CIBLN | Chapter 2

Thud, thud-!

“Goodness, these kids are really excited.”

From upstairs, a noisy commotion of ‘Thud, thud-!’ was heard, but Emma felt it was like a beautiful melody.

Among the children causing that commotion, there might be a special child who would win the heart of the Young Duke of Arcas.

“…I feel a bit uneasy about excluding Rosalyn, though.”

Even if the child was chosen, they would change their mind after learning about the adoption history and abandoning her.

Around the time when the sound of children coming down the stairs could be heard from above.

Emma faced the Young Duke of Arcas, who was sitting at the head of the reception room and looking at her.

“It seems the children will be arriving soon.”

“Yes, there should be a child who will meet Your Highness’s expectations.”

A mysterious smile with unknown meaning appeared on Young Duke Arcas’s beautiful face.

“There will surely be one.”

Emma tilted her head at the strange words.

‘He’s so sure there will be one?’

* * *

‘No.’

Deon Arcas thought as he looked at the children lined up.

The child he had been informed about was nowhere to be found.

Berta, the attendant who had followed the Young Duke, hurriedly asked.

“Are all the children here?”

Emma nervously smiled, moistening her dry lips.

“… Is there a problem? These are all the children in our orphanage.”

Emma felt uneasy as she answered.

Naturally, she had expected that as soon as he saw the children in the reception room, he would choose and point out the one he would like…

“These are all?”

However, the response was completely indifferent.

To the point of anxiety.

“Director, was the amount I offered insufficient?”

Deon Arcas stood up, his hands adorned in a glove clenched slightly.

“If you’re thinking of making a deal with me… it would be better to just state the amount you’re asking for.”

“W-What do you mean? These children are truly all I have.”

“How could that be?”

At that moment, Deon Arcas let out a laugh.

He turned toward Emma with a cold voice.

Deon Arcas, who was known for his social reputation, was nowhere to be seen at the moment.

Emma realized.

His gentlemanly image was all a façade.

In reality, this was probably his true nature.

“I thought you were someone who understood what was being said. Where is the child I’m looking for now?”

Emma’s anxiety from earlier seemed to have hit the mark.

The child Deon Arcas was looking for was none other than Rosalyn.

* * *

Thud, thud, thud!

At the sound of footsteps coming from outside, Rosalyn, who had her head buried in her knees, slowly looked up at the door.

‘Have the guests already left?’

It wasn’t long after the children had left.

Bam-!

Soon, the door was forcefully opened, and Emma entered.

Emma had an expression that clearly showed she was angry.

“Rosalyn, you lucky thing! I don’t have time to explain, come out right now!”

“Yes, I understand.”

Rosalind hesitated for a moment, but responded immediately.

If she acted slowly now, it would only make Emma even angrier.

When she looked this unhappy, it was best not to give her any reason that could be used against her.

However, Emma, seemingly in a hurry, started explaining without even looking back.

“Listen carefully, Rosalyn. Today, a noble Duke said he wanted to adopt you.”

“… Me, me?!”

“Yes, you.”

Emma finished her unkind explanation.

“If you get abandoned again this time, I will never accept you. Do you understand?”

“……!”

“Anyway, the person who is trying to adopt you is a noble, keep that in mind.”

To the nobles, the lives of commoners were worthless.

Just like ants.

If they were unlucky, they could be killed one after another just because they were orphans, just like Rosalyn.

Emma bit her lip tightly.

‘Even after saying that, if they insist on taking her, there’s nothing I can do.’

Not only did she mention the child being abandoned several times, but she also confessed the truth that she had kept hidden until now: when Rosalyn was placed in the orphanage, she had been asked not to send her to another home.

However, Deon Arcas remained stubborn.

“I see. But since the child’s parents haven’t come for her until now… could it be that they have no intention of raising her? Isn’t that also why the Director has sent the child for adoption several times?”

In the end, all Emma could do was bring Rosalyn to him.

“If you don’t want us all to end up dead, it would be wise to win that person’s favor somehow. I believe you understand what I’m saying?”

“…Yes.”

Rosalyn’s uncertain voice softly slipped out.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived in front of the reception room.

“Your Highness, I’m coming in.”

