Although Sia lived in the same building as the other servants, she occupied an entire floor due to her status. Therefore, no one knew whether there was a loud noise coming from her room. Stella stood in front of her door.
"You're just as stubborn as your mother. You're a total tough guy. And you have plenty of money, too."
"Even if I give it to you this time, you're just going to come again next time."
"You should be grateful if I keep my mouth shut for 50 rubies."
As she stood silently in front of the door, the blackmailer's triumphant voice leaked out. She was about to knock, but withdrew her hand for a moment. A desk tipped over with a crash.
"I can't leave until you pay me!"
Stella pondered what to do, then knocked on the door. The sound coming from inside fell silent for a moment. She knocked again.
"Who are you?"
Soon, Sia peeked her head out.
"Lady Stella, what brings you here?"
Her eyes were filled with surprise.
"May I come in for a moment?"
"Because there are guests here."
Stella was bothered by Sia's disheveled hair. Had she been grabbed by the hair or something?
“I already knew that.”
"You're just as stubborn as your mother. You're a total tough guy. And you have plenty of money, too."
"Even if I give it to you this time, you're just going to come again next time."
"You should be grateful if I keep my mouth shut for 50 rubies."
As she stood silently in front of the door, the blackmailer's triumphant voice leaked out. She was about to knock, but withdrew her hand for a moment. A desk tipped over with a crash.
"I can't leave until you pay me!"
Stella pondered what to do, then knocked on the door. The sound coming from inside fell silent for a moment. She knocked again.
"Who are you?"
Soon, Sia peeked her head out.
"Lady Stella, what brings you here?"
Her eyes were filled with surprise.
"May I come in for a moment?"
"Because there are guests here."
Stella was bothered by Sia's disheveled hair. Had she been grabbed by the hair or something?
“I already knew that.”
Although she knew it was impolite, Stella tried to throw the door wide open as she pleased. Sia gripped the doorknob tightly with a troubled expression.
"I can't do it now. If you need anything, please call me later."
"Move aside."
As Stella spoke firmly, Sia opened the door as if she had no choice. The bookshelf had tipped over, books were scattered across the floor, and glass cups were broken. The room was a complete mess. Stella scanned the room with her lips tightly pressed together. Sia spoke as if making an excuse.
"I accidentally knocked over the bookshelf. My room is a mess. I'll clean it up right away."
"There is no need for that."
The blackmailer tilted her head and looked at Stella.
"Who...?"
She scrutinized Stella from head to toe with her narrowed eyes. The blackmailer's hair was curly like a lion's mane, and the area around her eyes was dark, as if she had worn heavy makeup. The clothes she was wearing did not suit her, but they were quite expensive.
"This is Duchess Stella Adrian."
At Sia's words, the blackmailer let out a gasp of surprise and bowed her head.
"Greetings. It is such an honor to meet such a distinguished person."
Sia offered Stella the seat of honor. Stella crossed her legs and looked down at her haughtily.
"What is the relationship between the two of you?"
"...She is the nanny who looked after me for a while when I was little."
"Nanny?"
Stella's gaze shifted from the blackmailer to Sia.
"My younger sibling was born late in our family. My parents are so busy looking after that sibling that they don't have the energy to look after me as well, so they hired a nanny for a while."
"Then, what brings you here, Ma'am?"
She scratched her head and said.
"Haha. Actually, I run a small orphanage. Things have been getting a bit tough lately, so I came here hoping to get some donations from Sia."
At the blackmailer's words, Sia's face turned as if she had bitten into a bug.
"Donations?"
"Yes. The donation."
When Stella listened to her, the blackmailer wore an expectant look, wondering if something might fall from her mouth.
"Are you also interested in patronage, Duchess?"
Stella could see right through her true intentions. It was almost ridiculous.
'The person who came to receive donations is living so extravagantly?'
Her head throbbed as she pondered where and how to start fixing things. She ran jer hand through her hair with an irritated expression.
