Angel of the Orphanage

Ugh…

A deep sigh escaped me.

The screams of people still echoed in my ears.

Of course, I didn’t do it on purpose, but why do people always misunderstand my good intentions?

Let’s go home…

As I tried to walk away, exhausted, Cecilia suddenly exclaimed in an excited voice, pointing to the corner of a building.

“Ew! Someone’s hiding here!”

Following her pointing finger, I looked in that direction, but I couldn’t see anything.

Huh?

I narrowed my eyes and looked closely, but all I saw were weeds growing between old bricks and piles of wooden crates.

Has her senses improved because she’s the ruler?

Cecilia’s abilities were amazing as ever.

But what I was curious about was something else.

Why aren’t they running away and staying?

Usually, people would run away when they see the market being destroyed, right?

Perhaps…

A ominous thought crossed my mind.

“Are they journalists!”

Yes, that must be it!

Those bastards who ruined my reputation!

I could already imagine the headlines.

“The terrifying Lycoris, destroyer of the market? This is just the beginning.”

“‘I just ate blood.’ The rumors about Lycoris – a conspiracy, not the truth!”

The aggressive headlines from my past life flashed before my eyes.

Just imagining them made me angry.

“I’ll show them!”

I clenched my fists.

“I’ll take care of this!”

Cecilia, with sparkling eyes, ran towards the building.

Her small feet made a clear tinkling sound as she kicked the ground.

“Ahh!”

A child’s scream came from the corner of the building.

Huh?

A kid?

“I’m sorry!”

A dull sound followed by continued screams.

Are they… hitting someone?

After a while, Cecilia appeared holding something.

Or rather, holding someone.

“…”

I was speechless.

Cecilia was lifting a boy above her head with both hands, smiling proudly as if holding a trophy.

What was this sight…

The boy had brown hair and a thin build, probably around ten years old.

But his face was pale with fear.

“I’m sorry! Please spare my life!”

The boy struggled in mid-air, shouting.

His appearance was quite pitiful.

Then, a surprised voice came from beside me.

“Rendi!”

It was Iris.

Her blue eyes were wide with surprise, staring at the boy Cecilia was holding.

“Nuna! Iris-nuna, right?”

The boy, still in the air, recognized Iris with a sigh of relief.

“What? Do you know him?”

I looked at Iris and the boy alternately.

“Yes… he’s my family.”

Huh?

Family?

I looked at them again.

Black hair, large eyes, sharp nose and jawline – Iris, with idol-like visuals.

In the sunlight, her skin was as white and smooth as porcelain.

Her long, thick eyelashes cast shadows, making her look like a doll.

On the other hand, the boy had brown hair, small eyes, a snub nose, and rough skin – a very ordinary appearance.

He was completely different from Iris.

Did the parents give all the good genes to Iris?

Some families are like that.

One child is celebrity-level, and the other…

Hmm.

“We’re not biological siblings… we’re from the same orphanage,” Iris said with an awkward smile.

What!

Orphanage!

How dare I!

My face grew hot.

Just moments ago, I was comparing their looks!

How rude could I be, not knowing they weren’t biologically related?

“I-I’m sorry!”

I hurriedly apologized and tried to lighten the mood.

“Yes! It doesn’t matter whose blood runs through your veins! What matters is trust and love, which are thicker than blood! My family is the same!”

It turned out to be a pretty good recovery.

And it was sincere.

After all, Master, Cecilia, and Belez are my family, even if not by blood.

By the way, Glacia is a pet!

“Hehe! Exactly! Cecilia is my Cecilia!”

Cecilia cheerfully agreed, still holding Rendi.

When will she put him down?

“Okay, put him down.”

“Ara!”

Thud.

“Uwaa…”

When Cecilia finally put Rendi down…

No, she just dumped him.

Rendi groaned, clearly shaken but not seriously hurt.

Why throw him like that…

Rendi stayed on the ground for a while, catching his breath, then slowly got up.

“Are you okay?”

Iris asked worriedly.

“Yes… I’m fine.”

Rendi looked up at Iris and said.

His eyes showed relief at their reunion and a hint of desperation.

“Sis… have you completely left the orphanage?”

“Huh?”

Iris looked startled.

Rendi quickly continued.

“Everyone misses you so much! Especially Serena… she always talks about you… and the director is worried… could you visit just once?”

Iris’s expression turned complicated.

She hesitated for a moment, then glanced at me nervously.

Why me?

Oh, because I’m her personal maid, so she’s asking for permission.

But I was already leaning toward agreeing.

Listening to Rendi made me think of the past.

I too had yearned for Master before.

I knew the loneliness and longing of being left behind.

The orphanage children must feel the same way about Iris, like family.

“It’s fine, go now.”

“Really?”

Iris’s eyes sparkled.

“Yes, how can you not visit when your family misses you so much?”

Wait…

A great idea suddenly came to mind.

If I visit the orphanage and support them, showing them a good image, my reputation could improve a lot!

Instead of being known as a fearsome monster, I could be known as a kind sister who helps orphans!

This was a great opportunity!

“I’ll come too!”

“Huh?”

Iris looked startled.

“Why? Can’t I?”

“No, it’s fine!”

She seemed to force herself to agree…

Probably worried I might destroy the orphanage.

But I promised to be careful this time!

“Where is the orphanage?”

“It’s just a short walk from here. It’ll be quick!”

Iris smiled brightly and led the way.

“Then let’s go!”

And so, we began walking toward the orphanage.

Cecilia was hopping around excitedly, and Rendi was telling Iris all about his recent life.

Snip.

Then, a strand of my hair was pulled.

I turned to see Miel writing in the air with my hair.

“But what about Glacia?”

Ah!

Glacia!

I completely forgot about her!

Looking back, she was still passed out on the ground, a small dot in the distance.

Hmm…

It was a hassle to go back, but considering Glacia’s troublesome nature, bringing her to the orphanage might cause more problems, just like what happened at the market.

“Let her have time to reflect!”

I said confidently.

She needs to take responsibility for her mistakes!

“Punishment from Cecilia!”

Cecilia also nodded in agreement.

So, let her stay there until I return!

As we continued walking, Rendi suddenly raised his hand.

“It’s here!”

But what he pointed at made me question my eyes.

…?

The building in front of us, which was supposed to be an orphanage, was far too grand.

A four-story stone building with a vast garden…

This was almost like a noble mansion!

No, it was even bigger and more splendid than some noble mansions.

Ornate carvings on the building, well-groomed garden flowers, and even a large fountain.

This was…

An orphanage?

The orphanage I knew in fantasy worlds was a crumbling wooden hut on the verge of collapse!

A leaking roof, holes in the walls, children shivering with cold, surviving on thin porridge!

So I had planned to dramatically appear, rebuild the orphanage, feed the children warm meals, and transform into a “kind sister” image!

But it was already done!

Looking beside me, Iris was also staring at the orphanage with wide eyes.

Her mouth slightly open in surprise.

“Sis… it’s completely different!”

Rendi said proudly.

Different…

Someone must have beaten me to it!

My plan to become the orphanage angel was completely ruined!

Who could it be!