Chapter 15
At the very least, it wouldn’t be that only abuse and bad memories remained.
The two of them were silent for a long while. With faces so alike that it was hard to tell who was who, they looked at each other, then at me. Even their hair was the same length—it was enough to make anyone confused.
“Kids……”
And as I looked at the two of them, who gave no answer, I smiled so brightly it felt as though my eyes might disappear.
“Rohen. Lari. Was this place nothing but a bad place for you?”
At those words, both children opened their mouths at the same time.
“No.”
“No.”
For a moment, it felt as though a single person were speaking—their voices harmonized perfectly.
On top of that, they were even wearing identical clothes today, making it impossible to tell them apart.
“Then that’s enough. Live on carrying those memories. At the very least, remember that not everyone in the world hated you.”
“……”
“The truth is, because I didn’t realize sooner, I did end up giving you bad memories too… but at least, remember it that way.”
Still, neither child said anything. As I looked at them like that, I suddenly sprang to my feet.
“I’ll go get something. We won’t be able to roast sweet potatoes… but if I rummage around, there should be something to eat. I’ll bring chocolate, at least.”
If only I had realized sooner. If only I had. In spring, we could have gone out to see the flowers together. In summer, we could have played in the water. In winter, we could have steamed sweet potatoes together in a place where snow fell.
‘I’m sorry.’
I was just… sorry.
That I had to tell you not to turn out badly in the future, after giving you only this much in the way of good memories.
Even as I stepped outside the door, my chest ached with that guilt.
After I left, I could hear the two children’s voices, as though they were talking among themselves. The soundproofing seemed good—I could only hear muffled murmurs.
Because I couldn’t hear anything clearly, part of me wanted to run straight to the kitchen and grab something, anything—but since I too was overwhelmed by sadness, I leaned against the door and covered my mouth.
So that no sound would escape.
‘Much, much later… when we meet again, I’ll tell you then. Just… live however you’re comfortable. Whether you’re villains or masterminds, live the way you want to.’
That you’re not such bad kids. Just don’t die—and don’t get involved with the novel’s heroine. That’s all I’ll say. That was all I could do for them.
‘At least I’ll be able to stay with Lari for five more years. Let’s take comfort in that.’
If I stayed still, it felt like I’d start crying even more, so I forced my trembling legs to move and ran to the kitchen.
That night, even though I asked Rohen to sleep together one last time before leaving, he firmly refused.
I wanted to sleep together at least once more, but all I got in response was being asked if I was crazy.
Because of that, as always, I slept in the same bed as Lari.
Lari was unusually fussy in my arms, and as I soothed him, I drifted into a light sleep.
And finally, the day came when Rohen would be sent away.
I woke up in the morning in a daze to find both children washed and dressed in identical clothes, standing in front of me.
“Are you all ready?”
Looking more sullen than ever, the children merely nodded without speaking.
“Don’t worry. You’ll see each other again soon. Even if it takes a little time… you’re twins, after all. Now then, Lari—are you going to stay here? Big sister will be back soon.”
I looked at Lari, who was hugging a doll.
“I’m not Lari. I’m Rohen.”
With a voice gentler than usual, Rohen shook his head from side to side.
“Oh? Really? You were holding a doll, so I thought you were Lari.”
“Uh… Lari gave it to me. Told me to take it.”
“Ah, I see. That sounds like Lari. He’s kind.”
I patted the head of Lari, who was standing silently beside us.
Compared to usual, Lari seemed a bit sulky today, but I assumed it was because he didn’t want to be separated from Rohen, so I pulled him into my arms once and then let go.
“Don’t worry. Big sister will take Rohen there and come right back.”
“Mm.”
Only then did Lari nod, and I took Rohen’s hand and went outside.
According to the novel, the Grand Duke arrived as soon as morning came. It didn’t specify an exact time—rather, it was described from the twins’ perspective of that day.
It said: ‘Not long after the sun rose, people came to the warehouse where we had been locked away since we were little. As if searching through the forest, they were unbearably noisy.’
Rohen, who had always stood at the front protecting his younger sibling, was dragged away by them as if under arrest, and the knights—unaware of Lari’s existence—left without finding the Lari who had been hidden in the warehouse.
‘So they’ll be here soon.’
For some reason, Rohen was holding my hand tightly, and I gently wrapped my fingers around his.
