I’m The Male Lead’s Biological Daughter, But I Want To Live With The Second Male Lead! - Chapter 69

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 69
When she hurried to the meeting place, Zigmund was already there waiting.
He rose from the bench where he’d been sitting in the shade of a tree.
“Why are you all so late?”
“Oh my, I’m so sorry!”
Mabel, nestled in Hishin’s arms, quickly apologized.
“No, I’m not saying you did anything wrong.”
Zigmund approached and took Mabel from Hishin’s embrace.
Hishin’s hands fell away, lingering uselessly in the empty air.
“My little egg…….”
Ella patted the sulking Hishin on the shoulder sympathetically.
Zigmund turned to the feverish Mabel with a theatrically wounded expression.
“I was wondering what could be so much fun without me that you’d be this late.”
Mabel, with practiced ease, wrapped her arms around Zigmund’s neck and shook her head.
“No, it wasn’t very fun at all.”
Of course, sightseeing had been pleasant enough.
The crowds were thick, and she’d spent more time trapped on the street than she’d have liked, but still.
It was a bustle unlike anything she felt in the inner halls of the Grand Duke’s Castle or the busy quarters of the Domain.
But what happened at the Cafeteria wasn’t particularly enjoyable.
“It wasn’t fun without you.”
Mabel murmured softly into Zigmund’s shoulder.
“Hmm?”
Zigmund had started to smile at what he thought was her being playful, but his expression suddenly froze.
Mabel’s small body was trembling.
Just as it had been yesterday when they’d first left the Banquet Hall.
Zigmund’s eyes immediately sought out Ella and Hishin.
Both lowered their heads in silent shame.
He didn’t know exactly what had happened, but something clearly was wrong.
“I see. I should have been with you from the start, shouldn’t I?”
Zigmund stroked the child’s back soothingly, his voice tender.
“No, it’s not that…….”
Mabel buried her face deeper and shook her head.
She hesitated for a long moment, searching for words, before pulling him closer.
“I just…… it was just like that.”
In truth, Mabel had been fine until just a moment ago.
Certainly, she’d felt some nervousness when standing before the women making their slander.
But if they were going to insult her, she might have let it pass—yet she couldn’t abide insults to the Grand Duke’s House, so she’d stood against them.
And somehow, she’d felt certain that Zigmund would approve of her doing so.
She’d felt a little disappointed when Ella stepped in to mediate.
Since she’d always believed Ella was on her side, she might have felt a touch of betrayal.
Of course, that was before she understood what Ella’s “interference” truly meant.
As they’d made their way to the appointed meeting place with Zigmund, Ella had explained.
– You see, our young lady is so kindhearted~ she was just trying to resolve it through conversation, that’s all~
In fact, Ella had originally planned to simply send Mabel away and overturn the whole thing entirely.
But noticing that Mabel seemed about to do something, Ella had simply watched and offered silent support.
However, when the women seemed ready to flee, she’d stepped in.
Hishin had also acknowledged that this showed Ella had exercised considerable patience.
When Mabel had asked if things were truly all right, Ella had laughed warmly.
– Young lady~ no matter how impressive a noble may be~ before my fists, everyone is generally equal~
Of course, behind Ella stood the Eschlide Grand Duchy as well.
Ella knew full well that Zigmund wouldn’t reprimand her for her actions.
So Mabel’s lingering disappointment had melted away, and she’d convinced herself it was fine.
But it seemed it wasn’t.
“So next time…… I’d really like you to be there from the start…….”
The moment she’d seen Zigmund, all the tension drained from her body.
The strength gradually ebbed from Mabel’s arms where they’d wrapped around Zigmund’s neck.
Zigmund said nothing, simply continuing to pat the back of the child as she drifted into sleep.
Every so often, a warm breeze would brush past, carrying away strands of the child’s sweat-dampened hair.
Zigmund remained seated in the tree’s shade, cradling and gently patting Mabel until she woke.
He hoped she’d dream only good dreams, pleasant dreams that would wash away the unhappy memories, so that when she woke, she would wear a smile as bright as morning itself.
Soft breathing, soft breathing…….
The child’s gentle breaths, nestled in his arms, were lovely to hear.
“From now on, I’ll always be with you.”
Zigmund whispered the words softly, pressing a kiss to the child’s forehead.
The clamorous sounds of the festival felt like they belonged to another world, distant and unreal.
* * *
That evening, Zigmund received a report from Ella and Hishin.
“So something like that happened, then…….”
His murmur was cool, tinged with a heavy sigh.
The candle burning on the desk flickered, casting dancing shadows across Zigmund’s face.
