Chapter 1

### Chapter 1 (1/218)

When I opened my eyes, I saw the ceiling of a shabby attic.

"…Here we go again."

I quietly got up, took off my only nightgown, and changed into a ragged dress.

Among the clothes I had left, the only one without tears was the nightgown.

The rest were patched up with clumsy sewing skills.

Before the headmistress could come yelling, I quickly left the attic and went into the kitchen.

"Ah, I'm so tired…"

I was used to going to bed late and waking up early, but that didn't mean I wasn't tired.

I hurriedly took out a large pot and put in all the leftover vegetables from yesterday.

With such poor ingredients, I could only make soup.

Outwardly, I was just a nine-year-old child, but the headmistress seemed to think I was nineteen.

Originally, meal preparation was rotated, but it had become my responsibility at some point.

More accurately, the other children had pushed it onto me, and the headmistress pretended not to notice.

'Sigh. It's better to eat what I make than what the other kids make. I need to think positively…'

I tried to rationalize it and inwardly gnashed my teeth at the headmistress.

The only silver lining was that I knew how to cook to some extent.

Staring at the bubbling pot, I forced my heavy eyelids open.

"…"

At that moment, my stomach made a small growling sound.

But even though the soup was almost ready, I couldn't eat it first.

What was left for me was whatever remained after the other children had taken their portions.

The headmistress was extremely displeased when I tried to get my bowl.

Once, when I was so hungry that I tried to sneak a piece of bread, I faced the headmistress's demonic face.

"It was my portion anyway."

But I definitely didn't want to hear the headmistress's scolding, which was more like a barrage of complaints.

'I won't eat it if it's dirty and despicable.'

Soon, the children started to come down, making noise.

The sight of them rubbing their sleepy eyes and finding their seats was starkly different from my own situation.

Even though the children and the headmistress had started eating, I couldn't sit and eat with them.

I showed the headmistress my portion on a plate and only then could I stand and eat.

Since there wasn't much to begin with, my meal didn't take long to finish.

"Once you're done, go clean up first."

At the headmistress's harsh words, I shrank back.

If I didn't act obediently, she would glare at me and torment my ears.

I quietly left the dining room and took out a broom.

The orphanage, though not very large, got dirty every day, no matter how much I cleaned.

The other children did help with the cleaning, but in reality, I was the only one who did any real cleaning.

The others either made a mess with the mop or walked through the water, making things twice as dirty.

"Cough, cough. It's so dirty."

Sweeping up the dust in the corner made me cough.

Cleaning was something I was very familiar with, having done it to the point of exhaustion in my previous life.

"If I grow up, I can work as a cleaner."

I muttered sarcastically and continued sweeping.

One year ago, when I opened my eyes in this child's body, I was utterly bewildered.

I thought I had died in a traffic accident, but here I was, an eight-year-old girl.

Now, I was a year older, nine, but I was still a child.

Moreover, I was in the same situation as when I was a child.

"Aila is lovely, right?"

I realized I was in the world of the novel I had been reading after hearing the name of the Helcion Empire.

Fortunately, I clearly remembered the year the original story began.

The year 1220 of the Imperial Calendar. The protagonist's birthday was December 20, whether by the author's intention or not.

In any case, it was exactly ten years before the original story began.

'I'm just an extra who doesn't even appear in the novel.'

I sighed deeply and continued cleaning.

"Hey, black hair!"

Then, a voice that made my ears ring called out.

Ah, here we go again.

"Yes, what is it?"

I suppressed my rising frustration and answered meekly.

If I ignored or talked back, it would be chaos.

Lily, whom the headmistress favored, was a child who lacked common sense.

"The headmistress is calling you."

"…Why?"

"Who knows? Probably because you didn't clean properly. And don't talk to me!"

Lily, with a venomous expression, shot back and ran off.

Who always starts the conversation? I don't want to talk to you either.

Her audacity left me speechless.

"Could you at least tell me what it's about…"

I leaned the broom against the wall, washed my hands with cold water, and headed to the headmistress's office.

Knock knock

"Headmistress, it's Rita."

There was no response from the other side of the closed wooden door.

