I Won’t Pick Up The Trash I Threw Away Again

The next day, Priest Adrina was released immediately and formally awarded the post of director of the orphanage by Kalian.

Now that the director had been decided, it was time to select people to take care of the children. When I asked how they should be chosen, Priest Adrina carefully suggested her opinion.

“I know of priests who, like me, feel sorry for the children being abused and have tried to help in any way possible. If you ask them, they should be happy to help.”

“That's a good idea.”

If it was the priests, they would have clear identities. They would also be good at taking care of children.

I took Priest Adrina's opinion and gathered the priests together. Some were locked up in the dungeon, and some had left the temple because they were tired of the ugly side of the temple.

It was difficult to gather those who had already left, but it was easy to gather those who were imprisoned in the dungeons.

They were different in age and appearance, but their answer to my proposal was the same.

“Thank you for the opportunity to atone.”

It really was a relief that those we caught weren't just someone worse than beasts. I hoped they would take on their work responsibly as much as the weight of the crimes that weighed heavily on their hearts.

Priest Adrina looked down at the priest uniform she had been wearing since she was very young that she couldn't even remember herself.

Among the many colors, the reason why the priest's uniform was white was because it was a symbol of integrity. That’s why the priests hated getting stains on their uniforms and always kept them clean.

It was the same with Priest Adrina. She tried to keep her priest uniform clean even though she had to do dirty work as punishment after daring to go against the senior priests. Although it wasn't easy, it wasn't impossible either.

“It was all in vain.”

What's the point of keeping the uniform clean? The person who wears it is dirty anyway.

A faint smile was drawn on Priest Adrina's lips.

Priest Adrina then put the uniforms she wore all the time into a box, except the one she used for sleeping. And instead of the priest’s uniform, she wore a gray dress that didn't show even if it was stained.

Her dress was dark, but Priest Adrina's face was brighter than ever. Her eyes glistened.

It was when Priest Adrina tied her apron.

Tok Tok-

"Come in."

As soon as she gave her permission, the door opened, and a woman, also wearing a gray dress, came in.

Priest Adrina shook her hand as the woman tried to greet her politely.

“You don’t have to greet me like that.”

“But, Priest…”

“The title of Priest is no longer appropriate.”

Because that title has been put down from the moment I took off my uniform.

The woman thought for a moment and then smiled softly.

“Then, I will call you Director.”

“It’s embarrassing if you call me by that title too. Just call me Adrina, Rosé.”

“I don’t dare to call the director only by her name.”

"But…”

“That way, the system will be in order, and the director will be able to control others, so please allow me to call you this way.”

At Rosé's explanation, Adrina smiled as if she had no choice.

"Alright. Let’s do that.”

“Then it’s time to go, Director.”

Rosé opened the door and said politely.

“Everyone is waiting.”

"Okay."

Adrina looked in the mirror one last time to check there was nothing strange and then went out.

In the large hall, people who were undertaking the daunting task of taking care of children from today onwards were gathered. Most of them were priests like Adrina.

“I won’t say much.”

Adrina went up on the podium and said sternly, looking at them.

"I hope you will always be grateful to His Majesty the Emperor for the opportunity to atone. And may you promise to dedicate your life for the sake of our children."

“I promise.”

“I promise.”

The oath of promise spread like a wave.

They all vowed to devote themselves to the children more seriously and solemnly than ever.

All the priests were gathered, but we were still short of hands. We still needed many people to be in charge of chores such as cleaning and food.

“I think it can be left to commoners. Of course, they will also have to go through an interview and be chosen carefully.”

Kalian, who was reading the document while listening to my report, asked.

“Who will be interviewing them?”

“I and Priest Adrina will.”

“You too?”

Kalian's eyebrow went up.

“You must have many other things to do, so wouldn’t it be better to leave it to Priest Adrina?”

“That’s true, but it is a task entrusted to me by Your Majesty, so I want to take responsibility until the end.”

The gap between Kalian's eyebrows narrowed. He mumbled, tapping the desk with his fingertips.

“…I shouldn’t have said that.”

"Yes?"

“No, nothing.”

Kalian let out a long sigh and leaned against the backrest.

The wind blowing through the open window ruffled his hair mischievously.

Kalian touched his hair in annoyance.

The window needs to be closed.

