Mother at Six

“Your Majesty… thank you…”

Iris gazed at the beautifully transformed orphanage, her voice trembling with emotion.

Your Majesty?

The King?

It was the King’s doing!

How dare he support the orphanage before me!

A surge of fiery anger welled up in my chest.

My perfect plan was shattered to pieces!

And it’s largely the King’s fault that my reputation is in tatters!

He’s the one who let the rumors about me being a monster go unchecked!

Even after meeting me and knowing how kind I am!

This is an outright injustice!

So…

How should I deal with the King…

Should I storm the palace again and cause a scene?

Or maybe kidnap the prince this time?

Wait, but that would only fuel more rumors about the King!

Like, rumors that he’s wearing a maid outfit and has a cross-dressing hobby!

“The King is working as a maid at the Crystal Palace…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“They say he has a cross-dressing hobby…”

Pfft!

That would be hilarious!

The palace would become a tourist attraction!

But wait…

The palace was built by the King.

And it’s even more magnificent than I expected.

And thinking again, taking revenge on him for supporting the orphanage first would make me the crazy one…

Ugh…

I have no one to vent my anger on!

How frustrating!

“Mom, your face is red!”

Cecilia stared at me with her big, curious eyes.

Her eyes sparkled with interest.

Hmm!

When did she start staring at me?

“No, it’s just… I’m excited to see the kids at the orphanage!”

I quickly made an excuse and forced a awkward smile.

“Wow, Mom, you’re so cool!”

Cecilia smiled brightly and took my hand.

Her small, warm hand calmed me down a little.

Flap, flap!

《I’m jealous》

Just then, Miel subtly pulled my hair and quickly wrote something.

That keen-eyed kid!

But I chose to ignore it lightly.

Well.

It’s too late to make the orphanage beautiful, but I can still be a kind older sister to the kids.

I shook my head and steeled myself.

“Okay, let’s go in!”

Passing through the wide garden, I opened the orphanage door with excitement.

As soon as I entered the foyer, a subtle fragrance filled my nostrils.

The floor was made of polished marble, and the ivory walls were adorned with colorful, childish drawings.

A rainbow drawn with crayons, a cat with colored pencils, a flower field with watercolors…

Though crude, the walls were filled with pictures full of effort and love.

“Excuse me, but who are you…?”

An elderly woman with neatly combed gray hair greeted us in the foyer.

She wore a clean white apron, her face warm with age lines, the typical kind grandmother figure.

She looked at me, Cecilia, and the floating Miel with a bewildered expression.

Hmm…

If I were to say, “I’m Lycoris,” a commotion would surely ensue.

I subtly stepped back and brought Iris and Lendi forward.

The elderly woman’s wrinkled eyes widened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Her trembling hands shook slightly.

“Iris!”

The woman called out in a choked voice and rushed to Iris.

It was as if they were long-lost family.

“Carina, Director!”

Iris also embraced the woman with tears in her eyes.

Carina…?

Is that the name of this grandmother?

Hmm…

That name suits an idol-like figure like Iris.

“Dear… I was so worried about you…”

Carina stroked Iris’s shoulder, her voice trembling.

Tears glistened in her eyes, showing how much she had worried.

“I’m sorry, Director… I’m really sorry…”

Iris bowed deeply, her voice cracking with emotion.

“I couldn’t contact you often… I’m sorry for worrying you…”

Just then, loud footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Tap, tap, tap, tap!

“Iris unnie!”

A blonde girl, no more than elementary school age, ran in tears.

Her small face was streaked with tears.

Her short strides made her run awkwardly, but it was endearing.

“Serina!”

Iris immediately knelt down and opened her arms wide.

Serina threw herself into Iris’s embrace.

“Uwaaang! Unnie didn’t come, so I cried every day!”

Serina clung to Iris’s neck, sniffling.

Her small shoulders shook as she cried.

“At night, I dreamed of unnie, but when I woke up, unnie wasn’t there… Hwaang…”

“I’m sorry, Serina… I’m really sorry…”

Iris comforted Serina by patting her back.

Tears welled up in her eyes as well.

But…

They haven’t seen each other for just a month, right?

Why so much crying?

