Actually, according to the original plan, I was thinking of taking Benjamin in a few days.
However, becoming a sponsor and simultaneously becoming the child’s recommender for admission to the Northern Academic Academy was a very unusual occurrence, so there was more paperwork to prepare than I had thought.
“I miscalculated the time a bit, so I need to ask for Benjamin’s understanding,” Carol said carefully to Benjamin. She explained the situation fully, as if respecting his opinion.
“There’s more paperwork to prepare than I expected. I wanted to let you stay here where you’ve adjusted until we leave, but it’s a bit far, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“So, although it’s sudden, would it be okay if you go to the orphanage near the capital today and stay there for a while? Or I can come pick you up tomorrow if you prefer.”
And some documents could only be written while accompanying Benjamin. It would be most convenient to keep him at home, but that was impossible before becoming an official sponsor.
“I’ll go today. I heard from Teacher that I might have to leave right away, so I’ve packed everything. I’ve also said my goodbyes.”
Benjamin answered Carol’s explanation decisively.
She thought, how could there be such a kind and lovable child.
‘Where on earth is there a place that would hit such a child.’
As Benjamin’s father suddenly came to mind, she became angry, but Carol quickly cooled her rising anger.
Today was a day when even just talking about good things wouldn’t be enough.
‘Let’s think about the Duke later too.’
Carol shook her head quickly at the thought of the Duke that suddenly came to mind.
“Then shall we leave right away with your luggage?”
Bianca, who had been listening to their conversation, said with a bright smile, as if striking while the iron is hot.
The summer in the capital was already heading towards its end.
But the ground was still holding onto the heat from the remaining summer warmth.
Carol wiped the sweat flowing on the nape of her neck with a handkerchief and gazed at the scenery outside the window.
After deciding to go to the North, Carol often thought about the North.
The North, where even sunlight feels cold.
It was always cold, but she would think of the kind people she met there.
‘Mrs. Wells will be surprised when I return, won’t she?’
She was nervous just thinking about it, unable to even guess what kind of reaction she would show, but she still missed her nonetheless.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Noah, who had been talking with Benjamin beside her, turned his gaze to Carol and asked.
“…I was thinking about the Duke’s Mansion.”
“You miss it too, Carol?”
Carol nodded slightly at Noah’s words.
“Yes.”
“The capital is really hot.”
“It really is.”
Noah clicked his tongue, saying he couldn’t even wear a scarf. His appearance looked similar to the Duke, making Carol chuckle.
“I want to go back quickly.”
To the North she missed, where there was a warm fireplace, soft chairs, and sweet tea.
Originally, the temple in the capital didn’t have an affiliated orphanage.
The Duke pays a donation every year, and with that privilege, Benjamin was able to stay temporarily in the dormitory where the choir children stay.
“You won’t be staying long,” Carol said again.
Once she becomes a guardian, she can bring him home, so that was her top priority.
“Big Brother Noah said he can visit often too, so I’m fine with it,” Benjamin said maturely to Carol.
As they arrived at the temple, they saw two large figures lingering in front of the entrance.
Bianca, who had been closely watching the two men milling about restlessly, said as if she suddenly realized something.
“Aren’t those Teacher Carol’s brothers?”
As Bianca turned her gaze towards the window where she was sitting, she could see the two large men with their heads close together.
Carol tilted her head as she saw the familiar backs of their heads.
“…I think so?”
Why are they here?
They didn’t fight yesterday, but didn’t they leave early because of the awkward atmosphere?
Before her thoughts could continue, the carriage came to a stop. Just before Bianca opened the carriage door, she asked,
“Were you supposed to meet them?”
“No. I’m sure they were supposed to be working today…”
Click.
As the carriage door opened, her brothers turned around, startled.
Awkward glances were exchanged for a moment. Carol was the first to speak.
“Kevin, Dylan?”
“Sis.”
“…Didn’t you go to work early?”
At Carol’s question, the two approached as if they had been waiting.
“Just for a bit in the morning. We meant to skip work today but forgot, so we only worked in the morning and came back early.”
“…Why?”
“We had to see the face of the kid you’re sponsoring, didn’t we?”
