Second Life's Revenge

"E-Erwin? Why are you here?" Laura flusteredly asked and stood back up.

Erwin chuckled as he stayed leaning on the side of the door. From what Laura remembered, the door was closed when she entered, and since she hadn't heard a sound, it made her wonder just how much did he hear? Laura gasped, thinking, what if he heard everything from the beginning? She covered her face with her hand out of embarrassment. 

'Just what is this man thinking? Someone save me. I'm dying out of embarrassment.'

"You don't have to be shy," Erwin said as he entered the room and sat on the ground. Laura immediately forced Erwin to stand back up or at least sit on the bed. If not, Blaine might scold him since a royal has standards to abide by.

Erwin surrendered and ended up sitting on the bed. He looked at Alex silently, making him uncomfortable. He watched and observed the man who sat on the bed and noticed that he didn't look similar to Laura. He also had this aura that made him feel that this person could be very powerful, which made Alex say nothing.

"Stop staring at him so intently," Laura nagged and walked over to Alex. She kneeled onto the ground and held Alex's hand, asking, "Do you want to play with the other kids?" Alex did not answer at first but then said, "I made a promise with you and so I will listen."

Laura couldn't help but happily nodded her head. Somehow Alex had a similar personality as Jean. They both don't want to admit when someone else is right. However, Laura didn't hate it as she found it quite adorable.

Being distracted with her thoughts, Erwin frowned, remembering the topic the two were talking about earlier.

Out of curiosity, he asked, "And so who is that special guy you two were talking about?" Laura looked at Erwin with an annoyed look. Of course, she didn't want to answer since the answer was right in front of her. Laura answered, "There's no need for you to know."

But that special guy was Erwin, and he knew that it was him. It was fun teasing Laura, and he missed her dearly as they haven't met since the flower festival ended. But it's not like he had a choice since he was swamped with some investigations to finish. He looked at Laura with a serious expression as he fought the urge to embrace her.

The feeling of warmth was what he missed. He didn't want to admit it, but he took advantage of their trip during their stay in the underground market. But this time, he wants no danger surrounding them. All he wants is a peaceful conversation between both of them.

"What brings you here?" Laura asked as she watched Alex leave the room. Erwin looked surprised while Laura wondered why he looked surprised. Is there something he knows that she doesn't? The silver-haired man asked, "No one informed you?" Laura titled her head and thought deeply about it.

"About what?" Laura asked impatiently.

"That I'm the one who built this orphanage?"

"What?!" Laura exclaimed as her mouth slowly opens. She surely did not hear that wrong. That is believable since this place is well built and must have cost hundreds of gold coins too, but seriously? Erwin Ferguson? The person who slipped out of her list.

"Is there a problem with that?" Erwin asked as he removed his white gloves off.

"No…it's just very surprising," Laura muttered.

Erwin chuckled as he slipped his pair of gloves into his hand pocket and said, "You also probably don't know this, but my cousin assigned me to this place. And as I saw this lot, the first thought that came to my mind is that I want to make those children happy."

"But you haven't given them a name," Laura hesitantly said. While rubbing the back of his nape, Erwin replied, "The truth is…I was waiting for you to come. So you know. You could give those children a name."

"Oh, really? Are you sure it's not because you're bad at giving names?" Laura joked while, admittingly, Erwin nodded his head and looked away to hide his flustered face. He then muttered, "Even Blaine makes fun of me," Laura laughed. He admitted it so quickly and didn't even try to hide it. It was quite adorable.

A knock was heard by the door, interrupting them, and there stood Milla, who bowed, greeting Erwin. Milla noticed a funny air that surrounded both, and slightly she grinned. So that's how it goes was she thought. "Your Grace, it's nice to see you again."

"How are you, Milla?" Erwin asked as he walked towards Milla. While Laura followed and listened to their conversation. Milla answered with a smile, "I'm good as always." and remembered what day it was, "That's right, your here today to give the children names, aren't you?"

