Chapter 50 - Coins of Compassion

Following her sudden request, Princess Maya turned toward me with a gentle voice.

"Sir Alve, do you have some gold coins left?"

That… caught me off guard.

"I do," I replied slowly, curious, "but did something happen?"

She hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with her sleeves, before finally speaking.

"I want to donate some money… to an orphanage."

Huh?

Wait a minute—wasn't that already handled by the kingdom and the Central Church? Orphanages were part of their regular charitable expenses.

"If you don't mind me asking… could you tell me everything from the beginning?" I asked, gesturing toward the table.

She sat across from me and took a deep breath.

"There's an orphanage in the central streets, near the marketplace. It's been struggling to feed everyone." She looked a little embarrassed. "I've been donating all the pocket money I had throughout the year… but I've run out. And Father has been too busy for me to ask him directly."

An orphanage supported by the princess herself… and not listed in any of the official records? That was news to me. But I could see the sincerity in her eyes. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her concern.

"Alright," I said, standing up. "I'll donate a few pouches of gold. Can you show me where it is? I'd like to see if there's any other way I can help."

Her face lit up instantly. "Really? Then let's go now!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the door.

_Whoa—she's fast for a princess..._

We were halfway down the hallway when we crossed paths with Miss Sera, just returning from one of her duties.

She raised an eyebrow. "What's going on with you two? Running somewhere?"

"Ah, we… we're—" Princess Maya fumbled for words, unsure whether to reveal it.

Seeing that, I gently patted her shoulder.

"It's okay. You can tell her," I assured.

"Okay… if you say so," she replied, then explained the situation to Miss Sera.

After listening carefully, Sera glanced at me. I gave a small nod—as if to say _Yeah, it's strange something like this wasn't already being taken care of._

"Well then," she said after a pause, "let's go. I might pitch in too if Princess Maya allows it."

And just like that, we were on our way.

Before we reached the city, I stopped and looked at the two.

"Alright. Time to go incognito. Disguises, please."

Princess Maya nodded with a smile, but Miss Sera folded her arms, clearly not amused.

"Okay, I get it for the Princess, but why _me_? Why do I have to dress casually too?" she asked.

With an exaggerated sigh, I responded, "Can you imagine a Grand Marshal walking through the streets with two random companions? That'll draw attention faster than a royal parade. Tell me, _Master_, what part of that doesn't scream 'public spectacle'?"

She rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright. But can you _not_ call me _Master_ in that weird, annoying tone?"

Grinning, I tilted my head slightly.

"Why the pout, Master? Didn't _you_ ask me to call you that before?"

She looked away, muttering something under her breath, her cheeks just barely flushed.