I’m The Male Lead’s Biological Daughter, But I Want To Live With The Second Male Lead! - Chapter 78

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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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Chapter 78
Dain approached Zigmund, who knelt alone in the middle of the corridor, slumped in despair.
“I apologize for your distress, Your Grace.”
Yet despite his words, Dain showed no sign of actual remorse.
Instead, he tapped the report against Zigmund’s shoulder as if to say he should stop wallowing and get to his feet.
“We’ve received word from the scouts watching the Asilonia Duke’s Estate.”
Zigmund, still gazing at the empty space where Mabel had been, finally collected himself.
He took the report Dain had been tapping against his shoulder and rose to his feet. “So? Any activity?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“That can’t be right. You’re certain they observed properly?”
Zigmund frowned with suspicion and flipped through the report rapidly.
But Dain’s account was accurate.
“Hmm. I thought they’d make their move by now, after all this time.”
Zigmund murmured as he walked toward the Office.
Dain followed close behind, nodding in agreement.
“I expected the same, sir. We did provide them with an opening, after all.”
Several days prior—the day Mabel was abducted—had been the day Zigmund was meant to meet Sophia.
But when Mabel became entangled in the poaching suppression operation, that meeting fell through.
Of course, they were careful to ensure no word spread about Mabel’s kidnapping.
Still, since the cancellation had been unilateral that day, Zigmund assumed Asilonia would make a move against him.
Yet surprisingly, the Asilonia side had shown no sign of action whatsoever.
“Perhaps they saw through our assumption that Caesar, not Sophia, would arrive that day.”
The scouts had discovered something in a trash bin that very day.
It was a Proxy Appointment Letter written in Sophia’s hand.
The letter stated that should they refuse to recognize her proxy, Caesar, and cancel the meeting, she would take legal action.
“Your Grace saw through the letter’s forgery and moved first to counter it.”
“Right, I did.”
At first glance, it seemed to be written by Sophia herself, but there were subtle differences.
And Zigmund, who had once conducted research alongside Sophia, knew her handwriting intimately.
‘It was because of the Subjugation Mark, but…’
He had even once written a paper imitating her handwriting.
So no matter how perfectly Caesar had replicated it, he could not fool Zigmund’s eye.
Zigmund had dealt with the situation despite his cat allergies causing relentless sneezing.
He’d immediately attached the letter found in the trash and sent a warning not to attempt tricks.
Making it seem as though he’d already seen through their scheme and cancelled the meeting for that very reason.
“So perhaps they’re keeping their heads down until we’ve rooted out the spies we planted.”
“But we still haven’t learned why Caesar bothered with the forgery in the first place.”
This had troubled him since discovering Caesar’s forgery of the letter.
If Sophia had already been recovered, why not simply have her write it herself?
True, the letter had claimed she’d suffered grave injuries.
But Zigmund didn’t believe it.
‘Sophia is the sort of woman who would exploit even her own injuries for advantage.’
Had her arm or leg been broken, she would’ve deliberately wrapped herself in excessive bandages to garner sympathy from those around her.
Even if she were genuinely bedridden, the outcome would be the same.
Sophia would have engineered circumstances so compelling that Mabel would have no choice but to visit the Duke’s Estate.
He’d sent scouts to clarify this point, but it seemed they’d found nothing of substance.
“Well, since they’re quiet, there’s no need for us to make a move either.”
If Dain’s reasoning was sound, Caesar would soon attempt something different.
Assuming he didn’t know that Mabel’s abduction was why the meeting had been cancelled.
So it made more sense to set this matter aside and prepare for other threats.
Zigmund returned to his Office, set the report and papers on his desk, and asked: “What about Aselt and Kellic? Are they still like that?”
“Ah, yes.”
Dain, who was heading to his seat, let out a sigh.
“They still refuse to set foot outside their room.”
“Those two are certainly persistent.”
Zigmund, now seated, sighed along with Dain.
Aselt and Kellic’s confinement had begun the day Mabel took in Winter.
At first, he’d assumed it was guilt over failing to protect Mabel that kept them locked away.

