MPBAGS Chapter 62

Since Gabriel is keeping them, wouldn't it be okay to visit later and ask? Last time, he also said he was going to catch the monastery director. Come to think of it, they're both directors. Anyway, those in high positions always have the most corruption, don't they?

"It's done now."

When I trudged back, Gabriel seemed to have just heard the whole story from Daisy.

"Sir Gabriel said he would take care of the children."

Kanna informed me how far the conversation had progressed.

"Since it would be difficult for you two to take responsibility for the children, we plan to entrust them to the temple's childcare facility."

Well, that makes sense. Daisy and Troy are young too. It would be difficult for the two of them to take full responsibility for all the kids.

"Load the children into the carriage."

At Gabriel's command, the knights moved in unison.

Then suddenly the kids ran over and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

Among them, a brave little child who wasn't even scared of Evangeline thanked us as their representative. He seemed to have bitten his tongue midway through, as his pronunciation was slurred.

"...Right."

It felt strange to receive thanks. Last time when I received thanks from Raphaela, I felt a bit flustered too...

Whenever the characters from the novel act like this, they feel like real living people. Having overcome the major obstacle of giving thanks, the children were loaded into the carriage following the knights again.

Since it might be worrying for the kids to go alone, Troy decided to go with them too. Daisy decided to stay because she seemed to have something to talk about with me.

Wait, didn't Troy borrow money? He didn't use that, did he? As I was worrying, Gabriel seemed to think it was because of him and started giving additional explanations.

"...I'm also from that place. So you don't need to worry that the children might be harmed again."

What? Gabriel suddenly dropped a backstory hint.

"Even if they live in the nursery, everyone's future isn't fixed either."

Gabriel continued listing advantages as if he were the one running the nursery. Yes, I know it's strict about education but equally strict about management, so there's no corruption, career freedom is respected, and support is abundant, making it awesome unlike other common orphanages, so stop already!

"I see. Since you say so, Sir, I feel relieved."

Only then did Gabriel stop his promotion. Just now he seemed like a sales representative rather than a romance novel male lead.

We should get going now too. Jelly's friend and Jelly also got into the carriage. Pudding followed Jelly into the carriage as well.

As I was about to get into the carriage, the kids approached again. They were the two children who had been acting independently earlier. Were they Ranon and Yulma?

You just greeted me, what more do you want to say?

"Could we come with you too?"

"Ranon! What are you suddenly saying?"

Daisy was very flustered, as if this wasn't discussed beforehand.

"If we manage to get out safely, Yulma and I promised to start working together."

"I know it's shameless, but... Sister Kanna told us to at least try asking."

Kanna avoided my gaze. When did she become close with the kids? It seems our female lead, who fell in love with the villainess, wanted to spread the word that I had reformed.

Well, it's not that difficult. I'd give them money even if they just asked for donations, but they're admirably asking for work.

"If you're fine with our mansion, I'll give you jobs."

"Thank you!"

I just said it was okay for them to work, but the two were very happy. Of course they'd be happy since they succeeded in finding employment. On the other hand, Daisy seemed anxious. Is she worried they might make many mistakes since they're young and working for the first time?

"My lady, but..."

"If you're that worried, you can come back to the mansion too. You have nowhere else to go anyway, right?"

"...Yes."

If she's worried about leaving just the two kids, she can come along. And we have Jelly at our mansion too, right? If Troy lives elsewhere and Jelly stays under the same roof, won't she naturally become closer to Jelly?

"I want to go too!"

But one kid butted in. This boldness belonged to the troublemaker child.

"Mary!"

This time Daisy was really angry. Right, Ranon and Yulma are at least grown up so it's okay, but Mary was too young.

"I'm sorry. I'll send her back right away."

"She can't work, but if it's just staying, that's fine."

Still, with all the money I have, it's not like I'll starve to death from taking responsibility for one more child, so it should be fine.

"...Thank you."

