IHDOE Ch 37

[Teacher] "What? No, that's not what I meant..."

[Sophia] "Yes, it is! You're saying Blin didn't listen to me because I was lacking!"

[Teacher] "Miss Sophia, please calm down..."

Listening to Sophia, another caretaker furrowed her brow in irritation.

[Teacher] "Well, honestly, isn't it true that you lacked something?"

[Sophia] "What did you say?"

[Teacher] "Blin follows Miss Stella's lead so well and behaves so quietly. Why did she act like such a troublemaker under you? Ah, right! Come to think of it, Blin seemed to grow even wilder after you took charge of her."

Sophia glared at her colleague.

[Sophia] "Be quiet! I have no desire to hear such talk from someone unqualified to be a teacher!"

[Teacher] "Are you quite finished?!"

Stepping between them, a third caretaker tried to mediate.

[Teacher] "Now, now, both of you calm down. Miss Sophia, you too..."

[Teacher] "What you just said was a bit harsh, Miss Sophia. You should apologize first..."

Despite the intervention, Sophia remained unyielding.

[Sophia] "No, I've done nothing wrong."

She snatched a romance novel resting on her colleague's desk and brandished it.

[Sophia] "A caretaker working in a temple, reading vulgar books like this and snacking on chocolates! You know how terrible junk food is for growing children! How can someone who leads such a disorderly lifestyle, instead of setting a proper example, be recognized as a teacher?!"

[Teacher] "Hey!"

Scoffing loudly, Sophia swept out of the staff room.

How could everyone be so irresponsible? Was Blin taking the Imperial Academy entrance exam? She would surely fail, but what if giving her false hope only drove her further astray?

Blin at the Imperial Academy? A girl who copied answer keys every single time? As expected, I'm the only one in this orphanage who cares about the children.

Sophia hurried down the hallway, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.

Who does that woman think she is?

What? Blin behaves so well for her, so why not for me? She must have used some sinister trick! Stella is just wasting her time with useless antics.

Ah, right! I should consult Lord Serpens.

Deeply devout and strictly fair, Serpens would view this matter through an objective lens. He would listen to her and recognize that she was the only caretaker who truly cared for the children.

You have worked so hard caring for these children all on your own.

The imaginary Serpens commended her, offering gentle words of comfort.

I shudder to think what would have become of them without you. To meet a wonderful teacher like you, Miss Sophia... these children are truly fortunate.

His green eyes curved in a warm, affectionate smile.

If it pleases you, perhaps we could meet separately this weekend? I would love to speak more with someone who possesses such upright faith, Miss Sophia.

Sophia searched the grounds for Serpens. Since his horse was still tethered outside, he had to be somewhere on the premises.

Lord Serpens... Lord Serpens will surely understand...!

She finally spotted him in the garden. He was laughing alongside Stella.

Again! It's that woman again!

Jealousy surged within her.

Why are they always together? She must be flirting with him!

She ignores her orphanage duties entirely, desperate to seduce him!

Sophia approached, but Serpens was so absorbed in his conversation with Stella that he didn't even glance her way.

What on earth are they talking about to look so cheerful?

Inching closer, Sophia strained to listen.

[Serpens] "I am constantly amazed by your vast knowledge, Miss Stella. I had no idea such an interpretation existed for that passage."

[Stella] "It was from a paper published long ago. The academic community rejected it back then, but I believe the professor..."

Satina sensed a presence and looked up.

Over his shoulder, Sophia's face contorted as their eyes met. Those sinister eyes, tinged with red, were repulsive as ever.

Following Satina's gaze, Serpens turned around and acknowledged her.

[Serpens] "Ah, Miss Sophia. It has been a while."

[Sophia] "Hello, Lord Serpens."

Forcing a sweet smile, Sophia fixed her eyes solely on Serpens, pointedly ignoring Stella.

[Sophia] "Are you very busy right now? I have something I would like to consult you about, if you have a moment."

[Serpens] "Consult me? Regarding what?"

[Sophia] "Yes, it concerns the orphanage."

[Serpens] "If it is about the orphanage, I believe speaking with the director would be more appropriate."

