Chapter 60.1
I gazed at Damian. The children who had flocked around him were gradually dispersing, their interest in the gift-bearing stranger waning. I frowned slightly, considering his earlier words. Share a secret? He’d brought me all this way, promising to reveal something of himself, yet the information I’d gleaned was scant: only that he’d founded the orphanage and was secretly funding it. This connection to the orphanage must be significant to him…
Since his sudden debut into society two years prior, countless nobles had discreetly investigated Damian Ditronil, yet no information about this orphanage had ever surfaced. Damian had clearly taken pains to conceal it. Such secrecy… Was it to protect the orphanage from any potential danger associated with him? After all, society thrived on exploiting weaknesses.
“Since Damian hadn’t visited in so long, only sending funds and supplies, I assumed he was married,” the headmistress’s voice drew my attention. She winked as our eyes met. “Or at least betrothed.” Her gaze questioned whether I truly had no connection to him.
“Unfortunately, it’s not what you think. We’re just…” How could I describe my relationship with Damian? Chance acquaintances? Co-rescuers of Prince Kishan? Sharers of secrets? One of my potential contract husbands? None of these felt appropriate to share. After a moment’s contemplation, I said, “Just friends.” At least, for now. I offered an awkward smile.
“Friends, I see.” Disappointment flickered across her face, quickly replaced by a satisfied smile, as if she found “friend” acceptable after all.
“So, you first met Damian five years ago?”
“Yes. He was a young man, a bit more youthful than he is now.”
“If you didn’t know him previously, weren’t you suspicious when he suddenly appeared?” Damian had no connection to the headmistress or the children, yet he’d appeared out of nowhere, offering help. Had they simply trusted him without question? It was puzzling, especially since she claimed to know nothing about his background, even now.
“We didn’t have many options back then.” The headmistress offered a wry smile, as if reading my thoughts. “Especially then, if it hadn’t been for Damian, the children would have been in grave danger.”
“Danger?”
She frowned slightly, lost in the memory. “The previous orphanage, where the children and I lived, was on the outskirts of the empire, far from the city. It was a quiet, peaceful village.” She added that she, too, had been without a place to go, so she lived and worked at the orphanage with the children. Her expression darkened as she recalled that peaceful time. “…That’s why I couldn’t afford to be suspicious.”
“Suspicious?”
“Yes. The previous headmaster was using the children to distribute dangerous goods.”
“What…?”
“He used the orphanage as a front, trafficking forbidden items. He even used the children as runners for his transactions.” When his activities were discovered, he vanished overnight. Among the illicit goods were hallucinogenic d***s, which had affected some villagers. The orphanage was quickly ostracized.
“We were running out of food, unable to contact anyone, when we met Damian by chance.”
“I see.” The headmistress’s words about having limited choices now made sense. Isolated by the village, on the outskirts of the empire, contacting the temple would have been difficult, and even if they had, it was unlikely they would have helped. They would have turned a blind eye, given the illegal activities. Even now, the temple cared only for appearances and would never associate with anything remotely illicit.
“We were hesitant to trust Damian at first. But after a few months, we had no choice.” He had been their only option. I nodded, understanding. Perhaps the child’s earlier hostility towards Damian stemmed from the disappointment of his long absence. They must have grown attached to him during the time he spent here. I hadn’t learned much about Damian himself, but I had learned that he had helped this place.
“So, have you satisfied your curiosity?” the headmistress asked.
“I’m sorry?”
“You’re curious about Damian, aren’t you?” She gave me a knowing smile. I forced a smile, feeling her probing gaze.
“Well…”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.