EIITAB - Chapter 31 < Did You Come To See Me? >
Even If It Is Trampled And Broken
In short, the Day of Compassion was an event for children who lost their parents. During the day, the saint personally blessed the orphanage children with gifts and food she had prepared for them, wishing them good health and happiness. It was said to be a charity event, but there was a secret conflict.
This is because there were two orphanages in the capital. When Hestia was alone as a Saintess, she had quite a bit of trouble every year. Since there were two places to go, there was an unusual fight between the two over which orphanage to visit first. This was because Kings were sponsored by the royal family and Glory was sponsored by a temple, but since last year, the destination has been relatively clearly determined. Hestia goes to Kings, and Annette goes to Glory.
The atmosphere flowed that way naturally. As Hestia got out of her carriage, the head of the King's Orphanage personally greeted her.
"Saintess Hestia, thank you for visiting our Kings Orphanage again this year."
I smiled softly on my lips as she greeted them.
"Director and teachers. How is everyone?"
"Sure. We always spend peaceful days under the care of His Majesty the King and the temple. Fortunately."
Hestia began to roughly scan the venue with her eyes.
"Has everyone arrived?"
"That is... Yes, that's right."
Priests from the temple and nobles were seen sparsely filling the seats. Compared to before, the number was ridiculously small. I guess... It seems they heard rumors about me and flocked to Glory Orphanage.
The families who attended were mostly those who were close to the royal family. Most of the other nobles probably went towards Glory.
The director of King's Daycare Center smiled and spoke as if he was embarrassed as I looked around me.
"This year, the event was held in a quiet atmosphere."
I hurriedly turned my gaze back to the director. I said I was just looking for people, but the director seemed to care about the meager number of people.
"I don't know if I made you worry for no reason."
The director must have also heard rumors about me. Still, I was quite thankful that he didn't blame me.
I felt sorry for him and comforted him at the thought of getting on my nerves.
"I'm fine. So, I hope the director doesn't feel too disappointed. The scale of sponsorship will not be reduced or canceled."
The director waved his hand.
"Would we think of that? I'm just thankful that the Saintess came to visit us again this year, just like last year."
"Thank you for saying that."
I smiled and finished the conversation.
"Then I'll see you at the start of the event. I will at least say thank you to everyone who came."
"Shall I take you there?"
"It's okay."
I politely and neatly declined this favor and walked toward my VIP seat. Meanwhile, my eyes moved
diligently.
'Where is Stephan Ceretto?"
I seemed nervous and bit the delicate flesh in my mouth. Since I had seen first-hand how carefully Angela applied the rouge to my own lips to achieve my fair color, I couldn't bear to let that effort go to waste so I took the next best option.
They said he was someone who attended every gathering of nobles, so I thought he would attend today as well. But no matter how much I looked around, I couldn't see the face I remembered.
'Due to Sir Stephan's personality, did he go to Glory Nursery, where more nobles flocked?'
If Annette had contacted him first, he would have received any instructions. In that case, there was a high probability that Stephan would come to see me today.
But I can't see him anywhere. Does this mean that he has not yet been bribed by Annette?
I continued to look around, occasionally responding to nobles who greeted me first. But I had trouble finding Stephan anywhere. Should I see this as a positive sign?
I felt like my head was getting hot. My lips parted and my hot breath flowed out. Is it because I think a lot?
I wasn't feeling well.
'So where will I first meet him?'
At least I should meet with that person before he accepts Annette's offer, so I can have a chance to try to appease him.
I swallowed my sigh. In my previous life, I did not attend parts 1 and 2 of this year's event. This is because after receiving a terminal diagnosis from Annette, I was so shocked that I rarely went out.
Of course, I was in poor health, but it wasn't to the point where I couldn't do anything.
However, I had a nervous breakdown. In my last life, I was afraid of how others would view me.
That's why Annette attended both Gloria and King's. Shortly thereafter, I became engaged to Stephan Ceretto, who courted me on the recommendation of the temple associates.
I wanted the wedding to take place immediately, rather than an engagement, on the part of the Ellsworth royal family, but he, on the part of Stephen, wanted the marriage to take place a year later.
That too, on the day I was scheduled to die.
Stephan gave the reason that he wanted to show that Hestia was alive and well by letting him know that I was alive.
It was quite plausible, so I accepted the temple. Of course, no one asked my opinion during the process.
Why did he do that? Did he want to look a little more dramatic?
I, who thought deeply for a moment, shook my head slightly in a motion that seemed invisible. My thin silver hair fluttered slightly.
'It's a thing of the past now.'
Let's not think about why. Reflecting on my memories is definitely a great help in moving forward in this life.
However, it is not good to live tied down looking for a reason for something that has already passed and cannot be undone.
'That's just a waste of time.'
Then Angela and the director of the orphanage came up to me and spoke politely.
"Saintess, please move your seat. All preparations are complete."
As I turned my gaze, I saw a warm meal given to the children taking up space on the long table, steaming out of the air. Savory soup, fresh salad, warm and fluffy bread, and juicy meat.
All the children, dressed in crisply ironed school uniforms for today, were gulping and unable to take their eyes off their food.
After seeing that, I gave up looking for Stephan Ceretto and immediately turned my body.
"I guess I should go now. If it's too late, I think I'll hear resentment."
I smiled and joked lightly. As I headed toward my table, the other young noble wives and their daughters also moved in unison.
These were the people who would help me and serve the food today.
"I meet the Saintess."
"Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to do this."
"You're welcome."
They each stood in front of the food. Hestia smiled with an embarrassed expression as the empty space was quickly filled.
"What can I share?"
"How about sharing dessert with the Saintess?"
It was the least laborious task for me. I headed to the place where I placed the pannacotta topped with ripe figs.
Even in terms of the order, I handed out dessert last, which seemed appropriate since they allowed me to say my blessings.
"I think the kids will like it."
"Yes?"
In a fairly friendly atmosphere, people put on their aprons and tried to start serving food. But at that time, the entrance to the orphanage became somewhat noisy.
As I glanced in that direction, I saw a pitch-black carriage pulled by a black horse stopping.
"Huh, who is this? Everyone who was supposed to come has come."
The director of the orphanage hurriedly walked to greet the new guest. Meanwhile, the carriage door opened, and the visitor appeared.
Then my eyes wavered. I, who was the first to recognize him before anyone else, automatically stopped breathing.
"Why..."
It was a voice that seemed as if it would be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Angela, who was standing next to me, tilted her head and asked back.
"Yes? Why are you doing this?"
I stammered out my answer, holding on tightly to the reason I was barely able to regain.
"Oh, no nothing."
I barely suppressed my agitation and forced myself to look away. My face was quite solemn as I glared at the sweet panna cotta as if it were my own enemy.
I forced my gaze away, but the pounding of her heart, which had already begun to beat violently, did not subside. It feels like my heart is pounding all over my body.
Without me noticing, my breathing became slightly heavier.
'Why did you come?'
Aslan Kalathi was here.
As soon as I became aware of him, I felt heat rushing to my head again. Aslan seemed to have arrived late on purpose. He could clearly guess what was inside. If he arrive early, he will only receive uncomfortable attention, so I guess he was late to attract as little attention as possible.
He went to the very back of the guest seats and sat down quietly. As expected, he was frowning again.
However, his presence was not something that could be ignored just because he wanted to, so a small commotion spread around him like a wave.
'Did you come to see me?'
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