“Something’s wrong.”
Mint nervously fidgeted with her nails.
“Something’s definitely wrong. There’s no doubt about it.”
It was inevitable. There was no way she could mentally process the current situation.
Why was she sitting in a huge carriage, as large as a house, with a nobleman?
The nobleman was an elegant gentleman from head to toe.
The most imposing man Mint, a fifteen-year-old girl, had ever seen—tall, handsome, graceful, and so overwhelming that every compliment began with “the most.”
And now, she was riding in a carriage with him.
—Where to?
To his estate.
“Why? Why am I with someone like him?”
Just a moment ago, Mint had been hiding in a small wardrobe tucked away in the corner of the orphanage—a place where mice scurried about and spiders dropped from the ceiling.
It was the most neglected corner of the orphanage, the space of the most neglected girl.
She had been curled up inside, hiding after being slapped by the orphanage director, and now, here she was—riding in a luxurious carriage with a nobleman.
So why?
“Why did he say he wanted to be my benefactor…?”
Twenty minutes ago, this nobleman had suddenly appeared and declared he would be Mint’s benefactor.
He had glanced at her face for a moment before simply stating, “I’ll take this one.”
And that was it.
He didn’t bother looking at any other children or asking more about Mint.
“Mint.”
At the sound of his voice, Mint flinched and quickly raised her head.
Had he been watching her the entire time? She immediately locked eyes with his clear golden gaze.
“Relax.”
Seeing his face made it even harder for Mint to believe this was real.
The man was beyond beautiful, to the point where the word “overwhelming” suited him perfectly. With hair as brilliant as if dusted with gold, he hardly seemed like a human being. More like a higher being.
His brows furrowed slightly as he noticed her trembling lips.
“Why are you so tense?”
“…”
“I won’t do anything to harm you. Relax and be at ease.”
But how could she relax?
She couldn’t believe the reality of having a nobleman as her benefactor. Not only her, but everyone left behind at the orphanage must have been just as shocked.
Why wouldn’t they be?
“No one has chosen me for 15 years.”
Her peers had been adopted or found benefactors long ago, leaving the orphanage behind.
Mint was the oldest girl there. Ignored by everyone, she had been treated as a burden once she passed eleven years old.
And yet now, she had a noble benefactor…
“If you have any questions, ask.”
The nobleman gently prompted her, noticing her hesitant lips. Mint fiddled with her nails for a moment before gathering the courage to speak.
“I… I’m really being sponsored?”
“Yes.”
“Why…?”
Why me? The question was stuck in her throat.
There were so many other girls at the orphanage. Girls younger and prettier, doll-like in their appearance. So why had he chosen her, the most unremarkable and unpleasant one?
She wanted to ask but bit her lip, fearing that if she spoke, he might change his mind, turn the carriage around, and choose someone else.
“The House of Elkedonia will sponsor you.”
“Elkedonia…?”
“You don’t know it?”
It sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. Fear gripped her as she considered the possibility that her ignorance might disappoint him and make him send her back.
The man, watching her quietly, asked a simple question.
“You know there was a war, right?”
His question was like a lifeline. Mint nodded so hard she nearly cried with relief.
“You must also know the war ended.”
She nodded vigorously again.
“Yes, I know! I heard that the Empire’s knight defeated the villains!”
Gaining confidence from answering positively, she continued.
“The greatest knight of the Empire. The Golden Demon—a nickname so famous that even a five-year-old child would know it.
The Empire’s guardian sword and the one who ended the war. The strongest knight, who cut down enemies without mercy—the Golden Demon, feared not only by foreign nations but also within the Empire itself.
So fearsome that even crying children would stop at the mention of him…”
“That’s me.”
Fearsome…what?
Without realizing it, Mint raised her head.
In that moment, she met his gaze, which had been watching her all along. His golden eyes trapped hers, and for a second, she was completely mesmerized.
A golden brilliance blazed in his eyes. His leisurely, observant manner made him seem almost godlike.
His lips curled slightly, as if he were smiling.
“I am the Duke of Elkedonia, and I will be your guardian.”
**
“What on earth is going on here?!”
Mint turned to see a man rushing toward the Duke of Elkedonia—the man who had brought her here. The newcomer had sharp, cat-like eyes and was prettier than most women.
“I told you. I’m sponsoring her.”
“…I didn’t think it would be that kind of sponsorship.”
