I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 14

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Actually, I had expected this would happen.

Now that Milena, who was likely their real daughter, had appeared, I was no longer needed.

Even though I had run away from home, they didn’t scold me at all.

They were just telling me to step aside…

‘Maybe it’s because they have no expectations left for me.’

A bitter taste spread across my tongue.

I never knew when I might be abandoned.

Gripped by the suffocating fear, Cecilia took a shallow breath.

That’s why, even more so.

‘I must act flawlessly as a daughter of Lusert.’

Hadn’t I already caused trouble once?

I couldn’t become a burdensome baggage anymore.

I had to hold my breath, read the room, and become someone who suited my family’s tastes.

“Thank you, Father.”

Cecilia quickly bowed her waist.

The Duke, who had been quietly observing his daughter, added a word in a strange tone.

“I’ll send Mrs. Howard to you, so tell her if you need anything or feel uncomfortable.”

Cecilia’s shoulders stiffened for a moment.

She understood well in her head.

That Father was trying to assign Mrs. Howard to her out of consideration.

So.

‘I mustn’t show it.’

I mustn’t show any signs of being uncomfortable with Mrs. Howard.

Between the nanny trusted by the ducal family and the inadequate adopted daughter who never met expectations.

It was obvious whose words they would listen to more.

Cecilia answered obediently again.

“Yes, Father.”

And so, before leaving the room.

Cecilia glanced back briefly.

Into her blue-green eyes, the image of her family surrounding the bed was stamped like a seal.

The eyes of her family looking at Milena were filled with joy.

Cecilia’s gaze darkened after confirming this.

“…”

Her instincts whispered.

…That she could never fit into that circle.

* * *

The first thing I felt was pain.

My head hurt as if it would split.

At the same time, muscle pain washed over me as if someone had trampled all over my body.

“Ugh…”

I reflexively groaned.

Then, someone exclaimed in a nightingale-like voice.

“Oh my, she’s awake!”

I stiffened my shoulders in surprise.

‘What? Who is it?’

It was a voice I’d never heard before.

Flustered, I struggled to lift my eyelids.

My blurry vision gradually became clear.

The first thing I saw was some noblewoman.

Her elegant figure with brilliant blonde hair gracefully pinned up was quite alluring despite her middle age.

She probably made many gentlemen weep with that beauty once… but that’s not what’s important.

The problem was something else.

‘What, what is this.’

The problem was that the noblewoman was looking down at me with tears welling up in her eyes!

Why on earth?!

“Dear, are you alright?”

The noblewoman grasped my hands firmly.

Her palms were very soft, proving she had lived a life completely unrelated to rough work.

I nodded my head in bewilderment.

“Yes, yes…”

It was true.

Although my whole body ached as if I had been scrubbing floors for a long time.

But I felt like I would get better with some rest.

However, the problem was that tears rolled down the noblewoman’s cheeks after hearing my answer!

I was absolutely horrified.

‘Excuse me, but why are you crying?!’

Just as I was screaming internally.

“Madam, are you alright?”

A gentleman gently addressed the noblewoman.

But the color of the gentleman’s eyes looking at the noblewoman seemed familiar somehow.

Deep green resembling summer’s lush foliage…

At that moment.

A lightning-like shock shook me.

‘Could it be?!’

Shocked, I opened my eyes wide and looked back and forth between the two people.

Brilliant blonde hair like spring sunshine.

Deep green eyes.

These features weren’t particularly rare individually, but if this couple had both of those traits…

‘Aren’t they the Duke and Duchess of Lusert?!’

A beautiful noblewoman with blonde hair and violet eyes.

Despite her middle age, she flaunted her innocent beauty like an ideal noblewoman painted in a picture.

Moreover, the middle-aged gentleman with reddish-brown hair standing beside her.

His vivid green eyes shone sharply like a hawk surveying the sky.

His upright posture exuded the dignity characteristic of nobility.

Even a handsome young man suddenly poked his face forward.

“Mother, are you alright?!”

The young man who had been carefully examining his mother suddenly turned to look at me.

His eye color was a vivid violet reminiscent of the Duchess.

Plus the reddish-brown hair that fell over his smooth forehead, exactly like the Duke’s.

This was unmistakably the appearance of the House of Lusert described in the original work!

‘I’m doomed.’

My spine went cold and cold sweat poured down.

That’s right.

I had finally encountered the House of Lusert that I had been avoiding!!

“Ex, excuse me, what is your name?”

The noblewoman asked me while dabbing at her tears.

I glanced around cautiously and answered carefully.

“Mi, Milena.”

“Milena. Milena…”

The Duchess’s face contorted sadly as she repeated my name several times.

As if the name ‘Milena’ itself shouldn’t be attached to me.

After a moment.

“…It really is a beautiful name.”

The Duchess forced the corners of her mouth upward and smiled sadly.

And this time the Duke carefully posed a question.

“By any chance. Do you remember what happened earlier?”

“Pardon?”

“I heard you saved our Cecilia. According to witnesses, there was a strong wind blowing around you.”

In an instant, I felt my blood run cold.

It was because the description from the original story came to mind.

Cecilia’s eyes shook violently.

‘It’s me, I’ve returned!’

The blonde girl with a bright smile opened her abilities without hesitation.

The gentle breeze the girl summoned swept around the vast garden once, then softly caressed the Duchess’s cheek.

Drop.

A thick tear fell below the Duchess’s chin.

‘Chesha, my daughter…’

The moment that affectionate nickname, which had never been allowed for herself, was granted to that cheerful blonde girl.

Cecilia realized.

At this moment, Cecilia was no longer the ‘daughter of Lusert.’

‘Th-this can’t happen.’

It felt like I had stepped on a landmine.

It seems like I’ve awakened the ducal family’s abilities!

‘I need time to think for now.’

If I hastily deal with the current situation and make a mistake, it would be a disaster.

Having made that judgment, I reflexively made excuses.

“I’m sorry, I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.”

“Milena?”

“My mother is worried about me. I should go home now… Ugh.”

I hurriedly shook my head and tried to get up quickly, but collapsed instead.

Then the Duchess hurriedly supported me.

“Child, are you alright?”

“Don’t move suddenly. You probably have considerable muscle pain.”

The Duke hurriedly stopped me.

The Duchess carefully laid me back down on the bed.

“Right. They said there are aftereffects when you use magic power.”

And even the handsome young man spoke to me warmly.

Everyone in this room was unanimously worried about me.

However, I felt somehow twisted inside.

‘There’s someone else you should be worried about before me.’

Why isn’t that person in this room?

I’m talking about Cecilia!

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