NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13.1
Stage 1-13. Nobles And Commoners
“Please, come in. It’s not a grand building, but it’s enough to host a noble guest.”
She’s modest, but it’s more than spacious for a single woman to own.
Looking up, it’s easy to see it has three stories.
“Not at all. It’s a size most ordinary people would struggle to obtain.”
“The old couple who left Innivent kindly passed it on to us. It was much smaller before, and the children had to live in cramped conditions.”
We were invited in and stepped through the door.
There’s a space where the children could eat together at a large table, mixed with scattered toys and learning materials.
In one corner, a group of children had huddled together.
As soon as they saw Mio’s face, they all let out a cheer and rushed to hug her.
“Sister!”
“Mio-neechan!”
“Hehe. It’s all right now, everyone.”
…This sight feels so normal.
I couldn’t reconcile this with how she was just moments ago, but the children’s gaze shifted to me.
“Chris――”
“Ahem!”
Alice let out a deliberate cough, and the children suddenly clamped their mouths shut.
“Oh, right…! Sorry! Alice-neechan!”
“Did you come to play with us!?”
So, she knows the children, after all.
Alice gently patted the heads of the children as they came closer.
“It’s been a month. How have you been?”
“Good! We practiced our swordsmanship a lot!”
“Is that so, is that so.”
“Did Alice-neechan defeat the bad guys!?”
“No, not this time. It was my master who helped us.”
Passing the spotlight to me, all the children’s attention shifted.
There are about ten of them. Considering this place is privately run, that’s quite a number.
These kids are destined to work for me until they drop in the future.
First impressions are crucial.
This is where I establish authority and teach them the hierarchy.
“My name is Ouga Vellet, the eldest son of Duke Vellet. At Alice’s request, I’ve come to protect you all. From today, this orphanage is under my name and guaranteed safety. You should be grateful.”
Alice and Mio’s applause echoed.
These two would probably praise anything I do.
They’re likely at the level where they’d spoil me just for being alive, so I’ll ignore them.
Now, let’s see how the kids react.
Heh, after all, I’m a noble.
To them, I must look like someone wearing an outfit they’ve never seen, radiating nobility.
They’re bound to look at me with respect.
Fine. No matter how rude their words may be, I’ll forgive them.
Come on, shower me with gratitude, and make me feel good!
“Ehh, he looks weak.”
“Alice-neechan is cooler.”
“Is he really a noble? He’s just another kid.”
………。
“H-Hey! You guys!”
“But…”
“Aren’t nobles supposed to be skinny? Alice-neechan said so.”
“That was before I met Ouga-sama…”
“We look stronger since Alice-neechan taught us swordsmanship.”
“Totally~”
The kids burst into loud laughter, insulting me.
Mio’s face turned pale as she rushed over, bowing her head repeatedly.
“I’m so sorry, Vellet-sama! I’ll make them understand right away…!”
“…It’s fine. It’s good they’re so full of energy.”
Patience, patience.
If I lose my temper here, it’ll only prove I’m on the same mental level as them.
I’m an adult now. The only provocation an adult should respond to is from bratty girls.
Mainly, it’s the boys who are mocking me.
So. Even if they tug on my clothes or hit me, I won’t get angry.
“Hey. Let’s fight!”
Calm down, Ouga Vellet.
It’s just a kid who hasn’t matured yet.
See, it’s fine.
Just plaster on a smile like some student council president and handle it like an adult—
“Oh, wait, maybe not. Nobles are clumsy, right?”
“—I’ll take you on!”
I’ll personally teach these brats a lesson!
I shrugged off my coat and tossed it to Alice.
“Alice. I’ll take care of these kids. You take care of what you need to do in the meantime.”
“…! Understood.”
I whispered in her ear, and she quickly led Mio to another room.
Yeah, I need to let Mashiro, who’s been slumped on Alice’s back, get some rest.
Besides, I can’t go all out in front of Alice.
“I’ll show them the true terror of adulthood…!”
And so, the playtime with the children began.
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