I thought it would be better to close it myself than to call a maid or servant, so I approached the window. But the window was heavier than I thought. Even if I pulled it, it didn't pull back.

Are windows supposed to be this heavy?

Confused, I kept pulling it, and then a hand reached out from behind.

“You should take the latch off first, then close it.”

"Ah."

There's a latch, huh? 

Embarrassed that I was wrestling with the window without knowing it, I blushed and stepped back. But I shouldn't have done that. 

"Ack."

Because Kalian was right behind me.

I bumped my head on his chest and looked back in surprise. Then, Kalian's face was seen from a very close distance.

Doesn't it look like… he was holding me in his arms? 

I stopped breathing for a moment. 

I thought I had to get away quickly, but I couldn't because my body didn't listen. I couldn't even turn my head.

His long eyelashes were slightly down. His blue eyes tinged with a strange light caught my gaze. His heartbeat could be felt vividly through my back.

Kalian's unique body odor penetrated deep into my lungs, making me dizzy. As the strength in my legs loosened, my vision shook.

"Careful."

A big, strong arm wrapped around my waist. Only then did I come to my senses. 

What kind of indecent behavior am I doing? 

I clenched my teeth and strengthened my legs. And then I got away from him. Fortunately, my body listened this time.

“I'm sorry for troubling you.”

"Not really."

Kalian closed the window indifferently and turned around.

I looked at his back and took a deep breath.

My heart was pounding like crazy as if I had been running for a while. Even if I kept taking deep breaths, I could hardly calm myself down.

On the other hand, Kalian looked calm. 

I didn't think he was weird.

Because that’s normal.

Rather, I was the weird one.

I just accidentally bumped my back, and I was overreacting. 

Calm down, calm down.

As I was trying to calm myself, Kalian, who was seated again, beckoned. It meant to come here.

Hiding my pounding heart, I approached him and stood before him. He then held out a document.

“You can pass it to the High Court.”

It was a set of laws that would apply to the childcare institution. As a new institution was established, a new law had to be enacted accordingly.

My heart, which hardly calmed down, calmed down when work-related came out.

"I understand."

I was able to receive the document casually.

“What will the name of the childcare institution be?”

Usually, when an institution was established, it was named after the family in charge of the institution or the family that made the most donations. So, wouldn't it be right to name it after the surname of the Imperial family? Since it was governed by the Empire.

“I think Your Majesty can decide it as he wants.”

I couldn't say it directly, so I answered indirectly.

Kalian thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay."

He lifted his hand. It meant to get going.

I said goodbye and left the office. 

I greeted the attendant outside and headed straight to the outer palace, where the Justice Department was located.

On the way, I carefully examined the newly enacted law.

Up until now, caring for children was the temple’s job, so if there were any problems, they had to talk to the Holy See to make arrangements. However, as the job was transferred to the childcare institution managed by the Imperial family, the authority on punishment was also passed on to the Empire.

This law was amended to focus on it. Everything in the document was perfect, but there was only one problem. The name of the childcare institution had not yet been decided, so it was left blank. It would be filled as soon as it was decided, right?

I put the document back in my arms and said with a small voice the name of the childcare institution I thought of.

“Yousveldia Orphanage.”

Or should it be Cardin Orphanage after the Empire?

It was good either way. I wanted the name to be decided quickly and put up the signboard on the large building. Putting up the sign meant that the institution was doing its role.

If the sign is already made and hung, I will run and be the first who checks it out.

I hurried my steps with happy imagination.

Leila left, and Kalian tried to concentrate on his work again. But he couldn't because of the fact that he had hugged Leila gently a while ago. It was more accurate to say that she bumped into him accidentally rather than he hugged her though. 

In any case, he was bothered by the distance that was closer than necessary and the soft touch. Even though this wasn't the first time he had been so close to Leila, he was so bothered that he couldn't concentrate on his work.

Why?

Kalian pondered with a quill in his hand.

Why am I this bothered?

We only talked, and I treated her the same as usual, so what's the problem?

Kalian, who was agonizing, unintentionally strengthened his hand.

Ttug-

Unable to withstand his power, the quill broke, and the ink dripped.

Kalian narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the ink spreading chaotically over the papers.

The black ink is like Leila's eyes. The ink under the light gleams like her eyes.

“…what crazy thoughts."

With a small sudden chuckle, Kalian crumpled the ink-soaked papers and threw them in the trash.