Chapter 51

"......What's this?"

Mary's low voice echoed in the silent carriage.

Everyone turned their faces away as if to avoid answering, and only a sigh followed.

The scenery outside the window, which should have been peaceful, had suddenly changed. Despite the sunlight, a gloomy shadow loomed over everything. The buildings, lined up, were visibly dilapidated, and many had cracked windows.

In just a few minutes, the carriage ride had stripped away the children's cheerful voices and the vibrant atmosphere. The idyllic scene from a moment ago seemed like a lie.

But for Anna, this was probably a daily sight. She poked her head out the window and said her home was nearby.

"That's right... Anna's home is around here..."

"But there's no one at home... not even your mother..."

"In that case, let's spend a little more time together. I need to have a talk, and it would be a great help if Anna could come with me."

Will you come with me? Mary asked, and Anna brightened and nodded.

Perhaps she thought she would be sent back to an empty house. Of course, that wasn't going to happen.

However, she couldn't be present during the discussion with the lord. It was a complicated matter for a child, and an argument could hurt Anna.

I don't want Anna to hear harsh words.

...But,

"The talk is about beating them up and taking everything!"

At Anna's words, Mary frowned.

"N-no, that's not it. That's just a figure of speech... You shouldn't use such violent words."

"They beat us up and take everything!"

"Oh dear, I've had a bad influence on her."

Mary and Patrick exchanged glances. "Beating up" and "taking everything" were words they had used. Young Anna had learned them without understanding their severity.

Mary bowed her head, feeling guilty. What if they became her catchphrases?

Patrick also tried to correct her, saying, "You shouldn't use those words," but his words lacked conviction since he had used them himself.

"Miss and Master Patrick, you shouldn't worry so much. Children tend to remember and use the words they shouldn't."

Adie smiled wryly and consoled them.

Anna added, "They beat us up and take everything!" and laughed when Adie covered her mouth with her hand.

Mary rubbed her abdomen, watching the exchange. Would her own child, like Anna, joyfully use newly learned words—especially those that would trouble her parents? She hoped her child would only learn beautiful words, but that might not be possible.

Noticing Mary's gesture, Patrick called her name. When asked what was wrong, Mary quickly removed her hand from her abdomen.

He must have already noticed, but Alicia didn't know about Mary's pregnancy. Patrick probably wanted to keep it a secret for now to avoid a commotion. Mary nodded in response to his sharp blue gaze.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it."

"I understand your concern for Anna, but don't overexert yourself."

"Yes, thank you."

He masked his concern and even played along. How reliable he was.

Mary glanced at Alicia, grateful, wondering if she had managed to hide it...

She caught her breath at the stern profile staring out the window.

Her words faltered. Alicia's expression was so severe, yet so beautiful that it left her speechless.

Alicia's purple eyes captured the stark contrast between rich and poor, and her well-formed lips were tightly pressed together, perhaps to suppress her anger. Her expression was so intense that it almost felt oppressive. If Mary had met Alicia in this state, she would have felt respect and awe.

It seemed that Adie also sensed the oppressive aura, as he looked at Alicia with a surprised expression. Patrick, sitting next to her, gazed at her profile and gently stroked her arm.

Alicia turned to them, her golden hair fluttering and her purple eyes wide with surprise. It was her usual expression.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought... What were we talking about again?"

"...Alicia, you seemed to be thinking about something serious."

"That's... Since the scenery changed, I've seen many children alone... I heard from one of the Eldland family's servants that in some parts of Silvino, many parents can't raise their children..."

Alicia looked out the window again, her expression pained.

She explained that the wealth gap in Silvino was severe, and in some areas, there were no job opportunities. Even if there were, the wealthy took most of the intermediary fees.

As a result, the wealth gap widened, and those who were oppressed couldn't even earn a living.

In dire straits, some breadwinners, like Anna's father, left home, and some children were sent to live with others. Orphanages were all full.

If Anna's mother didn't recover, she would have to live in an orphanage.

Alicia must have seen herself in Anna and the children separated from their parents.

"At the orphanage where I lived, children were left for various reasons. Some had no choice, and for some, it was the best option. Of course, life in the orphanage wasn't bad... But it's painful to see parents and children who want to be together forced to live apart."

Parents and children were separated due to poverty, and the lord turned a blind eye to it.

Alicia couldn't accept this. Though her tone was calm, her words carried a weighty pressure.

She wasn't just complaining like usual; she was indignant as a princess of a nation, criticizing the lax system of another country.

Her purple eyes turned to Mary, beautiful and noble.

"Lady Mary, I can't stand to see Anna and others suffer. If I can help, I will attend the meeting as a princess."

"Yes, that's a good idea..."

Mary responded, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by Alicia's determination.

She had expected Alicia to say, "Let's protect Anna and the land!" and perhaps even shake hands. Instead, she was calm and composed, determined to act as a powerful princess, suppressing her anger and memories from her time in the orphanage.

Mary, feeling slightly intimidated, said sarcastically, "Act like a princess," and Alicia, back to her usual self, replied, "Leave it to me!" and patted her chest.

As if to support Alicia's resolve, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

The scenery outside had returned to its peaceful state. They had apparently moved to a wealthier area.

The stark contrast within the same region was almost dizzying.

But there was no time to dwell on it. The carriage door was knocked on, and Gaius appeared.

"We've arrived. The lord is waiting here."

"Here?"

"It's the lord's villa. ...One of many."

Gaius's voice was almost a growl.

Villas themselves weren't a bad thing. The Albert family and the Eldland family owned several, and even wealthy non-nobles had vacation homes in distant places.

If this were a normal situation, Mary might have casually commented, "What a grand villa."

But with the recent scenes still fresh in her mind, she couldn't bring herself to praise it. Instead, it only made her angrier.

While the lord had multiple villas, his subjects were forced to live in dilapidated homes.

This arrogance was intolerable.

Something had to be done.

Just as she reaffirmed her resolve, a high voice called out, "Anna!"

Everyone turned, and Anna shouted, "Mom!" and ran out.

There were Lang and Lucian, and behind them, Robert.

...And a woman.

She was probably ten years older than Mary, very thin, and looked unwell, as if she might collapse at any moment.

The woman called Anna's name repeatedly and, despite her unsteady steps, ran to her.

Anna threw herself into her mother's arms, and the woman held her tightly.

"Mom, mom...!"

"Anna, why didn't you go to the facility? I was so worried when I found out you weren't there!"

"I'm sorry, mom, I just... I had to see you!"

"I'm so glad you're safe... You must have been scared...!"

They called each other's names, as if to confirm they were both safe, and held each other tightly.

Anna buried her face in her mother's chest and began to cry, a loud, childlike cry that seemed to release all the fear and loneliness she had been holding back.

Her mother, too, was shaking, holding Anna so tightly it seemed she might crush her.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief at the reunion.