KLRE C2

Chapter 2

“Ki….”

“It would be better not to go right now.”

Laon stopped Versha, who was about to chase after her as she quickly disappeared.

“But….”

“You should also consider the position of the daughter of Baron Senet.”

He understood Versha’s concern for her friend, but it wouldn’t help much—especially if the comparison was Versha herself.

“It’s because those men don’t know Kina’s true charm.”

Versha muttered sulkily.

“I know.”

Laon briefly looked in the direction where Kina had disappeared before turning his head away. Versha’s gaze lingered on him for a long moment.

The atmosphere, which had fallen briefly silent, soon returned to its previous bustle as if nothing had happened.

Kina, who had been fleeing as if running away, spotted the children and quickly adjusted her clothes, taking a deep breath.

The children were with a gentleman. It was rare for a noble to approach children first. Yet the man was smiling as he handed out small candies to them.

Watching the scene from afar, Kina initially smiled warmly, but then her eyes narrowed.

Although it seemed like a heartwarming sight, the children appeared slightly uneasy.

Kina quickly approached.

“Excuse me. The event is about to begin, so I think the children should be going now.”

She spoke carefully, hoping her gaze didn’t come across as suspicious. Fortunately, the man stepped away without protest. Kina let out a quiet sigh of relief and bent down to meet the nearest child’s eye level.

“The teachers must be waiting. You should hurry along.”

Thankfully, the children responded brightly and left. Even as Kina said goodbye to them, the gentleman remained, studying her face closely. His eyes sparkled as he examined her.

“Are you Lady Kina Senet?”

“Do you know me?”

Kina slowly straightened up. She had hoped he would leave while she was seeing off the children, but it seemed she was too late.

“I am Abil of the Wenders family.”

So it was him. The Wenders family—a count’s house rumored to be extremely wealthy. They were also the largest donors to this event.

“Ah… it is an honor to meet you.”

It was her first time seeing him in person, and Kina hurriedly curtsied. Abil then extended his hand—a greeting not commonly used outside of formal balls. After a brief hesitation, Kina carefully placed her hand in his.

“Your hand is very soft.”

He lightly kissed the back of her hand, then held it firmly as he spoke.

“…Thank you.”

Unable to pull away as he gently stroked her hand with his thumb, Kina forced an awkward smile.

“It’s like a baby’s skin.”

Abil smiled directly at her. It was undoubtedly a gentlemanly smile, yet a faint chill crept over her where he held her hand. Even so, she couldn’t immediately pull away—she knew how much better the children’s lives could become from even a brief moment like this.

“…Thank you.”

Maintaining her strained smile, Kina responded. Abil didn’t take his eyes off her face.

“I would believe you if you said you had just made your debut at a ball.”

“Pardon?”

“Haha, it’s a compliment. You look so young that it would be fair to call you a girl rather than a lady.”

“Ah….”

It was a phrase nobles often used indirectly to point out a lack of refinement. Still, seeing Abil laugh heartily, Kina only offered a faint smile.

Just for a moment.

Kina repeated to herself the thought she had held ever since she took full responsibility for the orphanage.

“It’s charming that you possess such a girlish sensibility.”

“It suits my taste,” Abil added.

At his added remark, Kina’s smile stiffened noticeably.

Count Abil Wenders was around the same age as her father. Moreover, knowing how unhappy his marriage was, Kina subtly avoided his gaze.

Mistaking her reaction for shyness, Abil smiled with satisfaction. Unlike the curve of his lips, his cold eyes swept over her as if measuring her. Unaware of his gaze, Kina wondered how she could excuse herself from the situation.

“Kina.”

At that moment, a voice called out to her. Soon after, a small figure ran up and hugged her tightly.

“Devil.”

It was Devilito, one of the children from the orphanage—an especially affectionate child who followed her well.

“What is it?”

Kina met his eyes.

“The teacher said they need your help, Kina.”

Devil pointed toward where the orphanage teachers were.

“Really?”

Relieved, Kina stood up.

“Please excuse me.”

“You may go. We can meet again another time.”

Count Wenders replied with a relaxed smile. Without giving a definite answer, Kina simply nodded in farewell and left with Devil.

“Kina, you don’t like that man either, right?”

Perhaps he had noticed her quiet sigh, as Devil looked up at her.

Ten-year-old Devilito had been abandoned at the orphanage when he was young. Perhaps because of that, he followed Kina like a mother.

“Why would you think that?”

Kina deliberately avoided answering. She didn’t want to show such feelings to someone so young.

“Because I don’t like him.”

Her effort was in vain—Devil had already learned what dislike felt like.

“He kept touching the girls’ hands, saying he’d give them food.”

Devil whispered, covering his mouth.

“Really?”

Kina frowned without realizing it.

“So I asked for some too, but he didn’t like my hand.”

“That’s weird,” Devil added, mumbling in complaint that only the girls were given treats.

Kina turned her head slightly to look back at where Count Wenders had been, but he was already gone.

There had been rumors in high society that he favored young women—but she hadn’t expected it to include children. Kina found herself reconsidering the things he had said to her as well. It seemed she would need to keep a close eye on the girls today.

“Kina.”

Devil called out to her, breaking her thoughts.

“Would a flower be pretty if it glowed?”

He looked up at her with bright, sparkling eyes, as if he had never made that displeased expression earlier.

She didn’t quite understand how a flower could glow, but Kina tried to respect children’s imagination. She didn’t want to impose limits on them too soon.

“It would be beautiful, wouldn’t it?”

“Do you think you’d like it too if you received one, Kina?”

“Hm?”

“There aren’t any glowing flowers yet… but I’ll give you this.”

Kina’s eyes widened in surprise. In Devil’s small hand was a flower. The tips of his fingers holding it were faintly stained green.

“You did this for me?”

“I hope this makes you feel better.”

Devil said this, his eyes shining as Kina held his hand.

“…Should I pick another one?”

When she didn’t accept it immediately, he asked cautiously, reading her expression.

“No. I’m just… thankful.”

Only then did Kina accept the flower and gently pat his head. At her pleased smile, he blushed shyly.

Devilito liked kind Kina. Even when others mocked his thoughts as pointless, she alone listened without ridicule. Along with that kindness, he liked everything about her—even her beautiful face.

“When I make a glowing flower, I’ll give it to you first, Kina.”

Devilito wanted Kina to smile every day. As she wiped his hands with a handkerchief, still looking into his sparkling eyes, Kina couldn’t help but smile.

“Really? It’s a promise.”

Kina held out her pinky finger. He quickly hooked his with hers.

“You know you have to keep a promise sealed with a pinky, right?”

He nodded eagerly, and she found it so adorable that she patted his head once more.

“The teachers must be looking for you. Shall we go back now?”

“See you later.”

At Kina’s urging, he waved and headed toward the event hall. Watching his small figure disappear, she lifted the flower in her hand and breathed in its scent.

It felt as though it gave her strength.

Fortunately, the event was coming to a close without any problems. The children, having performed well as they had practiced, were delighted to receive gifts prepared by the imperial family.

“It’s the princess.”

Some of the girls showed interest in Stella, who wore a splendid dress.

One child absentmindedly reached out to touch the dress, but fortunately Stella kindly allowed it. Soon, other girls gathered around her, asking her to play with them—creating a small, charming commotion that kept the attendants beside her quite busy, though it was nothing to worry about.

“Lady of Baron Senet.”

At last, while the noble ladies were spending time playing with the children, Kina was finally able to take a short break.

It was then—