Episode 2.
“Of all the odd jobs I’ve done… and now this…”
The reason the Curtis Orphanage, where I stay, makes us beg—panhandle, basically—is not because it lacks funds.
In fact, it has more than enough money compared to other orphanages. Curtis is what you’d call a “noble orphanage,” closely tied to aristocrats.
The children here all dress in pretty dresses and formal suits, and they receive high-quality education like nobles. That’s because they are all illegitimate children who inherited noble blood.
The Curtis Orphanage is a place where decadent nobles, who indulged in luxury and pleasure, conveniently dispose of children they never wanted. They can ease their shallow conscience by saying they sent the child somewhere nice, and soothe their guilt by making donations.
On top of that, they get praised by commoners who don’t know the truth as philanthropists.
*“To think they take such warm care of even the lowliest orphans. How merciful!”*
Because of that, some nobles even use Curtis as a tool for image marketing.
They visit the orphanage under the pretense of charity, take “proof photos,” and submit them to *The People’s Daily*, a private newspaper for commoners that they normally wouldn’t even glance at.
*“Look at me, visiting and supporting an orphanage, practicing noblesse oblige. See? We build them good buildings and dress them in fine clothes.”*
At that time, the prettier and more innocent-looking the orphan child beside them in the photo, the better the publicity effect.
“They’re just like politicians who show up at markets during election campaigns, shake a few hands, and collect votes.”
Exactly the same.
At Curtis, there is a child used specifically to enhance this image marketing effect.
Not one of the noble-born children cherished by the director, but a pretty orphan brought in from another orphanage—someone who can be treated however they like.
That’s Fredia.
“Not even a hired athlete, but an imported orphan…”
The reason Fredia was chosen was her doll-like curly golden hair, large clear blue eyes, and rosy cheeks—features that perfectly matched aristocratic tastes.
This living porcelain doll smiles sweetly in front of important visitors and begs for donations.
*“I’ve taken a pretty and pitiful picture for you, so please donate more. Give generously.”*
…That’s the idea.
On days without begging, she wears rags and does chores for the other children.
That is Fredia’s role.
In other words, the role I ended up with after possessing her body.
“If you’re an orphan, you’re all the same! Why are there ‘gold-spoon orphans’ abandoned by rich parents and ‘dirt-spoon orphans’ abandoned by poor ones?!”
While the other children enjoy luxurious meals, I starve and clean their rooms—it’s enough to make me miserable.
At the orphanage I used to live in, everyone cleaned their own rooms equally.
“I was happy to get a new life… but I’m a beggar, and they’re noble orphans.”
I keep sighing.
Still, the situation isn’t completely hopeless. I already know the story of this novel.
“Just wait. The ugly duckling will soon become a sw—”
Wait.
“Did the heroine actually become a swan after leaving the orphanage?”
Not long after possessing this body, she does get adopted into a ducal family. But unfortunately, that family is a villainous one.
The righteous protagonist clashes with them from the start, goes through all kinds of hardships, destroys the family, and ends up in a romance with the crown prince, becoming his consort.
“But even after that, she suffers under her mother-in-law, gets stabbed by the male lead’s half-brother, nearly dies… ugh.”
It may be a happy ending, but the journey is awful.
As a reader, the dramatic events were exciting—but imagining myself going through them makes cold sweat run down my back.
“And later she even becomes empress and gets involved in politics…”
An empress. Politics. As an ordinary person, I can only admire the original heroine who willingly became the “mother of the nation” for love.
Even my own parents couldn’t handle raising their child and abandoned me—and yet becoming the mother of countless strangers?
“That’s impossible. Even if I died and came back to life, I couldn’t do that.”
Should I just escape before being adopted? What if I twist the story by leaving the orphanage on my own?
With modern knowledge, I might be able to succeed easily in this kind of novel world.
“In other novels, heroines succeed by selling fried chicken or starting popcorn businesses…”
I could save some money working as a maid, then catch a big opportunity and gradually grow a business from a street stall.
“If I thought this in real life, it’d be ridiculous… but in this world, it actually sounds plausible. Maybe difficulty level: one star?”
After all, I’m basically max level in part-time jobs.
“Yeah! Forget adoption. I’ll live on my own!”
Ah, a rosy future again!
…Or so I thought. There was an unexpected obstacle.
“You’re leaving? Says who?”
The director lowered her glasses and stared at me in disbelief.
I had only asked, “Do I graduate from the orphanage when I become an adult?” just to test the waters—and this was the reaction.
“Do you know how much it’s cost to feed and clothe you? Fortunately, Mr. Hamel has agreed to pay that amount and take you next year. In return, you’ll work unpaid for five years. Be grateful.”
What kind of nonsense is that?
“Isn’t the orphanage funded by donations? And I’ve worn discarded clothes, eaten leftovers, and worked—cleaning, laundry, begging. I think I’ve already paid for my meals.”
…That’s what I wanted to say, but I just nodded and left.
*She’s planning to sell me as a slave from the start.*
If I don’t become empress, I’ll end up a slave.
I’ll escape this fate.
The next day, an unexpected opportunity came.
*What is this—some divine sign telling me to run?*
They acted like they’d chase me to the ends of the earth if I ran, but now this?
*I’m not even prepared…*
But I soon realized the director wasn’t a fool—I was just being naive.
“Hey, she’s an orphan!”
“She doesn’t have a mom or dad!”
As soon as I entered the market, children playing nearby swarmed me.
“Oh my, isn’t that Fredia? Kids! Don’t bully her!”
Some passersby recognized me and chased the kids away.
*Ah… my photo was in the newspaper!*
I forgot. My face was widely known because of those donation photos.
*The People’s Daily* is a newspaper for commoners, covering trivial things like marriages, shop openings, and vegetable prices. Nobles ignore it, but commoners all read it.
*So that’s why the director sent me on errands. Even if I ran, they could track me down.*
Twisting the story won’t be easy.
“Hey, didn’t you get paid to draw?”
“For an orphan, you live pretty well. What are you doing in a dump like this?”
Their jealous tone made it clear—they didn’t like that I seemed better off than them.
If only they knew.
*This reminds me of the past.*
Back in school, I was teased the same way.
> “She’s an orphan, right? Lives in a shelter.”
> “No wonder she’s so tacky.”
> “Does she even wash properly?”
> “Orphans can’t even afford college anyway.”
People couldn’t stand it when someone “beneath them” had something better.
Children are just more honest about it.
“Acting all high and mighty for an orphan!”
“Hey! Ignoring us? Just because you took photos with nobles?”
Life really repeats itself.
“Hey, throw that.”
I ignored them and kept walking—then something flew at me.
“Ah!”
A stone.
I turned around, and they scattered, giggling.
“Ugh, seriously.”
Annoying little brats.
“Hey, she’s ignoring us!”
I kept walking, but soon—
“She’s leaving.”
“Just like that?”
I moved into a crowded area, thinking they wouldn’t throw things there—but—
“Got anything bigger?”
“Throw that one.”
They didn’t care about bothering others as long as they could harass me.
“You guys—!”
I turned to scold them, but it was too late.
“Filthy orphan!”
“Dogs of the nobles!”
“No mom, no dad!”
With their taunts, trash and stones came flying.
I instinctively flinched and shut my eyes tight.
“…?”
But nothing hit me.
“Huh…?”
Instead, I found myself clutching someone’s clothes, and before me stood a dark silhouette backlit by the sun.
Then a soft voice spoke:
“…Having parents isn’t necessarily what defines a person’s character.”
