<CHAPTER 24>
Because I Like Them Too
‘Why is Kalid here?’
Evelyn had never imagined she would reunite with Kalid on the outskirts of the capital.
After all, the original story had never established that the male protagonist would visit an orphanage.
She tilted her head in confusion, then soon nodded in understanding.
‘Well, I suppose it just wasn’t explained separately.’
She then moved toward the tree where Kalid and Zekter were.
She didn’t know what business he had here, but Evelyn also had matters to attend to with the boy.
However, for some reason, Kalid didn’t notice her approaching.
As if someone had intentionally erased Evelyn’s presence.
It was no exaggeration to say that only Zekter had noticed her existence.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have deliberately averted his gaze like this.
Apparently, when a stranger approached him, the boy had hastily cast a barrier.
“It really reminds me of how Aksion was as a child.”
In his youth, whenever Aksion sensed someone approaching, he would use magic to hide his presence.
However, this magic had one critical flaw.
Those without immunity to mana couldn’t sense his presence even inside the barrier, just like those outside it.
“You can already use magic like this?”
Evelyn exclaimed in admiration and soon began carefully examining the leaves scattered on the ground.
Her experience from chasing after her fiancé since childhood was not to be underestimated.
‘Let’s see, the way to dispel the barrier is…’
Before long, Evelyn discovered a leaf with a formula written on it and split it in half.
Then, the barrier surrounding Kalid and Zekter slowly opened and completely disappeared.
“Lady Inevassel…?”
A look of bewilderment crossed Kalid’s face as he belatedly discovered her.
Zekter also appeared quite flustered when the barrier he had cast was so easily dispelled.
Evelyn scratched one cheek and offered a greeting first.
“Fancy meeting you here, Duke Likeran.”
“I didn’t expect the Lady to visit an orphanage.”
Kalid climbed down from under the tree, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward expression.
As the man’s blue pupils trembled slightly, Evelyn smiled faintly.
“I’ve been sponsoring this place for several years now.”
“I see. This is my first visit.”
Kalid explained that he had discovered the orphanage by chance on his way back from a business trip to the capital.
He had mentioned seeing many unfamiliar faces at the orphanage today, and now he understood why.
While Evelyn was lost in thought for a moment, a low voice flowed from the man.
“But it seems the Lady is fond of children.”
“Of course. They’re all so adorable!”
Evelyn nodded readily and replied in a clear voice.
It was true she had initially sponsored them with a purpose in mind, but now she was more sincere than anyone in helping the children grow up well.
As the corners of her lips turned upward, Kalid smiled affectionately.
“In that case, I should come here often from now on.”
“Pardon…?”
Evelyn tilted her head at the man’s incomprehensible words.
Kalid continued speaking, gazing at her with eyes as warm as sunlight.
“Because I like them too.”
Somehow it sounded like words that could be easily misunderstood, or was it just her?
Perhaps because they came from a man with a guilty face, they seemed even more credible.
‘That’s right. This is why he’s the male protagonist.’
If another woman had heard Kalid’s words, she would have more than enough reason to misunderstand.
Well, of course, that was only natural.
As Evelyn showed an embarrassed smile, Zekter, who had been in the tree, lightly jumped down to the ground.
The boy with bright, sparkling eyes urgently asked her.
“How did you notice?”
Apparently, Evelyn detecting the invisibility magic had piqued the boy’s curiosity.
Oh. This is an unexpected stroke of luck?
Evelyn looked at Zekter, who showed no restraint, and let out a small laugh.
Then she bent her knee slightly and offered a greeting.
“Hello? I’m Evelyn Inevassel.”
A bright smile and polite greeting were important for first meetings.
Only then did Zekter seem to realize he hadn’t shown proper manners.
The boy, whose face turned as red as a ripe tomato, fidgeted before bowing respectfully.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Zekter.”
“Yes, Zekter, nice to meet you.”
Seemingly relieved by Evelyn’s response, the boy rolled his golden eyes and cautiously asked.
“But how did you notice my invisibility magic?”
As expected, Zekter seemed quite amazed that she had detected his mana.
Evelyn pulled her lips into a gentle smile and lightly patted the boy’s disheveled hair.
“I know someone who used similar magic.”
“Who is that person?”
Growl-
Before she could answer, the child’s stomach rumbled loudly, and Evelyn wore a serene smile.
“Shall we go inside and have a snack first?”
Though it wasn’t freshly baked bread, Zekter ate it hungrily, apparently starving.
‘I thought he looked thinner than other children his age…!’
Evelyn looked at the boy pitifully and handed him a glass of milk.
“Chew slowly and thoroughly.”
Kalid, sitting on the sofa across from the two, carefully chose his words before asking.
“Is the food provided by the orphanage insufficient?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Zekter shook his head slightly and wiped the bread crumbs from his mouth.
Then he calmly explained his situation.
“I often skipped meals when I was living alone.”
The boy said he had lost his parents early and was raised by his grandfather.
But when his grandfather passed away from a chronic illness, he ended up living a wandering life alone.
Perhaps because worrying about meals had been a daily occurrence, Zekter added that he tended to eat quickly when he saw food.
Kalid, who had been silently listening to the boy’s story, stroked his chin and spoke.
“So you taught yourself magic?”
“Yes, I can read to some extent.”
Zekter said he had learned magic through a few magic books at home.
To achieve this level of skill through self-study, the boy’s growth potential was truly tremendous.
Evelyn felt her heart ache at the sight of the boy speaking so casually about his unfortunate childhood.
After organizing her thoughts, she moved her lips and spoke softly.
“Zekter, I’d like to make you a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
As the boy with an innocent face tilted his head, Evelyn sent him a serious gaze.
“I’d like to sponsor you. What do you think?”
“Me… you mean?”
Zekter opened his eyes wide in surprise.
Evelyn, watching his reaction, lightly nodded her head.
“Yes, I’m making this proposal because of your skills.”
She hadn’t decided to sponsor him out of mere sympathy.
It was because she was certain that Zekter would be of help to the Inevassel family in the distant future.
Evelyn explained the benefits the recipient would receive one by one.
She would generously support his magic research and, if he wished, could send him to the Academy.
She added that she would also provide room, board, and wages.
Zekter, who had been silently listening to her words, couldn’t hide his suspicious gaze.
“Is there… something you want from me?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because there’s no such thing as kindness without a price in this world.”
A bitter smile spread across Evelyn’s face at the boy’s words, which were unbecoming of his age.
What kind of life had this child, left alone, lived?
Evelyn didn’t fully know the environment Zekter had grown up in.
But she wanted to show him that the world wasn’t necessarily so harsh.
Just as she had received unconditional love after meeting her current parents.
Evelyn looked pitifully at the boy, who was smaller than others his age, and spoke in a gentle voice.
“What I want is for you to grow up healthy and strong, without getting sick.”
Zekter’s face became uncertain, as if he couldn’t understand her words.
She let out a relaxed laugh and whispered quietly as if sharing a secret.
“You asked earlier who uses invisibility magic, right?”
“Yes…”
“If you want, I can introduce you to them.”
