Luzia's head ached as she thought, Of course, he would seem like a crazy villain—it was written from Luzia's point of view up until her death.
But with what she was seeing now, it wasn't madness that drove him—it was heartbreak. Ramiro didn't destroy the place because he felt like it, but because it was the place that had failed to protect his child.
Still, that didn't make it right. Many kids died because of this. Let's end this quickly before the orphanage collapses, she thought, frustration bubbling up. She tried to stand but the weight of his magic was too much, pinning her down.
A vein bulged on her forehead as Luzia's patience snapped. 'Okay, I've had enough!'
Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Startled, she glanced up to find Esteban carrying her in his arms like a damsel in distress.
"Let's go, my lady!" he declared, his face drenched in sweat. His magic aura shimmered faintly around them, forming a protective shield.
Luzia blinked. 'Seriously?'
'In the novel, Esteban only managed to save Luzia…' she thought, her eyebrows furrowing as her gaze locked on Ramiro. 'But I won't let that happen this time.'
"Put me down," she said, her voice firm.
"Huh? My lady, why?" Esteban stammered, clearly confused.
"Just put me down!"
Esteban hesitated but eventually complied, setting her down gently. Luzia dusted herself off, took a deep breath, and then bellowed at the top of her lungs, "STOP IT!!!"
The force of her voice echoed through the hall.
Esteban froze, his mouth slightly agape. Ramiro flinched, his swirling magic abruptly flickering out like a candle in the wind as he turned to look at her.
"Don't you see? You're going to destroy the orphanage if this keeps up!" Luzia snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through steel.
"But they hurt you… I can never forgive them," Ramiro mumbled, tears still streaming down his face.
Luzia rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out of her head. "Look here, the people at fault are the caregivers and the director—not the kids!" she said, pointing a finger toward the frightened children huddled together. "If you destroy the orphanage, you kill them too!"
Ramiro's tear-streaked face softened as he looked at the trembling children, their wide eyes filled with fear.
"And for the record," Luzia continued, crossing her arms, "I'm perfectly fine. There's no need for this dramatic meltdown. Honestly, you're supposed to be a powerful duke, not a soap opera protagonist!"
Ramiro's head hung low as shame replaced the rage in his heart, 'I understand everything else but soap opera protagonist? What is she talking about?'
He glanced back at the children again, guilt tugging at his chest. 'I almost lost control again…'
Meanwhile, Esteban cautiously leaned closer to Luzia and whispered, "My lady, that's your father you're talking to ..."
She shot him a side-eye glare. "And? He's my father, not the emperor of the universe. If he's acting ridiculous, I'm going to say so."
Esteban gulped, stepping back slightly, though the faintest hint of admiration flickered in his eyes. "Understood, my lady," he muttered, wisely deciding to keep quiet. ' She is most definitely lady Dahila's kid... And she was able to stop his grace from destroying something again...she is truly his daughter.'
Ramiro cleared his throat, awkwardly brushing his hand through his disheveled hair. "You certainly inherited your mother's sharp tongue," he murmured, though the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
'So Luzia's mother was sharp-tongued? How unexpected. The novel never gave any details, just that she was a beautiful woman Ramiro loved.' Luzia raised an unimpressed brow. "Oh, don't try flattery now. You're still on thin ice."
He straightened up, his guilt now fully replaced by reluctant respect. "Point taken," he said, his voice soft but steady. "I let my emotions cloud my judgment."
"You think?" Luzia shot back, gesturing to the cracks in the walls. "Next time you want to have a breakdown, maybe pick somewhere less…flammable?"
Ramiro sighed heavily, his broad shoulders sagging as he surveyed the damage. The children were still huddled in the corner, their eyes darting nervously between him and Luzia. He winced. "I owe them an apology," he admitted quietly.
"Yes, you do, or else I won't go with you," Luzia said firmly.
Ramiro flinched as he thought, ' I can't lose my daughter again.'
Ramiro stepped forward, addressing the frightened children with a somber yet firm tone. "I apologize for scaring you, children. I lost control, and that's on me. I will ensure the orphanage is compensated and this building rebuilt, stronger and safer than before."
The children exchanged nervous glances, still clutching each other tightly, but a faint glimmer of hope flickered in their eyes.
Ramiro's expression darkened as he turned his gaze to the trembling caretaker. "And I will rid this place of its trash," he said coldly, his voice laced with an edge that made even Esteban flinch.
The caretaker, pale and shaking, tried to stammer an excuse, but Ramiro raised a hand, silencing them. "Silence!"
He turned back to Luzia, his expression softening slightly. "Is that enough?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
Luzia crossed her arms, raising a skeptical brow. 'Anything to make me go with him, huh? Sure, fine,' she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line before giving him a curt nod.
"Fine. But remember, I'm only agreeing because these kids need a safe place." she said, her tone sharp enough to match his.
Ramiro's lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. "Yes Luzia."