"Headmistress, it's black hair…"

Since the headmistress detested being called by my name, I knocked again and called myself "black hair."

Then, I heard heavy footsteps, and the door swung open.

"You! I told you not to call yourself by a name!"

Correct.

The headmistress's face, with her eyes wide open, twisted into a demonic expression.

It's not like my black hair caused her any harm.

I swallowed my complaints.

"I'm sorry."

Bowing my head obediently, the headmistress seemed to calm down a bit and gestured for me to come in.

She usually would have yelled immediately, but something was different today.

"Go to the market and get today's ingredients."

…Forget it, she's not in a good mood.

I forced a smile.

"But, today is Lily's turn to go…"

"Don't contradict me! Lily is going to get new clothes, so you, who have nothing to do, should go!"

I tried to object gently, but all I got was a yell.

Nothing to do?

She was shamelessly lying.

'I'm the busiest one in the orphanage, responsible for cleaning and meals.'

How could she be so similar in every aspect?

It seemed that evil orphanage directors existed everywhere, whether in Korea or here.

The orphanage I was in during my previous life was also not a place I could call good.

"…Yes, I understand."

"Then go."

I bit my lip and bowed deeply before leaving the headmistress's office.

'Yesterday and the day before, I was the one who brought the ingredients.'

My arms ached from carrying heavy vegetables for two days in a row.

I felt a wave of injustice, but I didn't have the courage to go back to the headmistress's office and say I didn't want to go.

In an orphanage where I couldn't run away, defying the headmistress would only get me locked in the storage room.

I had tried to run away before.

Although I was in a child's body, my mind wasn't young, and I thought I could survive somehow.

Not long after I woke up here, I attempted to escape when everyone was asleep.

But things didn't go as planned, and my escape attempt failed.

I was caught by a villager on my way down the mountain and dragged back to the orphanage.

After that, I was locked in a small, dark storage room for a week.

After that, I gave up on running away. With my appearance, I would be discriminated against wherever I went.

At least until I was old enough to take care of myself.

***

I pulled my tattered robe over my head, grabbed a basket, and left the orphanage.

Narrowing my eyes, I looked up at the sky, and the sun shone brightly.

My gloomy mood improved a bit.

"The headmistress said she would go with Lily today, so… I can take my time."

Usually, I had to hurry back to avoid the headmistress's anger, but today, I didn't need to.

Thanks to that, I walked a bit more leisurely.

Actually, the shoes I was wearing were a size too small, and I often got blisters from walking for a long time.

Walking fast also made my feet hurt.

"Hurry up!"

"Fresh fish for sale!"

As I entered the market, the noisy voices filled my ears.

"I wish they had possessed me as a normal child."

In other novels, that's how it usually goes. Why can't I escape the life of an orphan?

Looking at this, it seems that people are born with a certain destiny.

"Look, there's the cursed black hair."

Although it wasn't mentioned in the original story, there was a legend in this place that people with black hair were descendants of demons.

People easily ostracized and despised others based on this unverified legend.

So, I always covered my head with a tattered robe when I went out, but the villagers who knew me didn't care.

"Damn! Is there something wrong with your business this morning? Don't look at that."

"Why are you causing trouble by coming out?"

I quickened my pace at their words.

Even though I covered my head, the criticism directed at me didn't stop.

I felt sad that I couldn't even enjoy the rare moments of solitude.

My mood, which had improved a bit due to the clear weather, plummeted in an instant.

I hurried to a shop in the alley and called out to the owner cautiously.

"Sir, I'm here to pick up today's portion."

Fortunately, Mr. Philip greeted me with a smile.

"Rita! You're here again today?"

"Yes, the headmistress said she would go with Lily to get new clothes."

"That's right. I think you need a new dress more than Lily. …Here, have this. I'll get your things ready quickly."

"Thank you…"

I carefully took the plum Mr. Philip offered.

Now that I think about it, was this the first time I had eaten a plum here?

Plums were very popular in the orphanage, so they never reached me.

Taking a bite of the shiny, beautiful plum, the sweet and sour juice burst in my mouth.

"…It's delicious."

"Haha, isn't it? My wife told me to give this to Rita."

