Chapter 15
Heidi and I sat in the director’s office, discussing the orphanage’s management.
“I asked the Security Office, and they said the embezzled funds will be recovered by next month. I’ve also reported it to the Duke, so the director and the staff will be punished soon.”
“That’s a relief. How could they abuse such angelic children? They should be locked up for life!”
Heidi clenched her fists in anger. Seeing how passionately she cared for the children made me trust her even more.
“Until we get the money back, I’ll cover the expenses with my own funds. Prepare the budget plan by next week…”
Even as I spoke with Heidi, I kept thinking about Lucian.
‘Is he playing well?’
There’s no way he could’ve gotten into a fight in such a short time.
“Let’s wrap up here for today.”
I quickly finished the conversation and hurried out of the office.
‘I hope nothing happened.’
I quickly walked toward the playground, but Lucian wasn’t there.
“Where did he go?”
I changed direction and headed to the playroom at the far end of the building. That’s where I found Lucian.
“Mom, I’ll feed Coco.”
“Okay. But don’t give too much.”
He was playing house with the other children.
“Woof woof!”
And surprisingly, his role was… a dog.
“……”
I was speechless as I watched Lucian, crawling on all fours like a real dog, eating cereal from a bowl.
‘Lucian… is playing house?’
Normally, he’d scoff at such childish games, calling them boring. Or worse, he’d do something bizarre to make the other kids cry.
“Yes, Coco. You’re eating so well.”
My shock deepened when I noticed where Lucian’s gaze was fixed—on Amelia, who was playing the role of the mother.
“Eat lots.”
“Woof woof!”
When Amelia patted his head, Lucian grinned like an actual puppy. His cheeks even turned pink.
‘Pink cheeks? …Wait a second.’
Trying to process the situation, I suddenly realized something was wrong.
“Ugh…”
I spotted Edwin sulking in the corner.
A chill ran down my spine.
‘He’s fallen for her…’
It was obvious. The obedient attitude, the flushed ears—Lucian had definitely fallen for Amelia.
And Edwin, who liked Amelia, was now watching them with jealousy.
‘Lucian, no!’
I clutched my head in frustration.
Lucian should be trying to win Edwin’s favor, not falling for Amelia and making him upset!
‘What do I do?’
I wanted to separate Lucian from Amelia right away. But I had no right to interfere with his feelings.
“Alright, kids. It’s bedtime now.”
“Goodnight, dear.”
“Mom, Dad, sleep well.”
“Woof woof woof!”
As much as I wanted to intervene, I couldn’t just barge in and ruin their game.
Instead, I turned my attention to Edwin, who was still pouting.
‘Let’s calm Edwin down first.’
Thankfully, Amelia seemed to like Lucian, at least a little. If I could soothe Edwin, things might go back to normal.
I carefully approached him.
“Edwin, what are you doing here all alone?”
Edwin, who had been staring at Amelia, finally looked at me.
“…Nothing.”
Even with half his face hidden by his long hair, his sulky expression was obvious.
“Why don’t you go play with them?”
He shook his head.
Yep, he was definitely upset.
“Are you feeling left out because Amelia is playing with someone else?”
“……”
As expected.
For a moment, I wondered if his possessiveness toward the heroine was already starting. But his honest and pure feelings were kind of adorable, and I couldn’t help but smile.
‘How should I comfort him?’
Telling him that Amelia doesn’t belong to just him wouldn’t be helpful in this situation.
After a brief thought, I sat down beside him.
“I know how you feel.”
“How would you know?”
“I liked someone once too.”
I tried to recall my first love, though it was so long ago that the memories were blurry.
“I-I-I don’t like Amelia! Not at all!”
Ignoring his obvious lie, I continued.
“I used to wish that person would only look at me and talk to me. When they played with others, I’d get jealous.”
Even though he just denied it, Edwin nodded attentively, as if he completely understood.
“But the world isn’t just the two of us, right? That person has to interact with others too. If I got upset every time, I’d be miserable all the time.”
“…Yeah.”
“So don’t be too sad. Even if you can’t have Amelia all to yourself, you can still be her most precious person.”
“Her most precious person?”
“Yep.”
Edwin fell silent, lost in thought. Then, as if coming to a realization, he nodded.
“You’re right. Amelia is so pretty and kind that everyone is bound to love her.”
…Wait a minute.
It seemed like the conversation was starting to shift toward praising Amelia.
‘Uh-oh, he’s becoming a bit of a fool for her.’
I could feel the aura of a future hopeless romance.
“I might not be able to have her all to myself, but I can try to become her most precious person!”
Edwin clenched his fists with determination.
I couldn’t believe it. The usually quiet and timid Edwin was talking this much.
‘What exactly is Amelia’s charm that makes people fall for her so easily?’
It was like she had some kind of magical power that pulled, trapping people like a spider’s web.
“…But how do I become Amelia’s most precious person?”
