The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 73

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 73】

 

Dreams are inherently without context.

 

The progression is sudden, and the given situations are far removed from reality.

 

‘I must be dreaming right now.’

 

When she found herself as a young child dropped into the Mart Orphanage, Rianel instinctively knew this was inside a dream.

 

The time when she was Ensilen, one of the many orphans entrusted to the orphanage.

 

The Ensilen of that time was, to put it simply, precocious, and to put it bluntly, a child who seemed to have already lived through the entire world.

 

‘I am a child without parents.’

 

While other children would have cried their hearts out and barely accepted such a reality, Ensilen accepted it as calmly as realizing that the sun rises every day.

 

However, because of this trait, she tended to be an outsider at the orphanage.

 

Most of the children who showed interest in Ensilen, who contemplated or read in corners, were those who came to bully her.

 

“What are you muttering about like that?”

 

“I was contemplating the reason why you and I are here.”

 

“Is that so? I think I know the answer.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s obvious! It’s because you’re an orphan brat, isn’t it?”

 

“Are you different from me?”

 

“How dare you compare? I clearly have a mother and father! They said they’d come get me soon.”

 

“But they abandoned you here. Then haven’t we essentially become the same?”

 

Just as 0 minus 0 equals 0.

 

Just as 2 minus 2 also equals 0.

 

“In the end, both our results are the same.”

 

The child’s face contorted, and soon their eyes became moist.

 

“Waaaaah, Teacher!”

 

“Ensilen!”

 

The teacher glared at Ensilen, who had made another child cry today.

 

“I merely stated the facts.”

 

Instead of mixing with the children, Ensilen learned about the world through books. Her awkward way of speaking and extreme realism were difficult even for the teachers to accept.

 

So Ensilen was generally alone.

 

“You’re here again.”

 

Except on the days when Duchess Novantium came.

 

While other nobles mostly came to do charity work or because they needed a child to adopt.

 

Duchess Novantium, with a face that looked like it wouldn’t get a drop of water on her hands, helped with the orphanage’s work and looked after isolated children like Ensilen.

 

“Yes. It’s comfortable here.”

 

“Don’t you want to play with toys? Like the other children do.”

 

“Building wooden blocks that I must knock down with my own hands is excessively wasteful and meaningless. Treating lifeless dolls like babies and brushing their hair is the same.”

 

“I meant you should try learning how to get along with other children.”

 

“We must leave the orphanage when we come of age, and the Empire is vast. It’s better not to build unnecessary friendships.”

 

The Duchess looked around, then lowered her posture.

 

“People consider you an unusual child, but I know your special personality comes from intelligence. That’s why I’m telling you this—people don’t like children who stand out.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Humans are creatures that feel jealousy. They covet anything they don’t have, so how envious would they be of someone who has what they can never possess in their lifetime?”

 

Then she whispered.

 

“If you don’t want to earn others’ hatred, it’s better to hide your talents. You need to pretend to be ordinary.”

 

“Or I could become someone useful to people. No one dislikes someone who holds what they need, don’t they?”

 

For example.

 

“Like you, Duchess.”

 

Beautiful and wealthy, she possessed things that the orphanage children would envy, yet she received the children’s love.

 

Because the children craved adults who would love and protect them.

 

The Duchess smiled gently.

 

“My. I’ve been outmaneuvered.”

 

However, that conversation became an opportunity for Ensilen to think about Social Maneuvering.

 

‘Certainly, not earning hatred is important.’

 

Ensilen still thought life was meant to be lived alone, but she also knew that others’ assistance was necessary.

 

‘Even to rise up, I need others. I must gain their recognition.’

 

Ensilen carefully observed how the Duchess treated people.

 

Because she thought there were things to learn from her.

 

However.

 

‘She has to smile constantly and say empty words she doesn’t mean. And all she gains from that is just a bit of goodwill.’

 

Ensilen thought the process was very inefficient, but since the Duchess was the most adult-like among the people who came to this orphanage, she continued observing.

 

In doing so, her gaze also fell on the son she brought along.

 

‘His name was Asil, wasn’t it.’

 

The boy, seven years younger than herself, clearly showed signs of being loved.

 

It was natural for Asil to receive the orphans’ jealousy.

 

Then the incident of Asil falling into the well occurred.

 

“That child disappearing won’t make you his replacement.”

 

“What? What do you know?”

 

“She’s showing off again!”

 

Pushing aside the orphans who wanted to leave Asil alone, Ensilen extended her hand.

 

“Take hold.”

 

“…You’re going to get me out?”

 

“If you don’t have the ability to escape on your own, then taking my hand is the right choice.”

 

Though his whole body was soaked and he was shivering, the child took that hand.

 

Even though Ensilen’s face wouldn’t be much different from those other children’s.

 

Duchess Novantium didn’t scold the orphans. Instead, she took special care of Ensilen.

 

“If there’s anything you want, tell me anything.”

 

The orphans whispered among themselves.

