Chapter 12 Part 3

I felt guilty about adding more burden to the knights if I stepped in, but just standing by left me uneasy about handing him over to the royal palace without learning the mage’s motive. I was staring at Garnet’s back, who stood in front of me, pondering what to do, when I heard a rustling sound behind me and someone approached.

“Bella, ma’am.”

“I heard you had arrived, my lady. Please don’t remain here—come back to Tornado with us. It’s dangerous.”

At those words, Garnet brightened up. She believed there was no telling what that mage might do, so it was better to leave him to the knights and depart. She wasn’t wrong, but if I didn’t seize this moment, there’d be no chance for me to question the mage personally. As I hesitated, torn between the two choices, the mage spoke to me first.

“Are you Lady Rose Knight?”

His pronunciation was badly slurred because of the gag, but it seemed that was what he was trying to say. As soon as I became his focus, the knights blocking the space between the mage and me grew more intimidating, and Garnet, alarmed, grabbed my arm as if ready to drag me off somewhere. Yet I stayed calm and took a single step forward.

“That’s correct. Are you a mage affiliated with the Mage Tower?”

“…I am not. But please hear me out. I only came here in search of someone. I swear it upon my mana!”

“Swearing on your mana…?”

“I can do it as many times as necessary.”

Though it took multiple attempts to communicate due to the gag, we managed enough of a conversation. Meeting his determined gaze from between the knights, I sensed a firm resolve in the mage’s eyes. Seeing that resolute stare, I couldn’t help but trust his words. I didn’t know who he was searching for, but it didn’t seem he had any intention of harming me.

“We had no choice but to remain vigilant because of the royal knights, but please, I beg you. I’ve come here to find my nieces. Please, let me see those children…!”

“Your nieces…?”

Most of the children we brought to Tornado were abandoned on the streets for having mana, so I’d never expected anyone to come looking for them. It wasn’t just me—Bella and Garnet, who were familiar with these circumstances, also appeared visibly taken aback.

“If you’re talking about nieces, then it must be Laen and Daien, right?”

“That’s right. They are my brother’s children, making them my nieces.”

“I understand you want to see them, but I can’t fathom why you’re only coming to find them now. They were nearly taken away and sold by a trafficking ring. It’s hard to believe they had a guardian all along.”

That was the most suspicious part. Despite caring enough to come looking for them in person, how did he not realize they’d been captured by traffickers and almost sold off? I didn’t suspect him of lying outright, but I couldn’t dismiss the possibility that he might be deceiving all of us with exceptional acting skills.

“Because the person I asked to look after the children betrayed me. They told me that as long as I worked for them, the children would live happily, unaware of everything. I thought if I sacrificed myself, at least the children could live comfortably… I never realized they were suffering like that behind my back, I truly didn’t… I had no idea…”

He began to cry, overcome by emotion, and still there was no sign of deceit in his words. Seeing Bella’s troubled expression, I quietly whispered to her to ask Laen and Daien about the mage and bring them here.

The knights, who had been observing him weep with his hands tied—unable even to wipe away his own tears—shared uncertain glances. He was crying so sorrowfully that he didn’t seem to be lying, leaving them unsure of how to proceed. Anyone would feel sympathy for a parent mourning lost children.

By the time Garnet’s gaze toward him turned to pity, we heard the sound of grass rustling in the distance, followed by Laen and Daien’s cheerful voices. Holding Bella’s hand, the sisters appeared from beyond the forest, not noticing the mage hidden behind the knights. They ran toward me excitedly.

“Rose, Sis! Garnet, Sis!”

“Wow, when did you get here? Let’s play together again today!”

Gently stroking the cheeks of the children clinging to Garnet and me, I looked toward the knights, who then stepped aside to distance themselves from the mage. The mage’s gaze trembled as he watched the children, who seemed excited as though they were just here to play.

“Laen, Daien, is that your uncle?”

Even though he was tied to a tree, tears and mucus streaming down his face—hardly the state one would want to show family after a long time apart—Laen and Daien ran straight to their uncle and threw their arms around his neck.

“Uncle! Uncle, I really missed you so much…”

“Where were you, Uncle… We held back our longing, waiting a hundred nights for you, but you never came!”

