Chapter 10
“Noona, what kind of guy do you want to marry in the future?”
“…Huh?”
Selena was caught off guard by Leotis’s sudden question.
Marriage?
His expression was dead serious.
Is this because of that fairy tale I read him before?
Selena sometimes read books to Leotis. Like most children’s stories, they always ended with: “And the prince and princess got married and lived happily ever after.”
Marriage… huh.
She hadn’t really thought about it before. In her past life, she didn’t have time for romance or marriage. And now, she was way too young to even consider it seriously.
“I don’t really want to get married.”
She said it without thinking much, but Leotis blinked slowly—like he’d just been hit in the head. Then, looking hurt, he asked,
“Why? Why don’t you want to?”
He sounded oddly desperate.
“Uh… because I’m still young…”
“What about later?”
“Later… if I meet someone I really like, then maybe.”
Leotis let out a sigh of relief.
“What kind of person would you like?”
Selena thought for a bit, then started listing her ideal type.
“First, someone rich. The richer, the better. And if he has power, even better.”
“Like a Grand Duke?”
“That’s good. But if he’s even higher than that… an Emperor would be perfect.”
Not that I’ll ever marry the Emperor, since the second male lead in the original story falls head over heels for the heroine anyway.
“And?”
“Hmm… someone strong.”
“How strong?”
“Strong enough to break a door with one hand and punch a dragon to death.”
She giggled after saying that.
He didn’t actually have to be that strong. She just wanted someone who could protect his family when things got dangerous.
“Anything else?”
“Hmm… someone kind.”
“Kind?”
“Yeah. Someone righteous and fair. But also someone who, if needed, could play the villain for the people he loves. If you’re too nice, you won’t be able to protect what’s important.”
That was something she hoped Leotis would remember when he grew up.
If he ever met the female lead, she didn’t want him to end up hurting others or himself because of his own kindness like in the original story.
Leotis listened quietly, looking serious.
“And most importantly! He has to only look at me. I’m super possessive, so I hate it when my guy even glances at other girls. If my future boyfriend ever cheats on me…”
She clenched her fist.
“I’ll uppercut him where it hurts!”
Selena made a mock punch. Leotis flinched and shook his head fast.
“I’d never do that!”
“Huh?”
Wait a sec… is that why he’s asking all this?
“Leotis… don’t tell me, do you want to marry me?”
Leotis looked a little startled, then quickly frowned.
“No.”
Well, no need to be that serious about it. I was joking…
Selena knew very well the only person Leotis would truly love one day was the heroine.
This story is for the female lead, after all.
Her question had just been a joke. It wasn’t weird to think of it that way with all this context.
She felt a little stung, but decided to brush it off.
I’m the adult here.
Selena, an adult on the inside despite her young appearance, smiled.
“Kidding~ I wouldn’t want to marry you either, Leotis.”
Even if I’m an adult, I can still be a little petty, right?
“…Why?”
Even after saying no just now, Leotis looked hurt when she said she wouldn’t marry him. His face looked like he’d taken damage to the heart.
“Because you’re younger than me. I don’t like younger guys.”
Half true, half teasing.
She did prefer older men.
People say guys mature slower than girls.
She liked someone reliable who could take the lead, not someone who whined like a child. That’s why she leaned toward older men.
Still, that didn’t mean she hated younger guys. If someone matched her ideal type, age wouldn’t matter that much.
But she didn’t bother telling Leotis that. After all, his future was already set—he’d fall for the heroine, not her.
“Hello, everyone.”
A man in a sleek black suit greeted them politely.
Most of the kids at the orphanage were wary of strangers—especially adults. They didn’t have many good memories of adults.
Awkward.
But the man didn’t seem bothered at all. It was like he was used to this kind of reaction.
He snapped his fingers, and—
Flap!
A huge bird flew in through the open window. It had elegant wings like a swan, and a glowing amber jewel embedded in its forehead that lit up like a lamp.
“Whoa…!”
The kids’ eyes lit up with excitement.
The bird circled the room and landed gracefully on the man’s shoulder.
