TLDOWN 31

CHAPTER  31:

 The Empty Spot

“Director, should I put this here?”

“Yes. Let’s leave it next to the table for now.”

Lea set the box down and brushed off her hands.

“You should take a break. You’re here on vacation, aren’t you? Between work at the trade company and everything else, I bet you haven’t had time to rest…”

Maribel’s voice sank, guilty for making Lea work even on her time off.

“I’m just happy I can help, even a little. Cleaning isn’t that hard, really.”

Since childhood and even now as an adult, Lea always prioritized the orphanage over herself.

And Maribel always felt sorry for her. It seemed like a lack of family love had shaped her that way.

As she set down a towel, Maribel glanced out the window and said casually:

“Your assistant, James—he seems like a good young man. Helping out all the way out here like this.”

Following her gaze, Lea saw Akia assisting Theo in the yard.

‘Didn’t think he’d take it this seriously.’

The building repairs were mostly done, but the garden still bore the marks of the flood.

And yet, the Duke had stepped up to help clean the garden with Theo.

Who would guess that man was a noble? It was like seeing a new side of him.

“Sis! Hey, sis!”

As Lea stared out the window, lost in thought, a tug on her skirt made her look down.

There stood Betty, a wide-eyed seven-year-old, looking up at her.

“What is it?”

“That handsome guy who came with you.”

“Handsome guy?”

She must mean the Duke—surely not Theo.

“Who is he? Is he your husband?”

“…My husband? No, he’s my assistant.”

Husband? Must be the influence of playing house.

“Assistant? What’s that?”

“Well…”

Lea was trying to think of an explanation when Harry, another child nearby, chimed in while picking his nose.

“Assistant means… he’s like Sis’s underling!”

“Underling?”

“Yeah! He helps Sis with her work, so he’s her underling.”

It was kind of right and kind of wrong, and Lea gave an awkward laugh at the vague but enthusiastic conclusion.

“Sis, look over there!”

Following the child’s pointing finger, Lea saw several wagons heading toward the orphanage.

‘What’s going on?’

They’d already received food and water supplies. There was no reason for wagons this big to arrive.

Lea stopped what she was doing and stepped outside—just in time to see Baron from Magnolia Trading Company climb down from one of the carriages.

“Miss Lea.”

“Baron?”

He greeted her politely as he stepped down.

“What are all these wagons?”

“They’re a small gift from the Magnolia Trading Company.”

“A gift?”

Before she could even finish repeating his words, workers began unloading crates from the wagons.

There were toys for the children, clean clothes, books, bed linens—everything the orphanage had been lacking.

“All of this… is for us?”

“Yes. Thanks to your help, the company’s affairs wrapped up quickly. Our trade master ordered this as a gesture of appreciation.”

“My goodness…”

So much had been lost in the flood—books, toys, supplies. The few items they salvaged were caked in mud and barely usable.

Lea stared in disbelief at the growing piles of boxes. Nearby, children gathered, unable to hide their excitement.

“Sis! Can I have this toy?”

“Huh? Oh, of course. But play nice and share it with the others, okay?”

“Okay!!”

“But Sis, who gave us all this?”

Lea knelt down to the child’s level and smiled.

“A man from Magnolia Trading Company. The trade master gave you all these presents so you can grow up well.”

“So we can grow up?”

“That’s right. So you can stay healthy and grow big. We should all write him a thank-you letter later.”

“What kind of person is the trade master?”

“Well, he’s…”

Just then, a voice interrupted from behind.

“A very admirable and impressive person.”

Lea turned—Akia had approached without her noticing.

‘Duke…?’

“I’ve even heard he’s extremely handsome.”

The Duke’s smug tone, as if he personally knew the trade master, was more than a little arrogant. Of all things, he was suddenly praising the man?

‘Has the Duke ever complimented anyone like that before?’

He was the kind of man who clearly thought he was the most impressive person in the world.

“So always be grateful to the trade master, alright?”

“Yes, sir!!”

The children, unaware of the sarcasm, shouted energetically with raised hands. Lea could only stare, baffled.

Just then, Baron approached after checking that all the supplies had arrived.

“The trade master has also pledged regular support to the orphanage from now on.”

“…Excuse me?”

All these gifts—and now regular donations too?

Magnolia was a profit-driven company. Sure, she’d helped, but this felt excessive.

‘Why are they doing all this?’

Lea asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

“I’m grateful, truly… But could you tell me why the company is being this generous? It seems… a bit too much, just for a bit of help I offered.”

“Ah, that’s, um…”

Baron fumbled, clearly unsure what to say.

‘How do I even explain this…?’

He kept wiping cold sweat and avoided her gaze. Then, glancing nervously at something, he blurted out:

“T-The trade master really likes children… haha.”