His distant tone stung, but Sophia quickly rationalized it.

Lord Serpens doesn't know the full situation at the orphanage yet.

Once he heard her story and learned the truth, he would surely change his mind.

Serpens glanced at Stella beside him.

[Serpens] "I am currently in the middle of a conversation with Miss Stella. Could we speak another time?"

This time, the rejection cut deeper. She had explicitly stated it was about the orphanage, yet casual chatter with Stella took precedence?

No, don't be hurt. This is all that woman's fault. She bewitched him with her pretty face...

[Stella] "I don't mind, Lord Serpens. For Miss Sophia to seek you out, it must be an important matter. Please, go ahead and speak."

To Sophia's irritation, Serpens appeared touched by the trivial gesture.

[Serpens] "You are remarkably thoughtful, Miss Stella. Then I will read the book you recommended so we may finish discussing that passage later."

Once Stella departed, only Serpens and Sophia remained.

It had been a long time since she last stood alone with him. Up close, Serpens was much taller and broader than she remembered. Every time the breeze fluttered the crisp white uniform covering his broad shoulders, a fresh scent like wild grass drifted through the air.

[Serpens] "So. What is this about?"

[Sophia] "U-Um..."

[Serpens] "Please, go on."

Though a smile still hovered on his lips, it lacked the warmth he had displayed toward Stella. His voice was strictly businesslike and dry.

Mesmerized by his handsome face up close, Sophia noticed none of it.

[Sophia] "It's about Blin."

A spark of interest finally flickered in his eyes.

[Serpens] "Blin? You mean the child under Miss Stella's care?"

[Sophia] "Y-Yes."

[Serpens] "Is there a problem with the child?"

[Sophia] "I heard Miss Stella is having her take the Imperial Academy entrance exam! I'm so worried about it...!"

[Serpens] "You need not trouble yourself with that, Miss Sophia. Miss Stella is supporting her passionately, and the child is quite motivated."

[Sophia] "No! It won't work! A child like Blin will certainly fail, and think of how heartbroken she'll be! I'm saying this entirely for her sake! With everyone cheering her on, failing will devastate her and push her further astray! So stopping this now is the right thing to do!"

[Serpens] "Well... I also consider her failure more likely, but one never knows. Besides, the child is finally applying herself to her studies. Denying her the chance to try hardly seems right."

[Sophia] "But...!"

[Serpens] "And even if she suffers disappointment, Miss Stella will be there. She is kind and perceptive, so she will know how to soothe the child's heart."

Serpens drew a firm line with a calm smile.

[Serpens] "Therefore, you need not worry yourself any further regarding this matter, Miss Sophia."

[Sophia] "I... I'm just worried she might fail..."

[Serpens] "Listening to you, Miss Sophia, it almost sounds as though you want her to fail."

Sophia turned pale.

[Serpens] "If you care for Blin, now is the time to believe in her and offer your support."

Without waiting for a response, Serpens turned and walked back inside the orphanage, clearly done with the conversation.

Watching his departing back, Sophia gnashed her teeth.

[Sophia] "Everyone is being fooled. Completely fooled."

What if Blin actually succeeds in entering the Imperial Academy?

Clamoring voices echoed in her mind.

[Teacher] "As expected of Miss Stella! To get Blin into the Imperial Academy!'

[Teacher] "Miss Stella is amazing. Compared to her, Miss Sophia is..."

Just imagining Stella strutting around even more arrogantly than before made Sophia sick to her stomach.

Gripping her head with both hands, she ignored how her neatly bound hair fell into disarray.

She could never allow that to happen. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

Blin might get hurt a little in the process, but...

This is all for her own good. I shouldn't feel any guilt.

---

A few days later, Satina waited alone in the classroom for Blin.

They had already submitted the application for the Imperial Academy. All that remained was preparing for the entrance exam four days away.

When Blin arrives, I'll check yesterday's homework first, then start a final review since the exam is right around the corner.

Yet no matter how long she waited, Blin didn't show up. Usually, the girl arrived at sunrise and stayed late into the night.

Did she oversleep because she's been pushing herself so hard lately?

However, even as lunchtime approached, there was still no sign of Blin.

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