I’m The Male Lead’s Biological Daughter, But I Want To Live With The Second Male Lead! - Chapter 67
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 67
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“The river we’re crossing now is the River of Plenty that runs through the capital, Greendern—the Epron River.”
“Wow…! It’s so wide!”
Mabel pressed her face against the carriage window, marveling at the vista before her.
The massive tower bridge spanning the Epron River was equally grand.
Ella smiled softly, watching Mabel’s eyes sparkle with wonder at a sight that couldn’t be seen from the Duchy Palace.
“You can take a pleasure cruise on the river, you know~”
“A pleasure cruise?”
“Yes, wouldn’t you like to try it with the Duke this afternoon~?”
Just then, a pleasure boat drifted past with musicians performing on its deck.
Mabel looked tempted but shook her head.
“I’d rather do something special like that later with Aselt and Kellic.”
The truth was, Mabel had no intention of venturing far from the Townhouse today.
She didn’t want to enjoy things alone without Aselt and Kellic.
But Zigmund thought differently.
– Those two are probably wondering what you’ll see in the capital, you know?
It was admirable that Mabel cared about Aselt and Kellic, but Zigmund didn’t want her world to narrow because of it.
So Mabel had compromised: she’d take a modest look around and call it done.
Ella smiled knowingly and suggested something else.
“Then~, after you’ve seen everything, how about a lovely dinner at a restaurant near the Epron River~?”
“That… that sounds wonderful!”
She couldn’t resist food!
Mabel quickly nodded in agreement.
‘If I’m too reserved, I won’t have much to tell the brothers either, so yes~!’
Rationalizing it to herself in that manner.
Since Ella could see right through what Mabel was thinking, her smile deepened.
“Well then, we’ve arrived~ This is the heart of Greendern, Mohen Square~”
The place Mabel would tour today was the most bustling district in the capital.
With Ella’s help, Mabel stepped down from the carriage and her mouth fell open slightly.
A plaza as vast as the Duchy Palace grounds was filled with countless people coming and going.
Flap-flap!
White doves took flight toward the central clock tower fountain.
White birds soaring across the blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds—it was like a painting come to life.
“It’s beautiful.”
Mabel was gazing upward at the sky, gripping Ella’s hand tightly, when—
“Then let me assist with the tour.”
Hishin, who had been sitting beside the coachman, approached and spoke.
Just as Mabel’s first outing to the capital had been, Hishin was assigned to provide escort duty today as well.
“Yes!”
For some reason, she felt nostalgic and delighted, and Mabel broke into a wide smile.
But Hishin seemed reluctant to move.
“Aren’t we going?”
When Mabel tilted her head in confusion, Hishin snapped back to attention.
“Oh, um, no. Yes, let’s go.”
Hishin turned and walked forward with a slight creaking sound.
Mabel was bewildered by his behavior, but Ella had her suspicions.
‘Really, if he wanted to hold hands, he should just say so.’
Of course, she had no intention of helping him out.
Hishin was an ungrateful wretch who’d once asked never to be assigned escort duty to her again.
Had it not been for Mabel’s request, he wouldn’t have come on this capital trip at all.
‘So he can regret it a bit.’
Ella, knowing full well but pretending ignorance, sealed her lips and walked along beside Mabel.
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Zigmund’s prediction about the weather today had proven accurate.
In heat nearly akin to summer, sweat poured down even standing still.
Moreover, the capital was in the midst of a festival celebrating the Crown Prince’s birthday.
With so many people, sightseeing was nearly impossible; all they could manage was staying close to the group.
As a result, their tour moved slowly, and they ended up spending more time wandering the streets.
Mabel seemed to be enjoying it anyway, but eventually her limits were reached.
“Sister, I feel… my stomach’s churning…….”
The flush that heat had brought to her cheeks drained away, leaving her face pale as her skin grew clammy with cold sweat.
Soon it would be time to meet Zigmund.
She needed to head to their meeting place, but first it looked like Mabel might collapse.
So she’d hurried to find somewhere to rest, and just then noticed the Cafeteria nearby had empty seats, which is why they’d rushed inside.
“Miss~ are you all right~?”
Ella wiped the back of Mabel’s neck and underarms with a cloth soaked in cool water, trying to bring down her temperature.
