MPBGS 40

Chapter : 40

Since Gabriel was taking care of them, wouldn’t it be okay to ask about it later when visiting? Last time, the head of the monastery said they were going to catch someone too. Now that I think about it, both of them are heads. Well, they say the higher-ups are the ones most prone to corruption, right?

“That’s enough now.”

Dragging my feet as I walked back, it seemed Gabriel had already heard the whole story from Daisy.

“Sir Gabriel said he would take care of the children.”

Canna updated me on how far the conversation had progressed.

“It seems difficult for the two of you to take responsibility for the children, so we plan to leave them in the temple’s childcare facilities.”

That makes sense. Daisy and Troy are still young. It would be hard for just the two of them to take care of all the kids.

“Have the children board the carriage.”

At Gabriel’s command, the knights moved in unison.

Then suddenly, the children ran over and bowed deeply.

“Th-thank you very much.”

Among them, a brave child who didn’t shy away from Evangeline expressed gratitude on behalf of the others, though their pronunciation was a bit off—maybe they bit their tongue.

“…Alright.”

Receiving thanks felt surprisingly novel. Last time, when Raphaella thanked me, I also felt a bit unsettled. Every time these novel characters acted like this, they felt like real living people. After crossing the big hurdle of expressing gratitude, the children were guided back into the carriage by the knights.

Troy decided to accompany them, perhaps worried that the children would be uneasy traveling alone. Daisy stayed behind, likely because she had something to discuss with me.

Wait a second—didn’t Troy borrow some money? He didn’t spend it already, did he? As I worried about it, Gabriel seemed to think my concern was about him and began explaining.

“…I also come from that place. So you don’t need to worry that the children might get hurt again.”

Huh? Suddenly, Gabriel dropped a hint about his past.

“Even if they grow up in the orphanage, it doesn’t mean their futures are fixed.”

Gabriel went on, listing all the advantages as if he ran the orphanage himself. Sure, I knew it was a strict, well-run place—no corruption, respected freedom of choice, solid support—unlike the common orphanages. But enough!

“I see. Hearing you say that gives me peace of mind.”

Only then did Gabriel stop his promotion speech. Just now, he felt less like the romantic male lead and more like a sales clerk.

We should probably leave now. Jelly’s friend and Jelly got on the carriage. Pudding followed Jelly onto the carriage as well.

Then more children approached me, apparently intending to get on too. These were the two who had acted independently earlier—was it Ranan and Yulma?

We just exchanged greetings. What are they trying to say now?

“Is it okay if we come along too?”

“Ranan! What are you saying all of a sudden?”

Daisy looked completely flustered, probably because this hadn’t been discussed.

“If we make it out safely, we promised to start working with Yulma.”

“I know it’s presumptuous… but Canna unnie told me to at least ask once.”

Canna avoided my gaze. When did she get so close with the kids? It seems the heroine, who fell for the villainess, wanted the world to know I had reformed.

Well, it’s not too difficult. They’re basically asking for work rather than charity.

“If it’s at our mansion, I can give you jobs.”

“Thank you!”

I merely said they could work, but they were delighted. Naturally, they were happy to be “employed.” Daisy, on the other hand, looked uneasy. Was she worried they might make mistakes since it’s their first job?

“Milady, but…”

“If you’re that worried, you can come back to the mansion too. You have nowhere else to go, right?”

“…Yes.”

If Daisy felt uneasy leaving just the two children, she could come along. And with Jelly already at the mansion, Troy staying elsewhere, being under the same roof would naturally bring him closer to Jelly.

“I want to go too!”

Then one bold child barged in. This audacity—an attention-seeking kid.

“Mary!”

This time, Daisy genuinely got angry. Sure, Ranan and Yulma were older, but Mary was far too young.

“Sorry, I’ll send her back quickly.”

“She can’t work, but if she’s just staying, it’s fine.”

Well, considering how much money I have, taking responsibility for one more child wouldn’t starve me, so it’s fine.

“…Thank you.”

Daisy held Mary’s hand tightly and bowed. Her small body made the gesture look especially delicate. Thanks to the head, a child was now responsible for another child.

While this was happening, Gabriel seemed to have finished preparations. The temple’s carriage was ready and waiting for him. But didn’t Gabriel come to the mansion because he had something to discuss with me?

“By the way, didn’t you have something to tell me?”

“Yes. I had something to say, but… I felt uneasy sending the children off without a guardian.”

