18. Rosa Wants to Experience Love (3)
As expected of my amazing older sister, she captivated everyone in an instant…
Spotting Rosa chatting amiably with the children of the orphanage at a nearby table, Bernardo sighed for the umpteenth time.
It was before dinner.
At that time, citizens would be enjoying casual conversation with their families. However, children of East 15th Orphanage, who lived a strenuous life, would usually still be busy doing side jobs.
Their works varied; those with some degree of education would take up ghostwriting, whereas those with dexterity would make artificial flowers or embroidery.
They would struggle to meet quotas, and the atmosphere of the place became tense as a result. That wasn’t the case at the moment. Rare voices of honest admiration and laughter echoed.
“Hehe, the letter ‘S’ is the one that reveals your personality the most. Oresama charac—confident people often write it like this. Pundere—those who are blunt on the outside but honest at heart usually do it like this. No matter how subtle it is, the expression of personality is very important.”
“Wow, with this, I’ll be commissioned for ghostwriting for sure!”
“There are seven main types of rose petal shapes. The tea rose with the most noble impression is the sword. As a result of the left and right sides of the petals curling up, the center looks pointy. Look, like a sword.”
“Ooh, the artificial flowers look real! The rose sword is so cool!”
“Oh my, you have a lot of talent if you can appreciate the wonderfulness of a rose sword.”
Rosa was very kind and helped the children with their side jobs.
Moreover, the content of her instruction was fresh and practical.
To top it off, she would often compliment them sincerely, which made the children’s hearts leap with joy. It was the first time for any of them to have such a fun “visit.”
—Especially when you’re being taught by someone as beautiful as an angel.
Bernardo added to himself.
The children stared at Rosa with sparkling eyes, as if they were seeing the stained glass of a church for the first time.
The boys were all engrossed in Rosa, ignoring the sweets that Bernardo had thoughtfully brought as souvenirs.
Looking back, Rosa had won over them from the moment she greeted them with her elegant curtsey.
Although they were all strong and tough boys, her angelic beauty easily captivated them.
The cynical Theo and Johan were still a bit wary, but they couldn’t help but admire the girl whose beauty couldn’t be found in the downtown.
Seeing his friends eagerly receiving Rosa’s instruction while awkwardly calling her “Lady Rosa,” Bernardo remembered himself from six months ago and felt somewhat ticklish.
I’m worried about her health, but when it comes to interpersonal relationships, I’m sure Sister will manage just fine… Fei’s the only one left. I sure hope he will come around.
Then, his expression darkened.
Fei, his childhood friend whom he could call his partner, was known to hate aristocrats. The reason was because his parents had been persecuted as immigrants.
Apparently, his mother, a street vendor, was abruptly taken to the patrol station on suspicion of theft. Her remains were returned the next morning.
In truth, she wasn’t the type to steal, but she was known for her beauty. Presumably, a nobleman who had tried to make a move on her paid for the patrol to take her away.
Unfortunately, such violent acts committed by nobles against immigrants were common in the royal capital at the time.
Anyone who refused would be killed in retaliation, and nobody would bat an eye. After all, even such an incident was nothing more than an ordinary tragedy.
Hence why Fei, who was an orphan, despised nobles. In fact, when they first met, Fei also seemed to dislike Bernardo, who had an aristocratic appearance.
At least until he experienced Bernardo’s fierce personality, which didn’t align with his looks, first-hand. On top of that, he also learned that Bernardo was an illegitimate child of a nobleman, and that he hated his father. Thus, he gradually opened up to him.
The two of them got along well despite their different natures.
They complemented each other’s weaknesses, teaming up to lead the orphanage and, in the process, they became a group of boys with significant influence in the downtown area.
…Until I was adopted, anyway.
When Bernardo decided to go to the Earldom of Langheim to make some cash, Fei expressed his disapproval.
He didn’t want Bernardo to join the other side.
From Bernardo’s perspective at the time, going to the earldom was merely a way to rake in profit for the time being.
As someone who grew up in the downtown, he didn’t think he would be able to bear the life of an aristocrat, and he had no interest in it.
Bernardo said that he would deceive foolish adults as usual, enjoy a life of luxury for a while, and then swindle some money before returning home—and with that, he easily jumped into the earl’s carriage.
But then, Bernardo met Rosa.
Touched by her beauty, kindness, and delicate heart, his priorities shifted drastically.
Bernardo thought of himself as a cold-hearted person. Still, as the son of a prostitute who had ruined her life with men, he had the disposition to become quite attached to the person he had set his sights on.
When an unexpected incident occurred and he returned to the royal capital as an apprentice knight, he would be lying if he said he didn’t think of Fei and his friends from the downtown even once.
Nevertheless, he was so enamored with Rosa, he chose to stay by her side despite all that.
Generally, his friendship with Fei couldn’t be described as clingy, but rather dry and crisp.
Instead of “even if we’re apart, we’ll still think of each other,” Bernardo believed that when they met again, their relationship would resume as it had been before, as if they were never separated in the first place.
So, when Bernardo unexpectedly saw Fei at the opera house, despite the slight awkwardness, he also thought it was a good opportunity to resume their friendship.
At Rosa’s urging, he went after Fei.
When he caught up with Fei and apologized for going no contact, Fei forgave him surprisingly easily.
Rather than blaming him for his lack of loyalty, Fei had simply spotted Bernardo and called out to him.
