The Baby Who Raised the Devil
Choosing a Gift (5)
Cecilia hardened upon seeing the chairman. He will get to know the chairman because he has spent some time in Dubbled.
"Why Mr. Noanoke ......"
I stepped forward and took off my wide-brimmed hat.
"Hello, Miss Olga."
The look on Cecilia's face when she saw me became strange. I saw Seria immediately to find out why.
"Concidentally, is this your nephew's son?"
The chairman replied that,
“Dame* Olga, let me introduce this person.”
*TL Note: Traditionally, as governed by law and custom, sir was used for men with knightly titles, and later also for baronet, and other posts. Since the female equivalent to a knight is a damehood, the equivalent suo jure female term is usually Dame.
“......I've long since left my knight title.”
“Do you still feel guilty for not being able to protect Lisette*? Is that why you don't hold a sword like Dame Lea Shavanol?”
*TL Note: I think Lisette sounds much better so from now on, Risette will be referred to as Lisette.
“......Please introduce the child first.”
“Nona Dubbled.”
A hint of surprise appeared on Cecilia's face.
“Child destiny. Your majesty! What do you think……! It's amazing that you care about a child from the temple, but I am Lisette's loyal servant...!”.
Cecilia looked angry and looked at me.
He could not cover up the emotions on his face, but there was an embarrassed expression on his face, as if he thought that he should not say that in front of me.
"This, son, this....not your fault.....”.
"I know."
“…….”
“I know, Cecilia. You can hate me.”
The reason Lisette died was because Duke Dubbled's predecessor, who had been encouraged by her, revolted to regain power.
And one holy knight mixed in that army. Lea was unsure but she felt a holy power from him.
The people around Lisette were convinced that the temple and its predecessor had colluded.
That's why my aunt, who loved Lisette so much, felt depressed by me.
They can't hate me because I'm an innocent child, but inevitably they are reminded of the temple when they see me.
But I don't mind. I have been hated since my first life. If there's a child who can stand up to hate like me, ask me to meet them!
Smiling inwardly, I grabbed Cecilia's hand and shook it
“But believe. I know where Cecilia's niece is.”
“…….”
“I was in an orphanage. So I have some orphan friends. They say Max's beggar gang has a kid named 'Tri'.”
I couldn't reveal that I was a regressor, so I cleverly mixed up the lies.
Cecilia muttered, "Tri?" and I nodded.
“The original name was Triloni.”
Cecilia clenched her fists.
“Trillion....”.
“Triloni growing in western orphanage.”
“……!”
Seria handed over the previously painted portrait of Tri.
The portrait of a child is very similar to that of Cecilia and has a mole under her chin like her sister.
Cecilia closed her mouth.
After exchanging glances with the chairman and Seria, I smiled inwardly.
I found his nephew, so let's make good friends?
"And please save Tri from the epidemic."
“Buy clean clothes with this money. That way, you will not be ignored at the temple.”
"But Tri, you kept this for three years."
“I just have to collect money again! … … You know, Leblaine, it's okay to hate me but I want you to be happy.”
His consideration ended up killing me, but our good memories never faded.
The girl who pushed me into the abyss with her consideration was still firmly embedded in my memory.
I laughed bitterly.
***
“Tri'. He's a very nice, cute, and sweet boy.”
"I understand…"
Cecilia said, caressing Tri's portrait with trembling hands.
He murmured, “He was a good boy even when he grew up without adult protection. She is very similar to my strong older sister.”
He looks relieved.
"But how did you lose Tri?"
“My brother fought me with a sword. When I entered the Dubbled Knight despite being opposed, I manifested a holy power. He hated it even more. Since I have holy power, I will be able to live comfortably as a priest.”
“…….”
“I lost contact with my older sister, then the incident happened.”
“Lisette and her child...”.
Cecilia nodded her head.
“We lost Lisette and the youngest woman to the attack, I was on the verge of death for 15 days. At that time, my older sister died of an epidemic, and no one in the village knew where my nephew was.”
Tri's mother died of the plague…….
He could not protect his master, his older sister died of the epidemic and his nephew went missing. Cecilia's life was so miserable and miserable.
“I've been looking for my niece since I came out. Master offered me a long vacation, but I did not believe myself to hold the sword anymore. Because I am a useless knight.”
“Cecilia..
“I found out last year that Triloni was at the Westian Orphanage. But his whereabouts are unknown, so I almost gave up.”
“…….”
“Thank you so much little miss.”
He leaned over and spoke firmly.
“I'll return this favor with my life someday. It was the oath of the former knight, little miss.”
"You can pay me back now."
"……Huh?"
I lived my first life as the daughter of Duke Amity, who believed in good faith, purpose and justice. It was a sad and painful moment, but I learned something from it. I know what works best for this type of person.
