The day after Sefina’s “brazen charge into the student dormitory” happened to be a weekend. Oselenka Academy shed its usual tension and bustle, appearing quiet and leisurely.
Shalina’s assistant, Feliel, changed into a simple light gray cotton dress, still sporting her signature black braids and somewhat old-fashioned large glasses.
In her hand, she carried a small rattan basket filled with freshly washed apples and golden pears, while her other hand held a bag of fruit hard candies wrapped in colorful paper.
Today was her scheduled day to visit the Dawn Orphanage.
She quietly crossed the Academy District and entered the royal capital city, walking with steady steps toward the familiar courtyard situated on a somewhat secluded street corner.
During the day, the orphanage was completely different from how it was at night, with bright and warm sunlight flooding the entire courtyard.
The children weren’t staying indoors; instead, they were playing in groups of three or five, their crisp laughter and cheerful shouts filling the air.
A sharp-eyed child soon spotted Feliel at the gate and immediately shouted excitedly, as if they had discovered a treasure:
“It’s Sister Feliel! Sister Feliel is here!”
This shout was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples.
The children stopped their games and, like a flock of cheerful birds, scrambled toward Feliel, surrounding her like stars around the moon.
“Sister Feliel! What delicious things did you bring us today?”
“Sister, sister, look at the cat’s cradle I just learned!”
“Sister Feliel, hug!”
The children chirped all at once, looking up with small faces, their eyes sparkling with innocent joy and reliance.
Feliel’s usually expressionless face melted like ice under the sun. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and her gaze became exceptionally soft.
She crouched down, placed the basket and candy bag on the ground, and patiently responded to every child:
“Slow down, slow down, there’s enough for everyone.”
As she spoke, she first took out the colorful fruit hard candies from the bag and carefully distributed them to each reaching hand.
Then she took the washed fruit from the basket and handed it to the older children, asking them to help share.
“Thank you, Sister Feliel!”
The children thanked her happily after receiving the candies and fruit.
Some couldn’t wait to peel the wrappers and pop the candy into their mouths, squinting their eyes in satisfaction. Others cherished the fruit, tucking it into their pockets to enjoy later.
The courtyard was filled with a sweet and cheerful atmosphere.
Just then, the caregiver in charge of looking after the children came out of the house. Watching this lively scene, a gratified smile appeared on her face.
She clapped her hands and raised her voice to the children:
“Alright, children, it’s lunchtime! Go wash your hands and get ready to eat!”
“Okay — !”
The children answered in unison. Though they were a bit reluctant to leave, they obediently ran toward the cafeteria like a group of happy ducklings.
The caregiver then walked toward Feliel and said gently:
“Feliel, you’ve spent more money again. It’s hard work for you to come see these children so often.”
Feliel shook her head slightly and took out the largest apple from the basket, handing it to the caregiver: “You work harder. This is for you.”
The caregiver smiled and accepted the apple without refusing:
“Thank you, Feliel. Today’s volunteer prepared a meal that smells quite savory. Why don’t you stay for lunch?”
Feliel nodded and replied softly: “Alright.”
She followed the caregiver into the somewhat noisy cafeteria.
The children were already sitting obediently in their seats, their small faces brimming with anticipation; clearly, today’s meal was to their liking.
Feliel’s gaze casually swept over the plate of the child closest to her. However, that single glance made her freeze in place, her pupils shrinking slightly.
On the small plate sat sweet and sour ribs with a bright, appetizing color.
Next to them was steamed sea bass with white flesh garnished with shredded green onions, and a stir-fried vegetable dish she hadn’t seen before.
This familiar selection of dishes, this unique cooking style — without a doubt, Feliel had only seen this in one place — just a short while ago, during the dinner at Teacher Shalina’s house on the night of the Magic Festival! And the person who made these dishes was…
At the very moment Feliel was dazed by this startling discovery, a petite figure carrying a large bowl of steaming soup slowly walked out from the kitchen.
She wore an apron, and her unique long blue hair was tied back in a neat high ponytail, revealing her smooth neck and clear jawline. She looked capable and refreshed.
Feliel stared blankly at the figure and, almost subconsciously, muttered the name from her throat:
“Teacher Sefina…”
Sefina seemed to notice Feliel. She merely gave her a faint glance.
Her gaze was calm and rippleless, and her aura remained as cold and aloof as it usually was at the academy, appearing somewhat out of place in the warm and noisy environment.
However, the children’s reaction was completely different. Seeing Sefina come out, they immediately erupted in even more enthusiastic cheering.
Several children even jumped down from their seats, ran to her side, and affectionately pulled at the corners of her apron, chirping:
“Sister Sefina! Today’s ribs are so delicious!”
“Sister, the fish smells great too!”
“Sister Sefina, will you come again tomorrow?”
One child even excitedly ran over to grab Feliel’s hand, eagerly introducing her:
“Sister Feliel! Look, this is the newcomer, Sister Sefina. The food she cooks is so delicious! It’s better than anyone’s before!”
Sefina didn’t pay much attention to the crowding children. After placing the soup bowl securely on the large central table, she walked straight toward the somewhat bewildered Feliel.
She stopped in front of Feliel and calmly said her name, her tone unreadable:
“Feliel.”
Feliel’s heart tightened for no reason, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the rattan basket’s handle.
An inexplicable sense of unease quietly rose within her.
‘Why is Teacher Sefina here? Busy in the kitchen wearing an apron… could this really just be a coincidence?’
But she quickly forced herself to calm down.
‘Stay calm, Feliel. Teacher Sefina probably just happened to come to the orphanage to volunteer, just like Princess Ellaria did that night. They just happened to run into each other…’
‘Yes, that must be it.’
Thus, Feliel’s face once again wore that faint smile, though upon closer inspection, it seemed a fraction stiffer than usual.
She pushed the glasses up the bridge of her nose and spoke softly, trying to make her tone sound natural:
“Teacher Sefina, I didn’t expect… to run into you here. Even more so, I didn’t expect you to volunteer at the orphanage. It’s truly… a surprise.”
Sefina looked at her, her burgundy eyes blinking calmly. She only responded indifferently, her tone devoid of any emotion:
“A whim.”
Then, without waiting for Feliel to say anything else, she looked away and uttered a simple phrase in her cool voice:
“Let’s eat first.”