2 The Illegitimate Child

Charlotte have been sent to serve Miss Suzeth.Despite Dorothy not being able to work with you, she's still close enough with Charlotte that she can visit one another quite frequently.Laverna has also been sent to Miss Suzeth.She bawled and apologised profusely that day making the Stewardess forgive her.The two have a serious feud now, and Charlotte know she won't give up.Still,she's not even worth Charlotte's worry.

'Nothing else matters besides vengeance, Right now the heartless one hasn't met nor become the king yet.There's still a chance!Unfortunately, the Great Prince.It would be difficult for me to get in contact with him under my current status...'

Then,Charlotte remember Alexandria just now.She might be able to learn more about the Great Prince through Zhengyin.Charlotte decided to go to the Gambling Station.Alexandria gets exited when he sees her.

"Just the person I was looking for.I need your help...do you know how to make toys like these?"

Charlotte take a look at the schematics and figure out the are the toys that she played when she's a child.

"Oh these.I used to play with them when I was a kid and buit them myself"

"That's fantastic, May I ask you to help me build them?"replied Zhengyin that was shocked.

"No problem!But I'm curious.Why do you want to make toys?"

"I'll let you know when it's done."

Zhengyin doesn't want to tell Charlotte yet.It makes her even more curious.Charlotte bring the schematics out of the Gambling Station, and see Laverna looking at her.

'What's with that look?I'm just passing by!'

Charlotte prepare all the materials for the toys and begin working so she can get it to Zhengyin as fast as possible.

'That doesn't look easy!It's been so long since I made these, I almost forgot how to do it.Still... success...'

The door opens suddenly as Charlotte feeling good about her work.She gawk at the person who barged in.

"Mattress, I saw with my own eyes that Charlotte keeps going in and out to the Gambling Station.Now she's making some kind of romantic gift"

"You really don't leave, do you? Making up stories again?"

"The proof is right there.What excuse do you, have?"As Laverna said pointing at the table.

Turns out it's the toys that Charlotte has been working on that became Laverna's proof.Charlotte starts laughing at her.Then, she picked up, the toys and show to the crowd.

"Look, do they look like a romantic gift?Just a few toys!"

Laverna dumb founded at the fact that everything she's been working on is just a few toys.

"I only work on them when I'm done with my Palace Duties.I don't think that's against the rules?"

"But, I saw you going in and out at the Gambling Station!How do you explain that?"

As Charlotte are about to speak, footsteps close in and Zhengyin turns up.

"I heard people arguing a mile away.You all misunderstood.Charloote help my sister a while ago.I wanted to thank her properly so I asked her to come to the station...What, is that, againsts the rules?"

Zhengyin's character is well known to the Kingdom.It's appearance helps Charlotte out of the mess and Laverna leaves dissatisfied.

"Sorry about that.I almost caused you a lot of problems.Goodthing I showed up when I heard the news."

"Don't worry about it.Oh yeah, the toys are done"

"They are adorable... Come with me, I got somewhere I want to take"

Charlotte follow Zhengyin and reach Muji Temple after two hours.Turns out its a donation day at the temple, Zhengyin bought a lot of coins;Charlotte watch Zhengyin's smile as he distributes the coins.

"Who'd have thought there are so many poor people even in the capital..."

"Mister, mister. Its been so long!"a child said to Zhengyin.

A group of kids gather around Zhengyin.They are dressed poorly but all of them look happy.Zhengyin switched his serious expression with warm, smiling.

"What are you standing for, bring out the toys" turns to look at Charlotte."The toys you asked me to me are for this kids"

Charlotte gives out the toys one by one.The kids look even so joyous as they call her and say thanks.Charlotte feel fuzzy inside.

"The lady made these toys by hand.Make sure you take good care of them!"

The kids nod ans say yes.Zhengyin smiles even deeper and pats them on their heads.

Seeing Alexandria like, makes Charlotte feel there's something that's tingling inside her.

At that moment, The supervisor of the temple carries forward a baby.

"Sir, this is the child you saved earlier.Would you like to hold it?"

Charlotte noticed that Zhengyin's self-expression is tainted by a hint of awkwardness, and he seems to hesitate.Zhengyin's reaction almost forced her to laugh, and she instinctively reach out, smiling and take the child.Once in her arms, it doesn't cry or shout, it just smiles.Charlotte notice Zhengyin seems shocked.

"I can wield a knife or a sword against anyone.But asked me to hold a baby like quail in fear.I wouldn't has guess you knew about such stuff!" cried Zhengyin.

"I like kids a lot.When i was growing up, I'd always hold them whenever came to our house" replied Charlotte.

Looking at her smile, Zhengyin's heart skips a beat.

"To tell the truth, I've been thinking about brain the kid back to the palace to raise it.But I was worried I wouldn't be able to look after it.But since you like kids, perhaps we could look after it together?"

"That it is quite pitiable.So young, yet abandoned.It's quite cute ,though.You never know we'd never met.So perhaps we could do this together"

Charlotte and Zhengyin went back to the Palace afterwards.Somehow people have started rumors about it.They say that Charlotte have an illegitimate child.This infuriate that Laverna spread the rumors Charlotte knew Laverna would not let her off, but Charlotte didn't expect her to be watching and sabotages her.Before she can confront Charlotte, Laverna brings a group of people and barge in again as Charlotte are calming the baby.

"Now there's enough proof!Charlotte, you had premantal relations and even an illegitimate child!"said Laverna to all the crowd scoofs.

"I can't believe that this is how you are despite your upright appearance outside"said a Nuch.

"Why don't you explain this to the stewardess"the Mattress cried.

Charloote have a hard time trying to argue with the crowd.Zhengyin comes in just as Charlotte lost on what to do.Turns out it was Dorothy who asked him to come here when she learned that Laverna was coming.

"Sir Zhengyin, you come in the nick of time again."said Laverna mocking.

"It's not what you think.Allow me to explain"Zhengyin replied quietly.

"Could this baby be yours, Zhengyin"ask the

Laverna's words makes everyone look at Charloote and Zhengyin suspiciously.

"Don't make up lies!"replied Charloote seriously to Laverna.

"What!Did I touch a nerve?Was I right?Now you're angry?"

"Presenting His Majesty"the old Nuch announced.

The Dukes arrival catches everyone off guard.The dragon robe and the mighty appearance of the Great ruler makes a stark contrast with the maid's residence.Evryone kneel and greet him nervously, and so Charlotte and Zhengyin.

"I was just in the area.Whats this about illicit relations? An illegitimate child? Involving my, trusted guard? What is going on ?"

"Your majesty, this is all a misunderstanding.The child is an orphan that Sir Zhengyin rescued.He took the baby in out of sympathy"

"That's correct, Unfortunately I'm not good with childrearing, so I asked Charlotte for help. Muji Temple is our witness!If someone form Muji Temple can be your witness, then I can be sure what you speak is true."

"So what it is.A mere maid should already be burned with daily Palace Duties.What makes you want to raise a child?"

"The child has no parent and I feel sympathetic.Thus, I want to do what I can to help him grow up healthy and happy."

"Such empasion at such a young age.It is my fault that there still are people going hungry.Please raise this child in my honor.Take good care of him.Such an, act, of kindness, turned into nonsense.This is most detestable! Guards, take the rumor monger outside, cane 10 times and send her to the Council's Court!"

Laverna was arranged out.Her pleas slowly fade as Charlotte let out a breath.With the King's support, nobody will disturb her business in raising a Foster child.