Most of the children were orphans who had lost or been separated from their parents, so they didn’t really know much about what it was like to have a family. Back when they first moved into the estate, I’d read them a picture book. One of the kids had said, “Don’t mommies usually do this kind of stuff?”
“Sheesh, at least call me dad,” I’d muttered, and they’d been calling me father ever since.
At first, I’d tried to put a stop to it. But the way they clung to me was so adorable I’d more or less given up on it and let them call me whatever they wanted. I didn’t have a real sense of family myself. Well, Kreis had a family, but it didn’t feel right to really call them mine. At any rate, spending time with the kids like we were family was starting to feel really fun.
“We might as well pick up some treats for the others while we’re at it.”
“Yay! Treats! Father, I love you!”
“Ha ha ha, you certainly aren’t shy about it,” I said.
As we walked through town, I heard bits and pieces of conversations from the passersby.
“Did you hear? Marquess Louboutin angered King Siegfried.”
“I heard. He must’ve said something truly awful to make the devoted king so mad.”
“It’s because he spoiled his second son and abused Lord Kreis. At least, that’s what everyone in the capital is saying.”
“I heard Lord Kreis is living in this town now, taking care of orphans.”
“I hope he’s not doing it just to keep up appearances.”
So the rumors have already spread. Honestly, I was glad Albert’s reputation had tanked so quickly, but it did happen faster than I’d expected. The nobles who were present at the house must’ve spread it through their servants, and now it was on the streets.
I tugged my hood down a bit lower to hide my face. I’d hardly ever gone out in public before, so people probably wouldn’t recognize me anyway. But they’d probably feel pretty awkward knowing the person they were gossiping about was standing right behind them.
“It’d be nice if things got a little better around here too.”
“They say that Lord Kreis is a close friend of the king’s. Mei from the tavern says she’s seen the king flying off toward the Louboutin estate now and then.”
“Really? Well, if the king’s visiting him despite being so busy, then they must be close indeed. Speaking of the king, did you hear about his new project?”
“I sure did. His Majesty is setting up clean water stations in every town across the kingdom. Supposedly it’ll help stop disease.”
“Well, back during the drought the king distributed food from the palace’s own storehouse. He cares for his people so much. I wish I could serve at the palace someday, just to try to repay him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Like we could ever work at the palace!”
“You’re right... I guess not.”
As I listened to the townspeople’s laughter, I could tell just how deeply the people loved Siegfried. I doubt any other king in history had earned the people’s support like him. I felt oddly proud as I turned toward a food stall, and then...
“Kreis...”
I heard a familiar voice call my name. I automatically turned around to find exactly who I expected, then started to blurt out, “Your—”
I almost said “Your Majesty” and had to clamp a hand over my mouth. It would cause quite a commotion if people realized the king himself was here in the middle of town.
“Hey there.” Siegfried greeted me with a casual smile, ignoring my panicked reaction.
Don’t give me that!
His hair was tied back, and he wore the formal attire typical of nobles. Sure, nobles visited town occasionally, but this was Siegfried. No matter how much he tried to pass as just a noble, he stuck out like a sore thumb.
I could see his guards standing at a distance, but why on earth was the king roaming around this random town? And why hadn’t anyone stopped him?
“What are you doing here?” I hissed, trying to keep my voice down.
Siegfried snorted, which was an unusual reaction from him.
“More importantly, what are you doing here?” he asked. “No one even told me you’d left the Louboutin estate yet!”
“Oh...”
Right. He told me to let him know once I settled somewhere new. He was always so prone to worry about that kind of thing.
“Ha ha...” I laughed awkwardly. Between getting the children settled in their new routine and everything else, I’d completely forgotten to send word.
“You told Lucas, though. When I said I was going to see you, he gave me directions to an estate I’d never heard of!”
He had a terrifying smile on his face. So he’s already been to the estate...
“Things just got kind of hectic around here... Honestly, it slipped my mind. I’m sorry.”
“Hectic, eh?” His gaze shifted to Cirelle, who was clinging tightly to my side. Normally he would smile gently at a child, but this grin looked like it was plastered on his face, like someone had forced him to eat his least favorite food.
“I never thought you’d keep secrets from me.”
Naturally, I hadn’t mentioned the kids yet either. But it wasn’t like I was hiding it from him—I’d genuinely just forgotten.
“Calling it a ‘secret’ is a bit of an exaggeration...” I said.
“Is it?” He was still smiling, but it felt like the air around us had dropped several degrees.
“Father, I’m cold...”
At that, the temperature dropped even more—Siegfried’s mana was leaking out.
Okay, so I worried him by forgetting to tell him! That was my bad. But he doesn’t need to be so angry...
He was usually the type to forgive minor mistakes the first time around. I couldn’t think of anything I’d done that was serious enough to make him so angry.
“Eek, my whiskers are tingling!” Professor looked way too amused by this.
I shot him a glare just in time to hear Siegfried mutter under his breath, “This is the first I’ve heard of your child.”
“What?!”
“It’s a bit late to brush it off now. She just said you were her father.” Siegfried stared at me, and then it made sense—he’d totally misunderstood.
Cirelle did just call me father, after all.
I’d gotten so used to it that I barely even noticed anymore, but it was only natural that Siegfried had taken it the wrong way. If I were him and I thought my best friend had become a father without saying a word to me, I’d probably feel betrayed too. He had every right to be angry.
“N-No, wait! I don’t even have a fiancée! How could I suddenly have a child this old, anyway? I adopted them!”
“‘Them’? As in more than one? Explain.” Siegfried gave me a terrifying smile.
I backed away automatically and quickly tried to explain everything.
I told him how I met the group of orphaned kids in town, and how they had moved in with me, and how I was trying to build an orphanage.