“Rohen.”
“Yes!”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”
“It will be okay, right?”
“Yes. And they’ll come for you eventually. Until then, I’ll take good care of Lari. You have to go there and adapt well, okay?”
The small face nodded vigorously.
“And say that your memories of this place weren’t all bad. About the head of the orphanage who bullied you… about the friends who sometimes brought us late-night snacks and clothes… about the caretakers who secretly looked after you behind the head’s back… I’ll take care of all the revenge.”
“Okay!”
Normally, Rohen would have said he didn’t care about things like that, but now that it was time to part, he felt like an ordinary child.
In the meantime, we climbed the hill where the tallest, thick-trunked tree in the orphanage stood.
The sun had already risen. And just like in the novel, from far away, a carriage was racing toward the orphanage.
There was a small village near the orphanage, but the carriage and knights were large enough to be seen from afar, kicking up clouds of dust as they approached.
“Looks like they’re here.”
“That one?”
“Yes. Rohen. I was right, wasn’t I? You can trust this.”
At that, the child hugged his stuffed doll tightly and nodded.
“So there’s nothing to worry about. Just like I said, everything will change. Go there and enjoy it as much as you want. Eat lots of delicious food, wear nice clothes. Got it? And if you want to come find us, do it once you’ve settled in a bit.”
That would probably be five years.
Five years—a span that could seem long or short, depending on how you looked at it. During that time, no matter what, I would protect the Lari who remained. And you would become a brilliant young master of the Grand Ducal family, shining brighter than anyone else.
“Okay. Don’t worry.”
Looking at the smiling child, I did my best to calm my trembling heart.
The carriage didn’t slow, charging straight up to the orphanage where we stood. Startled by its sudden arrival, the head of the orphanage and the teachers hurriedly ran outside.
Since it wasn’t even proper morning time yet, the children still seemed half-asleep.
We watched the scene from a step behind.
On the silver carriage, glittering as though it held stars within it, was painted a blue-eyed wolf holding a sword in its mouth.
The carriage soon came to a stop in front of the orphanage. As if there was no time to wait, the door opened immediately, and a man stepped out.
“I’ve been told my child is here.”
The man spoke as soon as he opened his mouth, as though pressed for time—and his appearance far exceeded expectations.
Brilliant silver hair, as though woven strand by strand from silver thread, and blue eyes that betrayed not the slightest fluctuation of emotion.
He was a man whose dazzling looks truly suited the phrase “crafted by the gods.”
Simply looking at him was enough to feel your eyes being treated.
‘The Grand Duke. The father of the two final villains in the novel. His face wasn’t shown on the cover—I never imagined he’d be this handsome.’
The head of the orphanage, who had come out without even properly tying his hair, hurriedly rubbed his eyes.
“Y-Yes? What?”
“Bow your head. This is His Grace, Grand Duke Casimir Blair.”
“G-Grand Duke… Y-Your Grace…! Wh-What brings you to this place…?”
The head of the orphanage shouted as he bowed so deeply his head nearly touched the ground.
The caretakers followed suit, bowing as well.
The children, belatedly awakened by the commotion, peeked their heads out the windows, but unlike usual, the heavy atmosphere kept anyone from coming outside.
“I was told my child is here. Do you intend to make me say it twice?”
“N-No, Your Grace. H-However… this place only has children without parents. There’s no way Your Grace’s precious child could be here…”
Even now, the head of the orphanage didn’t know that the twins he had hidden were the Grand Duke’s children.
If he had known, he might have tried to use that to strike a deal with the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duchess herself had never revealed her identity, visiting secretly only a few times. So the head’s reaction was understandable.
“Search.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
As the director stammered, the Grand Duke scanned the surroundings without any change in expression.
Seeing him look as though he might ransack the orphanage at any moment, I took Rohen’s hand and slowly approached them.
Naturally, the Grand Duke’s gaze—until then sweeping the area without emotion—stopped in one place.
Silver hair. Blue eyes. A child standing there who looked unmistakably like himself.
“……It seems I’ve found him.”
The Grand Duke spoke flatly toward the knights, then stared at Rohen for a long moment.
Thus, Rohen and I stood before the Grand Duke.
The head of the orphanage, who moments ago had been at a loss, went deathly pale and gaped.
“W-What? Th-This child is Your Grace’s son?”