Indeed, taking ten young children all at once, it made sense to have even the commander of the knights accompany them.

So this would be our farewell here.

Gabriel extended his hand. Another noble greeting? A hand-kiss seemed too awkward.

I had planned to wear gloves next time, but I didn’t expect to meet him today, so my hands were bare. Still, since it’s a courtesy, it should be fine.

I offered my hand, and Gabriel bowed to press his lips against it. The soft sensation—what? Soft?

“Today’s visit did not follow proper procedure, so that is my fault. I shall visit you tomorrow, properly and formally.”

Th-this crazy man… I was too shocked to speak. Did he really just kiss my hand? And he acted so casually? Of course, he’s a resident of a romance fantasy world!

Gabriel left, leaving another knight behind.

A knight with melon-colored hair, fitting for a fantasy world. What was he doing here if not leaving?

“It is truly an honor to see you again. Do you remember me?”

I felt like I had seen him somewhere… Ah! He’s the one I poured holy water on!

“That time, right?”

“Yes! I am Michel, whom you saved, Milady. Back then, I couldn’t properly thank you due to the chaos, but today I accompanied the commander when he visited you. I also heard about saving the children today. As always, you are truly merciful.”

“Michel, that’s enough. Go now.”

Prompted by Gabriel, the melon-haired knight bowed and left. I guess my good-deed points increased.

“Milady, shall we depart as well?”

Yes, we should.

I worried it might be cramped for so many people, but the carriage was surprisingly comfortable. Where were Jelly’s friend and the other children? Henna wasn’t there either. I thought everyone had boarded.

“Jelly sent them to the mansion first.”

Upon Canna’s explanation, I smacked my knee. Of course, Jelly’s specialty is teleportation. Today, we had treated her just like a dog following a scent.

“You all go ahead. I need to talk with Daisy.”

“Is this a conversation I shouldn’t join?”

Not really, right? I shook my head.

“Then I’ll stay as well.”

Pudding looked like he wanted to stay too, so I picked him up and put him on my lap.

Jelly, meanwhile, said she would go ahead and told the driver to head to the Rohanson Mansion before disappearing.

The carriage wheels began to turn with a rolling motion.

Earlier, Canna and Daisy had a bit of bonding, but now it felt silent. Maybe just my imagination.

Normally, Canna would have used the heroine’s sociability, but the companion wasn’t ideal. Is it just me who finds this silence unbearable? I need to just say it since there’s something to discuss.

Now that we’ve found the children, maybe I can cautiously ask. Is it too cruel to ask someone already emotionally shattered?

I don’t know.

“Daisy.”

“…Yes?”

“The cost of granting wishes…”

Daisy swallowed. She looked tense just by her expression.

“Just answer my question honestly.”

I’m not asking her to do anything harsh. She just needs to answer a straightforward question.

“What did you tell Gabriel about me?”

Daisy inhaled sharply. She seemed like she wanted to run, but she couldn’t jump off the moving carriage, so I waited patiently. After hesitating for a long while, she finally spoke.

“To Sir Gabriel… I told him that Milady is not my lady.”

“What?”

What does that mean? Since I quit the mansion job, does she mean I’m not the person she serves?

“Y-you’re not Evangeline Rohanson, right? That’s what I told him.”

Wait, wait, wait!

Did he find out I was possessed? When?! How did he know? The amnesia build-up was perfect!

In a magical girl story, nobody notices the magical girl’s identity. Likewise, nobody should notice the possession. Can possession even be revealed in the story this early?

Sometimes near the ending, it’s revealed or used as an emotional obstacle. But I’m just dabbling here, not serious. And Gabriel didn’t shield me—I could’ve been executed immediately.

But she told Gabriel?

Logically, he wouldn’t know about possession and would just assume it’s like a ghost or demon. Would Gabriel think that?

Yet, when I just met him, he didn’t show any signs…

So was that what he wanted to tell me? I shivered. How am I supposed to meet Gabriel tomorrow?

‘I wish tomorrow wouldn’t come.’

I hate myself for recklessly allowing Gabriel to come tomorrow.

Did she tell Henna this too?

Now I understand why Henna seemed so drained. Imagine being told the lady you served was someone else—betrayal and confusion would be natural.

And now Canna knows too. Pudding, we’ll worry about later. If I had known, I would’ve sent Canna ahead!

No, I need to get a taste of it before Gabriel exorcises me. I need to build some immunity.

“Canna. What do you think? Does it feel like betrayal?”