Chapter 208: Fiona (2)
Naturally, the donation was made in Heilon’s name. It was customary for noble families to engage in charitable activities to bolster their reputation within society. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The Heilon family, in particular, needed to mend its image. Rumors surrounding Abel, the head of the family, were rather nasty. Perhaps because of the recent altercation with the Ernest family, there was another widespread talk that Duke Ernest was swearing and spitting on Abel, which further tarnished our family’s standing.
Well, Abel did that to Ernest because I asked him to. So to counteract these rumors, we needed to perform some good deeds.
I ran into Carl in the mansion hallway and brought him along to the orphanage.
Sigren gave me a quizzical look, silently asking why I had brought Carl along.
My reasoning was simple: the more helping hands, the better. Plus, it was an opportunity for Carl and me to grow closer. I chose to mention only the former reason, knowing Sigren would disapprove of the latter.
“The more assistance, the merrier.”
Thankfully, Carl thought it was a splendid idea to aid the orphanage.
When the orphanage staff saw me accompanied by a prince, they were taken aback. Oh dear, I hadn’t anticipated this reaction. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Luckily, Sigren handled it gracefully and engaged with the children who gathered around him.
“Wow, did you really slay the dragon?”
“I saw you scattering flowers in the square. The dragon was enormous!”
“Children, children, this is His Highness the Prince. You have to be polite!”
The orphanage staff nervously observed Sigren’s interaction with the children, but their concerns eased when he showed no signs of discomfort.
Of course, Carl’s charming demeanor also endeared him to the children.
Seeing those two surrounded by children brought a smile to my face. It appeared they had a knack for interacting with kids.
Well, that’s a relief. It seems they’re good with children after all.
Thanks to them, I had the chance to chat leisurely with Eunice about managing the orphanage.
“Is it alright for you not to stay with His Highness the Prince?” Eunice was well aware of Sigren and my relationship.
I smiled, whispering, “Actually, I brought His Highness here so I could have an uninterrupted conversation with you, Lady Eunice.”
Otherwise, the children would likely pester us endlessly.
“Oh my goodness.” Eunice blushed, her cheeks turning bright red. “I’m honored to be given priority over His Highness the Prince.”
We giggled together for a moment. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
However, our peaceful moment was short-lived.
Before long, Sigren interrupted our conversation.
“Lady Fiona, something urgent has happened at the palace. I believe I should go.”
I turned around to find a servant from the prince’s palace standing there.
My eyes widened in surprise.
“I understand. It seems important, so you should hurry.”
Sigren leaned forward suddenly and kissed my forehead.
…Wait, seriously? We’re in public!
“Thank you for understanding. Next time, let’s spend time alone together.”
He was politely hinting not to bring Carl along. However, those around us seemed to interpret it differently.
Eunice blushed at the unexpected display of affection, while the children exclaimed, “Wow!”
Such reactions were embarrassing, no matter the circumstances.
Naturally, the children bombarded me with questions afterward. “Are you both prince and princess?” Eventually, they asked about our courtship at least thirty times. Overwhelmed by their curiosity, I eventually excused myself.
Children’s questions could be surprisingly innocent yet unsettling.
I wandered off to look for Eri, who hadn’t been seen all day. She usually sought me out for a chat, but today she was nowhere to be found.
I tilted my head in confusion.
Where on earth could Eri have gone?
***
Eri kicked a stone with her toe, feeling out of sorts today. She wasn’t pleased that her sister Fiona, who usually played with her, had brought along new companions. The other children were excited, but Eri didn’t care for it. She wasn’t fond of men. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Ever since she was abandoned, her vague memories of her biological father portrayed him as a violent man. What if these men her Sister Fiona brought today made her unhappy?
Moreover, Fiona had always listened to her stories seriously, unlike other adults. Eri had believed Fiona was a loner like herself. However, seeing her today shattered that illusion. Eri felt a pang of dissatisfaction for reasons she couldn’t quite understand—childish jealousy, perhaps.
‘I wish Sister Fiona would just stay with me.’
Would she ever find someone else who cared for her like Sister Fiona did? Eri wasn’t sure. All she knew for certain was that in the end, she was alone.
Muttering spitefully, “I wish those older brothers who came today would disappear,” then maybe Sister Fiona would only care about her…. Eri idly played with a rock with her toe, then shook her head in frustration. Such thoughts weren’t helpful.
“I have to go back now.”
At the same time, someone pulled her arm hard.
“I should go back now.”
Just then, someone grabbed her arm forcefully.
“Ah!”
Her mouth was immediately covered.
Men’s voices surrounded her.
“Is this the kid?”
“Yes, let’s take her quickly!”
Eri struggled with all her might, but it was futile. She was bound and whisked away to an unknown location.
When they arrived, a man dressed in lavish attire stood before them. Unlike the men who had brought Eri, he appeared to be a nobleman or a wealthy individual. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“I’ve brought her, my lord.”
The kidnappers bowed before him.
The man glanced at Eri with cold eyes, then nodded. “Good job.”
“Now, about the payment you promised…”
The man smiled leisurely. “Certainly.”
“Yes, as expected. Educated folk like you keep their word—ack!”
‘So scary!’ Eri stifled a scream as one of the bowing kidnappers was stabbed.
The man looked down at the other kidnappers, holding a knife stained with blood.
“Apologies. This is why you should be careful what you say. Though, it must be hard to believe for people who have light-mouth like you.”
Suddenly, a shadowy figure like black smoke slithered from behind the man toward the fallen kidnapper.
Unlike before, the man spoke respectfully to the figure. “Dispose of this filth.”
Then he turned his attention back to Eri. “Perhaps this child would be better suited for consumption.”
Eri was horrified by his words. Consumption? Was she going to be devoured by that mysterious figure?
“Of course, not immediately. This child still has use.” The man seemed to notice Eri’s fear and approached her gently. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Don’t worry, child. I misspoke. You won’t be literally chewed. It’s more like absorption, to be precise.” Despite his soothing tone, his words were anything but comforting. There was an eerie quality to his voice.
“No need to be afraid. Instead, consider it an honor.”
The man patted Eri’s head. “But for now, I need you to do something else.”
“W-what is it?”
Eri would agree to anything as long as it kept her from being consumed.
The man smiled coldly in response to her question. “Yes, indeed. You’re a good child. My name is Bill Curtis. The ‘Fiona Heilon’ who has been close to you recently owes me a substantial debt.”
Eri’s eyes widened in terror. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
***
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