“…I see.”

It didn’t feel entirely right, but she wasn’t about to refuse. Everything was something the orphanage genuinely needed.

‘It’s like he knew exactly what we were missing…’

Lea was just wondering what kind of person the trade master might be when Akia, done chatting with the kids, walked over.

“James.”

“…?”

“How do you know the trade master of Magnolia?”

Given what he’d told the children earlier, he clearly seemed to know the man well.

Lea’s eyes showed a spark of curiosity. The secretive trade master and the Duke—connected?

“He does business in my territory. Of course I know him.”

So… landlord privileges?

“What’s that?” Lea asked, gesturing to the envelope in Akia’s hand. He’d had empty hands while playing with the children—he must’ve gotten it from Baron.

“A letter from the estate. Sent via the trading company.”

Akia spoke casually as he read it. Lea turned away at the sound of children’s laughter in the background.

The orphanage’s peaceful scene was warm and comforting.

‘If only every day could be like this.’

If the children could live each day full of smiles, that would be Lea’s true happiness.

Someday, she would meet the trade master and thank him personally.

‘And thank the Duke, too.’

She turned to look at Akia, only to see that his earlier faint smile had faded from his face.

He hadn’t frowned once since coming to Tren. Lea stepped closer, concerned.

“Is something wrong?”

Akia looked up at her with serious eyes.

“It seems the butler who went on vacation is returning to the estate sooner than expected.”

“Bayern? How soon?”

“In four days.”

Four days…

They’d have to leave immediately if they wanted to arrive before him.

“I should head back ahead of you.”

“Wait—then I’ll quickly finish packing—”

But when Lea saw the cold, serious look in Akia’s eyes, she sensed something urgent. As she reached to untie her apron, he caught her hand.

“No. You stay and wrap things up here. I’ll leave as soon as I’m ready.”

“But—”

“It’ll be hard to ride with you on the horse. Just listen to me.”

‘That’s true… I can’t ride a horse anyway.’

Seeing how firmly he refused, Lea realized arguing was pointless.

She smiled gently.

“Alright. I’ll follow you as soon as I can. Go on ahead.”

Apparently pleased, a faint smile returned to Akia’s lips.

“Good. I’ll wait at the estate.”

❀ ❀ ❀

Akia departed on a horse Baron had secured for him. Two days passed since his return to the Heidern estate.

Meanwhile, Lea gathered her packed belongings on the bed. It had only been a short vacation, but Theo and the director had insisted on sending her off with plenty.

It had only been two days, but the orphanage already felt the absence of one person.

[Sis, is James not coming back?]
[No. He’s busy with work now, so it’ll be hard for him to return.]

The children missed James. To them, he had been kind and friendly.

To Lea, he was a haughty man—but here, he had helped with repairs, played with the kids…

So different, almost unrecognizable.

‘It’s strange.’

He was a reclusive noble who had lived isolated in the mansion. Yet he rode horses skillfully and was surprisingly knowledgeable about the estate.

A sickly but never weak man.

‘What other sides of him don’t I know?’

Shaking her head, Lea tried to block the flood of thoughts about the Duke. She had promised to return quickly—no time for distractions.

“I’ll do better when I get back.”

Maybe even work harder on the antidote development.

Just as a faint smile crept onto her lips, there was a knock at the door. Theo peeked in.

“Lea, the carriage is here. Are you packed?”

“Yep, all ready.”

Theo smiled and came in to carry her bags. As they headed out—

“I’m glad James was with you. I was so worried about you going alone.”

As always, Theo’s sincerity touched her.

“Yeah… I guess it was nice.”

Well, James was her employer. She couldn’t just ditch him. Theo would’ve freaked out if he knew she was secretly spying on her own employer.

A friend. A brother. That’s who Theo was.

In a few months, she’d repay her contract debt and leave the estate. No need to tell him now.

‘It’d only make him worry.’

She loaded the carriage with Theo, then prepared to board it.

“Lea… um, hey.”

“Hm?”

“You prefer living in Heidern more than Tren, right?”

So that’s what he was hesitating to ask.

He must’ve been really sad about his hometown friend leaving.

“Yeah, I think so. And right now, it’d be hard to leave Heidern, Theo.”

Not just because of money tied to the supplement project—but also because of her deal with the Duke.

“I’m… involved with someone there.”

Lea’s eyes drifted into thought as she spoke, thinking of someone. Theo’s shoulders slumped.

At that moment, he knew—James hadn’t lied. There was someone.

“I see…”

Lea patted his shoulder gently, unaware of the real reason behind his sadness.

“I’ll visit often. Write me letters too, okay?”

Theo stared into the distance long after Lea’s carriage disappeared from sight.