Chapter 13

“Wow! Over here! Throw it here!”

“It’s my turn now! Get off the swing.”

“Teacher! Look at this. I made a flower crown.”

As soon as they passed through the somewhat eerie front gate and entered, the children’s cheerful laughter was the first thing to reach Harriet’s ears. At the same time, a scene she couldn’t have imagined from outside unfolded before her eyes.

There was a wide field centered around the large, square orphanage building, and the children were freely playing there.

“It’s more peaceful than you thought, isn’t it?”

Seeing Harriet’s surprised face, the director smiled and spoke.

“It used to be a narrow and outdated building. I’m embarrassed to say that during the previous director’s time, there were harsh punishments and strict rules, and some children even died.”

“…That’s unfortunate.”

If her father hadn’t been Franz Vanetti, if she hadn’t been a noble even if only half, she might have ended up in a facility like this.

“The children here have many scars. They usually grow up under factory worker parents, almost neglected, and when younger siblings are born, they’re abandoned here.”

It was a reality she couldn’t imagine in her world. Harriet thought of the customers at Vanetti Department Store. Wealthy and leisurely people wearing luxurious fur coats and expensive designer accessories or ties, wandering through the department store. Holding their hands were their equally well-dressed children in satin dresses and suspender pants.

“How did you find out about this place?”

Harriet turned to Lennox, who was walking beside her. The answer came from the director, not Lennox himself.

“He’s been visiting here regularly for five years. Not only does he provide support, but he also sends gifts and meals for the children every New Year, holiday, and at year’s end.”

“…The Young Master does?”

The Lennox Diorne Harriet knew was a mischievous troublemaker disguised as a perfect gentleman. Lennox smirked at Harriet’s incredulous eyes.

“Believe it or not, that’s your choice.”

“Did you continue to support them even while studying abroad?”

“I couldn’t visit personally, but yes.”

The brief conversation ended the moment they arrived at the orphanage building and opened the door. As soon as the door opened, children swarmed around the director and Lennox.

“It’s true! Brother Lennox!”

“Brother! We missed you!”

“Where have you been? I wanted to see you!”

Lennox was immediately surrounded by children without even a moment to greet each one. Harriet stepped back a bit, staring at the scene with astonished eyes.

Lennox, who easily picked up a boy who came charging at him and gave him a piggyback ride, greeted each child skillfully. He seemed familiar with playing with children. Harriet, with wide eyes, suddenly spoke up.

“You seem to come here often?”

“Not that often, just sometimes?”

“You’d make a good father.”

The words slipped out before she realized it. She covered her mouth, realizing her mistake, but it was too late. Expecting him to tease her as usual, she was tense, but Lennox, after setting the boy down from his shoulders, replied plainly.

“It’s likely the opposite.”

“What?”

When Harriet asked again, doubting her ears, his face returned to a gentle smile as if he had never muttered anything.

“By the way, are you trying to seduce me?”

“No, I’m not!”

“That’s a shame, then.”

Lennox, smiling with his eyes, subtly glanced at her exposed collarbone. Harriet, feeling the warmth spread to her ears from his suggestive gaze, fanned herself to cool down. It was then that the children, finally noticing her presence, turned their attention to Harriet.

“Who is this lady?”

“She’s not your fiancée, right?”

Some of the girls had tears welling up in their eyes at the thought. Harriet, flustered, was about to wave her hands, but Lennox was quicker.

“We’re not in that kind of relationship. We just know each other a bit.”

Just know each other a bit. It was true, but the words overlapped with what he had said to the director, and the uneasy feeling spread within Harriet’s chest once more.

As Lennox faintly smiled at her subtle change in expression, the director intervened to wrap up the conversation.

“Now that the tearful reunion is over, could you clear the way a bit? The Young Master has some matters to discuss with the director.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll come back, right?”

“Of course. I’ll be back soon.”

Lennox promised by hooking his pinky with a boy clinging to his leg, and only then did the children scatter.

* * *

The orphanage was a facility that could accommodate up to 60 children. The age range varied from infants to teenagers who were just starting to get acne.

“There are about twenty staff members employed here. They are all responsible and dedicated, raising and teaching the children with love. All the expenses are covered by…”

“That’s enough about that. Is there anything to do today?”