Having found a lucrative gig, Fei wanted to work alongside a familiar partner, so he invited Bernardo along.
“Oh, what kind of job is that?”
“Well… Something to do with the church, I suppose.”
“The church! You!?”
Apparently, Fei was in charge of the heavy lifting involved in making holy water, but Bernardo couldn’t help but laugh. The pessimistic atmosphere of Fei and the church didn’t really suit each other.
But then, Bernardo realized that the same went for him. He was a fool who fell in love with a noble lady who was far above his stature. Bernardo suddenly relaxed his shoulders.
“Sorry, but I will pass. The truth is, I’m currently an apprentice knight at the royal castle. I’m not allowed to have a second job.”
“…A knight? You?”
“Well, a lot has happened, you see…”
He had met a wonderful girl named Rosa in the earldom.
In order to protect Rosa, he took her away from her lustful father, and as a result, he ended up becoming a knight in the royal capital.
He intended to remain by her side and support her for a while—no, for as long as he could.
Fei would surely understand—Bernardo thought as he filled him in on everything that had happened until then.
He didn’t notice his best friend’s expression gradually stiffening.
“I’ll introduce you to her someday. She’s as beautiful as an angel. She’s smart, and she can even see the future with her ‘Eyes of Truth.’ Oh, but don’t lay a hand on her, okay? Haha, but you’re quite shy, so there’s no need for me to worry.”
“…”
“Also, even though it was by chance, being a knight is a pretty good position. It’s a pain that you can’t become one without magical power, but it’s a surprisingly open organization. Fei, you’re really strong. Just give me a bit, I’ll do some groundwork, and someday, even you—”
“—You.”
Fei suddenly interrupted Bernardo.
“You’ve chosen her.”
“Eh?”
“Compared to that noblewoman, whom you’ve only known for half a year, you’ve been with us for nearly ten years, and yet you chose her. You’ve become a noble.”
His voice was low, and his gaze, staring straight at him, was as freezing as the night.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t choose aristocracy, I chose her, my sister… Rosa. I didn’t abandon you guys, and I haven’t changed at all. I’m Bel, the son of an escort from downtown.”
“No.”
Fei suddenly turned away as if losing interest, and turned back towards the crowd.
You’ve changed, he said.
I fight with that guy all the time, but… when he gets so angry and refuses to say anything, it usually drags on.
Bernardo frowned as he remembered.
Although Fei was generally calm, he seemed to have some anger issues that could be troublesome if provoked.
They were both quick to fight, and would always use their fists when they got into an argument, but that was because they were family. When he took a cold attitude and said “enough is enough,” that was when the real crisis started.
Bernardo knew very well how ruthless Fei could be to an enemy from the other side.
He’s already 15… He has to leave the institution at the end of the year. Maybe he was feeling anxious and in a bad mood.
Unconsciously, he found himself thinking about his best friend.
He really wanted the strong Fei to be on his side so that they could protect Rosa together.
After all, Bernardo had no shortage of enemies. Not only those who were power hungry, but also members of the royal family who would try to marry Rosa at any opportunity.
Bernardo also realized that the eyes that glared at him back then were brimming with not only hostility but also envy.
He also knew that Fei, who was proud and confident in his martial arts skills, actually wanted to leave the orphanage and make a living.
The statement about poaching him wasn’t a joke at all.
His dislike of nobles is a bit of a problem… Well, once he talks to Sister, he’ll probably change his mind. Or maybe if he eats his fill, that will improve his mood a little.
He told himself that, thinking of the sullen expression he saw just a moment ago.
It was almost dinner time.
In order to make life here comfortable, as of yesterday, he had delivered the money he ripped off Chris and the others, along with firewood and blankets, to the orphanage.
The director, who ran the orphanage to avoid paying taxes, was indifferent to the children’s circumstances. At the same time, he didn’t take a cut of them, so the money undoubtedly went to the older child who acted as the cashier—in other words, Fei.
For an ordinary citizen, the amount could easily cover food for the next year.
In fact, the smell of high-quality meat being grilled and lavishly used spices wafted from the kitchen—something he had never smelled inside the orphanage before.
Anticipation, and a little bit of pride.
As he waited for dinner with these thoughts in mind, he heard a “Hey” from the kitchen.
The voice belonged to none other than the expressionless Fei.
He carried two steaming wooden bowls in each hand and walked briskly towards the table where Rosa was sitting.
“It’s only polite to serve the noblewoman first.”
“What’s that? How annoying. That’s sarcasm, right—”
Out of suspicion, Bernardo chased after Fei, and was then speechless.
The children started to make a fuss, and only Rosa, who was still seated, had her eyes wide open in confusion.
Because—
“I haven’t said hello yet. The name’s Fei. An immigrant. I used to be Bernardo’s best friend.”
The children had brushed aside the artificial flowers and embroidery they spread out to make place for the food. However, inside the bowl, there was only a dirty, murky soup with floating leftovers.
“—And today, it’s my turn to cook. This is the poor’s style of cooking, I’ve prepared it with all my heart. Now, enjoy your meal.”
His forced politeness was tinged with unmistakable contempt.
Rosa and the others held their breath as his black eyes, full of hostility, looked down silently.
Translator’s Note:
Guys!! In case you are wondering, Fei looks like this:
Basically, he’s just Xiao from Genshin Impact.
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