“Please come in.”

As Emma knocked on the reception room door to announce their arrival, a pleasant, melodious voice responded.

The door opened, and as Rosalyn’s eyes met those of the waiting guest, she was greatly shocked.

‘That person……’

“Rosalyn, what are you doing standing there? Why don’t you hurry up and greet the guest?”

“Ah, ah…! N-Nice to meet you. My name is Rosalyn!”

Rosalyn stared blankly at the Young Duke of Arcas for a moment before quickly greeting him.

At that moment, she could feel the Young Duke of Arcas staring at her.

She tightly closed her eyes in tension.

How much time had passed?

The sound of high-quality shoes gradually drew closer and closer to her ears.

When she opened her eyes slightly, she saw the tip of a luxurious shoe come to a precise stop right in front of her.

“Ha…!”

It was when Rosalyn took a deep breath.

“It’s really amazing seeing her up close.”

“……?”

“Blonde hair and blue eyes.”

The Duke of Arcas smiled contentedly, as if pleased seeing Rosalyn’s face.

“I’ll decide on this child.”

Rosalyn doubted her ears.

… The decision to adopt was made in an instant.

This was the first time that an adoption had been made without asking or questioning anything.

“What are you doing standing there? Still not saying thank you?”

“Th, th, thank you.”

Rosalyn, gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, awkwardly expressed her gratitude.

However, the child’s mind was completely in turmoil.

Why would a great noble come all the way here to adopt her?

Especially Rosalyn, who had a history of being abandoned.

‘Did Emma lie?’

Rosalyn was worried that Emma might have risked her life and told a lie just to receive a large sum of money.

If she were a bit older and more mature, she would have quickly realized that Emma didn’t have the courage or ability to do something like that.…

Unable to understand that much, Rosalyn’s worries piled up like a mountain.

Deon Arcas watched as Rosalyn’s expression changed with every passing moment, then spoke to Emma.

“I want to proceed with the adoption process as quickly as possible.”

“My name is Berta. The Director will be in contact with me until the child’s adoption is complete.”

* * *

That night.

Rosalyn was lying down, pretending to sleep, hiding under the blanket.

“What, does that mean they’ve decided to take Rosalyn?”

“So what? She’s bound to be abandoned soon anyway. Besides, why do you think a noble would adopt an orphan?”

“Then what’s going to happen to her?”

Rosalyn, who had been silently listening to the children’s conversation, perked up her ears.

“They’re planning to raise her well and use her as a pawn for a political marriage. Or, if not, they’re planning to send her off to a place where they don’t want to send their own family members. The Arcas family doesn’t have any girls, after all.”

At that moment, Rosalyn just wanted to cover her ears.

The children’s gossip amplified her fear.

She was being adopted again just to be used.

Usually, people who want to adopt a child ask for several conditions.

Things like wanting a child younger than a certain age, wanting someone smarter than their age, wanting someone with outstanding looks.

However, the Young Duke of Arcas didn’t ask Rosalyn any questions.

Looking back now, it seemed like he simply thought of her as a child he would eventually sell away.

Rosalyn curled her body tightly and closed her eyes.

* * *

At that moment, in the Duke of Arcas family estate.

The Young Duke’s office still had its lights on, even though it was well past midnight.

“No one noticed?”

“No, none.”

Deon Arcas, after hearing Berta’s report, let out a small chuckle.

“That must be so.”

Who would have guessed that Young Duke Deon had visited the orphanage to adopt a daughter?

Also, Deon had always participated in charity events to help the underprivileged, and had even visited them in person…..

There wouldn’t be many people who would view his actions with suspicion this time.

Except for one person.

Except for the current Duke, Kaimon Arcas.

“Your Highness, it’s not too late. How about canceling the adoption?”

Berta said with a worried expression.

“There must be other solutions to the issue of title… Surely, His Excellency the Duke didn’t say such a thing seriously?”

Deon, who had been quietly listening to Berta’s words, let out a dry laugh.

It was an excessively self-rationalizing and optimistic thought.

It seemed that Berta still didn’t know about the person named Kaiman Arcas.

He was a cold-hearted man who could even get rid of his own grandson if necessary.