But even when Mabel went to talk to them, it was no use.
It turned out that Aselt and Kellic weren’t barricaded out of guilt—they were staging a sit-in demanding that Winter be sent away.
“It’s not as if they have cat allergies like I do.”
She’d let them wear themselves out and come out on their own; it had already been days.
Even now, with Mabel having taken Winter away, Aselt and Kellic still refused to show their faces.
“That’s what I mean. Why are they so terrified of that tiny white lion, anyway? The young masters are really something…….”
No matter how many times Dain asked what on earth was wrong with them, it made no difference.
They simply kept repeating that they were too frightened.
Zigmund, who had been pressing his temples, waved his hand dismissively.
“Leave them be for now. Don’t touch it carelessly until we know the cause.”
Sometimes children’s problems resolved themselves in ways one never anticipated.
So Zigmund decided to simply observe for the time being.
* * *
Meanwhile, having stepped out into the City Street District beyond the Outer Castle, Mabel stopped by Simona’s shop to greet her.
“Winter’s clothing, you said? Yes! I, Simona, shall create something that complements the young lady’s dresses beautifully!”
Making clothes for an animal was such a novel challenge that inspiration seemed to be flooding her mind.
“Then I’m counting on you!”
“Yes! Do visit again, young lady~!”
After parting ways with Simona, Mabel made her way to the pet supply shop.
Though it was called a pet supply shop, it was really little more than a livestock merchant.
Nutritional supplements for cattle and horses, parasite medicine for shepherd dogs, wool-shearing tools—
None of it was quite what Mabel was looking for.
“Hmm, what do I do…….”
Would anyone even keep a white lion as a pet in the first place?
The tiger at the circus she’d seen with Zigmund was apparently let loose in the mountains during ordinary times.
That tiger was a full-grown adult, so it could hunt for itself, but Winter couldn’t.
“Is there something you’re looking for~?”
Noticing Mabel’s glum expression, Ella asked with concern.
“Well…….”
“Hmm, now what to do~”
Truth be told, Ella didn’t know what Mabel had come out to buy today either.
She’d simply followed along when Mabel suggested an outing.
Mabel, who had been lost in thought while stroking Winter’s head, made a decision.
“This won’t do. Let’s head to Craftsman Street!”
“Craftsman Street~?”
“Yes! If what we need doesn’t exist, we can just make it!”
When Mabel brightened up and let out a cheerful laugh, a relieved smile bloomed across Ella’s face as well.
“Then Hishin, please arrange a carriage back to the Inner Castle~”
“Yes, understood.”
Hishin, who had been fretting uselessly beside her with his large frame, sprang into action with renewed purpose.
“While we wait for Hishin, shall we have something cold to eat~?”
“Something cold?”
It was rare for Ella to suggest a snack first.
Mabel, delighted, asked for clarification, and Ella nodded, pointing toward a spot.
There stood a vendor selling stretchy, chewy ice cream—Dondurma.
“Dondurma!”
Mabel hurried toward the Dondurma stall, cradling Winter in her arms.
[Dondurma?]
“Yeah, it’s ice cream. Super delicious~”
Of course, to eat that delicious ice cream, one had to endure an enormous amount of teasing.
Imagining Winter being toyed with by the vendor’s nimble hands, Mabel couldn’t help but giggle.
“Four milk-flavored ones, please~”
“This one here’s going to catch it!”
As Ella placed the order, Mabel hoisted Winter up with a flourish.
In an instant, the Dondurma vendor’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“Oho, I’ve never seen such a large cat before~?”
A master hunter of a cat……? The vendor’s face ignited with competitive spirit.
“A fair challenge! Try to catch it!”
The vendor, having spread the stretchy ice cream onto a crispy pastry cone, began taunting with swift, flourishing motions.
Last time they’d gone out, Mabel had missed it a full ten times before finally getting to eat it.
‘How long will it take Winter?’
Mabel held Winter aloft with an eager expression on her face.
Crack.
“…….”
“…….”
“……Oh.”
Winter had shattered the pastry cone in a single strike.

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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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