"Mrs. Megan?"

"Yes. She polished the best one for you."

Hearing that, my heart warmed.

Not everyone in the village liked me, but Mr. Philip and Mrs. Megan were really good people.

Even if their kindness was out of pity, I appreciated it.

"No, it's enough. I'm very grateful."

"…Is it? The things I can do are so limited."

As Mr. Philip stroked my head, I almost cried like a child.

Maybe because I was acting like a child to avoid strange looks, my emotions were easily swayed.

Was my mind also becoming younger along with my body?

I tried to sound as calm as possible.

"No, it's enough. I'm very grateful."

"…Is it? Are you sure you can carry it alone? Today's things are quite heavy."

At his kind words, I smiled and shook my head.

"It's okay. You need to take care of your business."

"You brat. If you want to eat plums again, come secretly. I'll always keep some for you."

"Yes, I'll go now."

I quickly left the alley, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.

The heavy basket full of vegetables pressed on my delicate shoulders, but I couldn't afford to dawdle since a lot of time had already passed.

'If I'm late, the children will tell on me to the headmistress.'

Hastily running, I didn't see the person walking towards me.

"Ah!"

Bumping into a solid body like a big rock, I fell on my bottom.

The impact made the basket I was holding fall to the ground, and a few potatoes and onions rolled out.

My robe, which had been covering my face, also came off, but I was more worried about the fallen basket.

"Ah, no."

If even one was missing, the headmistress would starve me.

"I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry."

I bowed deeply to the person I had bumped into and picked up the scattered potatoes and onions.

"…Eight, nine."

One potato was missing.

Looking around with a pale face, I saw a potato appear in front of me.

"Here it is."

A low voice reached my ears.

Seeing the potato on the large hand, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you."

The person who had picked up the potato for me was much taller than me and had a robe over their head, so I couldn't see their face.

I put the potato in the basket and thanked them again.

'Thanks to you, I won't go hungry.'

Just as I was about to leave, the man knelt down in front of me.

"Can I ask you something?"

"…Yes, you can ask."

I was already late, but since he had picked up the potato for me.

"Can I ask where you live?"

Hesitating for a moment, I answered softly.

"I live at the Risen Orphanage over there."

I pointed in the direction of the orphanage, and the man's gaze followed.

"Can I go there? I'll be in trouble if I don't go quickly."

Speaking anxiously, the man quickly spoke again.

"Can I ask one more thing?"

"Yes."

"What's your name?"

At the orphanage, they called me "black hair," but I did have a name.

"I'm Rita. I don't have a last name."

"…I see. You…"

The man muttered my name, but I was getting anxious and said I had to go.

"Thank you for picking up the potato. I'll go now."

"…Okay. Take care."

The man, who had been silent for a moment, greeted me with a low voice.

Feeling relieved, I started running quickly towards the orphanage.

"See you soon. …My daughter."

I didn't hear the man's last words.

***

The man, who had been watching the direction Erita had gone, only stood up after she disappeared.

"Kyle."

The man called out softly, and a knight in the same robe appeared behind him.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I'm going to the Risen Orphanage tomorrow. I won't reveal my identity, so prepare accordingly."

"Sir… Is it really her?"

Kyle's question made the man nod in satisfaction and smile.

The black hair passed down through generations and the beautiful purple eyes that resembled his deceased wife.

The girl looked a lot like his wife.

Moreover, the vast magical power lurking in her chest was very familiar.

A power that no one else could possess.

The familiar magical power he had felt a year ago.

It was only a faint wave, so it took a year to find her, but he finally did.

"It's Erita."

"…"

"My lost daughter."

"I will follow your orders, sir."

Kyle bowed in submission and disappeared.

Alone, the man's eyes darkened as he looked at the Risen Orphanage.

The tattered clothes Erita was wearing,

The worn-out shoes.

The heavy basket that a child could hardly carry.

The red, swollen hands of the child were vivid in his mind.

A child who should have been raised more precious than anyone else.

"Dear daughter. Erita."

Aslan's face, looking in the direction Erita had disappeared, showed a handsome yet eerie smile.

"I'll come to get you soon."

Just wait a little longer.