His mouth twisted wryly as he rested his chin on his clasped hands.
Zigmund’s eyes lifted from the report Ella had submitted, and he fixed both of them with a steady gaze.
“And?”
Surely they hadn’t simply brought him names.
At Zigmund’s question, Ella’s eyes sharpened, and she spoke with crisp precision.
“Our investigation revealed that the two women who led the gossip campaign had connections to the Empress’s inner circle. Margaret Warren is the sister of the Empress’s Palace chamberlain, and Nancy Burns is the older sister of one of the Empress’s attendants.”
“So it was Public Opinion wielded from the Empress’s Palace. They couldn’t afford to be exposed.”
There was reason enough for keeping their faces hidden behind fans the entire time.
“Is there any possibility those two deliberately approached Mabel?”
“That seems to have been pure chance. They were already at the cafeteria before we arrived, and our going there today was an unforeseen circumstance.”
“However, that cafeteria is one frequently visited by the nobility. Everyone seated there was of noble birth.”
Hishin continued where Ella left off.
They’d been spreading rumors to coax the nobles into submission, but today’s appearance by Mabel had brought those plans to nothing.
Whether fortunate or unfortunate remained unclear.
“How is Mabel now?”
After resting in Zigmund’s arms and waking, Mabel seemed to be in better spirits.
They’d walked through the festival grounds together, played ring toss at a vendor’s stall, and even won a doll.
They’d bought gifts for Aselt and Kellic, and thanks to Zigmund’s victory over Ella, Mabel had enjoyed a churro lavishly drizzled with chocolate.
So he’d thought everything was fine, but shortly before…….
Mabel, who’d been asleep, suddenly developed a fever, and all chaos broke loose.
Fortunately, after giving her the Fever Reducer, she’d settled down, though it almost certainly stemmed from the day’s events.
“Her fever has dropped completely now, and she’s resting comfortably.”
“Good. Keep watching her tonight. If her temperature rises again or she has a fit……no, wait. I should stay with her.”
“Your Grace?”
“Yes. That way, both Mabel and I will feel at ease.”
Zigmund rose at once and headed for the bedroom where Mabel slept.
Not forgetting to issue his orders to Ella and Hishin.
“And see that Margaret Warren and Nancy Burns are dealt with properly.”
“Properly, you say~? To what extent?”
Ella, who’d already recovered her characteristic manner of speech, tilted her head slightly as she asked.
Zigmund, his hand on the bedroom door handle, glanced back at her as if to say the answer was obvious.
“Make sure it reaches the Empress’s ears, loud and clear.”
Both Ella and Hishin bowed their heads in unison.
* * *
The next day.
Mabel opened her eyes, nestled in Zigmund’s arms.
“Mm……?”
Why was Zigmund here……?
As Mabel blinked groggily, Zigmund patted her back gently.
“You could sleep longer. Why are you waking up already?”
“Oh, my eyes just opened on their own…….”
At Mabel’s drowsy murmur, Zigmund loosened the arm holding her.
Mabel sat up and looked down at him.
“When did you arrive?”
“When you took your medicine and went to sleep.”
“Ah…… Why?”
At Mabel’s question, Zigmund propped himself up on an elbow, looking up at her.
“Just because.”
At his offhand reply, Mabel’s lips trembled slightly.
“Why are you smiling?”
“I don’t mind, either.”
Mabel settled back onto the bed and nestled subtly into Zigmund’s arms.
Zigmund caught sight of her round head and drew her close without pretense.
Held gently against him, Mabel spoke softly.
“Zigmund, I had something rather unfortunate happen yesterday.”
“Mm.”
“Did you know?”
“Mm.”
Mabel’s head snapped up as she looked at him.
“Then why didn’t you ask me about it?”
“Because I’m sure you handled it well enough.”
Propped on his elbow, Zigmund met her gaze and patted her back reassuringly.
“How could you know what I did? I might have made a mistake.”
“If you made a mistake, then the person who put you in that situation was wrong.”
“That’s not how it works.”
Mabel giggled and buried her face in his chest once more.
“You’re spoiling me rotten.”
“You can afford to be spoiled a little more.”
Zigmund chuckled softly in reply.
Mabel lay quietly, tracing the wrinkles in the rumpled blanket, before speaking in a hushed voice.
“I want to go home soon.”
The Capital had been delightful, full of novelties, yet everything felt strange no matter where she turned.
So strange that nothing could comfort her except within Zigmund’s embrace.
Understanding her heart, Zigmund stroked her back gently and spoke.
“Yes, let’s go home.”
Back to where our peaceful, ordinary life waits.
Zigmund continued to soothe the sleeping child long into the night.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————