"Right. How many children are there in total at the orphanage? I think we should determine the sponsorship amount based on the scale."
The blackmailer's face lit up.
"Is it 30? 50? Ah, no. It's 70!"
The number of children at the orphanage has more than doubled. She must have increased the number of donations to receive more donations. It doesn't seem like she would go and check the number of children in person. Stella looked at Sia.
"Sia, have you ever been to an orphanage in person?"
"Yes. I'm visiting once or twice a month."
"Do you remember how many people there are in total?"
"Excluding the child adopted last week, there are a total of 43. There is a child who needs surgery due to poor health, and another who requires psychiatric counseling because of aphasia."
Sia knew more details than the blackmailer, the director of the orphanage.
"If you give me the money, I will use it to feed those children well. You don't even need to come and verify it yourself. I will put your name on the sponsor list in very large letters, Lady Stella."
Stella raised the corners of her mouth and smiled leisurely.
"Alright. I'll give you the donation, so come back next week."
At this, the blackmailer’s lips parted wide. She laughed heartily, as if she couldn’t contain her excitement. She stood up as if to say there was no longer any need to be there now that she had found a way to collect the money.
"Sia. I feel so rewarded for raising you like this."
And she patted Sia on the shoulder. Sia bit her lip tightly and said nothing.
"Well then, I have something to talk to Sia about, so you may go out first."
"Yes. Understood, Duchess."
She left, and the door closed.
"Why did you suddenly decide to sponsor this? You shouldn't select an organization sponsored by the Dukes' family so easily."
Sia looked at Stella with incomprehension.
"Don't worry, I won't bother you by using the Duke's budget. I'll use my own money."
Sia's expression was somber, as if she found the situation regrettable.
"What brings you to my room?"
"This."
Stella handed her the ointment she had brought.
"I spoke to the doctor and brought back a very effective ointment. I was worried about the wound on your cheek."
"...Thank you."
Stella did not leave immediately but helped Sia clean the room. It was clear that she would not call even a single servant, as she did not want to show this messy room. Sia seemed uncomfortable with Stella's presence, but she cleaned without saying a word.
"I'm thinking of visiting the orphanage tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Sia looked puzzled. Stella clearly told the orphanage director to come visit next week, didn't she?
"I think I might get lost, so I'd like you to accompany me."
Sia's eyes wavered as if deep in thought. Soon, she bowed her head.
"All right."
The two of them put the collapsed bookshelf together to set it up. They put the fallen books back in their places and picked up the broken glass shards together. Sia didn't want to worry about anything because of the orphanage director, but even so, she found Stella's attitude puzzling.
"Lady Stella, did you really come all the way here just to give me an ointment?"
"Then what else could there be?"
Stella shook her hands vigorously. If Kendrick found out that she wasn't in the bedroom or the study, he might become suspicious. So she had to return as quickly as possible.
"I'll be going now. See you tomorrow."
Sia bowed at the waist.
"Please be careful on your way in."
It was long after Stella had left that Sia straightened her bent back.
***
The orphanage was located on the outskirts of the capital.
The name is <Happy Happy Orphanage.>
They said that since a comfortable road had recently been built nearby, the travel time had been significantly reduced compared to before. Stella and Sia were the only two people in the carriage. Stella had set off after telling Kendrick in advance that she would be going to the outskirts of the capital today to see the children. She was also dressed simply, just like a commoner.
'Your outfit today is a bit unique.'
The dress was made of stiff, low-quality fabric unsuitable for a Duchess to wear, but it did not look awkward on Stella.
'Hiding your hair, too.'
Sia found it puzzling, but she assumed Stella was trying to stay out of sight. She was more worried about something else.
'It's definitely going to be a complete mess.'
It was the condition of the orphanage itself. The director hurriedly had the children clean only when the guests arrived. Consequently, when visits were infrequent, dust was piled high, and insects were everywhere. It was obvious the children were in a terrible state. Half of them were likely starving, covered in grime.
"Sia. Is something bothering you? You look upset."
