“…Well, as expected of the princess.”

I made the right call in having the children act as a watchdog along with the director.

After all, as the adult who managed the orphanage, the director could have an audience with me. Aware of the possibility they might display a different attitude to the director than they would others, I assigned the role of spy to some of the orphans.

Thus, I came to know that although the princess’ servants were mostly apathetic towards the director, they wouldn’t hold back when it came to the children. As a result, the children were being bombarded with violent verbal abuse.

They didn’t even consider for a second that the children of the orphanage might be reporting to me.

…How foolish.

It was already common knowledge that some aristocrats would show their true nature before those who were of lower stature. Knowing that, I was naturally able to figure out who to use and how. Moreover, when it came to a person’s true nature, children were more perceptive than adults.

I’m sorry, Director, but you are the decoy this time around.

Everyone was wary of the orphanage director who reported directly to me. But precisely because the princess’ servants were completely focused on that, they neglected everything else.

“I can’t believe you can’t even control your own servants.”

Out of pity, the princess came to Lowenberg to ensure a better life for the orphans. But somehow, she managed to achieve the exact opposite of that.

“Perhaps, the princess’ dream is nothing more than a dream of being a butterfly.”

Without being asked, the children of the orphanage submitted all the necessary medical certificates, along with their reports, to me. In that aspect, they were smarter than the princess, whose education cost a fortune.

Also, the fact that they were scouting princess’ manservant, Lou, to bring him to our side, was also a promising sign for the future. As a leader, Ren wasn’t just charismatic, but he also took good care of the others. I might consider employing him at my home and paying for his education. I was sure he’d make a good aide.

I’d ask the director later.

“Like a shadow, the reward for a deed—either good or bad—always follows without fail. I have to wonder what Lou will do next.”

The princess had adopted him from the slums on a whim. It was apparent from her day-to-day behavior that she thought she was doing him a service.

However, if one did the right thing while expecting a reward, then it wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Our ancestors had often emphasized this, but the princess either didn’t know or thought that it didn’t apply to her. Either way, she was still ignorant.

“Let’s put an end to it quickly.”

I couldn’t just stand by and watch after learning the children were abused. Depending on the situation, I might have to call entire program off without waiting six months.

“Summon Her Highness and the director.”

I ordered the steward.

“—Not just the director, but Her Highness the Princess as well?”

“Precisely. She isn’t here to be a princess. She’s here to learn how to manage an orphanage.”

Now, I wonder how the princess will react when she’s summoned by me.

“Understood.”

My excellent steward probably still had something to say, but he decided against it and left the office. A few minutes later, the princess and the director came to my office.

“Iris, although I consider you to be a friend, shouldn’t you be more polite? I personally don’t really mind, but I don’t think I need to spell out what would happen if you were to attempt the same with other members of the royal family.”

“But Your Highness, in your own words, ‘Our status doesn’t matter,’ remember? Furthermore, if said royalty were well aware of their own position, then they wouldn’t have had any problem being summoned by me. Right now, you are standing here not as the member of the royal family, but as the manager of the orphanage.”

Judging from the confusion on the princess’ face, she didn’t seem to have grasped the situation. Waiting for it to dawn on her would have been a waste of time, so I cut straight to the case.

“At any rate, the reason behind my summon isn’t Your Highness, but the servants you brought with you.”

“They’re very good at their job.”

The princess said proudly, puffing out her chest.

Well, of course, because she’s blind.

She continued.

“—With this, I hope that you can finally see why my servants are indispensable to the orphanage.”

The princess recommended her method to me. Having read the children’s report, she looked more like a clown than anything else.

“Your Highness, please send all the servants you brought back to the royal palace.”

“Fuweh?”

Apparently, my words were so unexpected that she sputtered. As a fellow lady, I understood how embarrassing that was, so I didn’t point it out.

I presented both the report and the children’s medical certificates to the princess.

“The orphanage doesn’t need anyone who’d harm the children.”

“—That can’t be! Everyone is kind! There has to be a mistake!”

You believe in the goodness of others a tad too much.

People’s attitudes changed depending on who they were interacting with.

Because of her royal status and the fact that she didn’t have any siblings, she never had to leave her comfort zone.

“Your Highness is the princess, while the children are orphans. Those servants were given the necessary education to serve you, not orphans, which would explain the discrepancy in their attitudes. Also, just to be clear, these medical certificates aren’t forgeries. In fact, they were written by the royal physician, whom you brought with you for the sake of the children.”

Although there was a doctor at the orphanage, I was afraid that he’d be discredited due to his low status, so I asked the royal physician instead. Of course, I also had him examine the children. However, I didn’t mention that they were being abused by the princess’ maids.

Otherwise, the physician might have sided with the princess and refused to write a single medical certificate, if not outright forge them.

“Please send your servants back to the royal palace.”

“…I can’t just listen to one side of the story? They’re all kind people who serve me well.”

Can I smack her?

Even though she tried to unilaterally dismiss the original staff of the orphanage, when it came to her own servants, she was quick to jump to their defense.

“I understand. By the way, Your Highness, the reason why something like this happened is because Your Highness isn’t paying close attention. I’m not saying you aren’t allowed to have tea time, but please pay more attention to the orphanage.”

Once those servants were sent back to the palace, I’d had my steward spread the word about the reason.

“But the children act distant with me…”

The princess seemed very displeased.

Surely, she came with the expectation that she’d be loved, respected, and be asked to play every day. In reality, the children of the orphanage were vigilant and had a hard time bonding with strangers. Even more so with someone who had dismissed their beloved teachers.

“Children in orphanages have various issues. The depth and type of trauma they suffered are also different. Look at them properly, try to understand them and build trust. This won’t happen overnight. Your Highness has no choice but to do something about it on her own.” 

“I understand…”

---

***T/N: (The princess) NO NO NO, the children have to understand me instead!

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