A Tamer…
Tamers were people who could tame monsters infused with magical energy called “cycles.”
Tamers were divided into two types based on how compatible they were with their monster partners.
First, there were Tamers affiliated with the Association.
Only those who could tame powerful monsters used in battle were allowed to join. Association Tamers were sometimes even hired by the royal family.
I heard you can make a lot of money doing monster taming…
Which is why most Association Tamers were rich.
And then there are the unaffiliated Tamers…
Tamers who couldn’t get into the Association because their compatibility was too low or their monsters were too weak. The best they could tame were small animals like birds or rabbits.
So, unaffiliated Tamers often made money by performing with their tamed animals—just like this man.
I thought they only performed for nobles…
“Peep!”
Something fluffy wrapped around Selena’s hand. She quickly looked down.
“Peep?”
A little white puffball tilted its head and looked up at her.
Oh my gosh. So cute…
Selena carefully lifted the puffball in both hands. It wiggled around on her palms, making her heart feel all warm and fuzzy.
“What’s that?”
“Wow, it must really like Selena!”
“Mister, isn’t that your pet?”
The kids crowded around, chatting excitedly. But even with all the noise, the fluffball just snuggled into Selena’s hands like it was perfectly content.
“Pom, come here.”
The man walked over and held out his hand.
The puffball—Pom—glanced at him, then rolled over and stayed put in Selena’s palms. It clearly had no intention of leaving.
The man didn’t seem upset at all.
“Looks like Pom really likes you. That’s rare. Pom usually hates people…”
The kids got even more excited.
“What? Isn’t Pom that Tamer guy’s pet?”
“Pets are supposed to only listen to their Tamer!”
“Then does that mean Selena is a Tamer too?!”
Selena snapped out of her daze, finally realizing what was happening.
Wait a minute. Why is a Tamer’s pet all cuddly with me?
Then she remembered—
Romance fantasy clichés…
Most people who get isekai’d into fantasy novels end up with special abilities.
Even if I’m just a nameless extra… I am someone who got isekai’d. Maybe I have the power of a Tamer too?
Hope sparked in her chest.
An orphan with no home or family. She’d always thought she was born unlucky. But maybe this life would be different.
Thank you, God! So You didn’t just toss me here without a plan!
“Oh my goodness, what’s this?! We finally have a gemstone at our orphanage!”
The headmistress, who’d been watching from a distance, rushed over with wide eyes.
Just being a child nobles were interested in was already impressive. But if she was a gemstone—someone with a rare ability?
You couldn’t ask for better news.
Greed lit up in the headmistress’s eyes.
“Selena’s a gemstone?”
“Dummy, it’s ‘gemstone,’ not ‘gravel-stone.’”
“Whatever, it’s the same!”
“Selena, that’s amazing!”
The kids all talked at once, buzzing with excitement. But then someone asked the question that brought the sweet dream crashing down.
“Then how come she doesn’t have a jewel or mark on her body?”
Oh. Right. I don’t have any glowing mark or gemstone on me…
Gemstones always showed some kind of sign on their body. But nothing had appeared on Selena.
Could someone have a power without showing a sign?
The man had been watching everything quietly. Now he smiled gently.
“Some gemstones show signs a bit later. There’s a way to confirm whether or not she’s one.”
“Really? Mr. Millen, please check! Please tell us if Selena is a gemstone!”
The headmistress didn’t hesitate for a second and turned to the man—Millen—for help. Millen knelt on one knee to meet Selena’s gaze.
“May I see your hand for a moment?”
Selena held it out.
From inside Millen’s shirt, a white snake poked out its head. It flicked its tongue, then gently bit her arm.
Ouch.
Millen nodded like that was all he needed. The snake slithered back into his clothes, and a strange look appeared on his face.
“As expected…”
He trailed off.
As expected what?! Tell me!
“What do you mean, ‘as expected’? Does that mean Selena really is a gemstone?”
The headmistress voiced the question Selena was dying to ask.
“Selena is…”
Mr. Millen, there are two ways to make someone angry. One of them is stopping your sentence right before the important part.