"That's right, but with the help of someone," Erwin said, who turned to look at Laura, facing her with a smile. Milla had a face filled with excitement, but she did not speak up at all. She stood calm, watching both, and asked, "If you don't mind me asking, are you two.. lovers?"

Hearing the question, Laura choked and coughed after the sudden attack. Erwin watched the flustered Laura as he pulled her closer to him, and he asked, "Does it look obvious?"

Milla fanned herself using her hand, and excitedly she answered, "I can tell with the weird air surrounding the both of you." Laura pushed Erwin away, and while stuttering, she said, "I-it's not like that. We're just friends."

Not believing the words coming from Laura's mouth, Milla shook her head, knowing it wasn't true. Not wanting to interrupt the couple's private time, she took her to leave and left them alone, thinking that the naming of the children can wait. 'Let's give the two some time alone for now.' she smiled.

.

Laura turned to look at Erwin, who didn't seem to look happy, or instead, he was sulking for some reason. 'Why would that be?'.

"Just friends? Is that what you think about us, especially after the things we have done?" Erwin asked as he frowned.

A hard pang hit her chest, and she realized that she said that out loud because she was embarrassed. When Erwin looked away, he felt someone pulling his sleeve. He turned to see Laura looking down the ground but could still see her face. A small silence occurred, and Laura muttered. "It's not like that…I was just embarrassed, and it's not like we are lovers, are we? I don't know." 

Erwin's expression went from sad to immediate happiness. He touched Laura's chin and lift her head up; he said, "We won't be lovers, not until you tell me your true feelings." Cheeky. What a cheeky guy was, Laura thought.

This guy is definitely making fun of her, and though it sounded fake, it was real. He wanted to hear those words coming from her plumply pink lips. Laura looked away and walked out of the room. She didn't want any more from that cheeky guy.

'Special guy but more of cheeky guy.' Laura's thoughts mocked her.

While Laura continues to walk to the backyard, she accidentally bumped into a small child. The small child fell on her bottom, and when she looked up, her face suddenly turned pale. She started crying out loud when she saw Laura.

Laura panicked and immediately comforted the small girl. Laura carried the girl onto her arms and patted the back, comforting the small girl. The small girl finally stopped crying, and when Laura looked at the girl, she asked.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry for crying," The small girl apologized.

"It's also my fault, sorry," Laura apologized back and continued to pat her back.

"I heard someone crying by the hallway. Is she alright?" Erwin asked worriedly. When the little girl heard the familiar voice, she turned towards the person and smiled widely.

When Erwin noticed the familiar small girl, he greeted her with a smile, saying, "Christa, are you alright?"

"Erwin!" said the small girl, opening her arms wide as she wanted to be carried by Erwin. Without any hesitation, Laura transferred the small girl to Erwin. The small girl named Christa started to laugh, which somehow made Laura envious of how easily Erwin could make someone happy.

"I won't disturb the both of you any longer, I'll be making my way to the other children," Laura spoke but was stopped when she felt a hand grabbing her wrist. She looked up to the silver-haired man and tilted her head, "Erwin?"

"Let's go together," He said in a low tone, making Laura's heart skip a beat.

"It's alright."

"Let's go together, Miss!" Christa joined as she gave Laura a smile.

"Alright, let's go together," Laura poked the tip of Christa's nose.

"You were trying to get away from me. Weren't you?" Erwin asked as he kept his eyes straight on the hallway. Laura shyly nodded her head, then asked.

"Did you give her that name? Christa?"

"That's right. She was the first child I saw when we raided the slave market, and I thought it would be nice to give her a name," Erwin said though he felt somehow felt embarrassed.

"It's nice, the name Christa," Laura smiled as she slightly looked down.

Out of nowhere, Erwin wrapped his long fingers with Laura's. Laura went speechless while Erwin continued to walk as he was holding her hand. He looked at Laura and said, "Don't worry, to me, you're much more special."