lives in a castle.”
“Wow!”
The children gasped in amazement.
“So she can’t stay here anymore.”
At those words, their expressions quickly turned sad.
“But… we want to stay with her…”
Their voices trembled, on the verge of tears.
“This is silly! She’s a princess now, so of course she has to live in a castle! Don’t cry—you’re making her uncomfortable!”
One child suddenly spoke up.
The others stopped crying and glanced at Sylvia.
They understood—but it was still hard to accept.
Seeing them, Sylvia finally spoke.
“I’ll come visit often. So don’t feel too sad.”
“Really? You promise?”
“You’ll come often?”
“Yes. I promise.”
Sylvia raised her pinky finger.
The children all raised theirs too, reaching toward her.
After making the promise, Sylvia slowly stood up.
The children seemed to accept the situation, at least a little.
“Then I should get going now.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I have somewhere I need to go.”
“…Okay. But you have to come back. You promised.”
“I did. I promise.”
Sylvia nodded firmly, reassuring them.
The children finally smiled again.
