Chương 16: Going to the orphanage
After using light magic to remove Ophilia's dark circles, Sian remarked, "Even without dark circles, you still look very exhausted."
He performed a brief chant, and a faint white light surrounded Ophilia's body, leaving her feeling surprised and confused. "What kind of magic is that? I feel so energized and well now. It's like the exhaustion from before was just an illusion."
"It's a light spell for recovering from fatigue," Sian explained.
"So, with this magic, could you stay up for several sleepless nights and never feel tired?" Ophilia inquired.
"Well, yes, most light spells are supportive and healing," he replied.
"Then could a nobleman make the servants work day and night without rest?" she wondered.
"It doesn't quite work that way," Sian said, reaching into his magic bag and a new set of clothes appeared along with Ophilia's bag in his hands. "Using spells consumes magic, so you can't go around using it on multiple people without limitations."
"Can't you replenish the magic with potions?"
"You can, but it's not very efficient," he explained, handing her the bag. "Besides, it's not easy to find someone who can use light magic, and even if you do, most are nobles or merchants. They wouldn't waste their time using it on ordinary people unless they were well paid."
"I hadn't thought of that," Ophilia admitted as she put on a brown skirt and white long-sleeve blouse.
Once they were both dressed, Sian commented, "Well, many people would probably have the same thought as you."
With Ophilia ready, Sian pulled some fruits from the magic bag. "As it's still too early, let's have breakfast first. After that, I need to talk to the manager about a few things, and then we'll head to the orphanage."
"Sounds good!" Ophilia replied, clearly eager to visit the orphanage.
Without delay, they ate their fruit and made their way downstairs.
***
After settling their matters with the manager, who seemed to have just woken up, they headed straight to the orphanage.
Along the way, people bustled around, and the crowd was so thick that a light layer of dust floated on the clay floor.
"They seem quite lively. Is something special happening?" Sian asked.
"Today is the day of the fair, it comes once a week. People usually spend the money they earned during the last six days on goods to store," Ophilia explained. "But some also trade goods with merchants or other residents."
As they weaved through the crowd, Sian noticed various kinds of tents selling everything from basic items like fruits, vegetables, clothes, and seeds to more luxurious items like jewelry and even people.
Seeing a meat skewer stall, Sian was tempted to stop, but he noticed Ophilia's anxious expression, which she had worn since they woke up, and decided to head straight to the orphanage.
Although the crowd slowed their pace, they reached the orphanage before long.
The sight before Sian surprised him. It was nothing like he had imagined for an orphanage. As an orphan himself, he expected to see a rundown, crumbling building. But what he saw exceeded his expectations.
It was a huge, two-story house enclosed by a high, well-maintained wall. The yellow-painted walls with brown details indicated it was no ordinary establishment. Upon closer inspection, Sian noticed not a single crack in the walls, and the iron gate had not a speck of rust, making it evident that this mansion was new.
Puzzled, he asked, "Is this really the orphanage for such a small town?"
"Yes," Ophilia replied. "Even though it looks extravagant, this is the orphanage. This is where I left my daughter."
Only then did Sian realize that he still didn't know the little girl's name.
"What's her name? You haven't told me yet."
"Emily..." Ophilia hesitated before continuing, "I don't know if she still has the name I gave her. I only spent six months with her. When I left her, I asked them to keep calling her by that name, but I don't know if they accepted my request."
Placing both hands on Ophilia's shoulders, Sian looked at her and said, "Don't worry about it. Even if she has a different name now, it won't change the fact that we are going to bring her with us."
He turned and walked toward the orphanage gate, but noticed that Ophilia was still standing in the same spot.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, concerned.
Her hands clutched tightly at the sides of her skirt, trembling with nerves.
Returning to her side, Sian reached out. "You don't have to be so nervous. Everything will be fine, and if any issues arise, you can rely on me to handle them."
She nodded and followed him inside, holding his hand.
Following the stone-paved path, they saw many children running in the courtyard, right in the middle of the garden next to the mansion. Most of them were humans, but there were also many from other races.
"They seem so carefree here. When I lived in the orphanage, the director always forced us to work and took the money we earned," Sian said. "If we wasted energy running like this, he would punish us."
Ophilia held Sian's hand firmly.
"No need to be so tense. Look at how happy they are, and their clean and tidy clothes suggest they are well taken care of," Sian tried to reassure her.
As they continued, the children noticed them and waved.
Sian smiled and waved back, encouraging Ophilia to do the same. Amidst the uniformed children, Sian's gaze lingered on a little girl. There was nothing unusual about her appearance, except that the amount of magic in her body was almost non-existent. That was a rare and unfortunate circumstance.
He stopped walking, fixating on her. He felt that her face bore a slight resemblance to Ophilia. However, with a little yellow hat covering her head, he couldn't determine her race. She wore a white blouse and a blue skirt with suspenders, just like the other little girls.
Feeling Sian's penetrating gaze, the little girl, who had also waved earlier, shrunk back and hid behind the other children.
"Sian?" Ophilia called out.
"It's nothing." He shook his head and continued walking.
Entering the orphanage, they found a spacious room with chairs on either side. Four chairs were placed around a center on each side, probably meant for visitors. In front, there was a reception area.
"Welcome, sir and madam!" greeted the middle-aged receptionist respectfully. "What brings you here today?"
"We've come to adopt a child," Sian stated plainly.
"To adopt a child?" The receptionist asked, as if she wanted to be sure.
"Yes, a little Dogkin girl named Emily, she's 4 years old. Is she still here?" Sian inquired.
"She's still here," confirmed the receptionist.
Ophilia let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this but grew nervous again when she heard the next words.
"But we can't allow her to be adopted just like that," the receptionist said.
"What do you mean?" Sian asked.
"It's not that I don't want to help, but there are certain procedures set by Lady Charlotte that must be followed," the receptionist explained.
"Procedures?" Sian asked, narrowing his eyes. The term "procedures" implied something potentially laborious and time-consuming, which he preferred to avoid.
Anxious, the receptionist tried to respond. "W-Well, you see-"
"It's because in the past, some people adopted children and then sold them to slave merchants," a voice from behind interjected.
Sian's demeanor calmed upon hearing this, as it was a situation he was all too familiar with. He himself had experienced being sold when he was at the orphanage.
Turning towards the voice, he saw a couple, or rather, a young lady and her butler, both appearing to be no more than 18 years old.
The butler had an unremarkable appearance, but the young lady stood out with her beautiful looks, elegant dress, and notably, her pink hair.
Spotting the young lady, Ophilia tightened her grip on Sian's hand and seemed as though she was about to bow.
However, before she could do so, Sian placed a hand on her shoulder and addressed the young lady directly.
"By your hair color, you must be Charlotte Rotherham, right?"
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