Daisy held Mary's hand tightly as she thanked me. Her bowing body looked particularly small. Because of the director, a child is about to take responsibility for another child.

While we were doing that, Gabriel seemed to have finished organizing. The temple's carriage was ready to depart and waiting for Gabriel. But didn't Gabriel say he had business with me and visited the mansion?

"Come to think of it, didn't you have business with me?"

"Yes. I had something to tell you, but... I was concerned about sending the children off like that without a responsible adult."

True, suddenly taking ten young children away would be better with at least the knight commander present.

So this is goodbye then.

Gabriel extended his hand. Is he trying to do that noble greeting again? It's too embarrassing to call it a hand kiss.

I was planning to wear gloves next time we met, but I never imagined we'd meet today, so I'm barehanded now. But Gabriel is probably just doing it out of courtesy too, so it should be fine.

I gave my hand to Gabriel. Then Gabriel bent his waist and brought his lips to it. A soft sensation, what? Soft?

"Today's visit was my mistake since I didn't follow proper procedures. So I'll visit you tomorrow. Formally."

This, this, this crazy bastard... I was so shocked I couldn't speak properly. Just now, he really kissed it, didn't he? But why is he so calm about it? Right, you're a romance novel resident!

Gabriel left me standing there dumbfounded. A different knight remained where Gabriel had left.

He was a knight with melon-colored hair, befitting a fantasy setting. Why isn't he leaving? What's he doing?

"It's truly moving to see you again. Do you remember me by any chance?"

He looks familiar... Ah! He's the person I poured holy water on!

"That guy from back then?"

"Yes! I'm Michel, whom you saved, my lady. Back then I was too flustered to thank you properly, which was regrettable, but today when the commander said he was visiting you, I accompanied him. I also heard you saved children today. As I felt before, you're truly merciful."

"Michel, enough, let's go."

When Gabriel urged him, the melon-haired knight bowed and left. So basically my good deed points went up?

"Miss, shall we depart as well?"

We should.

I thought it might be cramped for everyone to fit, but the inside of the carriage was more comfortable than expected. Where did Jelly's friend and the kids go? Henna's not here either. I'm sure they all got into the carriage.

"Sir Jelly sent them to the mansion first."

Hearing Kanna's explanation, I slapped my knee. Come to think of it, our Jelly's specialty is teleportation. It was meaningless that I treated him like just a dog with a good nose all day today.

"You guys go ahead too. I have something to talk about with Daisy."

"Is it a conversation I shouldn't hear?"

Not really? I shook my head.

"Then I'll stay too."

When Pudding looked at me as if asking if he could stay too, I picked him up and put him on my lap.

Jelly said he'd go ahead first, told the coachman to head to Rohanson mansion, and disappeared.

The wheels rolled heavily as the carriage began to move.

Didn't Kanna and Daisy develop some bond earlier? Maybe it was just my imagination, but it was just silent.

Normally Kanna would have displayed the female protagonist's characteristic sociability, but her counterpart wasn't good. Am I the only one who finds this silence unbearable? I have something to talk about anyway, so I should just say it.

Now that we've found the kids, it should be okay to ask casually, right? But would it be too unconscionable to ask a kid whose mental state is completely shattered right now?

Ah, whatever.

"Daisy."

"...Yes."

"About the price for granting your wish."

Daisy swallowed. She was obviously tense.

"Just answer my question honestly."

I'm not making her do anything harsh. Just answer what I ask, that's all? Isn't this completely free?

"What did you tell Gabriel about me?"

Daisy inhaled. She looked like she wanted to run away, but she couldn't jump out of a moving carriage. I waited leisurely, and after hesitating for a long time, Daisy finally opened her mouth.

"To Sir Gabriel... I said that you're not my lady."

"What?"

What does that mean? Since she quit working at the mansion, does she mean I'm not the person she serves?

"You, you're not Evangeline Rohanson. That's what I told him."