Hishin stood beside her with worry etched across his face, fanning her diligently.
A bucket full of ice sat in front of them, sending waves of cool air her way.
“I’m… I’m so sorry…….”
But Mabel couldn’t seem to recover her strength.
Truth be told, she’d never felt heat like this, even in Asilonia.
The Duchy House in Asilonia sat much closer to the north, after all.
By contrast, the capital lay to the south with a massive river running right alongside it, making the air thick and stifling enough to kill.
Still, she’d wanted to see as much as possible and later give Aselt and Kellic a personal tour.
Had she been too ambitious?
Mabel was completely exhausted.
“When we come back with the brothers later, we’ll have to avoid summer…… Kellic doesn’t do well in heat…….”
Even now, Mabel was already thinking ahead to when she’d return with her brothers.
It was endearing, but Ella and Hishin both wished she’d focus on taking care of herself first.
“Your dessert is ready.”
A refreshing Peach Sherbet arrived just in time.
They’d added plenty of lemon juice to make it tart and said it would be good for recovering from fatigue.
“Miss, have a taste of this right away~ say ‘ahh’~”
Ella quickly scooped up some sherbet and brought the spoon to Mabel’s lips.
“Ahhh…….”
Mabel, who’d been sprawled limply in her chair, opened her mouth weakly and accepted a spoonful.
The tart lemon and sweet peach pulp spread across her tongue.
As if suddenly coming to life, Mabel’s eyes lit up with delight.
“Ohhhhh…… this is amazing!”
Now that she seemed revived, Mabel opened her mouth again.
Ella quickly selected a piece rich with peach flesh and fed it to her.
“Mmmmm! This really is delicious!”
Like a baby bird, Mabel accepted each spoonful eagerly, then pressed her cheeks with both hands in wonder.
It wasn’t really any different from what Zac made back at the Duchy Palace, so why did it taste so wonderful here?
“Here, we have cold Cherry Ade too, so take your time~”
Ella handed her a spoon, and Mabel nodded, then scooped up a generous bite of sherbet.
But instead of bringing it to her own lips, she held it out to Ella.
“Me~? You want me to have some~?”
“Yes! You’re hot too, aren’t you?”
Mabel grinned, her face glistening with sweat.
“Oh my~”
In truth, Ella wasn’t particularly hot, and she’d already ordered her own drink separately.
But moved by Mabel’s thoughtfulness and gratitude, she accepted it right away.
“Thank you so much, Miss~”
She’d never known sherbet could be such a touching food.
As Ella wiped away tears of emotion, Mabel scooped up another generous spoonful with a fresh spoon.
This time it was for Hishin.
“You too, Hishin!”
“Ah, Miss…….”
Hishin’s throat tightened even before he’d eaten, making it hard to speak.
“Th-thank you!”
He swallowed hard, tears welling up, and accepted the sherbet.
Though Hishin didn’t usually care for sweets, he knew he’d never forget the taste of this sherbet for the rest of his life.
“Now you have some too, Miss, go ahead~”
“Yes!”
It was just as Mabel, beaming, raised a spoonful to her mouth.
“Oh my, is this really happening?”
“Unbelievable, the audacity. Turning the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration into a disaster, and now she’s out gallivanting?”
Sharp, cutting voices carried over—gossip that was far from quiet.
When Mabel glanced over with a puzzled frown, the women seated at a nearby table quickly shielded their faces behind their fans, pretending to fan themselves.
‘Did I mishear that?’
Tilting her head, Mabel opened her mouth wide and took a large bite of the Peach Sherbet.
“My, what an appetite. How can she sit there so calmly?”
“Exactly. No one said anything yesterday, but I thought it was strange.”
The women’s whispers rose again.
Ella had heard it too — her hand trembled slightly as she reached for her cup of cold tea, and ice clattered against the glass.
Hishin, who was fanning Mabel, felt the same tension grip him.
“It’s all right.”
Mabel reassured them both and lifted another spoonful of sherbet.
She didn’t know who those women were, but she could tell they lacked the nerve to speak openly in front of her.
She tried not to let it bother her, but their next words crossed a line.
The women giggled as they spoke.
“Is it really true that she was abused? The Duchy House didn’t tell her to say that, did they?”
“Seems like she’s trying to squeeze money out of Asilonia.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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