Chapter 5: A Plan

Breakfast was as dull as usual but as soon as it ended, I stealthily make my way to a secluded part of the orphanage grounds, away from the eyes of the orphanage staff.

The orphanage was quite big and the bigger a place, the more secluded spots you're bound to find.

And that was exactly what this spot was. After 6 years of exploring and studying the structure of the orphanage building, I found an area in the outer backyards that was filled with overgrown weeds.

So I cleaned the area up a little bit and used it for my training. For myself and the people I've come to care for, I needed to be stronger individually, without relying strongly on my Skills. But of course, I included practicing my Skills in the training because that was just as crucial for my future.

I referred back to the knowledge from the amassed number of novels I had read and began with training regimens that best suited me.

I began with the basics; building up stamina, core strength, and gaining lean muscles.

I quite enjoyed these routines as I could feel it bringing a change. Though my young body could not handle the exercises at first, I began to overcome that as well. It felt exhilarating to feel my own growth, a luxury I couldn't have in my previous life.

It was also an opportunity to learn more about my skills. Mr. Monarch thoroughly guided me in all my capabilities. Although, some of them were restricted due to my low level, I have been practicing my most valuable Abilities that Mr. Monarch had advised should require higher efficiency and had become quite content with how far I've come already.

The next morning, everyone in the orphanage seemed to be quite busy. The staff that are usually lax and never busy were suddenly actively cleaning and preparing the place. 'Is an important guest making a visit?'

Mr. Monarch appeared immediately with an answer. [It seems that Duke Castedras is paying the orphanage a visit.]

'I see. So that is the reason.' This information caused me to smile, alerting Mister immediately that I was plotting something.

[...Do be careful, Master.] He said wearily, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop whatever plans I was cooking up. I simply smile and nod. 'Don't worry, Mister. This won't cause me much harm.'

[Much?]

I chuckle, noticing the trace of anxiety detected on Mister's usually nonchalant expression. 'It's not like I can do anything to a Duke, right?'

The appearance of a nanny made me adjust my posture and expression. One thing I had always found eerie about this place was the fact that all of the employees always adorned a smile on their faces. Always. Even during punishment. Any other emotions were hardly expressed.

"Nia, honey, let's get you into your formal wear. An important guest will be arriving today so you need to be at your best." She says as she takes my hand, the feeling giving me goosebumps. "As one of our 6-year-olds, you'll be meeting him to discuss some important business."

Her sweet voice almost made me gag. She showed me to another room and started dressing me up.

Oh. For these situations, there was something unbelievable that they always did. They would use a special ointment on my wounds. It always miraculously fixed me up in an instant, but of course an unbelievable miracle must come with a price.

'...it hurts like a bitch.' I clench my jaw to stop wincing at the pain. One peep, one twitch from me and it was game over. Of course, not right now... but after the Duke leaves, these wounds would surely be replaced with fresh ones. That was the shitty, maddening cycle that continued in this orphanage.

.

.

.

After all the children were dressed, the current five oldest children were brought to the Director's office. The five of them, which included me, were a close quintet that had once made an oath to protect their siblings when they were four. This was when they watched they watched the oldest kids at the time mercilessly bully the kids below them.

Not wanting to follow in their footsteps, we made an oath to never bring harm to our siblings, to protect them, and to work together to bring them freedom one day. This applied to all of our siblings, even the month-olds in another are.

That was our duty as the eldest siblings.

Whilst in thought, my eyes drifted toward the noble in front of me, moving slightly from my bowing position. However, I immediately had to look down due to surprise.

'Mister?'

[Yes, Master.]

'Didn't you say only my mother's side had my eye colour??'

[That is correct, Master.]

'Then...'

I lower my eyes again when I see the director glaring at me. This is because commoners looking at nobles without their permission was deemed a disrespectful act.

'Duke Castedras has the same eye colour as me. Does that mean...?'

[...? Master, don't you remember? I had already told you this information...]

'When!?' I had half a mind to glare at where Mister was standing. This was crucial information!

[Right after you had asked about your parents, I had listed all of your family lineage, down to your very first ancestors. ...Although, you did fall asleep at the time.] He says, matter-of-factly, and I mentally almost curse him out.

I sigh inside and turn my focus back to the matter at hand. So, I was currently in front of my maternal uncle, huh...

Right then, the Director speaks up. "Your Grace, do one of our oldest children appeal to you?" He was speaking in such a graceful manner with that mouth that usually spat our profanities that I almost gagged.

The Duke seemed to stare right at me. I felt his eyes but I obediently kept my head down not to cause trouble for my other siblings.

The Director scowls, noticing who the Duke was eyeing. For some reason, the Director innately seemed to dislike me. However, he calmed himself down and forced his business smile.

"Did our Nia catch your eye, Your Grace?" He asks, his sleazy hands rubbing together. "...Yes. It seems she has."

Wah... he had a nice voice, baritone and soft. And a handsome face to boot. He felt like the type who'd be the male lead in rofans.

"I want a moment alone with that child." The Director immediately nods at the Duke's request without an argument and left with the other children in tow, glaring at me as a warning before he leaves.

An awkward silence ensued between us but the Duke broke it with a slight cough. "Sit down, child."

So I nod and take a seat. And the Duke spends the next few moments staring at me.

"..."

"Your Grace."

"Yes."

"This is uncomfortable."

He continued to simply stare at me even after I spoke up. He only said something when I opened my mouth to say something again.

"Do you know why I came here?"

'How in the world would I know??' Disgruntled as I was, I didn't have the authority to express it. "No, I do not know, Your Grace."

"It is because I am looking for a child."

"I see." I raise my gaze to look at him. I could tell that I was right about this one. "Am I said child?"

"The child that I'm looking for is my younger sister's missing daughter." The Duke says, taking a sip of the tea that he was served. "...And, yes. That child is certainly you."

"It wasn't hard to guess that we were related." The Duke raised a brow at my statement. "And how did you come to that conclusion?" He asks, crossing his legs. Must be a habit since he kept doing it every few minutes unknowingly and then uncrossing them after realizing that he had done so too late.

"I suppose you figured out I'm my mother's daughter because of my eyes." The Duke was more surprised at that answer. "I heard that periwinkle eyes with a blue hue such as mine are only unique to my mother's lineage. That's why, after seeing your eyes, I thought that you have some relation to my maternal family."

The Duke stares at me before he speaks again. "You are correct. However, how do you know that information? Even though it's an obvious fact, only the Castedras family knows about the inclusion of our shared eye colour being tinted with specs of blue. It cannot be seen to anyone else but to those who share our blood."

"There couldn't have been anyone to tell you."

I already knew he'd ask this question. "I cannot answer that question. Though, I assure you I didn't hear it from any family, since I was quite young when I was... left alone."

"...I see."

"However, why were you looking for me?"

"...We recovered the bodies of everyone that went missing except yours. It gave us a sliver of hope we were not willing to let go of."

"...Really? Then, their graves..."

"Yes, a proper burial has been held for everyone that passed away. And their bodies rest at the Castedras family graveyard."

A moment of silence passes between us once more before I break it. "No further questions?" The Duke shakes his head. "I have a feeling that you won't answer any more questions."

It seems he certainly had his wits about him. "Alright, then. Now that you've found me, what is It that you will do, Your Grace?"

"I would like to take you in as my daughter. Will you comply?" He asks after contemplation and I didn't hesitate in my refusal.

"I'll have to respectfully refuse."