Chapter 1
In the capital of the Eden Empire, the city of Vis, a dilapidated and shabby building stood, completely out of place next to its famous reputation.
In front of it, a carriage adorned with jewels came to a stop.
A moment later, the carriage door opened.
“Disgustingly shabby.”
The man who stepped out of the carriage muttered the moment he saw the crumbling orphanage. His voice was as dry and emotionless as the look in his eyes.
Nied Orphanage
Just looking at the tattered sign, one could tell the place was in financial ruin.
‘This will be solved easily.’
Though he was an aristocrat, the man got out of the carriage without any help from the coachman. Even with shoes with stiff soles, there wasn’t a sound as he stepped down.
His mysterious entrance caught the attention of the gossiping women around.
“That’s a family crest I’ve never seen before. Could he be from the countryside?”
“Maybe he’s an aristocrat from an allied nation who came to attend the New Year’s ceremony.”
“Who would come to an orphanage if they were an aristocrat?”
“Well, maybe he’s here to do a good deed. You know, like ‘Noblesse oblige’ and all!”
“Noblesse oblige my ass…”
The gossiping women were immediately silenced as a large shadow fell over them.
“I have a question.”
The voice was cold and emotionless. The aristocrat was asking.
They froze.
‘Did he overhear us? We thought it was too far for him to hear…’
But no, when did he get so close?
A chill ran down their spines.
The women who had dared gossip about an aristocrat were now in a perilous position. Their fate was obvious—they’d either be whipped until the moment of death or live their lives as slaves.
Without a moment’s hesitation, they threw themselves to the ground.
“We’re sorry!”
The only thing they could do was rub their palms on the floor.
The man’s polished shoes silently approached them.
The reflection of their terrified faces could be seen on the polished surface of his shoes. They squeezed their eyes shut, dreading the punishment that was about to come.
“Do you know where the person in charge is?”
They were caught off guard by the unexpected question.
“…?”
“Are you deaf?”
“Yes, yes? Ah, no! Who are you looking for…?”
“I’m asking where the director of this orphanage is.”
In a tone laced with annoyance, one woman couldn’t help but look up.
Through the slowly parting lips, a sharp fang briefly peeked out!
“Ahhh!”
At that moment, a child being held in the woman’s arms began crying, and the man winced slightly.
“!”
Hah, this man…!
The woman finally realized his identity.
His graceful walk, like floating on clouds.
The mysterious eyes that weren’t human, visible between his dark hair.
The terrifying scars near his eyes!
He was the man who had recently caused a stir in the Eden Empire.
Count Eden Lionheart.
[He’s a former mercenary from a foreign land, but after accumulating merit in the often-warring border regions over ownership disputes, he was granted a noble title.]
There were many rumors surrounding him.
No one knew where the truth ended and the lies began.
But one thing everyone agreed on was that his hands were stained with the blood of countless people.
“P-please, spare us!”
“We’re sorry! Please, show mercy!”
Eden looked down at the terrified women, a sense of unease slowly creeping over him.
As the discomfort grew, someone suddenly tugged at his coat.
“Excuse me, mister.”
It was the unpolished voice of a child.
Turning slowly, Eden met the gaze of a little girl who stood at about his knee height.
‘What is this, dough?’
His first thought was when he saw the girl’s snow-white hair.
Had she been rolling in the dirt?
The girl held some unidentified greenery tightly in her hand.
Despite her clothes, hands, and cheeks being all dirty, her eyes shone brightly like a star.
“…”
For a moment, he was caught in the shine of her blue eyes and couldn’t speak.
“Did you come to find Sister?”
The mischievous little girl’s words brought Eden back to his senses.
“Do you know the director?”
“Yes.”
“How…?”
‘How do you know them?’ Eden started to ask, but stopped. The girl’s humble clothes seemed to explain everything.
“This is my home.”
She was sharp.
Eden let out a soft laugh as he looked down at the girl, who was staring directly at him.
“Are you going inside?”
She was surprisingly bold.
Either she didn’t know how frightening aristocrats could be, or she had no fear of them at all.
In any case, she was no ordinary child, but Eden didn’t scold her.
“Whoops!”
The girl jumped over a pile of firewood, moving like a squirrel, and approached him.
“Follow me.”
“…”
A gentle breeze tickled his nose as he followed the child.
As the girl led him to the orphanage door, she stopped and suddenly turned to look up at him, as if waiting for something.
“What?”
“….”
The girl sighed and then raised her tiny fists on either side of her waist.
“Mr. Eden, you have to open the door.”
What?
Eden raised an eyebrow in surprise at the girl’s bold statement.
‘Such a small one, but she’s got guts.’
When he opened the door for her, the girl, with her usual audacity, entered without a second thought.
“If you went outside, you should wash your hands first.”
