Chapter 27
Nivellia grinned and gently bumped her head against Aref’s arm.
“Aref, were you waiting for Nini?”
“I heard a scream earlier… I got worried…”
“It’s fine! That was just Nini pretending. Sometimes it doesn’t even hurt, but I act like it does anyway.”
That way, adults give you snacks or act extra nice.
Nivellia whispered this like a secret business tip.
“…Have you always faked being hurt on purpose?”
Muniel gave her granddaughter a look of sheer disbelief.
With a helpless laugh, she reached out and grabbed both children by the hand.
But Aref quietly pulled his hand away and instead took Nivellia’s other hand.
Muniel blinked, surprised.
“Oh my. Did I just get rejected?”
“I have to protect the young lady.”
Though he shot Muniel an apologetic glance, Aref firmly declared that he needed to fulfill his duty.
“Well, well…”
Muniel looked at Aref with fond admiration.
“You’re very impressive. Yes, please protect Nivellia well.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Aref replied proudly.
“You’re totally my subordinate!”
Nivellia beamed, nodding in approval.
“Alright then, let’s go to the main house. It’s time to collect the great and mighty reward for your heroic deeds.”
At the main house, in Caleo’s office, Nivellia’s eyes went wide.
So… many… people…!
The moment they stepped into the entrance hall, a crowd was there to greet them.
Thankfully, they were all familiar faces—her mom and dad, her grandfather, the family secretary, and even some of the employees who used to deliver paperwork to her mom from the Rubeo Corporation.
“Nini, Aref!”
Soles, who had arrived ahead of them, waved them over.
“You’re finally here.”
Caleo stepped in front of the children.
“I’ve gathered you today to acknowledge and celebrate the great service you’ve done for House Deiamor.”
“What does that mean?” Nivellia asked.
“It means I’m going to praise you,” Caleo replied with a smile.
He gave a signal to his secretary.
Upon seeing the man, Nivellia smirked mischievously.
“Secretary Secretary!”
“Good day, young lady. Seeing you tease me the moment we meet has made my entire day delightful.”
“Heehee! Secretary cries when I say ‘Secretary Secretary’!”
“I really don’t cry like that…”
Handling the teasing with a practiced grace, the secretary handed something to Caleo.
On a blue velvet cushion embroidered with gold thread sat three golden coins.
Caleo distributed them to the children, one by one.
“Thanks to all of you, House Deiamor and Rubeo avoided a terrible disaster. And you helped save a young girl in danger. That’s something truly admirable.”
Soles had recognized the ominous meanings of the flowers thanks to his diligent studying.
Aref had sensed danger from experience.
And Nivellia had discovered the girl trapped in the shed.
The greatest credit for what had happened belonged to the children—undeniably.
“These coins are just the beginning. A small part of the many rewards you’ll be receiving.”
“We’re getting more?”
Nivellia bounced in place, wide-eyed, holding her coin with awe.
“You think your dad’s just going to stop there?”
Caleo looked mock-offended.
“For your achievements, each of you will be awarded fifty million Uba.”
The children’s eyes widened like saucers.
“And yes—that’s each!”
“KYAAA!!”
Nivellia screamed and collapsed with joy.
As a token of gratitude, House Deiamor and Rubeo awarded each of the children fifty million Uba and gifted them with custom-made solid gold brooches.
Heart-shaped brooches, symbolizing the Deiamor family, adorned the children’s clothing.
Crafted from pure gold and decorated with small diamonds and red rubies, the brooches were as valuable as the children’s bonuses.
“They look beautiful,”
Ardores said with a warm smile.
“Would it be alright if I hugged them one by one?”
Celletina asked gently.
She embraced each child tightly and kissed them on the cheek.
“Thank you so much. You’ve helped your mother more than you know.”
“R-Really?”
Soles replied, blushing. She was ten years old and felt a little shy being kissed in front of everyone. But deep down, she was proud to have been useful.
“Of course. I can’t even express how proud I am of you.”
Celletina then explained what the children had accomplished.
“You helped rescue an injured person, you exposed a villain who tried to deceive us with lies, and thanks to the damages clause we added to the contract, we’re going to receive a proper settlement.”
The books and income statements the Floods submitted to the authorities were mostly fake, but they had made real money.
It was dirty money—illegal income, often called “black money.”