Garnet clasped her hands together at the touching reunion, and the knights standing by, like attendants, swiftly removed the ropes and gag restraining the mage. He hugged the children tightly with both arms, repeating endless apologies.

I expected a clash of opinions with the knights about letting the mage enter Tornado, but surprisingly, they allowed him in without any objection.

“By the way, this won’t cause any trouble for you knights, will it?”

“Not at all. Now that the time is right, I can say we were assigned here from the start to protect you and the children, my lady. Her Majesty the Empress personally summoned our order to assist you.”

From the very start of the orphanage’s establishment, those knights have been stationed here. It appears Her Majesty’s claim that she’s taken an interest in me for some time was true. I gave a small smile, feeling grateful to both Roxy and Her Majesty.

“Dinner’s ready, my lady! Knights, come quickly, too.”

Garnet, who had gone to help in the kitchen, led us to the dining room, where the children were already seated, waiting for their meal. The mage, Locus, was awkwardly sitting between Laen and Daien, looking uneasy in the midst of the children surrounding him, as though not yet used to it. Meanwhile, Laen and Daien seemed amused by his stiff behavior.

“Do the children seem fine?”

“Since he’s Laen and Daien’s uncle, everything’s okay.”

I’d often worried that meeting new people would stress the children out, as they tend to be wary. This time, I’d been anxious about the strain it might place on them, but it seemed the trust Laen and Daien had built while living here had dispelled any suspicion they might have harbored toward Locus. Relieved, I let out a small sigh just as Mari brought out the food.

“Thank you, Mari.”

“No need to thank me! Enjoy, and let me know if you want more!”

Mari’s cooking, always top-notch, left me thoroughly satisfied. Garnet, seeing my plate cleaned, seemed equally pleased.”

“Would you like some tea, my lady?”

“That sounds good. I still have a bit of paperwork left; I can take care of that while I have my tea.”

Garnet made a disgusted face as I mentioned paperwork again, but since it was a common occurrence, I just laughed it off. I heard her grumble loudly about how I never take a break even after coming here, but I merely gathered my documents with a shameless smile.

Leaving the bustling dining room and entering the room we used as a parlor, the noise was cut off behind the door, and peace settled in. I sat on the sofa and started organizing the papers when someone knocked.

“May I speak with you for a moment?”

“…? Come in.”

Contrary to my expectation that he’d be too busy talking to the sisters, Locus stepped into the room and sat down across from me. Though I was puzzled, I set the papers aside and faced him.

“Did you have something you wanted to discuss with me…?”

“I realized I was too distracted earlier to properly thank you, so I came here. About my children… Laen and Daien. Thank you for protecting them. I can’t even imagine what might have happened if not for you, my lady. Just thinking about it frightens me. I’ll spend my whole life repaying the debt of saving them.”

“There’s no need for a ‘whole life’ of gratitude… I’m just relieved Laen and Daien were safely reunited with family.”

Because we were both engaged in polite, deferential conversation, the atmosphere grew awkward, and it seemed our exchange was about to stall. Locus fiddled with his hands, showing signs of hesitation. Sensing he was reluctant to speak, I spoke first.

“Is there something on your mind? Please, feel free to say it.”

“…It’s a very shameless request, but…”

He trailed off mid-sentence, and genuine remorse and guilt appeared on his face. From his expression, I could guess what he wanted to say.

“If Laen and Daien want it, and if you agree, Mr. Locus, Tornado is always ready to protect the children. It seems you want a safe environment for them, and Tornado wouldn’t be a bad choice. As long as the children can remain safe, we’re more than willing to keep them here.”

“…Thank you so much. It’s shameless of me, but I’d like to entrust the children to you. I’m frequently away from home, which leaves the children alone, so I need someone to look after them.”

“Don’t mention it. From the moment Laen and Daien arrived at Tornado, they became part of my family. They’ve both adjusted well and are doing fine here, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

Locus nodded in agreement, his face visibly relieved. According to Bella, who whispered to me in secret, he’s grown quite fond of this place. From the playground set up in the yard to the children’s drawings scattered everywhere, it was clearly a space created for the kids, and it was only natural he’d feel that way.

“And there is one more thing I need to tell you.”