Chapter 10

* * *

‘My hands must be dirty from rolling on the floor.’

Throughout the time he was being dragged by Elly, Damian thought blankly about such things.

In fact, the situation still felt like a dream to him.

‘I’ve never seen her angry before.’

Why was she angry?

Was it because I’m weak and troublesome? Or is this all just a dream?

Then, Elly suddenly stopped.

Damian also stopped in his tracks.

“Damian.”

Elly’s expression as she turned to look at him was terrifying.

She looked both angry and as if she was trying to hold back tears.

“Why are you just standing there?”

“...”

“Why aren’t you resisting?”

The question Elly had been holding back was filled with sorrow.

It seemed as if she was trying to hold back tears.

Damian hesitated to reach out, afraid that his dirty hands would soil Elly’s face.

“You...”

Should I ask? Damian’s lips trembled as he spoke in a low voice.

“...Do you pity me?”

The question that came out of his mouth was not an answer to Elly’s question.

He knew it himself, but the words came out uncontrollably.

“Is Elly taking care of me because she pities me?”

“...”

“If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry about me.”

Damian bowed his head deeply. He had to swallow his tears several times.

“I’m used to this, so it’s fine...”

“Damian.”

Elly cut him off.

“Did you think I pitied you?”

Damian remained silent, tightly closing his mouth.

A moment of silence passed. The cold wind and the slowly falling snow filled the gap between them. Damian squeezed his eyes shut.

Then,

“I’m sorry for making you think that.”

An unexpected response came back.

Damian looked up at Elly with a disbelieving expression.

Elly was looking at him with a suppressed expression. Damian’s eyes widened.

“I’m sorry for saying you looked weak. I should have apologized right away.”

“...”

“I was wrong. I’m really sorry, Damian.”

It was a simple apology, but it didn’t feel superficial.

He could feel Elly’s sincerity.

Elly genuinely did not think Damian was weak.

He was a child who had overcome hardships and survived tenaciously. Damian was stronger than anyone.

“I, I didn’t want to hear an apology, I just...”

Damian stumbled, unable to find the right words.

It was strange. Elly’s words didn’t seem to fit him. They didn’t fit. But, but...

Thud. A tear rolled down Damian’s pale cheek.

“Eh...”

Damian touched his cheek in surprise.

The tears had come without him realizing.

Damian wiped his cheek in a panic, but the tears wouldn’t stop.

As Damian rubbed his cheeks, a slightly cold hand guided him.

“Wiping like that will hurt and make it sore.”

Elly, who had moved closer, held his hand.

Again.

It felt like drinking a lot of hot water and being covered in a warm blanket.

It was so unfamiliar that Damian shed more tears, like beads.

With that, his mouth started to move uncontrollably.

“I, I thought Elly found me annoying.”

“Me? Why?”

“Just...”

The pent-up sorrow exploded. Despite never having confided in anyone before.

“Damian, stop crying. Your wounds will hurt.”

“Does Elly dislike me?”

Elly hesitated at the question.

Damian, with tears brimming in his blue eyes, sniffled and looked up at Elly.

The grip on his hand tightened, a force that couldn’t be felt from a child.

Elly hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

“Why would I dislike you? I don’t dislike you.”

“...Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Then, why, why did you avoid my eyes?”

“Huh...?”

Elly blinked, confused by the question. Damian sniffled, his face full of tears.

“It’s bad for your heart... I’m sure Elly...”

“Hey, that’s...”

Because your face is too beautiful. It was frustrating that she couldn’t answer straightforwardly.

Ugh. Elly’s face was also starting to turn red.

“No, not because I dislike you. Just, a bit...”

Elly’s words made Damian start to sniffle again.

“I won’t avoid your eyes. I promise!”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. Look, pinky promise.”

Elly shook the pinky finger they were holding.

So, stop. Damian sniffled at Elly’s words.

But his emotions were still not under control, and he continued to sniff.

“From now on, I’ll keep holding your hand.”

“Yeah, let’s hold hands.”

“...Even when we eat, I’ll sit next to you.”

“Okay, I understand.”

That way, Elly was able to calm Damian down after a few reassurances.

“What’s this? Your pretty face is a mess.”

Elly scolded him gently, looking at his red, swollen eyes and face covered in wounds.

“Next time, don’t just take it. Fight back.”

“Okay.”

“No one can treat you however they want. Got it?”

“Okay.”

“If you have any concerns, ask right away. Don’t suffer alone.”

“...Okay.”

The last answer was a beat late.

Elly smiled, as if giving up, and stroked Damian’s head.

Damian sniffled but accepted Elly’s touch obediently.

“Let’s go in now. We need to treat your wounds.”

Damian nodded and followed Elly closely.

Suddenly, his chest felt warm, just like before.

“Damian. There are people who can help you, definitely.”

“You can trust them.”

“You’ll be happy.”

Elly’s words were true.

This feeling was happiness.

Even though tears were streaming down his face, he felt good.

Like the falling snow, it was the moment Damian’s mental walls crumbled.

* * *

“Okay, all done.”

After rolling around, Damian’s body was covered in wounds.

I gently swept my hand over his still red, swollen eyes after finishing the treatment.

It was already deep into the night, and the children were already sleeping soundly.

Despite the time that had passed, the Karsen group had not arrived.

‘It’s not my problem anyway.’

“Okay, let’s go to sleep.”

As I said this, I started to tidy up the ointment, but my sleeve was tugged.

Turning around, I saw Damian fidgeting with his lips.

“What’s wrong?”

“...Can I sleep with Elly?”

“With me?”

Blinking, Damian nodded, his cheeks turning red.

“I keep having nightmares, so I’m scared...”

“But the bed is small and it might be uncomfortable.”

Hesitating, I drew out my words, and Damian’s face fell, his eyes blinking.

“Can’t I...?”

How could I say no to that face?

‘It’s not a big deal anyway.’

Unable to resist, I nodded, and Damian smiled brightly as if he had never cried.

Sliding into the bed, Damian quickly lay down next to me.

Looking up at me, his eyes no longer held the same loneliness.

Perhaps I, a mere first-year student, had managed to ease this child’s sadness a little. The thought made me feel a bit proud.

I tidied Damian’s messy hair while recalling the conversation I had heard in the principal’s office.

‘The principal definitely mentioned Duke Schwaetz.’

The duke would come here as soon as possible.

In other words, the time Damian and I could spend together was limited.

Thinking about this made me feel a bit nostalgic. I had grown attached to him in this short time.

“Elly, what are you thinking about?”

The perceptive Damian poked his head out and asked.

“Just that, being like this makes us seem like siblings.”

Suddenly, Damian tightly closed his mouth.