Now, according to the contract, the money legally belonged to the victims: the Deiamor and Rubeo families.
“…But it’s money they should have never had.”
Rubeo was currently investigating the couple’s past. Once everything was uncovered, the money would be returned to those they had harmed.
Further legal charges would also be filed against the Floods for their crimes.
“You did it, Nini! You did something really good!”
“I’m so glad we were able to help!”
“Me too… I’m really happy!”
The children were filled with excitement over what they had done.
They felt proud to have supported the adults—and thankful that the adults had trusted them.
A warm, happy feeling spread through their hearts.
“Thank you!”
Nivellia said cheerfully, just like she had learned in kindergarten.
“Thank you!”
“Go, thank you!”
Soles and Aref echoed happily.
And that marked the end of the touching ceremony.
The adults returned to their work, while the children, left behind, followed Muniel and Ardores to the annex.
“Nini, do you like the brooch?”
Muniel asked softly.
“Umm… I’m not sure!”
Nivellia admitted honestly.
“Actually, I like the money more!”
“Yon-suk. Good thing you didn’t say that in front of your father.”
“I didn’t want to upset him. But still, thank you for the brooch.”
Muniel and Ardores exchanged a knowing glance.
Since starting kindergarten, Nivellia had grown so much in her ability to express herself.
“We probably should have hired a tutor earlier.
Homeschooling is fine, but Nivellia clearly blossoms when she’s around other kids.”
“Grandma.”
“Yes?”
“Is she… is she getting better?”
Nivellia asked quietly, referring to the rescued girl.
The girl found at the flower farm’s warehouse was not yet fifteen.
Her condition, when Deter had discovered her, had been very serious.
She had hidden her injuries under a blanket. It was something no child should ever have to see.
Fortunately, thanks to Muniel and the doctor’s care, the girl survived.
But she hadn’t woken up yet. She now rested in one of the annex’s guest rooms.
“She’s recovering, but still hasn’t regained consciousness.”
“Why don’t we go see her?”
Ardores suggested gently.
“You may have saved her life. She might wake up if she hears your voice.”
“No! She needs a kiss!”
Nivellia exclaimed suddenly, remembering a story she’d heard in a fairy tale.
“If you kiss a sleeping princess, she wakes up!”
“If you kiss someone who’s sleeping without permission, you could be arrested for harassment,”
Ardores said firmly, stopping the children.
“Whether someone is asleep, unconscious, or simply weaker than you—it’s wrong to touch them without their consent.”
“Does that mean… jail?”
Nivellia, who had once spent five seconds in jail for violating child labor laws, suddenly looked serious.
“Yes. Kissing someone without permission could lead to more than five years in prison.”
Nivellia shivered.
“Five is more than four! That’s older than me! I’m only four!”
“Exactly. So never kiss someone unless they say it’s okay,”
Ardores said, turning to Soles and Aref.
The two boys nodded quickly.
“Good.”
Before entering the annex, the boys picked a few flowers from the garden.
While Ardores trimmed the stems, Muniel helped the children wash their hands.
“What’s her name, anyway?”
Soles asked.
“I think it’s Azel… maybe?”
Muniel answered, a little unsure, and gave a small shrug.
“We’re here.”
They opened the door to a guest room. A strong herbal scent filled the air.
Nivellia saw the girl lying quietly in bed.
Her dark ochre hair fanned out across the pillow like forest soil.
Though her skin was pale, her breathing was steady and calm.
Freckles dotted the bridge of her nose, and her lips had a faint rosy tint.
“Zanda…”
Nivellia whispered softly.
“Is she like this because they hurt her…?”
Aref asked, his voice full of concern.
“Yes,”
Muniel said gently.
“She was locked in a warehouse for a long time. She wasn’t fed properly, and her feet were tied so tightly she couldn’t even move.”
There were other signs of abuse, but Muniel didn’t want to share more than the children could handle.
“She needs food and rest to regain her strength.”
“Can’t you heal her with your powers?”
Soles asked.
“Being a saint doesn’t mean I can do everything,”
Muniel replied with a faint, bittersweet smile.
“A saint can save someone close to death—but it comes at a cost. If I push too far, I might die myself.”
Soles and Aref’s eyes widened with shock.
But Nivellia simply nodded. She already knew.
She had known since she was a cat.
“I did everything I could. So don’t be too sad for her.”
