Chapter 15

“No way!”

Her seniors, who were having lunch at the next table, looked at her in surprise.

“No, no, absolutely not!”

“There’s no need to reject it so flatly, Vivi.”

“But… no. I don’t want to.”

There was nothing good about having her face known. As she firmly refused, Julia seemed displeased and put her spoon down.

“Then you find a model. Someone really pretty and perfect.”

“Do we really need a model? Can’t we just use something else…?”

“Do you have a good idea? Tell me.”

Julia squinted her eyes and stared at her. If she had to come up with a good idea right now…

“If you give me a little more time…”

“Fine. Then think of a good plan by next week.”

“What? Next week! That’s only three days away!”

“That’s plenty of time. You’re off this weekend anyway, right? I’m counting on you, Vivi.”

Without waiting for her answer, Julia quickly disappeared. This must be why the youngest always feels wronged.

It was unfair.

After lunch, she tried to talk to Julia again, but all attempts ended in failure.

Meanwhile, the number of writing contest applicants increased. Every time children came holding papers, her heart raced. With no particular plan in mind and the situation growing, she felt uneasy.

She briefly left her seat and stopped by the pharmacy.

“…….”

Several people in military uniforms passed by in front of her. She looked for Sir Costance, who might be among them.

Dark black hair, clear gray eyes. The scent that lingered there.

‘He’s not here.’

Unfortunately, Sir Costance was not among them. If he had been, she would have spotted his handsome face immediately.

‘What am I saying? Get a grip.’

She sighed deeply. After pushing him away, now she was looking for him. She had no right to complain if Sir Costance called her shameless.

No, if only he would appear before me and scold me…

She straightened her back. She thought of Sir Costance’s coat, neatly stored in her wardrobe.

She knew she had to return the coat, but she kept delaying washing it. Every time she opened the wardrobe, his scent subtly filled the air. His speech and gestures vividly came to mind.

〈I like you.〉

The voice that had tearfully confessed to her for the last time. 

Would I really never see him again?

‘Really?’

Sir Costance liked her. At that moment, she had wanted to hold his hand. His sincere voice almost brought her to tears.

“…….”

Her heart felt heavy. The white noise of the library was pleasant, but she actually wanted to hear a different voice.

Sir Costance…. You know,

I was actually happy when you said you liked me. Knowing there was someone in this world who genuinely liked me made me really happy.

Sir Costance. I was so grateful to you that day….

‘But Sir.’

The reason I pushed you away was… because I have a secret I can’t tell anyone…

In truth, your father, Marquis Orsi’s face came to mind as well.

〈Poor XX.〉

The Marquis, with a contemptuous expression, pitied and belittled her.

〈Because of your father, you won’t live well either, little girl.〉

The Marquis had said to her.

The arrows flying at your father will eventually threaten your small back too.

* * *

The girl’s father was originally a chemist.

The girl’s mother was very beautiful but wasn’t very kind to her.

Her mother often went out, leaving the girl behind, and always had a man by her side. She didn’t like spending time with her daughter.

So it was predictable that she would run away, leaving her young daughter behind.

“He called me a poor XX. Did he say that because I don’t have a mother?”

The girl spoke in a dry voice.

“What?”

“No! Who would say such an insensitive thing?”

Rene and Tiago, who were listening, were startled.

“The gentleman who came earlier. He was wearing very fancy clothes and had several medals.”

“Are you talking about Marquis Orsi?”

“Is he someone important?”

At the girl’s question, Rene avoided answering. The girl thought, he must be someone important. The atmosphere that emanated from that man was extraordinary.

The girl recalled the face of the Queen she had seen a few times while living in the research lab. The Queen also had such an aura, so that man must be someone important too.

“I thought of my mother after hearing that. I hope she’s doing well.”

Rene and Tiago were cautious of the girl’s calm tone.

“Do you miss your mother?”

“……No. I just feel sorry for her. I hope she’s living well.”

“Why?”

The girl thought about her mother. She wasn’t an excellent mother, but she wasn’t a bad person either.

Her mother wanted to have a family as a wife to a man and a mother to a child.

But the girl’s father was indifferent to his wife and daughter.

“She’s just like me…”

The girl said. Once, her mother had been very sick. At that time, all the girl could do was hold her mother’s hand.

“How did my mother and father got married?”

The girl whispered softly. It was hard to believe that her father liked anyone.

The girl had never seen her father cry or laugh. To her, her father seemed like a robot.

The girl wondered if, when her father’s chest was opened, a mechanical heart would be revealed.

“Little Miss.”

Rene hugged the girl. Her hand gently patted the girl’s back.

“Your father is just not good at expressing himself. But surely, deep down, he loves you.”

“Do you really think so?”

“…….”

“Do you really think my father is just bad at expressing himself?”

The girl pushed Rene’s shoulder. Rene’s eyes wavered anxiously.

“Ah, it’s already time!”

Tiago, who had been listening, awkwardly spoke up.

“Little Miss. It’s time to sleep now.”

“……I’m sleepy.”

“Okay. Today, this uncle will read you an interesting fairy tale.”

Tiago took the girl’s hand. Before returning to her room, the girl looked at Rene, who was standing still.

“……Could you tell my father ‘good night’ for me?”

“Of course. I’ll definitely tell him.”

But the girl already knew. Her father didn’t love her mother or herself.

* * *

It’s the weekend. She stared at the shining cross.

“It’s been a while, Vivi. Have you been well?”

She visited the cathedral after a long time.

“I’m sorry, Sister. I’ve been distant lately, haven’t I?”

“Everyone misses you, Vivi. Especially Eugene, who looks for you every weekend.”

As soon as she passed through the door, she saw the statue of the goddess. The elaborate stained glass added to the grandeur of the cathedral.

“You must have been very busy.”

The sister asked.

“Preparing for an event.”

“An event?”

“Peace Day is coming soon.”

“Has it already come to that time?”

The nun was surprised.

“So we’re preparing a contest. It’s an essay writing and drawing contest for the youth. Oh, the children at the cathedral can participate if they’re interested.”

“I’ll have to ask the children.”

They passed through another door while talking about various things. Crossing the wide corridor at the end of the cathedral led to the convent.

At that moment, a large man quickly passed by. He moved so fast that she couldn’t see his face.

‘Huh?’

It’s a familiar scent…

“Vivi?”

“Ah… It seems there was another visitor besides me.”

When she asked about the man who had just passed, the nun nodded.

“He’s someone who comes every weekend. I thought you might have run into him at least once…”

“Every weekend?”

“Yes. It’s been about two years.”

“How have I never run into him?”

“He’s probably a very quiet person. He always wraps up his face tightly. He doesn’t speak. Above all, he just hands over things and leaves.”

The conversation shifted from the library to the mysterious man. The nun said no one at the convent knew his name or appearance.

“Not a single person knows anything about him. So, at first, everyone was wary of him.”

The nun continued.

“But he brings books, toys, and snacks for the children almost every day. Or he comes to donate to the cathedral.”

“He’s an amazing person.”

“Isn’t he? Now, everyone is grateful to him.”

“……Yes.”

She wasn’t curious about what kind of help the man gave to the cathedral. She was curious why the man with the familiar scent was there. That fresh, crisp scent. How could she not recognize it?

‘Costance.’

It was undoubtedly his scent.