Chapter 10
‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ shrugs and says he already thought of you as Crescent and has been watching over you.
‘Lily Druid Gabriella’ says she already likes you more than the original Crescent.
“Wow, talk about changing your tune…”
‘From Maid to Saintess—Astina’ says, ‘Aww, who made our little Crescent feel so upset?’
“Ahh, stop it!”
Feeling a little embarrassed by Astina’s teasing, I turned off the status window.
Right now, I was at a crucial turning point—whether or not I would become the ward of the Duke of Pluto.
“You’re such a sweet child. What’s your name?”
“Crescent.”
“My goodness, even your name sparkles…”
At that moment, Eva approached with a pleased smile.
“Marchioness of Pluto, Crescent is truly a kind and gentle child. All the children at the orphanage like and love her. She’s so thoughtful—just the other day, she gathered some leftover apple seeds and tried to plant them in the ground.”
“…Is that so? She has a warm heart too.”
Leahruin nodded, then turned to Eva.
“Director Eva, would it be alright if I spoke to the child privately for a moment?”
“Hmm? Of course! That’s okay with you, right, Crescent?”
“Yes!”
I answered without hesitation, as if it were no problem at all.
Having a private talk with her—something about it felt good.
Leahruin smiled brighter than the sunlight.
* * *
“I’m from the North. Have you ever heard of the House of Pluto?”
As they began walking through the forest, Leahruin asked Crescent.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the girl.
“So cute… Her head is as round as an apple… Is she even real? Look at those fluffy baby hairs on her cheeks… Too cute…!”
Everything about the child made Leahruin’s heart flutter dangerously. Could a heart really stop from this much cuteness?
Crescent beamed at her.
“Yes! I love them so much!”
“Hmm? You love our family?”
The girl nodded.
“Yes. My favorite storybook is about the holy knight Baldwin Pluto defeating the Demon King Baal. The House of Pluto is the strongest holy knight family!”
“…Ah, right. That story. Now that I think about it, it’d be strange if you didn’t know.”
“Hehe.”
“Hohoho…”
A gentle laugh blossomed between Leahruin and Crescent.
Leahruin felt a warm spring breeze blow through her heart. This soft and fuzzy feeling… It was the first time.
It was her first time talking to a child she’d just met, and yet her heart felt full.
“And this child… kind of looks like me. Her nostrils… they look just like mine.”
Rounded yet elegantly shaped nostrils.
The world praised Leahruin’s nose as a masterpiece. Right in the middle of her face, it radiated a gentle and refined nobility unlike any other.
And Crescent had that same kind of nose.
“…Sweetheart.”
“Yes?”
Leahruin unconsciously called to Crescent and faced her a bit more seriously.
“The truth is, I came here for a reason. I’ve been looking for a child to take back with me, to live with us and be supported by our household. If I could adopt her as my daughter, that would be ideal… But unfortunately, that’s not possible. Still, as a guardian, I’d love and cherish her with all my heart.”
“…Huh?”
As expected, the girl’s eyes wavered.
Leahruin quickly continued, trying not to make her words sound too abrupt.
“So I’ve been searching for a child who resembles me. I was never able to have a daughter, but I longed to have one who felt like my own. I don’t know if you feel the same, but… I must admit, I am rather beautiful.”
“You are! You’re dazzling, my lady!”
“Hm? Oh, thank you, hohoho…”
Leahruin burst into laughter at the unexpected compliment. Regaining her composure, she spoke again with sincerity.
“I’m glad you see me that way too. Maybe that’s why it was so hard to find a child who resembled me. But Crescent…”
“…Yes?”
“…You appeared. Especially your nose… Those round nostrils look just like mine.”
“……”
The girl stared at her silently.
Leahruin looked down at Crescent with a gentle gaze.
Now came the moment to make the offer: to become her guardian and bring her to the House of Pluto.
But suddenly, she hesitated.
‘What if she says no? She seems happy at the orphanage. What if a stranger like me shows up and suggests moving to some unknown place? She might cry…’
She was so nervous!
But she didn’t want to miss this child.
This girl seemed like she had been created with care by an archangel. Leahruin wanted to be her roof, her protector.
She wanted to become a mother-like guardian and be by her side.
She wanted to cherish Crescent as a precious little sister to her beloved sons.
If she could be with this child, she’d never long for a daughter again.
But there was one problem.
“B-but… the Pluto territory is a dangerous place. It’s the only region where demons still appear. Fortunately, there are many holy knights there, so you don’t need to worry. But if you’re okay with that… I’d like to take you as my ward. What do you think?”
“…Huh?”
Crescent’s eyes widened.
Those sweet, round eyes grew big, like they were shining with light.
She asked in surprise,
“Demons…? There’s still a place where demons appear?”
“…Sadly, yes. But they rarely show up. Honestly, I’ve never even seen one myself. As you probably know, it’s been five hundred years since the Demon King Baal vanished. The North, where our house is, used to be closely connected to the demon realm, so very rarely, demons still emerge. But they’re only low-grade ones…”
“I see…”
“There’s really nothing to worry about. I promise you’ll be safe. The Ebony Orphanage is truly warm and lovely, but the House of Pluto can give you a beautiful, spacious room just for you. You can have nicer clothes every day and the most delicious food in the world. And if there’s anything you want to do or learn, you can.”
“Ah…”
The child couldn’t seem to find the words.
Right. It was probably too sudden. Too overwhelming.
“If you need some time to think—”
“Then… can I see the holy knights fighting demons?”
“…What?”
Leahruin was caught off guard by the bright, eager question.
The girl’s eyes sparkled.
She quickly answered.
“W-well, yes. It’s rare, but if you live in the Pluto territory, you might see it someday.”
“Wow…”
“Hmm?”
Does she… want to see demons?
What about the nice room and delicious food?
Was that story about the Demon King Baal that exciting?
‘Well, who cares!’
The child was showing interest—this was the moment!
“Watching the holy knights train with divine power is even cooler! My sons train very hard too! Will you come with me?”
“Yes! I want to go!”
“Good heavens! Really?”
“Yes! I think it sounds so fun!”
“…Oh my gosh! That’s wonderful!”
Without thinking, Leahruin swept the girl up in her arms. She spun around once in place, then hugged her tightly.
She came to her so willingly!
She was so grateful.
As they looked at each other and laughed, the girl burst into giggles.
She looked just like a little angel.