“When you were in the orphanage looking for Tri, did you see the other kids there?”
“......Yes, their living conditions are very bad. Most of the private orphanages are garbage.”
I'm nodding.
“So, Cecilia. Don't you want to change the world?”
"What?"
“Leblaine and Mina. Dad dreamed about a world where justice takes precedence over desire.”
"We can create a world where justice comes before desire."
Cecilia's eyes were shaking.
“World where children don't starve.”
“…….”
"Cecilia can do it."
A voice of the people, no, the support of the people!
“…….”
Cecilia was silent for a moment.
“Pfft.”
Cecilia covered her mouth as her shoulders trembled.
“A very idealistic dream. One cannot change the world.”
"I have a way to make it work."
I hit my chest with pride.
We have Henry, the genius at manipulating public opinion, and Duke Dubbled, the richest supporter in the empire!
“The little girl must be a very special person. In many ways."
The meaning of the word is in many strange ways. Maybe he noticed something.
'Oh my God, he's so smart!'
Then I asked Cecilia the most important question.
“So, Cecilia.”
"Yes." Yeah."
"What's your criminal record?"
Tell me quickly so I can finish it before making you empress.
Cecilia said that when she was young, she broke the neck of the thugs who made fun of the old woman in the market.
“I have a history of assault. It's a little better than the others. ”
"Yes." Yeah."
It should be hard to take. It could be used as a means to gain more support from the people.
“Then I will send someone soon, be prepared.”
After finishing the conversation, I pulled away from the sofa. He yelled at me as I was about to pass Cecilia with Seria and the chairman.
“Small phone.....!”
I looked back in surprise and she bit her lip.
“I don't hate you. You are innocent.”
“…….”
“So, don't underestimate hate again, little girl.”
When I saw Cecilia smiling, I smiled in response.
'Oh, I really like the Dubbled Knights.'
Aunty, Lea, and Cecilia.
***
Tri was in front of the bowl while hugging his shoulder. His body was trembling from the cold. He seemed to catch a cold due to the temperature in the autumn.
Tri groaned among the excited children singing a pleading song written and composed by Max. The fever increased as his eyes became cloudy, but he could not help but come out.
Since Emeline was stuck in the accommodation, she had to earn more. Otherwise, he didn't think Max would let Emeline off the hook again, if he took a break, he might get kicked out.
"We're hungry. We haven't had breakfast or lunch.”
"I'm hungry!"
“Master, give us francs. I want to eat bread today. I hungry. We're hungry……."
She kept crying and her voice became unstable. Max, who was dancing among the children, ran towards her, "Hey!"
"You want to die? Are you going to keep crying? The kids are crying!”
"I, it hurts ......"
“Nobody here doesn't hurt! Damn, man!”
“Hiks..... we are hungry... Sir....... Huwaa!”.
Max raised his hand as he saw Tri cry and sing.
“Hey, you want to die today? Yeah, get the Emeline part first......Argh!”
Someone took the bowl and hit the back of Max's head.
"What?!"
That's when Max squealed and looked over.
The face of the attacker, hidden in the shadow of the sun, was revealed.
“Why did you hit me? You hurt me!”
It was a girl with braids, wearing a luxurious dress that was hard to see in the alley.
“A, what, you.”
“Why don't you let a sick child rest! You eat up all the money the kids earn and gamble every day!”
"Y, you what ......!"
"Get out of here."
"This guy! You want to die?!"
The girl clenched her fists and ran as she hurriedly and her legs tripped while climbing onto the tripping boy.
"M, Max got hit."
“A, whew.....”.
The eyes of the children widened when they saw the girl who was beating up the fat boy.
Finally, the exhausted Max rushed away.
“You, you are really dead. I'll kill you…!"
The girl clenched her fists once more as she watched Max shout while running away.
"Yes, go you bastard!"
"Hi!"
The girl was angry for a long time even though Max backed off.
"I've found the pattern of his punches after a while."
The girl muttered as she looked at the surprised Tri.
"V, sound ..... in the living room ......."
He was convinced that this child was with a beautiful boy.
The girl wiped her nose with her sleeves and bent her knees in front of Tri. Reflexes, Tri chants the song he always sings on the street.
“A, we are hungry.....”.
But suddenly, he hit Tri's shoulder gently, so it didn't hurt.
“Do not do that!”
“…….”
“Why did you come out? Why do you come out when you're sick!"
“…….”
"Why are you pissing me off, you idiot!"
Tri stared blankly at the crying child, ruffling his incompatible face with his costume.
Why was she crying so sad when she saw him for the first time?
The boy said, as Tri held back tears,
“Hai, Leblaine. It's nice to meet you. I'm Tri!”
“Halo, Tri. It's nice to meet you. I'm Leblaine.”
It was the warm greeting he first heard on his first day here.
