Chapter 9
“Wh-Who did you say you are? The Marchioness of House Pluto?”
Director Eva of the orphanage looked like she was about to faint.
I watched from a distance, equally shocked.
The children inside the orphanage were no less surprised.
‘…Wow. Look at that carriage. It’s dazzling…’
A carriage covered in gold—who knew such a thing even existed?
The coachmen and attendants standing in neat formation behind the carriage looked like part of a painting.
And it wasn’t just the carriage.
The Marchioness of Learwin herself was positively radiant.
Not just a sparkle—she was glowing.
Learwin shone so brilliantly it made me realize there really are levels to radiance. Had I ever seen a woman like her before?
Her elegantly pinned-up silver hair radiated warmth. Her soft purple eyes looked almost motherly.
She seemed like someone born perfectly beautiful.
If there really was a goddess of beauty, wouldn’t she look like this?
How ridiculous that I had missed such a grand scene in my previous life, holed up in a storeroom conducting experiments.
‘Come to think of it, her son Meteor was amazing too…’
I suddenly remembered the moment I first met Meteor. It was the first time I saw someone as dazzlingly handsome as my father.
Well, that’s just how male leads are supposed to be…!
Before my thoughts could wander further, Learwin’s voice rang out again.
“I had no idea there was an orphanage out here. I’ve just finished visiting every famous orphanage there is.”
“Pardon? You’ve been touring orphanages?”
Even her voice sounded like silk. She nodded gracefully as she continued.
“Yes. I’m looking for a child to sponsor. A girl, specifically. Sadly, even after visiting all those orphanages, I haven’t found the right one yet. If it’s not too much trouble, may I take a look around this Ebony Orphanage?”
“O-Of course! What an honor to receive the Marchioness of House Pluto! This will be an unforgettable moment for the children!”
“Thank you.”
Learwin offered a soft smile.
I silently watched her enter the orphanage building.
It wasn’t the right time yet for her to notice me.
Meanwhile…
Sigh.
Learwin sighed inwardly.
‘Why couldn’t I ever have a daughter?’
She had three sons—her eldest, Meteor, and the twin boys Bernard and Kent.
After that, she hadn’t been able to conceive again. Eventually, she was diagnosed as infertile.
‘I just… really wanted a daughter!’
She had dreamed of having at least ten goddess-like daughters who looked exactly like her.
Imagine a group of little girls with her face—how adorable would that be?
But fate had decided she would never bear a daughter.
After three years of heartache, she finally resolved to become the guardian of another girl.
She had even considered adopting, but the Duke of House Pluto had absolutely forbidden it.
Unless the child carried the bloodline of House Pluto, she could never be registered as a direct heir.
Unable to go against her father-in-law’s will, the only option left was to act as a guardian.
But even then, she didn’t want just any girl.
‘I want someone who resembles me. Even just a little… wouldn’t it be wonderful if such a girl existed?’
But such a child… surely didn’t exist.
Those who knew her circumstances only clicked their tongues in pity.
Learwin was widely recognized as the most beautiful woman in the Empire of Cientri. No one could rival her appearance.
Her mysterious, elegant aura was something no other beauty could imitate.
So it wasn’t surprising she couldn’t find anyone in all those orphanages who resembled her.
‘I just want to be seen as the mother of a girl who looks like me.’
She longed to enjoy a warm afternoon cruise with her daughter like other noblewomen.
To hear someone say, “My goodness, your daughter looks just like you!”
But Learwin had not given up hope.
‘Maybe today… I’ll finally find her.’
‘…No luck, as expected.’
Learwin had spent some time touring the orphanage and even had tea with the director. She’d donated a whopping 100 million sien as a sponsorship, but felt empty inside.
As expected, not a single girl resembled her.
‘It’s not like I’m asking for too much. Just… the vibe, or maybe the shape of her eyes, or even one nostril—just a bit like me…’
But even that was too much, apparently.
All the children she met were adorable, regardless of gender.
But none of them bore even the tiniest resemblance to her.
Maybe her husband had been right all along?
The cold words of her husband, Marquis Miles Pluto, echoed in her ears.
“You want to sponsor a girl who looks like you? …As if such a girl even exists.”
“…Maybe I really am being too greedy.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
She answered softly to the attendant next to her and began to leave the orphanage. Eva and the staff followed behind to see her off.
Just as she turned to go, the hot sun beating down on her—
“Hmm?”
Something suddenly caught her eye.
In the fresh green forest, a small white, round object bobbed up and down.
‘What’s that?’
Curious, Learwin moved toward it. Her attendants looked puzzled and followed her lead.
What was that?
As they got closer, the shape became clear.
It looked like the backside of a fluffy winter sparrow. Or maybe the plump rear of a chick?
It was so cute it made her heart seize.
The little bottom bobbed up and down busily, seemingly digging at the ground.
Who knew a child’s back could be this adorable?
How long had she stood there, holding her breath?
Perhaps sensing something, the child suddenly looked back.
“!”
Their eyes met.
It was a girl in a white dress.
Her eyes sparkled in a dreamy pink hue—could such gemstone-like eyes truly exist?
Her fluffy, shiny golden hair was like a doll’s—so soft and radiant!
But most of all!
Most of all…!
That angelic little face looking up with a curious “Huh?” was seared into Learwin’s memory.
Her heart thudded in her chest, and she instinctively covered her mouth with one hand.
“Wh-What are you doing here?”
I blinked twice, wide-eyed.
The Marchioness of Pluto was too dazzling to face up close.
Awed by her radiance, I turned the trowel behind my back and stood upright. I looked up at her with shining eyes.
“I’m digging a hole. I want to plant some seeds.”
“Seeds? What kind of seeds…?”
Learwin gently pressed her chest, as if to calm her startled heart.
<‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ is quite pleased—he says Learwin has already fallen for you!>
Really?
I still felt dazed by her beauty.
No wonder the male lead looked like that—his mother was this gorgeous.
“Apple seeds! Once the tree grows, I’ll clean the apples and give them as gifts to my friends and teachers. Hehe.”
“Oh my…”
Learwin clasped her hands together.
She looked deeply moved by my words.
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ is impressed by your authentic performance as Crescent!>
Huh?
I bristled slightly at Gabriella’s remark.
‘Performance? I am Crescent, you know!’
I’d lived as Crescent for twelve whole years—whether I had a past life or not, this was me!
‘You all keep acting like I’m just some transmigrator, and I am, but I’m also Crescent, okay…’
It kind of hurts when they call it acting.