Carol smiled, softening her eyebrows at Kevin and Dylan’s words that implied it was only natural.
“How did you know when we’d arrive? It’s hot out here.”
“We didn’t wait long.”
“That’s right. And we decided to guide you instead.”
The person standing guard at the front gave a slight eye greeting, as if he was the original guide.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Kevin and Dylan took their eyes off Carol and alternately looked at Noah and Benjamin, then stood in front of Benjamin and handed him the bag they were holding.
“Hello.”
Benjamin flinched at the unfamiliar male voice.
He had momentarily forgotten that he hadn’t been near any adult men since the incident.
Carol took the bag instead and leaned down in front of Benjamin.
“Benjamin, these are Teacher’s brothers.”
“Teacher’s brothers?”
Benjamin’s voice trembled faintly.
“Yes. It seems Teacher’s brothers have brought you a gift.”
Carol handed Benjamin the bag she received from Kevin.
Kevin, seemingly realizing he had approached too suddenly, took a step back with a more cautious attitude than before.
“It’s mostly snacks. Those are the best for making friends, right?”
Dylan also stepped back and spoke. Benjamin quickly lifted his head at Dylan’s words. His cheeks were red, apparently liking the gift.
“Snacks?”
Benjamin hugged the bag a little tighter.
“Yes.”
“…Thank you.”
Kevin and Dylan hunched their large bodies, held Benjamin’s hand, and spoke kindly.
“You’re welcome.”
“I worked at this temple yesterday too, so is it okay if I guide you?”
Benjamin nodded slightly at Dylan’s words. Dylan carefully extended one hand, and this time Benjamin took it without flinching.
Carol carefully stepped back and watched the two.
“Seeing those little ones taking care of Benjamin gives me a new feeling.”
Bianca and Noah hesitated at Carol’s emotional tone.
“…Little ones…?”
Noah asked back in a dubious voice. To anyone’s eyes, the two men looked about twice Carol’s size.
“Can I talk to Sis alone for a moment?”
Kevin, one of the ‘little ones’, slowed his pace and asked Bianca and Noah.
Noah and Bianca nodded, swallowing their laughter. Then they moved forward, following Dylan and Benjamin who were walking ahead.
Only after the distance between them was enough that the people in front couldn’t hear their conversation did Kevin reluctantly open his mouth.
“I guess we were worried about going to the North later than Sis.”
It was the first time they would be separated for so long and so far. They wanted to go to the North together if possible, but circumstances didn’t allow it. Although it was an unavoidable situation, it seemed the brothers were secretly worried and felt a bit sad.
“I told you we wouldn’t be separated for that long. I’ll make sure you don’t have to worry about anything.”
Kevin, who was clearly looking at the top of Carol’s head as she repeated herself, played his trump card.
“Dylan cried last night.”
“…He cried?”
Kevin spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice, but Carol’s expression was serious.
“You never tell us anything, so we get even more anxious.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Carol was their guardian. She knew her brothers were always worried about her, but thinking she had to lead them as a guardian in place of their parents, Carol never showed her true feelings.
She was afraid that if she showed weakness, her brothers would become more anxious.
Now she didn’t have to do that, and her brothers didn’t want her to, but once-formed habits were not easily discarded.
“That doesn’t mean we want you to force yourself to talk about things you don’t want to.”
Kevin wrapped his arm around Carol’s shoulders. Then, looking at his small sister who fit lightly in his arms, he whispered kindly.
“Don’t hate it too much when we worry about you, and if there’s something you want to say, just say it.”
“…When did you all grow up like this?”
Carol said, her eyes reddening.
“We’ve been grown up for a while now?”
“You’re so dependable, but you cried?”
“I didn’t cry. Dylan cried.”
Kevin let out a laugh, furrowing his brows.
“Did Dylan hear that? Why did he stop instead of going further?”
“No way.”
As the two approached right behind Dylan while joking, Dylan suddenly turned around.
“…Let’s take a detour.”
“Why?”
At Carol’s innocent question, Dylan bit his lower lip. Before Carol could stop him, she peeked her head out to the side.
Under the beautiful patterned gazebo at the center of the garden was the Duke.
