Then, when I needed someone to be angry at, I cursed the world, the situation, the mother who abandoned me, and everything else. It was a repetition of self-destruction and falling apart.

The nuns who took care of me advised me. Noah wouldn’t have wanted me to fall apart like this. I didn’t listen at that time. And only after a very long time did I realize.

I had truly lived a worthless life.
I didn’t properly grieve, didn’t try to live properly, and simply immersed myself in self-blame. That’s how I wasted time. So, I understood his feelings a little bit.

“Has it come to that… for me?”

“Yes. Oh, by the way, did you make an adult expression today because of that… that statement?”

“Ah… I didn’t want to look like a child…”

“It’s cute.”

“C-Cute?”

Karitos’s ears turned red.

“I shouldn’t tease you like that.”

“I’m not teasing. Don’t pay attention to the external appearances. Regardless of the appearance, Karitos is Karitos.”

“Ah.”

“Like how I’m me, and Shasha is Shasha. Each person sees things differently. So, don’t take words like cute or childlike too seriously. Of course, there may be people who say negative things, but there might also be people who genuinely think your appearance looks pure and beautiful.”

There was no need to take everyone’s words as genuine. Humans were the most unreliable things in the world. Therefore, there was also no need to accept all people’s words as negative.

“There are people who love me for no reason. There are relationships that don’t work no matter how hard I try, and there are people who hate me for no reason even if I give them everything. So, try to open your heart a little.”

“Ah.”

“I sound like an old person, don’t I? I’m just saying things I’ve heard from somewhere. I’m also a child.”

“Still… thanks to you, I’ve thought a lot and reflected a lot. I really… seemed like a child.”

“It’s okay to be like a child. So, don’t think bad thoughts, and cheer up.”

“Yes, then if there’s new information about the orphanage, I’ll let you know.”

At that moment, the children tidied up and came towards us.

“Is it time to go back already?”

“Yeah! Unni, Shasha is sleepy, and Piggy is sleepy too.”

“Well then, let’s stop playing with Haven and Merkin for today.”

Both children nodded their heads at that remark.

“But what should we do about Merkin… there’s no Selulus, and there’s no one to take him.”

“I’ll take him.”

“Karitos?”

“Yes, if you drop him off on the way, it should be fine. Ahun can find his way home, right?”

Upon hearing that, Merkin vigorously nodded his head.

“That’s enough, thank you.”

“Huanghu Mama, don’t worry, and rest.”

I nodded as I watched Karitos, whose shoulders perked up.

“Thanks to Karitos, I feel relieved.”
“Lord Dae Shin. You said you hated anything related to the Witch Tower or the Witch X, didn’t you? Are you okay?”

“W-Well… that was… just when I first came. It’s fine now!”

“Is that so?”

Still excessively straightforward, Heaven earnestly stroked his chin.

“Heaven, you have a tendency to make people quite uncomfortable.”

“That’s just my personality. Isn’t it better to be honest?”

Since your family is so prestigious, it was probably fine as long as you were honest. Don’t you think you should consider changing?

“I haven’t done anything wrong.”

The sweet potato vibe emanating from Karitos’ body was palpable. He sighed deeply while looking at Heaven, and after a while, he opened his mouth.

“It’s my fault.”

“Fault? What have you done wrong?”

“No, bringing you here is my fault.”

“Is that so? You don’t seem to have done anything wrong, but if Lord Dae Shin says so… I’ll pray to the gods.”

Heaven responded to Karitos’ words like a person devoid of emotions.

“…Okay.”

In the end, as if giving up, Karitos wrapped his arms around Heaven’s shoulders.

“Lord Dae Shin, I think it’s good that I came here.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. I suddenly felt that Karitos-nim wanted to come here after letting you go. I’ve never felt someone’s emotions like this since I was born, but today I suddenly felt it.”

“A positive change.”

“Yes. So I’ll do well.”

“Let’s go.”

There were no more words. Karitos had one arm around Heaven’s shoulders and the other was petting Maekin’s head.

After the children finished their meal, Rian came to the room. Is the task finally over?

“If you had come early, we could have had a meal together. Or you should have contacted us.”

“I don’t want everyone to be uncomfortable because of me. You would have had to wait if I had asked.”