“I’m sure I mentioned it was an adoption sponsorship.”
“I thought you were joking! I never imagined you’d actually…”
The butler clutched his head, as if dizzy.
Not long ago, the Duke of Elkedonia had casually mentioned:
“Find out where the Marigold Orphanage is.”
Roel, the Duke’s loyal servant and butler, had scoured the Empire’s orphanages and provided the location. At the time, he had jokingly asked:
“Why, are you planning to sponsor someone?”
“Yes. I’m thinking of bringing one home.”
“What? You’re going to raise a child? Does that mean you’ll adopt them and give them your family name?”
“Yes.”
That’s how this mess happened after I let it slide. I naturally thought it was a joke.
Even though I knew well that his master didn’t enjoy jokes, I still thought it was one. ”
“‘Your Grace. Please reconsider. Don’t you realize this is no ordinary sponsorship?”
“I know.’
“You do?”
‘Yes.”
‘Do you also know that if you go through with the foster sponsorship, you’ll pass down the Elkedonia family name?!’
The butler, furious, raised his voice, but the Duke calmly added, trying to soothe him.
‘I don’t even have a child yet. Don’t make a fuss.’
The butler was at a loss for words. A fuss? He was offering to give the Elkedonia family name, one of the most prestigious in the empire, second only to the imperial family, to an orphan—and he calls that making a fuss?!
The butler felt dizzy, unable to comprehend his master’s reasoning.
‘Why are you doing this? Have you suddenly developed sympathy for the orphan girl?’
But there were countless orphans like Mint in the empire—so many that they no longer evoked pity.
And that was the problem. The increase in orphans without economic support after the war was an issue the empire had to address. Thus, the imperial family encouraged adoption and created various sponsorship programs. Among them, the foster sponsorship had become popular among the nobility. Foster sponsorship went beyond mere financial support.
It involved giving the family name, elevating the child to noble status, providing shelter, food, and high-quality education.
Although not a true family member, the child would be recognized as part of the household—much like how a pet is given a home, food, and a name.
Recently, this had become a way for nobles to show off their wealth, to prove that even someone of low birth could shine under their care—a kind of doll play.
Roel had neither liked nor disliked this noble hobby. He was completely indifferent.
He never thought it would involve him or his master…
‘Why on earth did you suddenly decide to do this?’
Roel couldn’t believe his master’s decision.
‘You’re responsible for handling the process.’
Roel watched in disbelief as the Duke of Elkedonia walked away.
Was it out of kindness? No, Roel knew better than anyone how cold his master was.
There was no way he had suddenly developed a soft spot for anyone.
‘I can’t figure him out.’
Roel knelt down to meet the girl’s eyes.
He felt sorry, but she looked so miserable that even a priest would have turned away.
Her thin arms and legs were like dry twigs, and her hair, covering half her face, was tangled like an old broom.
Roel held back a sigh.
‘What’s your name?’
‘M-Mint. It’s Mint.’
Surprisingly, she answered right away. Even though she was trembling with fear, her voice was clear enough. Her voice is strong, at least. Roel thought as he asked again.
‘Do you have any connection to His Grace? Do you know why he’s sponsoring you?’
‘No, I-I just met him today.’
‘I see. Well, I should introduce myself. I am Roel Iris, the butler of this house. You can just call me Roel. And for now…’
Roel marveled at his own patience for not covering his nose.
‘For now, you need a bath.’
The stench was unbearable. Roel wondered if the Duke had lost his mind to endure such a smell.
**
‘Hello, miss. I’m Kiri, and I’ll be assisting with your bath.’
‘H-hello…’
The woman who approached to help with the bath was a beautiful, silver-haired lady with short hair, almost like a man’s.
Is everyone in this mansion beautiful? The Duke, the butler Roel, and now even this woman all of them were astonishingly beautiful.
This grand mansion didn’t suit a dried-up stuttering girl like her at all.
Mint hesitated but allowed Kiri to undress her. As her frail body was revealed, Kiri’s gaze wavered.
‘I… I know my body is ugly.’
Mint was aware that her emaciated body was unsightly. But that wasn’t what had startled Kiri.
‘Miss.’
‘Yes?’
‘…Never mind.’
Her body was covered in bruises and red marks—clear signs of severe abuse. But knowing it wasn’t her place to intervene, Kiri held her tongue.
After the bath, Kiri gave Mint a warm cup of hot chocolate and left the room. She had told her to relax, but that was impossible.
