It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 52

“Starting today, all the children have been moved to the Del Orphanage. Madam Iblem of Del Orphanage is a loving and considerate person, so you can rest assured leaving them in her care.”

Thanks to Giscal granting permission to transfer all the children to Del Orphanage, Ortland was able to execute the plan the very next day.

The paperwork at the Gren Orphanage and the procurement of additional supplies for Del Orphanage were completed swiftly. In less than five days, all the children were safely settled into their new home.

“You’ve really done a great job. I feel bad for putting you through all this.”

“Not at all. In fact, I feel more at ease now. I should have paid more attention back then, but I was overwhelmed right after the former head passed away. I’m just glad I can help the children now.”

Arne had caused a commotion at the Rockfeld Orphanage shortly after the former head died of illness. How could she visit an orphanage and cause trouble so soon after her father’s funeral? I clicked my tongue inwardly.

“And Madam Iblem asked if Your Highness could visit the orphanage sometime. The children are so eager to see Lady Arne. If you’re willing, I’ll arrange the schedule.”

Ortland smiled warmly. I readily agreed.

“I was actually thinking of going with Loki to see his friends.”

“Then I’ll make preparations.”

“Great. Oh, I’d like to give the children some gifts.”

“A wonderful idea.”

Louis and I began preparing gifts for the children we would reunite with at Del Orphanage. We hoped the presents would help them embrace their new home with joy.

We selected clothes and coats suitable for each age group, comfortable shoes that fit just right, and toys the children would love.

Of course, we didn’t forget the children who had already been living at Del Orphanage. Imagining their happy faces made the process of preparing gifts truly enjoyable. Loki also helped us, since children know best what other children like.

“Loki, could you taste these for me?”

Called into the dining room, Loki’s eyes widened at the sight of the table overflowing with cookies and candies.

“Can I really eat all of this?”

“Of course. But if you eat everything, your stomach might hurt. Try a little of each.”

Loki scurried around the table, eagerly popping cookies into his mouth with his tiny hands. Each bite brought forth a burst of delighted exclamations.

I had planned to ask him to pick his favorite cookie, but it seemed we’d need to prepare every kind.

“How was it? Did you like it?”

With puffed cheeks, Loki mumbled, “It’s really delicious. I’ve never had sweets this good. What I used to eat was just fried flour, not real candy.”

“I’m glad you like it. But we’re not done yet.”

“What else is there?”

I signaled to Louis, who smiled and placed a large cake in front of Loki. It was a special order from Pakia Bakery, beautifully decorated with whipped cream. Loki’s eyes sparkled.

“I’ve never seen such a fancy cake! The old director’s cake wasn’t this big. I remember tasting a single bite of whipped cream—it was so sweet… This must be even sweeter!”

“Go ahead, try it.”

“Can I really eat it?”

Loki eagerly picked up a fork and tasted the whipped cream. His body trembled with joy.

“It’s amazing. How can it melt on my tongue like this?”

“I’m glad. But don’t just eat the cream—try the whole cake.”

“…Can I really eat more? Truly?”

Loki looked at me with disbelief.

“Of course. It’s all yours. Eat as much as you want.”

He clasped his hands and gazed at the cake in awe.

“This is my first time eating cake. The old director only let us taste a bit of whipped cream. He ate half, and the rest had to be shared among all the kids… There were too many of us. Can I really eat this?”

Already digging in, Loki looked up with sparkling eyes. I nodded firmly. He devoured the cake, smearing whipped cream around his mouth.

Was I looking at him too pitifully? Louis whispered quietly.

“That Rockfeld Orphanage director must’ve been truly awful. Even with financial hardship, he could’ve given the kids a slice of cake on their birthdays.”

“Right? To think Loki’s never had cake before…”

After eating a third of the large cake, Loki patted his belly. Though clearly full, his eyes still held longing.

“Don’t worry. You can have more tomorrow. I’ll let everyone know this cake belongs to you.”

“Really? Thank you! Then… can I share it with my friends? Philip and Rosa have never had cake either. I feel a bit guilty eating it all myself. I should’ve eaten less…”

Loki voiced what I had been about to say. His thoughtfulness was touching.

“No, this one’s all yours. I’ll give your friends the same cookies and cake. Let’s go see them together—Philip, Rosa, and the other kids from Rockfeld.”

“Lady Arne, you’re an angel!”

His exaggerated praise made me blush. I was merely cleaning up the mess Arne had left behind.

I just wanted the traces of her cruelty to fade from the children’s memories.

On the day of the visit to Del Orphanage, I changed into a comfortable outing dress with Louis’s help and stepped into the lobby. It was filled with gifts for the children—each one wrapped by Louis, Loki, and me over several days. The biggest gift was the oversized cake from Pakia Bakery.

“Wow, is that really a cake? I wonder if I’ll get a slice.”

Martenal drooled in front of the cake box, which was as tall as a child. I chuckled.

“If there’s any left after the kids, you’ll be the first to get some.”

“You’ve promised now!”

Martenal insisted on carrying the box himself to keep the cake intact. Outside, a long line of carriages waited. Hans, who had been inspecting them, ran over upon seeing me.

“Your Highness, you’re here. Everything is ready for departure.”

“Thanks. You’ll be busy today managing the knights, won’t you?”

“We’re honored to serve as your escort. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.”

I scratched my cheek, looking at the blue-armored royal guards surrounding the carriages.

This outing couldn’t be as simple as the last. It was an official visit to an orphanage sponsored directly by the Edelheit family.

Since it bore the family name, we had to avoid any criticism. And with five carriages just for gifts, dozens of escorts were needed. I asked Giscal to allow the idle royal guards at the mansion to join the escort, just in case Erich tried to stir trouble. We had to eliminate any potential risks.

Giscal wasn’t thrilled, but he agreed. Of course, not all escorts were royal guards—elite knights from the Edelheit family, including Martenal, were also part of the group.

“It’s going to be cold today. You should wear a shawl.”

I held up the shawl Louis had prepared. The voice belonged to Giscal, who approached wearing a light gray suit instead of his usual black uniform.

Giscal was joining the visit as well. Though it was rare for the head of the Edelheit family to personally visit a sponsored orphanage, he was coming for my protection.

I felt a bit guilty for burdening him, but his presence was reassuring.

“Why aren’t you in uniform today?”

“Ortland said the black uniform might scare the children. Do I look strange?”

He adjusted his outfit with both hands. Of course he didn’t look strange—any suit would suit him. I quickly reassured him.

“Not at all. The uniform is nice, but this suit looks great too. You’ve got the kind of face that suits anything.”

“…”

Giscal froze, speechless. Someone might think he was angry, but I knew better now.

He was just flustered by my teasing. He didn’t know how to respond, so he stayed silent. Though it was a joke, it was also true.

“You think so too, right, miss? The Marquis never puts that handsome face to good use.”

Martenal chimed in. I nodded in agreement.

“Enough chatter. Move the gifts.”

Giscal turned to Martenal and gave a curt order. Martenal pouted.

“Isn’t that blatant favoritism? People might think you’ve got some dirt on you from the lady.”

“Stop whining and get moving.”

Giscal’s voice grew more irritated. Martenal covered his mouth and whispered.

“Thanks to the lady, we’re seeing sides of the captain we’ve never seen before.”

Before Giscal could respond, Martenal darted away. Giscal sighed and rubbed his face.

What were these unseen sides of Giscal that Martenal mentioned? His flustered expression? That sigh?

Martenal, who had spent years with him, surely knew more of Giscal’s facets than I did. I had never seen him laugh loudly or get truly angry.

Suddenly, I felt a pang of longing.

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