Lennox cut off the director, who looked like he was about to boast, and changed the subject.

“Today is curtain washing day. We really need more hands.”

Curtain washing?

Harriet turned her head in shock. Lennox, meeting her eyes, shrugged his shoulders.

Harriet was at a loss for words and reached out to pinch his thigh as she would with Aaron. But before she could, a large hand covered hers. Startled, she tried to pull her hand back, but it was in vain. Lennox’s hand, interlocked with hers, didn’t let go.

Her shocked gaze turned downward. She saw the back of his hand, with its protruding veins, and as he lifted her hand, Lennox gently stroked her palm. Simultaneously, all her nerves and senses concentrated on her hand as if static electricity had sparked.

“Coco. Try lifting your waist a bit more.”

“Do you like this kind of thing?”

The low voice she had tried so hard to seal away in a corner of her memory reverberated through her eardrums, shaking Harriet.

She came to her senses thanks to the director, who, unaware of the situation under the table, spoke to her.

“Have you ever washed curtains before, Miss?”

“Oh, that…”

“Now is your chance.”

Lennox took Harriet’s answer and firmly held her hand. Just like when he made her lie beneath him three years ago. His gray eyes twinkled mischievously.

“She’ll do it gladly. Right, Miss Harriet?”

“You…”

Harriet, who barely escaped his grasp, was about to retort when he leaned in and whispered.

“You promised to give me the day.”

“…”

“Isn’t it the Vanetti Earl family’s motto to always keep promises?”

His skillful mix of formal and informal speech was so infuriating that she wanted to hit him. Harriet, biting her lower lip, composed her disheveled expression.

“Of course. I’d love to help out.”

“Thank you so much for lending a hand!”

The director, smiling widely, stood up without waiting for a reply.

“Since it was mentioned, let’s get started. I’ll provide aprons as detergent and water might splash.”

The director systematically directed the curtain washing. Harriet and Lennox’s task was to step on the blankets so that the detergent would soak in, and the dirt would come out.

The weather was nice, and the large basin was big enough for two adults to fit in. The two stood facing each other, stepping on the blankets with their bare feet. The director, pleased with their harmonious appearance, walked away with a satisfied smile. As soon as he disappeared from view, Harriet erased her bright smile and bared her teeth.

“Are you crazy? Do you have too much time on your hands, Young Master? You could hire someone for this.”

“This is refreshing, isn’t it? And meaningful too.”

“Sure. So that’s why you told me to dress comfortably.”

“If you think something might get on it, you can change into old clothes now.”

“No need. Is there a reason to show off that I’m a pampered young lady who’s never gotten her hands wet?”

The eyes of the girls watching her were mixed with envy and bitter deprivation.

“Focus. It’ll take a long time to wash all those curtains piled over there.”

Firmly rejecting Lennox’s suggestion, Harriet held her skirt higher. Her white calves were exposed, but she didn’t care and stepped firmly on the laundry. At first, she thought it was hard labor, but as she kept stepping, she oddly felt her stress being relieved.

Quickly finding it enjoyable, Harriet focused on the laundry task. After finishing the second curtain and moving the third one to the basin, she lost her balance, and her body swayed for a moment.

She almost fell, but a quick hand reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and pulled her face into a broad chest. Holding her breath unknowingly, Harriet heard a low voice whisper.

“Does that man still come around?”

“No, he doesn’t. He’s not that bad of a person.”

Extending her arm, Harriet pushed Lennox away, deliberately avoiding his gaze and focusing on the laundry.

“How generous.”

What brushed her eardrum was a cold laugh. Startled, she looked up immediately, but the backlight obscured his expression. Lennox, lowering his head beside her ear, asked softly.

“Even if he’s a bastard who blatantly brings another woman home and sleeps with her?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Harriet replied coldly, turning her head. As she was about to step out of the basin, a bothersome nickname caught her.

“Coco.”

“You, if you call me that again…”

Before she could warn him, her chin was caught. The rich scent of white musk captivated her sense of smell. The eyes looking down at her were those of a predator she had been so wary and fearful of.

“Coco.”

Lennox, calling her nickname as if addressing a beloved cat, gently wrapped his hand around her neck.

“Do you really have no feelings for me?”