Chapter 12
“Are you feeling sad?”
Sylvia, who had been staring at the orphanage growing smaller through the window, turned her head toward the voice.
The Duke of Werner was looking at her with an apologetic expression.
Before answering, Sylvia took a moment to reflect on her feelings.
“I’m not sure. I feel a little sad… but also a bit relieved.”
She couldn’t come to a clear conclusion.
Just as she said, many emotions were tangled together in her heart.
“I’m glad the children seem to be doing well… but at the same time, seeing them live fine without my help makes me feel a little sad.”
Seeing her give a bitter smile, the Duke nodded as if he understood.
“Yes… that makes sense. From what I’ve learned, it seems you were taking care of all those children on your own. Is that right?”
At his gentle voice, Sylvia pressed her lips together.
His kindness made her feel like she might cry.
“…Yes.”
After biting her upper lip, Sylvia slowly steadied her breathing and admitted it.
There was nothing to deny.
If the Duke investigated even a little, he would easily find out that because of the cruel director, the children hadn’t been properly fed or clothed.
And that Sylvia, as an adult, had struggled alone to take care of them.
“I did get help from some of the other older kids… but since we all came from the same background, none of us earned much. Still, I was lucky. I was good at making tea, so I could work at Café Dahlia.”
Thanks to the high wages she earned at Dahlia, she had been able to protect the children from the director.
But even that money was barely enough to survive.
The director’s greed had no end.
Now that she was free from that burden, she felt relieved…
But at the same time, the reality that the children no longer needed her made her feel strangely empty.
“You’ve worked very hard, Vivian. And I’m sorry I found you so late.”
“……”
At the Duke’s words, her emotions surged all at once.
Her eyes grew hot, and tears quickly filled them.
She bit her lower lip, trying to hold them back, but it was impossible.
At that moment, a fine silk handkerchief was offered to her.
Of course, it was from the Duke of Werner.
Carefully taking it with both hands, Sylvia wiped her tears.
“Thank you.”
“No… I’m sorry that this is all I can do.”
Sylvia had to take several deep breaths to calm the emotions rising inside her.
After her overwhelming emotions had settled somewhat, silence filled the carriage.
The awkwardness she hadn’t noticed before now crept in.
Then, as if something came to mind, Sylvia hesitated before speaking.
“Um… Duke.”
“Yes?”
The Duke was still gentle with her.
“If it’s alright… may I meet the director?”
“The director…?”
“Yes. That director.”
Sylvia confirmed it again, making sure he understood.
The Duke frowned slightly, unable to understand why she wanted to meet that person.
“May I ask why?”
“I want to… confirm something.”
Sylvia answered hesitantly.
“Confirm?”
“Yes.”
After a brief moment of thought, the Duke nodded.
“Very well.”
After saying that, he opened the small window connected to the coachman and instructed him to change their destination to Tirmen Prison.
After a long ride, the carriage finally came to a stop.
When Sylvia stepped outside, a massive building came into view.
The prison was large and imposing—and at the same time, it gave off a chilling atmosphere.
“Let’s go.”
Swallowing dryly, Sylvia took the Duke’s hand and slowly walked inside.
A high-ranking warden noticed them and approached, bowing respectfully.
“Duke of Werner. May I ask what brings you here?”
“I’ve come to visit Gerald Jacques.”
“I will guide you to the visiting room. This way, please.”
The warden called another guard to bring the director.
Then he led them to the visiting area.
Fitting the grim atmosphere of the building, the room itself felt cold and desolate.
Through rusty iron bars, two guards stood holding spears.
Even though she had done nothing wrong, Sylvia felt nervous and straightened her posture.
Before long, the iron door on the other side opened.
The director appeared—his once greasy face now gone, replaced by a gaunt and worn look.
With his head lowered, he didn’t recognize Sylvia at first.
“Have you been well?”
“Huh?”
At her greeting, the director raised his head and looked at her in confusion.
Then, realizing who she was, his eyes widened.
“Sylvia Franche?”
“Yes. It’s me.”
She answered calmly.
Unable to believe it, he stepped closer and grabbed the bars tightly with both hands.
“What is this…? No—no. Sylvia, you need to go tell them the truth! Tell them I didn’t do any of it!”
“Why would I?”
Sylvia replied coldly.
“What? Why?!”
The director looked shocked, as if he hadn’t expected her to answer back.
“Have you forgotten? Without me, those children wouldn’t be protected!”
“Protected?”
Sylvia let out a hollow laugh.
“Not protected—abused.”
“……!”
“You were the one who abused the children. You embezzled money. And that wasn’t enough—you even took my wages. You did all of it. So why would I say otherwise?”
She tilted her head slightly, as if genuinely questioning him.
The director was left speechless, his lips trembling.
There was nothing he could say to refute her.
“This is the result of your own actions. I came here just to see how things ended for you—not to help.”
“S-Sylvia, you—!”
“And unfortunately for you, the children you used as hostages are now living very well in another orphanage. So don’t even think about using them again to beg me for help. It won’t work.”
Sylvia stood up.
The Duke followed her.
“I’ve seen enough. I hope we never meet again.”
With that, she turned around.
“Sylvia! Sylvia!”
The director called out desperately from behind, but she didn’t respond even once.
Leaving as if escaping, Sylvia only took a deep breath once she was outside the prison.
She had just faced the end of the person who had tormented her for nearly ten years.
She thought it would feel satisfying—
But her heart wasn’t at ease.
“Are you alright, Vivian?”
The Duke, who had followed her, gently patted her back as she bent over, catching her breath.
Only then did Sylvia straighten up and give an awkward smile.
“Was I strange?”
“No. Not at all.”
“…Thank you for saying that.”
Taking a deep breath, Sylvia felt the cold air fill her lungs, grounding her back in reality.
“It’s over now. Let’s go back… Father.”
She said the word “Father” awkwardly.
She still wasn’t sure whether she was truly Vivian or not.
But she wanted to give something back—no matter how small—to the Duke who believed in her and helped her.
“Vivian… what did you just say?”
“I called you Father.”
She answered shyly.
Only then did the Duke fully realize it.
A bright smile spread across his face.
“Could you… say it again?”
“Of course, Father.”
The third time she said it, the word no longer felt awkward.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the Duke pulled Sylvia into a tight embrace.
From his arms, she could smell a faint scent of mint.
Sylvia gently closed her eyes, leaning into him—wanting to remember that scent forever.
