Chapter 10 - Promise

Chapter 10 - Promise

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Melanie

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The world faded out as time came to a standstill.

Only Alexius stood before me with his eyes closed shut and his arm extended in a formal gesture.

These patterns suggested…no! Was he…was this what I thought it was? But I don’t remember doing anything particularly endearing to him. Sigh…how should I turn him down?

Behind me, Layla let out a sharp gasp as she stared. She could barely contain her excitement.

“Melanie! Is this boy—”

I took a step back, then another. Just as I was about to open my mouth and reject him, Alexius finally read the room.

“Wait…no!” His voice cracked as he suddenly shot upright. His face flushed a deeper shade of red. “No…that’s not what I meant! A party. Adventurers together…but not like that.”

His hands waved frantically as he tried to explain.

“Will you form a party with me as adventurers?”

“Oh,” Layla’s response came from behind me, her voice mixed with amusement and disappointment.

Alexius ran his hand through his hair and scratched his head, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like that…I just thought that we would make a good party together. You’re skilled with magic, and I can wield a sword, and—”

“Stop,” I interrupted.

He paused mid-sentence and finally lifted his eyes, meeting mine.

Earnest, unwavering eyes. That expression felt reminiscent of…someone. Who? My memory refused to cooperate. Was it someone from my fifth life? Or was it my second? Someone had once looked at me like that, before—

No! Don’t think about it. I don’t want to remember that mistake anymore.

Attachments are temporary; everything—this orphanage, Layla, and even this boy—would one day fade away.

It was simply not worth the risks. Logic suggested that I say no. A quiet, austere life at the orphanage was the safer choice. But my feet had stopped moving backwards without my permission. Why? Why can’t I bring myself to reject him?

Was it because of his eyes? Why did looking at him—

Stop analyzing. Just say it already, a simple two-letter word.

I forced my lips apart.

“I don’t know why. But... sure.”

The words slipped out before I could analyze them.

“We work well together, so it’s…practical. You’re competent in close combat, so you can serve as the distraction while I back you up.”

Something in my chest tugged at my explanation, but I dismissed it.

The smile that spread across Alexius as those words came out was brighter than the morning sun.

“Really?” he asked in disbelief, barely containing the excitement.

“Haa…yes, really.” I turned towards Layla, who was watching us with a gentle smile. “Will you be alright without me?”

Layla slowly crept toward me before giving me a tight hug. “Melanie, you’ve been helping here for as long as I can remember. You have most definitely earned the right to find your own path,” her voice choked as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Hold it right there!” A loud voice came from the orphanage, ruining our moment.

“Since when did a caretaker have permission to dismiss a child? Only I have the authority to determine their fate.” The headmaster appeared at the front door, slowly shaking his head.

“We cannot afford to lose such a capable worker at the orphanage. Melanie handles more tasks than most of our paid staff. Do you have any idea how much it would cost to hire additional staff to replace the work she does?”

“But Melanie’s sixteen already! She’s old enough to decide her own fate. As much as I hate it, the young birds will eventually leave the nest, and this time is no different. You don’t even reward Melanie for her work; she should be working for her own future now,” Layla shot back, anger creeping into her normally soft voice.

“Oh, is that so, Layla?” The headmaster narrowed his eyes as he turned his attention to her.

“Since you are so passionate about fairness and compensation, perhaps we could discuss your own position here. Your salary is already quite generous for someone with…limited qualifications. If you’re going to advocate for reduced productivity at this orphanage, then perhaps we need to reconsider whether or not we can afford to pay you.”

He paused, letting the words sink in. “In fact, if Melanie leaves, then someone will need to cover her duties. I suppose that someone could be you, and, of course, with no additional compensation. After all, you seem quite passionate about doing what’s right.”

Layla fell silent, staring at the headmaster with indignation. Her lips trembled before opening,

“If that is the condition for Melanie’s freedom, then…I…I accept.”

The headmaster’s threats should have angered me. And perhaps he might have once succeeded. But now? Everything washed over me like water—except for Layla’s face. Why did hearing the tremor in her voice make my heart ache? I hadn’t felt protective of anyone since—

“Enough!” My word broke the silence. Surprising everyone, including me.

“Layla, thank you. But I refuse to let you sacrifice your wages for my decision. This is my choice, so I will handle the consequences.”

Then, I turned to face the headmaster.

“Give me three months, and I promise to repay whatever value that you think you are losing when I leave— with interest.”

The headmaster looked skeptical, but I knew three months should be long enough, as that was the time it took for me to buy my freedom on my tenth life.

“Fine! But, if you ever decide to run away, I will be making Layla take on all of your debt.” He finally acquiesced, turning around to return to his office.

“Oh, Melanie!” Layla cried, hugging me once again, this time even tighter. “You didn’t have to do that; you suffered enough already. You deserve to be free.”

Something shifted in my facial muscles without my consent, and my hand moved to pat her head before I could control the impulse.

“It's fine, Layla. You take care as well,” the words came out softer than intended.

Then, Layla’s expression grew more serious. “Promise me that you'll be careful. Both of you. Don’t make me regret my decision today."

I bobbed my head, “I promise.”

Then, she turned to Alexius, snapping him out of his daze.

“Young man, what is your name?”

“Oh, it’s…uhh, Alexius,”

“Alexius, I will entrust Melanie to your care. Please, promise me that you will protect her, ok?”

“I…yes, I promise,” Alexius stammered, his face flushing slightly red. “Though honestly, after yesterday, I think she might end up protecting me instead.” He then glanced at me, “But I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe. You have my word.”

~ End of chapter ~