‘So, this is what rooms like this look like… It feels like a different world.’
The soft bed with a white lace canopy looked as though it would melt at the touch.
The plush woolen rug, the cleanest mirror she’d ever seen, the luxurious furniture, and above all…
‘…It’s delicious.’
Mint’s eyes widened in shock as she drank the hot chocolate.
The sweetness that spread in her mouth was unlike anything she’d ever tasted.
She had never seen such a beautiful room in her life either… How wonderful it would be to live in a place like this.
‘I want to stay here.’ Mint bit her lip.
The Duke of Elkedonia—the golden-haired noble—had said: ‘I am the Duke of Elkedonia, and I will be your sponsor.’
There must have been some kind of mistake. She didn’t know what, but there was definitely some misunderstanding.
That’s why the Duke had chosen her.
‘It’s not just any sponsorship; it’s foster sponsorship. There’s no way he would choose a worthless child like me.’
At the Marigold Orphanage, there had been children who were sponsored and became nobles.
She remembered that they all had outstanding traits—one was exceptionally beautiful, another was brilliant, and another had a strong physique.
‘Yes, only those kinds of children were chosen.’
Recently, it had become trendy for nobles to take in outstanding orphans as foster sponsors. So why her?
‘I… I don’t have anything special.’
The Duke of Elkedonia would soon realize it too. He’d realize she wasn’t a child worth sponsoring and bestowing his family name upon.
If he sent her back to the orphanage, she’d have to face the head of the orphanage.
The mere thought of the headmistress made her hair stand on end.
‘I don’t want to. Anything but that!’
Just then, the door burst open without warning.
Startled, Mint dropped her cup. As the pure white carpet became soaked, Mint’s face turned pale. She had caused a mess!
‘You have bruises on your body?’
The person who entered was the Duke of Elkedonia. He quickly approached, standing in front of her in just a few strides. Mint, who had spilled hot chocolate, began trembling like a criminal about to be punished.
She had ruined the expensive-looking carpet—now she was surely going to get hit!
‘Raise your head.’
Mint clenched her fists and slowly raised her head. At the same time, her eyes met his cold, golden ones, filled with unmistakable anger.
Seeing that emotion, her instincts immediately told her to look at his hands. His large, veined hands looked much bigger and stronger than the headmistress’s. Getting hit by those hands would surely hurt terribly.
Terrified, Mint prostrated herself.
‘I-I’m sorry!’
‘…’
‘I really am sorry. I’ll clean the carpet! Please, forgive me!’
A suffocating silence followed. As she pressed her face into the carpet, nervously waiting, the Duke remained silent for a long moment.
He seemed to have lost his words. After a while, the Duke ran a hand over his face, letting out a low sigh.
‘Get up.’
Then, in a suppressed voice, he added, ‘Right now.’
Mint hurried to obey his command.
‘If you ever…’
He paused, as if changing what he was about to say, before continuing.
‘If you ever do something like this again, I won’t forgive you.’
Mint’s breath froze. She could hardly breathe. The man, leaning down and speaking in warning, was stunningly beautiful but suffocatingly terrifying.
He seemed like a completely different person from the man who had casually spoken to her in the carriage.
Mint suddenly remembered his nickname—the Golden Devil.
The ruthless destroyer who had killed over a thousand people. What should I do? I’m going to get hit for sure…
Terrified, she barely managed to stammer out another plea for forgiveness.
‘I-I’m really sorry. I’ll clean it right away…’
The man’s lips twisted.
‘I don’t care if you spill food or even filth on that carpet. But…’
Mint’s eyes widened in shock.
‘Don’t ever degrade yourself like that again. As long as I am your sponsor, you will never have to bow like that, not even to a king.’
The man, who had been bending down, straightened his back.
His large shadow engulfed Mint entirely.
‘Do you understand?’
‘…’
‘I asked if you understand.’
No, I don’t. Mint’s breathing became shallow, a mix of fear and confusion welling up inside her. She gripped the hem of her clothes tightly. She wanted to say she understood, but—if she lied and got caught, she’d surely be punished.
‘I think you’ve misunderstood something.’
‘What?’
The Duk
e’s brow furrowed. Mint’s heart sank, but she forced herself to continue.
‘You’ve definitely made a mistake. I-I, nobody wanted to sponsor me, so why…’
She immediately regretted saying it. Mint bit her lip.
