TPBDN 02

Chapter 2

“The orphanage director has lost her mind.”

“At least she doesn’t hit as badly as some others do. That’s something, right?”

At Rick’s words—who had been through more orphanages than he could count—the girl’s face twisted with a cold sneer.

“She can’t damage an expensive product.”

Before leaving the room, the director had warned the caretakers not to leave any visible marks on her. The reason was obvious. Every child in this orphanage was unnaturally beautiful. The director had carefully collected only the prettiest ones.

And the reason was just as obvious.

“Yeah…”

Rick gave a bitter smile. Being beautiful was a curse for those born with no status.

The director always looked at the children with hungry eyes. The eyes of someone who saw only profit. The girl also knew all too well how the woman looked at her—as if she were a luxury item. Among the children here, the girl’s looks were unmatched.

Silver hair rare even among nobles. Eyes blue as a lake. She was only seven years old, but even she could easily imagine what she’d look like once she was grown.

And those people the director sometimes calls over…

They always showed up not long after she’d used her power. The director’s intentions were obvious—and it was those very men who’d first introduced that “drink” to her. It wasn’t just dangerous. It was a ticking bomb.

I have to get out of here soon. Before she sells me off somewhere.

“Should we ask that knight you’re always talking about?” Rick suggested suddenly. “To help us escape. If we just run, we’ll be caught right away—the director’s got people paid off all over town. But if we ask for help…”

“…That might be hard,” the girl murmured, trailing off. The image of the knight, his face hidden under a helmet, surfaced in her mind. Even now, she could still feel the warmth of the hand that had once patted her head.

“He saved you back then too, right? When the villagers tried to attack you after you used your power! …Hey, what’s wrong?”

Seeing her expression cloud, Rick frowned in concern.

“Huh? Oh—nothing. I just can’t ask him for help. He disappeared from the village after that. I haven’t seen him since.”

She shook her head quickly.

How stupid. Longing for someone whose face I never even saw…

Trying to shake off the thoughts, she gave her head a little shake. But the more she tried to forget, the more she could feel that gentle warmth surrounding her again.

He said he’d come back. That time, for sure…

Maybe that was why she couldn’t let go of him—the knight’s final words before he’d left.

How pathetic. After everything, you still want to believe in something like family.

Scolding herself, the girl frowned as she glanced at Rick, who was looking anxious.

I can’t stay here just because of Rick… Maybe I should ask to be hired instead. Family affection is an illusion that can crumble at any moment.

If she could prove her usefulness, maybe they wouldn’t discard her so easily. And in this world, even children worked—there was nothing strange about it.

“You know, the knight said he’d visit the village again someday,” she said suddenly. “When he does, I’ll talk to him. I’ll tell him I don’t eat much, I just need a place to sleep! If I don’t cost anything, he might agree, right?”

“…You?” Rick raised an eyebrow. “You’re way too greedy for that. You should come up with a more believable excuse.”

“What? I’m not greedy!”

“You are. Not just greedy—a full-blown glutton for everything.”

“You jerk…”

“One day, you’ll admit I’m right.”

The girl glared at him, annoyed. Here she was, trying to think about their future, and all he could do was mock her.

“…Huh?”

Then suddenly, everything went dark. As if night had fallen in an instant. She looked around in confusion—then the ground began to tremble like an earthquake.

No… this isn’t an earthquake.

She turned sharply. In front of the orphanage stood dozens of knights and a massive carriage like a moving mountain. Even the swords they carried looked far more exquisite than anything she’d ever seen. Gold-engraved emblems glinted on their hilts. The carriage itself was jet black, exuding a heavy, oppressive aura.

Her body trembled.

That crest… a noble? Are they the guests the director was expecting?

The carriage door opened, and a man stepped out. His hair was black as midnight, and his eyes glowed a chilling shade of red—like blood caught in the light. Handsome, in the kind of way that made “beautiful” feel inadequate.

Even through her terror, she couldn’t help thinking it—he was mesmerizing.

His gaze swept toward the orphanage building. Then his low, icy voice rang out.

“Find her.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

There was killing intent in his eyes. The girl instinctively flinched and took a step back—only for him to glance her way. The murderous chill in his eyes softened, turning oddly gentle.

He reached out toward her, as if by habit.

He’s going to kill us. No—!

She froze, breath caught in her throat.

“Eek!”

Seeing her pale and shaking, the man withdrew his hand. He turned to the sharp-looking man with glasses beside him.

“This isn’t something a child should see. Take care of her. I have a woman to kill inside.”

Then, drawing his sword, he strode toward the building.

To the girl, he looked less like a man and more like a monster.

“Please, come with me to the carriage,” the bespectacled man said politely.

But as his hand reached toward her, she jerked away in panic.

What on earth is happening?

Her heart pounded painfully. Before she could think, she heard a scream.

“Ahhh!”

Rick. His whole body was trembling as if struck by a whip, his eyes wide with sheer terror.

“Rick! Grab my hand!”

The girl caught his hand and started running. The trauma of losing his family to nobles had come crashing back, and she could feel him shaking beside her.

We have to run.

That was the only thought in her mind. She knew what nobles were. In this rigid, absolute hierarchy of a world, their power was everything—and their cruelty boundless.

As they ran, a scream pierced the air from inside the building. The director’s voice.

“Look…”

Rick, shaking, pointed toward the orphanage doors. They were wide open.

There stood the black-haired noble, sword dripping with blood—and at his feet, the once-terrifying director lay sprawled, blood pooling beneath her.

“Y-Your Highness…” she gasped.

“Do you have any idea how long I’ve searched for you? You dared lay a hand on Kylian?”

“I—I was under threat! Please, forgive me! I did my best as his nurse, I swear!”

The director clung to him like a drowning woman grabbing a rope.

The girl had never seen her look so pitiful. The sight chilled her to the bone.

Then—

A large hand grabbed her from behind.

She turned sharply—only to find herself surrounded by knights. There was nowhere left to run.

“Rick!”

Beside her, Rick collapsed to the ground, unconscious—his mind crushed by terror.

“Rick!”

The girl threw her arms around him protectively as the knights drew closer.

“This is… troublesome,” murmured the man with glasses.

“My lord, they’re terrified of us. What should we do?” one of the knights asked uncertainly.

Before anyone could move, a familiar, commanding voice approached.

“I told you to take care of the child, didn’t I?”

The black-haired man returned, wiping the blood from his sword.

“My apologies, Your Highness. It won’t happen again.”

“Enough. We’re done here. Leave some men to clean up. The rest will escort us.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The knights snapped to attention.

Then, the man she feared most sheathed his sword and stepped closer—lifting the girl effortlessly into his arms.

The sudden height made her gasp, but she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.

If I scream, he might kill me.

She trembled in his arms like a frightened bird, holding her breath.

The man let out a soft sigh.