“No, Rodi shouldn’t do such things.”

“Lord Lexiard is right. That’s my job.”

“Can’t we do it together?”

Both became more troubled. If Gemvil had been alone, he would have retorted asking what a little kid could do, but now Lexiard was beside him.

It was clear that Lexiard had taken an interest in Rodi since they were always together, and there was no need to unnecessarily provoke Lexiard’s mood.

Suddenly, he had a good idea. From the report he heard before heading out this morning.

“Rookie, didn’t you say you were learning the Imperial language?”

“That’s right!”

Rodi suddenly realized that she had been learning letters before going to eat.

She had completely forgotten about it while having fun exploring and playing with Lexiard.

“Rodi, let’s go learn the Imperial language.”

Lexiard encouraged her from beside her.

***

“Gemvil is coming too? Rookie, did you eat well?”

“Yes!”

Having taken quite a long nap, Ekision was lounging lazily on the sofa with his feet up.

He just waved his hand, but when he belatedly noticed Lexiard entering, he jumped up from his seat.

“Whoa, Lord Lexiard came too?”

“Welcome. Sir Gemvil, thank you for your hard work.”

Padrid greeted them next.

“Here are documents for approval. Cancel the afternoon schedule. There’s something I need to check.”

While Lexiard and Rodi went to the sofa, Gemvil handed the approval documents to Padrid, who was still working tirelessly.

“Yes, do you need anything? Thank you as always.”

“Keep up the good work.”

Gemvil gave a slight bow to Lexiard, Rodi, and Ekision before leaving to work again.

Rodi, who was about to practice Imperial writing with a pen from Ekision, stared blankly at Gemvil as he left indifferently after finishing his task.

“So cool……”

Somehow her eyes sparkled as if she had found another goal.

***

“Boss!”

Eclise stopped walking and stared at Rodi approaching him.

It was only in the evening that Eclise, who hadn’t been seen all day, finally appeared.

Though everyone else was disheveled due to the late hour, Eclise looked as neat as if he had just finished grooming himself.

Except for the hands carelessly stuffed in his pockets and his casually swept-back hair.

As soon as he entered the corridor, Eclise felt a strange sense of déjà vu seeing Rodi hurrying toward him.

It was similar to how a dog waiting at home would act when its owner returned.

Though he had never kept a dog.

‘Being welcomed by someone.’

Being an unfamiliar experience, it felt strange yet not unpleasant.

“……”

“Boss, why are you just standing there?”

Rodi looked at Eclise strangely as he made no gesture even though she was right in front of him.

“My choice.”

“I practiced Imperial language today.”

“But why are you hanging around with that one?”

Eclise’s eyes landed on Lexiard.

“Because we’re friends.”

“Of all people to make friends with.”

“…You’re like a mean uncle.”

“Rodi, uncle is always like that.”

Lexiard, who had approached without notice, was standing using Rodi as a shield.

“Aren’t you going home?”

“This is as good as home.”

“Who did you take after to be so disobedient?”

“The employees say I take after Uncle a lot.”

“That’s right, you two look alike! Even your hair color is the same!”

Eclise looked down at Rodi askance.

“Haven’t you learned to flatter your superiors?”

“What’s that?”

“It means your social life is doomed.”

“Boss always uses difficult words.”

Why does he dislike Lexiard? As Rodi was grumbling, a heavy hand rested on her head.

Rodi thought it was praise, but Eclise just stood still looking down at her.

“What?”

“The orphanage director has changed.”

Eclise had just visited the orphanage directly.

Though he had gone there while handling other matters.

Since she was a lucky charm who had brought him 11 billion Libra, he was willing to move personally even for troublesome matters.

“…Really?”

“Want to see for yourself?”

“See what?”

Rodi blinked her large eyes.

***

Following Eclise, Rodi encountered a sack that was wet with red and squirming.

Strange sounds were coming from inside.

It sounded like rough breathing or perhaps groans of pain.

There seemed to be tiny pleas for help as well.

“Even a worm has its uses.”

“……”

“That one sure ate well.”

Eclise flopped down in a chair, treating it like a piece of trash lying around.

Rodi stood still, not taking her eyes off the squirming sack.

“Director?”

“Yes. I bought the whole thing and put someone in charge, so your friends won’t go hungry. They’re safe.”

Rodi’s gaze gradually turned to Eclise.

Eclise had kept his promise.

The orphanage was now under Eclise’s control.

So it was that easy.

The teachers said they would save us, but they all left without being able to do so.

At some point, only teachers who obeyed the director remained at the orphanage.

“Decide.”

“Huh?”

“Should we feed it to the dogs, or to the fish? Do as you like.”

Rodi’s gaze returned to the sack.

Because she had realized what Eclise was talking about.

‘That’s the director.’

Having fainted perhaps, there was no sound anymore.

The movement had stopped too.

Dog food, fish food.

Somehow, it felt like neither choice would be good.

For the first time, Eclise’s casual manner felt a bit scary and alien.

But that seemed like the real head of Cheiles, Eclise Cheiles.

“Are you scared?”

Seeing Rodi standing still, Eclise asked, thinking she might be frightened.

Despite his casual tone as he spoke with his chin propped up, Eclise was staring intently at Rodi.

So intensely that Rodi could feel his gaze following her even when she tried to avoid it.

To Rodi, it felt like being placed on a test stand.

“If you can’t decide, then just-“

Eclise, thinking Rodi was scared, was about to give up his expectations.

No, he was trying to give up.

“Which one is scarier and more painful?”

Rodi said while staring at the sack.

“……”

“Director, Jenny is sick. I think it’s a cold, I’ll take her to the medical center.”

“Kids get better if you leave them alone. Why waste money on doctors?”

“You know how dangerous colds are for children! We’ve already isolated her, but it would be terrible if other children catch it!”

“Tsk, Teacher Lorel. You talk too much. If you’re so concerned, go with your own money. Touch the safe and you’re fired!”

Jenny had been really sick.

Fortunately, Teacher Lorel went to the medical center personally to get medicine and she recovered, and luckily, she was able to be adopted a few days later.

The director had pocketed a large sum from the noble family that adopted Jenny.

“How much can children eat anyway? Just tell them to share that.”

“But how can twenty people eat with this amount?”

“Boil it in water or something, use your head, teacher.”

Even with gold coins in hand, all we got was a piece of bread.

Besides that, when sponsors came, she would bring us out to make a good impression, but the next day she would kick us away, saying we were dirty and to get lost.

There were so many incidents, but some thoughts came to mind on their own.

If that really is the director…

When Eclise didn’t answer, Rodi looked up.

Eclise, who had been watching Rodi the whole time, smirked.

It was a satisfied smile.

It was quite entertaining to see her find the answer and consider the problem just by reading the atmosphere.

“Well.”

“Do the most painful one.”

Because the director should hurt as much as they suffered.

“Good. Take it away.”

Whether it was the person who had moved the sack earlier or someone who was already waiting, a subordinate said “Yes, Lord Eclise” and dragged the sack away.

Then Lexiard entered through the open door.

Earlier, when Eclise was taking Rodi away, he had asked to come along but was refused.

“Uncle, you’re really nasty. Rodi, are you okay?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

As soon as he entered, Lexiard went straight to Rodi.

“Why are you tormenting Rodi?”

“When are you going home?”

Once again, Eclise and Lexiard spoke only their own words without listening to each other.

Rodi thought their relationship was really strange.