The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 52 Lodrey Orphanage (1)

Leticia went to Lodrey's residence. Marchioness Lodrey welcomed her. The Marchioness served Leticia snacks and tea. Leticia enjoyed the Marchioness banquet.

"What are you coming here for, Empress?" ask Marchioness Lodrey.

Leticia stopped sipping her tea. He put down his tea cup.

"I heard it's been ten years since you and the Marquis have been blessed with a son, the Marchioness. My words do not mean to offend you," explained Leticia.

"Yes, Empress. I'm barren. So my husband and I went to the orphanage to meet the kids. I regard them as surrogates for the child I cannot bear, Empress. On the other hand we can help those who have no father or mother."

What a noble purpose. However, Leticia did not let down her suspicions at all.

"Why don't you just adopt a kid, Marchioness?"

"My husband disagrees. He could not bear to take one of the children in the orphanage for fear that the other child would be envious. My husband wants to give fair affection to all of them."

All the deeds of the Marquis and the Marchioness had no loopholes. Leticia did not know what evil actions they could take. He did not want the Marchioness to be suspicious because she suddenly asked about the orphanage.

"I'm sorry, Marchioness. I apologize for asking the no-no. I haven't been pregnant for five years. I feel frustrated." Leticia rubbed her eyes. 

Marchioness Lodrey was pitying. He held Leticia's hand. Leticia's acting was successful.

"I know what it's like, Empress. You have to stay strong. You still have the Princess and Her Majesty must still love you, Empress."

"I hope it's true, Marchioness," Leticia replied softly.

This way Marchioness Lodrey did not need to suspect Leticia asking about the orphanage. The Marchioness would have thought that Leticia was coming to her because she needed a friend to tell her story. Friends who have something in common with him. It's just that Leticia doesn't want to tell you more. Surely Marchioness Lodrey already knew that the Emperor loved the Second Empress more. Leticia did not want to drop her pride by telling him that.

"I'm ready to hear your story anytime, Empress." Marchioness Lodrey smiled.

"Thank you, Marchioness. I feel more relieved." Leticia's fake smile.

Leticia came home without any important information. This time his opponent was very careful. But he still hasn't given up. There must be a gap he can exploit. He hoped that Rose and Grand Duke Faust would be well informed.

***

Rose was in front of an orphanage frequented by Marquis Lodrey. He had set up an illusion in his study so that no one would suspect it. He locked the door so no one would come in.

He wore a magic hood while observing the children playing in the front yard of the orphanage. They look very happy. The head of the orphanage called them because it was time for lunch.

Rose followed them. The food served at the table is very decent. Surely the donation money given to this orphanage is very much. 

"Let's be grateful for today's food children. All thanks to the help of the Marquis and Marchioness Lodrey," said the orphanage's head.

The children of the orphanage nodded and ate voraciously. The little boy who had not been able to hold the spoon was fed by the head of the orphanage. The head of this orphanage is kind-hearted, in contrast to the head of the orphanage that Rose used to belong to.

They live out of the mercy of passers-by. Children who do not like them do oppression. They once tried to ask the passing nobles for help, but they were instead kicked for being harassed.

That's why Rose was unfriendly to Leticia when she first met even though Leticia saved them. If it wasn't for Leticia, he would still be curled up in the alley along with Dale. 

Rose woke up from her daydream. He went around the orphanage. Rose felt that there was nothing strange about this orphanage, like an orphanage in general. 

Rose's energy is decreasing. He was afraid he could not defend his illusion. He used a magic stone to teleport back to the palace.

Rose intended to return at night in this orphanage, maybe she would get something. Because it could be that the head of the orphanage pretends to be good in front of the children and shows his nature when alone.

***

Rose returned at night. In an invisible state he went towards the room of the orphanage's head. 

It was seen the head of the orphanage opening a letter. Rose peeked at the contents of the letter. It violates privacy, but it does it anyway. 

The content of the letter was that the head of the orphanage had worked well. Therefore, Marquis Lodrey gave extra money to the head of the orphanage. The head of the orphanage closed the letter without giving a reply. He took the money and kept it. He smiles.

Rose felt that the actions of the head of this parlour were a little strange, but she could not think of the reason behind it. He decided to contact Leticia later.

The head of the orphanage went around checking on the children. Rose followed. Some are still asleep and some are still awake. The head of the orphanage warned those who had yet to fall asleep. The kids go to sleep immediately. Their lives are peaceful. The head of the orphanage returned to his room to sleep.

Rose immediately came out of the orphanage. He returned to his home using teleportation magic. He called Leticia.

"Leti, am I bothering you?"

"No, what's up Rose?

Rose immediately told me what she got today. About a good orphanage. The head of a good home. As well as a letter containing extra money for the head of the parlor.

"Could it be that the orphanage actually belonged to Marquis Lodrey? But, why did the Marquis cover it up?" said Rose. He thought about the possibility but did not have a proper explanation.

"That was one possibility and if it was covered, this instead made the Marquis suspicious. The ownership of the orphanage does not need to be covered. This is even a good thing. There must be something. Then the actions of the orphanage chief also disturbed me. Usually people will reply to a letter by thanking others for giving. He didn't do it as if it was a normal thing to happen" Leticia explained at length.

"That's right, which is why I feel weird. I'll try asking the children of the orphanage tomorrow."

"Be careful, Rose."

"Of course, Leti."

Rose turned off the magic stone. He's resting to do an investigation tomorrow. He wanted to help Leticia return the favor. Not for the sake of mere return, he wanted to help his friend.