I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 16

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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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‘Oh my goodness.’

I swallowed hard and looked around nervously.

Chair seats filled with cotton and finished with velvet.

An interior neatly decorated with luxury wallpaper.

Even the ceiling was adorned with elaborate golden patterns.

‘This is the first time in my life I’ve ridden in such a luxurious carriage.’

To exaggerate a bit, the chair I’m sitting on seems more cushioned than the bed in our house…

That wasn’t all.

I sneakily looked out the window.

Soldiers were riding horses with upright postures.

That’s right.

The Duke had sent not only a carriage, but even two escort soldiers…

Was he worried I might collapse on the way or something?

I slumped back into the chair.

The House of Lusert I had seen earlier flickered before my eyes.

The Duchess with tears welling up in her eyes.

The Duke, who despite his sharp features, looked at me with very gentle eyes.

And even the young Duke who had a face full of affection.

‘…Those people are my blood relatives.’

My blood family.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t curious at all.

They’re the people who brought me into this world, so it’s natural to feel drawn to them.

But the person I’m more worried about is…

‘Cecilia.’

That child’s dejected expression I saw last flickered before my eyes.

She definitely didn’t look well.

It seemed like she was limping too.

I was so very worried.

But what could I do about it from here?

Rather, it would be better for Cecilia if I quickly settled things with Lusert…

‘Ah, we must have arrived.’

Just then, the carriage stopped smoothly.

At the same time, a soldier politely knocked on the door.

Then he opened the door for me.

“Allow me to escort you, my lady.”

He showed me the utmost courtesy.

It was as if he were treating a noble lady.

Flustered, I quickly shook my head.

“It’s fine.”

But the soldier was immovable.

“I received orders from the Duke to serve you well, my lady.”

“…”

The soldier looked at me politely but firmly.

Well, honestly, it is a bit difficult to move on my own.

The muscle pain is no joke.

‘Well then, if that’s the case.’

I swallowed the sigh that was about to escape and placed my hand on top of the soldier’s.

“Excuse me.”

Still, moving with the soldier’s help was much more manageable.

Having safely stepped out of the carriage, I bowed my head.

“Thank you for bringing me here. You can go back now.”

“No. I will confirm that you return home safely before going back.”

“…”

Really, why is he so stubborn?

Looking at the soldier with wary eyes, I eventually turned around, pretending to give up.

I could feel the soldier’s gaze persistently following behind me.

‘Fine, even if I were to run away with Mother… leaving tonight would be impossible anyway.’

Rather than that, it would be better not to act suspiciously right now.

I could discuss and decide on future plans with Mother.

With that, I vigorously pushed open the front gate.

‘Huh?’

At the same time, I felt an intense sense of unease.

‘Why is it so quiet?’

It was the time when the sun was setting.

That meant.

It was the busiest time preparing dinner.

Naturally, our Mother should be moving around busily right about now.

‘Or maybe Tranciere Manor sent word to Mother about me collapsing?’

But that was strange in its own way.

If it were our Mother as I knew her, she would have rushed to Tranciere Manor immediately upon hearing that news.

No matter how I thought about it, there was no reason for it to be this quiet as a mouse…

“Mother?”

I called out to Mother with a suspicious voice.

But no answer came back.

“Mother, where are you? I’m ho…”

At that moment.

I froze in place.

Our Mother was collapsed on the cold kitchen floor.

My mind went completely blank.

“Mother!!!”

I screamed and ran to Mother’s side.

I hurriedly lifted Mother up.

“Mother, Mother!”

I called out several times, but Mother showed no sign of opening her eyes.

Only her faint breathing, as if it might stop at any moment, proved that our Mother was still alive.

“What’s wrong, huh?!”

“…”

“O-open your eyes. Wake up!!”

I shook Mother’s body frantically with my trembling hands.

But Mother still didn’t move at all.

Every time I shook her, Mother’s arms and legs drooped like a broken doll.

‘What should I do?’

I was suddenly terrified.

A sobbing voice flowed from between my lips.

“I-is anyone there?”

But no one answered my call.

The eerie silence pressed down on my shoulders like a rock.

I screamed frantically.

“Please help me! Our Mother has collapsed!!”

And at that moment.

Like a miracle, the Duke’s soldiers appeared.

“Excuse us. We heard someone calling from outside….”

The soldiers who had been cautiously asking for permission widened their eyes.

The soldiers looked back and forth between me, completely covered in tears, and Mother, who was slumped over on my lap.

I clung to the soldiers, sobbing uncontrollably.

“P-please save my mother. Please?!”

* * *

Elias crossed the well-maintained garden, lost deep in thought.

‘Could that child really be my sister?’

Milena.

From what he heard, she was a temporary maid at the Tranciere Manor.

Bright golden hair reminiscent of summer sunlight.

Green eyes that sparkled with intelligence.

A lovely appearance like a delicately crafted porcelain doll.

While she physically resembled the sister he had lost long ago, the most important thing was her ‘ability.’

‘Of course, we’ll need to conduct a paternity test at the Mage Tower first….’

But what if the results confirmed she was family?

Just the thought alone made his heart swell with emotion.

He would finally find his real sister.

‘Then Mother would regain her spirits too. Father would be overjoyed as well.’

If only that could happen.

Spring would return to the Duke’s house, which had been shrouded in dark shadows.

Finally, everyone would be happy.

Just as a faint smile appeared on Elias’s lips.

‘Ah.’

He glanced up.

He had arrived at the annex before he knew it.

Currently, Cecilia was staying alone in this annex.

‘Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really visited this annex before.’

Elias looked up at the building before him with a sense of novelty.

Befitting a building where distinguished guests stayed, it was immaculately maintained without even the smallest stain.

Yet somehow it felt gloomy.

‘Should I go in?’

Elias passed through the entrance.

The interior of the annex wasn’t much different from the exterior.

Clean but strangely desolate in atmosphere.

It didn’t really feel like a place where people lived.

Moreover, there was one problem.

‘…Where should I go?’

Since he had never visited the annex before, he didn’t know where Cecilia’s room was.

While looking around with a perplexed expression.

Elias’s gaze turned to a maid who happened to be passing by.

“You there.”

“Oh!”

The startled maid bowed her head respectfully.

“I greet the Young Duke.”

“Where is Cecilia’s room?”

“It’s the rightmost room on the third floor. I’ll escort you there.”

The maid quickly tried to lead the way.

“No need.”

Then, Elias gestured for the maid to stop and briskly walked past her.

Cecilia must be tired from having just returned.

He didn’t want to make a fuss unnecessarily.

The only problem was.

‘This is… a bit awkward.’

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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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