While inwardly praying that the dream wouldn't come true, he spoke to Bruce, "Since you've already made up your mind, don't worry. I'll make sure young Master Richard is well taken care of."
Bruce's steel-blue eyes quietly observed his butler, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"I trust you," Bruce said, his tone carrying a weight of sincerity.
...
Haly's Circus.
In the circus's room, Dick hid in the place where he had once lived with his parents. Looking at the remnants of his parents scattered throughout the space, the young boy couldn't help but shed a tear, a mix of sadness and longing.
"Dick!"
At that moment, the booming voice of the ringmaster, Haly, echoed from outside the door. Sitting on the bed, Dick recognized that he was being called and quickly wiped away his tears with his sleeve before jumping down to the floor.
Just then, the somewhat round-bodied Haly opened the door and walked in. His face was alight with a smile, as if he had just received some good news.
"Dick, come with me to meet Mr. Bruce Wayne!" Haly announced.
Just recently, Batman had come and gone, and now Bruce Wayne was knocking on the door? This was all happening way too fast!
Dick felt a mix of shock and anxiety. These emotions were unusual for his typically cheerful personality, but the death of his parents had dealt him a heavy blow. He was just a child, uncertain about his future and where he might be sent next, which made it hard for him not to feel lost.
He only hoped it wouldn't be an orphanage like William Orphans.
As they stepped outside, the chaotic backstage of the circus was filled with various props and equipment, making it look exceptionally cluttered. The only somewhat organized place was Haly's office, where Dick had eavesdropped on the truth about his parents' deaths.
Remembering that moment, Dick looked at Haly, who was walking ahead. His feelings became complex; as the only child in the circus, many people took care of him, and Haly was no exception.
After his parents died, Haly had comforted him. But on that day, when Haly had openly admitted his involvement, he had failed to mention Dick's parents. Instead, he simply promised to pay the protection fee on time.
Dick had been confused by his actions. Why not tell the police? Why did his parents' deaths seem to cause barely a ripple?
All of this suddenly seemed to find some logic in Batman's unexpected arrival. The truth was that Haly couldn't contend with the local mobsters, and calling the police would be pointless, so he had no choice but to compromise.
But why?! How could they commit such acts without facing any repercussions?!
Dick thought angrily, but when he saw the door to the office up close, he suppressed those emotions. He knew that Bruce Wayne was just behind that door; this was Batman's plan.
Perhaps he could find the answers he was looking for from Batman.
...
After a brief conversation with Haly, Bruce smoothly got Dick into the car. "Alright, we can head to finalize the adoption now," he said.
"Adoption?!" Dick, sitting beside Bruce, started to feel like things were spiraling out of control. Wasn't Bruce taking him away just to protect him? Why did things suddenly jump to adoption?
From the front seat, Avery chimed in, "Yes, Master Dick. Sir has decided to adopt you."
Dick blinked, surprised. "But Batman said…"
Bruce frowned at that, looking puzzled. "Batman? What does he have to do with this?" He turned his head to Dick. "I just felt like we had similar experiences, and since I happened to be there that day, I thought adopting you was the right thing to do."
Dick clammed up, but thoughts of Bruce Wayne's past began to surface in his mind. Everyone in Gotham knew Bruce's story; the media had practically turned it into a saga when he first returned to the city.
Suddenly, things clicked for Dick. Maybe it was Bruce Wayne who first decided to adopt him, and Batman somehow got wind of it. When Batman came to him, he only told Dick that Bruce would take him away, and then Bruce really did show up.
So... does that mean Bruce Wayne doesn't know Batman personally?
Dick suddenly felt a strange pang of disappointment.
In the rearview mirror, Avery and Bruce exchanged a glance, both of them inwardly impressed by how well the other played their cards.
The car soon arrived at the proper facility, and the staff inside welcomed them warmly.
Normally, it would take a long time and loads of paperwork to officially adopt a child, but when you're rich, things tend to move much faster. By the end of that same day, almost all the paperwork was done, and they brought Dick back to the mansion.
Understandably, Dick felt awkward and out of place standing in the grand estate, as if he didn't belong there at all.
Avery, ever perceptive, picked up on Dick's discomfort immediately. Although he had some suspicions earlier, it was more of a passing thought, nothing worth directing at a mere child. At most, he'd keep an eye on things.
Avery smiled warmly, assuming that within a few days, Dick would start to settle in. He then led Dick upstairs to a room that had been prepared for him.
Since they didn't yet know Dick's preferences, the room was only equipped with basic necessities, leaving the rest for him to personalize. It wasn't that Avery worried about the cost—it was more about helping Dick feel like he belonged in the house.
Of course, it would help if Bruce, as the guardian, accompanied him while choosing those items.
"Good night, Master Dick. Sweet dreams."
Avery flashed a perfect, kind smile, bowed deeply, and quietly shut the door behind him.
Inside the room, Dick sat on the bed with his knees pulled to his chest, and let out a long sigh. Only after Avery left did he finally begin to relax.