 

They hadn’t just seen the Duchess looking after Ensilen for a day or two.

 

But this time her position had been elevated to a benefactor of the ducal house.

 

‘She’ll probably want to live being treated like a princess. Wearing pretty clothes every day and eating different food.’

 

However, Ensilen was a child who exceeded their expectations.

 

“I would like you to distribute apple pie to all the orphans.”

 

The Duchess was also puzzled.

 

“Not adoption?”

 

“Even if the ducal house is a good adoptive home, that doesn’t mean I can be raised in a good environment.”

 

“You could include that in your wish too.”

 

“The standard of what’s good is subjective. I don’t set conditions that can’t be specified in a contract.”

 

On the other hand.

 

“Apple pie is an intuitive and visible object. And since all the orphans heard my request, you would have no choice but to provide quality apple pie for the sake of your family’s prestige.”

 

Ensilen had skillfully used the characteristic that nobles maintain their dignity, making a promise the Duchess had no choice but to keep.

 

“Are you really sure you won’t regret this?”

 

The Duchess asked carefully.

 

Wondering if this smart child didn’t fully understand what opportunity had been given to her, she didn’t forget to explain.

 

“I’m wealthy enough to dress you in new clothes every day. Moreover, the ducal house has a library with books stacked to the ceiling. Don’t you find it regrettable to miss the chance to have all of that?”

 

“I have become a useful person at the orphanage.”

 

Ensilen still remained an outsider among the children, but she wasn’t ignored.

 

The fact that she had built a friendship with the Duchess made it impossible for the children to treat Ensilen carelessly.

 

“That’s sufficient for me.”

 

She was impressed.

 

“You have learned your own way of navigating the world.”

 

At the same time, she felt envious.

 

‘It would be wonderful if this child could become my daughter.’

 

Unlike her gentle son who wouldn’t even shed a tear when something was taken from his hands, Ensilen had clear convictions. So if Ensilen became family, perhaps the Duke’s Estate’s influence wouldn’t diminish or waver.

 

But becoming family also meant sharing that much responsibility.

 

Perhaps this child had grasped that at such a young age.

 

‘Still, I should try to persuade her.’

 

Worried that her own adult approach might reveal her intentions too obviously, she sent her son to Ensilen with each visit.

 

That was the reason Ensilen had grown close to Asil.

 

“Why do you keep coming? Aren’t you afraid of the well?”

 

“Mom said so. She said we might be able to become family.”

 

“That’s nonsense.”

 

“Don’t you want a family, sister? The other kids said they wished they had families.”

 

“I’m different from them.”

 

Wasn’t that obvious?

 

“I’m tens of thousands of times smarter than them.”

 

It was an objective assessment made without arrogance.

 

“My name is bound to become known to the world.”

 

Ensilen painted her future.

 

Unlike those who had to be swept along by the world and circumstances, waiting to be chosen, she would be among the few who chose.

 

“I will become family with someone who doesn’t kill my talent.”

 

“What kind of person is that?”

 

“Someone intelligent, capable, and who enjoys persuasion and debate.”

 

“Why debate?”

 

“Knowledge changes and evolves to match the world. So only those who exchange opinions with others and examine various possibilities can grow.”

 

Asil looked around and lowered his voice.

 

“So who is that person?”

 

“I’m saying in a roundabout way that there’s currently no one who could become my family.”

 

Realizing that person wasn’t him, Asil became dejected.

 

“Aren’t you lonely? Not having family.”

 

Loneliness…

 

Ensilen didn’t know what that was.

 

But she could tell that Asil was feeling forlorn.

 

“Except for my parents, no one has ever liked me. The kids here too, and my cousin brothers just tease me for being stupid. You’re the first person who saved me, sister.”

 

Only then did Ensilen understand why Asil had attached such great meaning to a single gesture.

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yeah. So, can I stay by your side?”

 

“Would you leave if I said no?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then why ask for my opinion when you won’t be persuaded?”

 

“You’re right.”

 

Asil placed his hand on Ensilen’s palm and intertwined their fingers.

 

She could feel the desperation and anxiety unique to someone craving warmth.

 

“…But you’re not pushing me away.”

 

“There’s no reason to waste energy on such things.”

 

Asil closed his eyes tightly.

 

“It’s warm.”

 

“Humans are warm-blooded animals, so we maintain body temperature.”

 

“But you’re the first person to share that warmth with me, sister.”

 

“…”

 

“You really are kind.”

 

Humans are animals that adapt easily.

 

By the time Ensilen had also adapted to Asil’s lukewarm warmth.

 

“Mom apparently has something to look into.”

 

The Duchess stopped coming, and at some point, Asil stopped coming too.

 

Ensilen was alone again.

 

‘That’s how all nobles are.’

 

Weren’t they all fickle and selfish?

 

Ensilen silently curled up.

 

And so the year changed.

 

When the dry winter air arrived.

 

That incident occurred.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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