If Stella saw that side of her, the repercussions would be enormous. Sia maintained a stiff expression to avoid revealing her worried feelings.
"Why are you suddenly saying you want to sponsor this orphanage? And with your own money at that."
"It's not far, and it's convenient to come and go often."
"Yes?"
"As I write fairy tales, I find that the closer I am to the children, the better."
Stella smiled brightly as if she knew nothing.
'For such a mere reason.'
What Sia was worried about was not the orphanage director. It was the 43 children remaining at the orphanage. After all, the director used to subtly take out her frustration on the children whenever something displeased her. The carriage stopped in a shabby alley. The orphanage building was visible through the window.
"Then I'll go first, so would you please wait in the carriage?"
For some reason, Stella felt that Sia was seized by anxiety. Hmm... After a brief moment of thought, she nodded.
"Sia, take this."
"What is this?"
"It is to evaluate whether the orphanage is suitable for receiving sponsorship."
<Cleanliness / Educational Programs / Food Quality / Wise Handling by Daycare Teachers / Staff>
It was a scoring sheet with detailed items for each category. Sia feigned bewilderment, but soon accepted the paper as if she understood.
"Sia."
"Yes?"
"If you don't meet the required score, I will look for another orphanage. So, examine it carefully and assign a score."
"Yes, I understand."
"And do not let anyone know that I accompanied you. They might get nervous for no reason."
"Yes."
Stella kept an eye on her watch and only got out of the carriage five minutes after Sia had entered. Considering their past pattern, Sia and the blackmailer would start fighting within five minutes. Sure enough, loud noises could be heard from the moment they reached the entrance of the orphanage.
"Are you kidding me?"
"What's the problem?"
"Why is the Duchess suddenly conducting this inspection when she acted like she would hand over the money without hesitation just yesterday?"
Several children were pressed against the wall, sucking their fingers. Perhaps frightened by the loud noise, they were hugging each other tightly. Even the door to the director's office was slightly ajar, so every single word could be heard clearly. A girl caught Stella's eye. She was a pretty child with orange hair. She seemed particularly terrified of the situation; her body was trembling uncontrollably.
"Why, are you anxious? Afraid you won't be able to satisfy your own selfish desires?"
"It was you, wasn't it? You blabbered to the Duchess and blocked the sponsorship, didn't you?"
"What?"
"You're right. You're acting all twisted just because I slapped you a little."
Stella took off her coat and covered the child with it. Then she gestured to the children near the director's office to quietly go somewhere else.
"Shut up and hand over the paper. I'll take care of writing the score."
Not knowing that Stella was listening to everything, the director tried to snatch the evaluation sheet from Sia. When she refused to give it to her, she even pushed her shoulder.
"Are you seriously crazy? What are you doing in front of the kids?"
"What about the kids? They need to know something. How much effort I'm putting in to save this orphanage!"
"Effort? What you're doing isn't effort, it's just causing chaos. You're just putting on a facade of being nice and hypocritical."
"You're the hypocrite."
The director let out a sigh as if dumbfounded.
"There is so much evidence here in this orphanage alone. I still vividly remember when that filthy bar bitch brought you here before she died."
When Stella overheard the conversation up to this point, she could not stand it any longer.
"Didn't I tell you not to call her a bar bitch?"
"Then, shall I tell them I'm an illegitimate child who doesn't even know her father?"
Stella walked over with a stern expression and threw open the door to the principal's office.
"You are being too harsh in front of the children."
"Who are you again!"
The director glared at her irritably. From that attitude and expression, one could gauge just how much power the director wielded in this orphanage. Stella glared back at her without answering. The director frowned.
"The Duchess?"
"Have you been treating the Duke's secretary like this all this time?"
Stella grabbed Sia's forearm and pulled her toward herself. Stella hadn't helped Sia because she was pretty. No matter how much she hated her, she couldn't turn a blind eye to the children being abused by the director. How to deal with what Sia had done was a secondary matter.
Comments
Post a Comment