For me, who waited three years for Master, it seemed like a short time.

Hmm…

Maybe because they’re young…

As more children peeked out from the hallway, their voices filled the air.

“Look! It’s Iris unnie!”

“It’s really Iris noona!”

“Unnie is back!”

Nearly thirty children gathered around Iris.

So many…

“Kids…”

Another round of tears…

Standing there helplessly, I felt awkward.

After their emotional reunion, the children finally noticed us.

Their curious eyes turned to us.

“Wow… prettier than Iris unnie…”

“She’s really cute! Her hair and eyes are like flames!”

“There’s a strange butterfly too!”

Sigh…

Finally free from being the center of attention!

And thankfully, my first impression seems great!

But then, one child approached me.

“Are you going to live here too?”

…?

What are they talking about?

Do they think I’m an orphan?

Wait, I don’t have parents and I’m only six, but!

No! I have Master, and my mental age is that of an adult!

And I even own a house now!

But before I could retort, the children swarmed around me.

“Let’s be friends!”

“How old are you?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“What’s your name?”

“You smell like flowers!”

“Can I touch your hair?”

Ugh…

One at a time, please…

Though there were some strange questions mixed in.

What’s with the boyfriend question?

Looking aside, Cecilia was in the same situation.

The children flocked around her, calling her cute.

Most of the boys came to me, and the girls went to Cecilia.

These kids already prefer pretty older sisters…

Glancing back, Lendi had a pale face as he watched the scene.

What’s wrong? Do they think I can’t handle kids’ jokes?

But looking closely, his gaze was on Cecilia.

Oh, he was with Cecilia at the market.

Lendi’s concern was valid!

Cecilia might lose control and cause trouble!

“Cecilia! Don’t use your powers on the kids!”

“Ara-so, Mom!”

Cecilia’s bright, cute reply instantly silenced the children’s clamor.

The sudden quiet was a bit awkward.

“Are you… her mom?”

A child looked at me and Cecilia alternately.

“You’re not… her mom, are you…?”

Oh, “ajumma”?

Does being a mom make me an ajumma?

“What ajumma? I’m six years old!”

My voice rose unintentionally.

The children murmured among themselves again.

“How can a six-year-old be a mom?”

“It’s impossible…”

“No, she’s not really a mom, right?”

“Maybe a griffin brought her as a baby…”

“Not a griffin, a phoenix!”

“You fools… she’s obviously not a real mom…”

Ugh…

Already exhausted…

Dealing with kids is this tiring?

Just then, I heard Carina and Iris talking in the distance.

“Iris… who are those people?”

Carina looked at me with a cautious expression, her voice tense.

Iris hesitated before answering softly.

“They’re Lycoris and her companions.”

“Lycoris…?”

Carina repeated the name, her face turning pale.

I stroked Cecilia’s warm head and perked up my ears.

“Is it… the one people have been talking about lately?”

“Director, calm down.”

Iris quickly grabbed her hand.

“It’s nothing like the rumors. Lycoris isn’t that terrifying monster.”

Oh!

She’s defending me?

“And actually…”

Iris whispered even softer.

“I don’t work at the winery… I work at Lycoris and Frostia’s lair.”

“What…? Th-that…”

Carina staggered and leaned against the wall.

Is it that shocking to hear that Iris works at our place?

“It’s not like that! It’s really safe and a good environment.”

Iris hurriedly explained.

“Everyone there is kind. Lycoris is pure-hearted and warm. She came here to play with the kids because she wanted to make them smile.”

Giggle.

My lips naturally curled up.

In reality, it’s just for image-making…

“And Frostia is also… Despite her intimidating presence and cold aura at first, she has a warm heart. She’s really kind.”

Hehe!

Iris’s kind words about Master made me feel better.

She’s indeed perceptive!

“Then… I’m truly relieved.”

Carina wiped her chest and sighed in relief.

“Director, we shouldn’t judge based on unfounded rumors anymore.”

Iris said seriously.

“I realized that we shouldn’t believe things without seeing them ourselves.”

“You’re right… I was too hasty in my judgment. I’m sorry…”

Carina looked at Iris with warm eyes and nodded.

But Iris is exaggerating a bit, don’t you think?

Though it’s all true!