“Director, should I leave this here?”

“Yes. Setting it next to the table would be a good idea.”

Lea set down the box she had been carrying and brushed off her hands.

“You should take it easy, you’re on vacation after all. You probably haven’t had a real break, busy with orphanage matters…”

Maribel’s voice trailed off, feeling guilty for burdening vacationing Lea with work.

“I’m glad I can assist you in any way. Cleaning isn’t that hard.”

Lea had always taken care of the orphanage more than herself, from childhood to her current age.

And Maribel had always felt sorry for Lea for that, thinking that it must be due to her lacking a sense of family.

Setting down a towel, Maribel casually spoke while looking out the window.

“Your assistant James seems like a pretty decent guy. To come all this way to help like this.”

Following Maribel’s gaze, Lea saw Akia helping Teo.

‘I never knew he’d work so hard.’

Though the orphanage building was mostly repaired, the garden still showed signs of flood damage.

And to think a noble would step up to help Teo clean the garden.

Who would look at that man and think he’s a noble? It felt like discovering a new side of the count.

“Sis, sis!”

Lea, who had been staring out the window, looked down in response to a tug at her hem.

Little sevenyearold Betty was looking up at her with sparkling eyes.

“What is it?”

“The handsome older guy you came with.”

“Handsome older guy?”

She probably wasn’t unfamiliar with Teo’s name; it seemed she was referring to the count.

“Who is that guy? Is he your husband?”

“…Husband? No, he’s my assistant.”

Husband, it must be an influence from playing house.

“Assistant? What’s that?”

“Um… that is…”

While trying to gather her thoughts, her childhood friend Harry who was nearby chimed in.

“An assistant is someone who is Lea’s subordinate!”

“Subordinate?”

“He helps Sis with work, so he’s a subordinate.”

It felt like a correct yet ambiguous conclusion, and Lea was giving an awkward smile.

“Sis, look over there!”

Following the child’s pointing finger, she saw several carts approaching the orphanage in a line.

‘What’s happening?’

They had already received basic food and drink supplies, so there was no reason for such big carts to come.

Lea stopped what she was doing and went outside. The person stepping down from the cart that just arrived was Beron from Magnolia Orphanage.

“Miss Lea.”

“Mr. Beron?”

He descended from the cart and greeted her formally.

“What are all these carts for?”

“They are a small gift from Magnolia Orphanage.”

“A gift?”

As soon as he finished speaking, workers began unloading items from the carts.

From toys that children would love to clean clothes, books, and bed sheets, essential items for the orphanage began to pile up.

“Is all this really a gift for us?”

“Yes, thanks to your help, the orphanage tasks were completed swiftly. This is a token of appreciation, specifically instructed by the director.”

“My goodness.”

Many toys and books had been damaged or lost due to the flood.

What they managed to salvage were mostly mudcaked and unrecognizable.

Lea watched the stacking boxes with a stunned expression. Nearby, children who had been lurking were unable to hide their excitement.

“Sis! Can I take this toy?”

“Huh? Yes, but you have to share with the others.”

“Okay!!”

“But Sis, who gave us these gifts?”

Kneeling down to the child’s eye level, Lea spoke.

“The director of Magnolia. He gave them so you kids can grow well.”

“We’re going to grow well?”

“Yes. It’s a gift for you to grow up healthy and strong. So let’s write a thankyou letter to the director later on.”

“What kind of person is the director?”
“He is.”

It was when Lea was about to continue speaking.

“A very excellent and impressive person.”

Akia, who had appeared out of nowhere, answered on Lea’s behalf.

‘Count Heidern?’

“Moreover, I heard he’s incredibly handsome.”

The count spoke as if he knew the overlord well. His words praising the overlord appeared somewhat arrogant. How could he suddenly show up and talk like this?

‘Has the count ever spoken so well of someone?’

Although he didn’t say it outright, he was a man who thought himself the best in the world.

“So, live always with a sense of gratitude toward the overlord.”

“Yes!!”

The clueless children eagerly raised their hands and gave a loyal response. It was at that moment.

Berun, who had checked to make sure nothing was missing, approached.

“From now on, the overlord has also promised regular support for the orphanage.”

“……Excuse me?”

Even this generous gift is insufficient, and he’s promising regular support?

The overlord was a profit group. Even though they were grateful for the help, it was too much.

‘Why go so far?’

Lea questioned with somewhat skeptical eyes.

“Can we know why you’re providing so much support? It seems excessive for the little help I provided.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Berun faltered in his words.

‘How should I respond to this?’