3

“What? What did you just say? Do you know who I am…?”

“I do. You’re ‘that person’ sponsored by the Countess of Charlotte.”

After answering in a monotone, Anisha narrowed her eyes into crescents and then broke into a sweet, almost melting smile.

Nobles place great importance on social etiquette and honor. They often perform various acts of charity as part of their sense of responsibility, with ‘sponsorship’ being a common practice.

They provide financial support, and if the person they sponsor achieves outstanding results, the sponsor’s honor is enhanced—a very straightforward system.

In orphanages, children sponsored by nobles not only receive individual rooms but also excellent meals, luxurious clothing, high-quality education, and various fine supplies.

Particularly, this orphanage often induces a sense of deprivation among the other children through such differences, fostering competition and admiration.

Hence, the sponsored children tend to become arrogant.

“Yes, I’m not a fool who wasn’t chosen like you…”

“Be careful. That place is known for not apologizing even after killing someone from the Countess’s family. I’d recommend cutting ties quickly.”

Anisha interrupted the boy’s words and brushed past him, saying this.

The boy, who was slightly clever but still immature, roughly grabbed Anisha’s shoulder.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Aren’t you going to apologize? Do you want to experience a beating and then apologize?”

“Go ahead and try.”

“What?”

“If you hit me, I’ll report it to the newspapers. It’ll make for an interesting headline: ‘A sponsored child from the Shangri-La Orphanage, supported by the Countess of Charlotte, beat a ten-year-old girl to a pulp’… Not a bad headline, right?”

“Report? Who will believe the words of a little kid like you! How dare you threaten me…!”

“Do you think I can’t do it? If issues arise, the sponsorship will likely continue well. Since it involves nobility, newspapers will swarm. At the very least, the teachers won’t let it slide.”

Even though her collar was roughly grabbed, Anisha’s gray eyes showed no signs of distress.

The boy’s previously sparkling eyes suddenly drained of all vitality, and his expression vanished as if that part of him had faded from a painting.

“A lowly, unchosen bastard!”

With that curse, the boy’s anger flared, and his hand rose high.

‘I don’t like pain.’

This orphanage teaches a variety of skills. For the boys, lessons include swordsmanship and martial arts.

With her currently powerless body, Anisha couldn’t avoid it.

‘It’s okay, it won’t even make me itch.’

Compared to the pain she had endured, this was nothing.

As she braced herself for the upcoming pain and closed her eyes, a voice like thunder resounded.

“Peter! What are you doing!”

Anisha’s eyes flew open as she snapped out of her daze.

Turning her head, she saw Teacher Irina, usually gentle, now with a stern face.

Behind her were a robed man and his bodyguards.

“Te, Teacher. It’s not what it looks like…”

The boy seemed flustered by the sudden turn of events, stammering. Anisha, showing no interest in helping, turned her head away.

“I’ve heard this is a prestigious orphanage, but it doesn’t seem to be so.”

The robed man spoke up. His voice was pleasant, but it carried a tone of contempt and anger.

Irina seemed flustered and quickly shook her head.

“That’s not the case. As you know, children can cause both big and small troubles. We apologize if we caused you any discomfort. Peter, return to your room. Violence is never right.”

“Yes… I’m sorry, Teacher Irina.”

The boy turned away, his face pale and his clenched fist trembling.

‘I guess he might be locked up in solitary for a while.’

Still, the boy was sponsored, so his life wasn’t in danger.

If Anisha had caused the trouble, she might have been sold directly to a mad scientist.

“Ah! The child you’re referring to is this one. Her name is Anisha. Anisha, greet the guest.”

Anisha slowly raised her head.

The violet eyes visible from behind the robe had a mysterious allure.

Momentarily lost in thought, Anisha was nudged by Teacher Irina to slightly lift the hem of her dress and bow according to noble etiquette.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Grace. I am Anisha.”

Recalling the saying that a smile does no harm, she beamed as brightly as she could, but the man’s reaction was cooler than expected.

‘I thought I looked quite cute.’

She had tried to make a good impression on the noble but seemed to have failed.

‘Perhaps he might become a sponsor.’

Considering this, Anisha thought about showing a bit more charm but ultimately chose to withdraw gracefully. She had no idea what this noble was like, so she couldn’t afford to take unnecessary risks.

“…Did you teach this child noble etiquette?”

The man spoke after a long pause.

“Yes. In our orphanage, many children are either sponsored by nobles or are selected as servants or attendants for noble families, so we provide comprehensive education in various fields.”

“So, you recognized that I am a noble.”

‘Are you hoping I wouldn’t recognize you just because you’re wearing an extravagant robe and treating Teacher Irina so imperiously?’

There was no sense of shame at all.

“Your manner of walking and speaking is very elegant!”

Anisha answered with a bright smile, but the man merely turned his head away with dissatisfaction.

“It seems my grace is still apparent even while wearing a robe. Well, that’s only natural.”

‘Ah, yes.’

That was odd. He seemed like a narcissistic noble obsessed with his own praise.

“Anisha, this person has come looking for you.”

“For me?”

‘A noble?’

‘Why?’

‘How does he know?’

Upon realizing that this noble had specifically come to find her, Anisha’s suspicion quickly sharpened.

“Please follow me.”

The destination was a reception room, typically used for hosting guests, especially distinguished ones.

“Please sit here, and tea will be served shortly.”

The man nodded arrogantly as Teacher Irina bowed politely and sat in the center of the sofa, crossing his legs.

‘A high-ranking noble?’

‘This is the first time I’ve seen Teacher Irina so deferential. Many nobles and merchants have visited, but never like this.’

Anisha watched as Teacher Irina entered the kitchen and then stood to one side of the sofa.

In this orphanage, students cannot do anything without the teacher’s permission. This is the first lesson received upon entering the orphanage.

Teacher Irina returned with the tea and sat across from the sofa.

“You…”

“Yes.”

Anisha stood upright and answered politely while trying to remember.

‘Green hair, violet eyes….’

A single name flashed through her mind.

“You look just like a filthy dog.”

‘Yes.’

This was the infamous genius known for his cruel behavior and the worst personality, who tormented people until they died. 

The cursed Duke Charcoal Aubrey of this era was now standing before Anisha for the first time.