Esteban stepped forward cautiously. "Your Grace," he said, his voice steady, "this building is no longer safe. The children need to be relocated immediately."
Ramiro nodded, his expression grim. "Take them to my old estate," he said after a moment.
Esteban's eyes widened slightly. "Your old estate, Your Grace? The one near the southern hills?"
"Yes." Ramiro's tone was firm. "It's been vacant for years, but it's still in good condition. Arrange for the staff to return and prepare it for the children. They'll be safe there."
Esteban bowed, understanding the weight of the order. "As you command, Your Grace." And he went into the other rooms of the orphanage to round up the remainig children.
---
After a while, Esteban brought the remaining children into the main hall. They shuffled nervously, their eyes darting between Luzia and Ramiro.
"What's going on?" one of the children mumbled, clutching a threadbare stuffed rabbit.
Luzia let out a long-suffering sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. She stepped forward, hands on her hips, and addressed them like a miniature business executive about to close a deal. "Listen up, everyone! You're going to a better place now—a safe place with no leaks in the roof, no burnt-out fireplaces, and hopefully, no dodgy porridge for breakfast. Trust me on this."
The children stared at her, wide-eyed.
Alicia hesitated before stepping closer. She wrapped her arms around Luzia, burying her face in her shoulder. "I'll miss you, Luzia," she whispered. "Come visit sometime, okay?"
Luzia stiffened for a moment. Her adult mind bristled at the sentiment, but her tiny ten-year-old body betrayed her, softening under Alicia's hug. She patted the girl's back awkwardly. 'Well, since she's Luzia's friend, and I'm Luzia now, I guess this is my job.'
"Yes, I will," she said, her voice softening. "I promise."
Alicia beamed, pulled away and skipped back to the group.
Esteban stepped forward, his commanding presence silencing the murmurs. "All of you, gather in the center of the hall. We'll be leaving shortly."
The children hesitated, looking at eachother. Luzia rolled her eyes and clapped her hands. "You heard the man—move it! "
The kids scrambled into position, a few giggling nervously at her sharp tone.
Esteban raised his hand, and a green magic circle flared to life beneath their feet. Its intricate patterns glowed softly, pulsing with energy.
One of the boys gasped, clutching Alicia's hand. "Whoa so cool, It's magic.."
The circle grew brighter, engulfing Esteban and the group in warm, green light. The children clutched each other tightly, some closing their eyes as they disappeared.
---
Ramiro's gaze hardened as he turned back to the trembling caretaker, his voice sharp and commanding. "Call the entire staff and the director. Now."
The caretaker nearly tripped over themselves in their rush to obey, scurrying out of the room without a word.
Luzia watched the exchange with an arched brow. 'Here we go… The great Duke Ramiro in action,' she thought wryly as she crossed her arms, she leaned against a cracked wall.
Within minutes, the staff began filing into the room with nervous expressions. The director, a plump man with a perpetually sour expression, brought up the rear, sweat already gathering on his forehead.
Ramiro's cold gaze swept over them like a blade. "You were entrusted with the care of these children," he began, his tone measured but seething with restrained fury. "And yet, you chose negligence, cruelty, and greed."
The director opened his mouth to protest, but Ramiro silenced him with a single raised hand. "I am not here for excuses," he said icily. "I've seen enough."
He stepped closer to the group, his towering presence making them shrink back. "Each of you has failed in your duties."
The director stammered, sweat pouring down his face. "M-My Lord, I—"
Ramiro's voice rose. "Silence! Do you think I do not know of your dealings? Of the money you siphoned away while these children starved and shivered?"
The staff exchanged nervous glances, some visibly paling as their leader's corruption was laid bare.
"You will be held accountable," Ramiro continued, his voice chillingly calm now. "All of you will. I will ensure this orphanage is rebuilt, staffed with people who understand the meaning of compassion and responsibility. And as for you all…"
The director whimpered, "P-Please, Your Grace, mercy! I-I didn't mean— I mean...we didn't..."
"Mercy?" Ramiro cut him off, his voice booming. "You starved and abused innocent children under your care. You lined your pockets while they suffered. And now you beg me for mercy?"
His golden eyes gleamed, stark against the shadowy tendrils that twisted around him. A dark shifting energy pulsed from his body, warping the very air. The atmosphere thickened with a suffocating pressure, an oppressive weight that seemed to push down on everything.
The staff cowered, their weak cries drowned by the crackling power that filled the room.
Luzia watched with wide eyes. 'Ah, he really is a villain.'
Ramiro paused mid-motion, his glowing eyes flickering as he turned to look at her, his voice softened. "Luzia, can you please close your eyes?"
His unexpected request caught her off guard. 'I wanted to see him in action...' Her irritation bubbled to the surface. With a sigh of reluctant resignation, she shut her eyes.
"Good girl," Ramiro murmured, his voice almost tender.
His golden eyes flared brighter once more, and the very space distorted. A low hum vibrated through the room, and the surroundings trembled. As he looked at the staff, they seemed to disappear, they were erased.