I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 19

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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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After that.

Count of Lusert came out of the room.

The Duchess, who had been waiting anxiously, quickly rose from her seat.

“Did the conversation go well, dear?”

Since there was a patient, it seemed like it would be uncomfortable for Milena if the whole family rushed in at once.

So for now, only the Duke had entered the bedroom.

“Yes, it seems to have ended well enough.”

“That’s a relief.”

The Duchess, who had been stroking her chest in relief, suddenly widened her eyes.

A clear smile was hanging on her usually stoic husband’s lips.

“Did something good happen?”

“No, it’s not that.”

The Duke shook his head and answered with a voice mixed with laughter.

“The child is quite clever.”

“Clever?”

“That’s right. When I suggested we proceed with a paternity test, well.”

The Duke’s smile deepened even more.

“She asked to write a contract.”

“My goodness, a contract?”

“If that child is proven to be our biological daughter, she should receive the family’s protection. Then she said…”

The Duke recalled Milena’s clear voice.

“If I am indeed your biological daughter, I will do my best as the Duke’s daughter for three years until my mother is completely cured.”

The deep green eyes that looked straight at the Duke were unmistakably similar to his own.

“I know this is a truly sorry request, but after that, I would like you to give me freedom regarding my whereabouts.”

“Freedom regarding your whereabouts?”

“Yes. Since my adoptive mother has shown me so much love, I want to consider her.”

A faint shadow fell across Milena’s face.

“Of course, I know you’re already showing much consideration. But my mother is very precious to me… I beg of you.”

Milena politely bowed her head.

“Instead, while I stay with the ducal family, I will do my best as the Duke’s daughter. Please tell me any conditions you would like as well.”

Honestly, he could clearly see what that child was thinking.

For some reason he didn’t understand, it was obvious from the start that she didn’t welcome being involved with the Lusert ducal family.

So this was probably an attempt to somehow extract herself from the situation.

However, the very fact that she requested a contract like that to clarify what each party should uphold…

“The child certainly seems intelligent.”

At those words, the Duchess smiled with her eyes.

“Do you know something?”

“Hmm?”

“You look very pleased.”

At those words, just as the Duke was unconsciously stroking his chin.

‘Hmm?’

The Duke felt a slight sense of unease.

Come to think of it, hadn’t Elias been keeping his mouth shut the whole time?

When he glanced over, he saw his son with his eyes downcast, lost in deep thought.

“Elias?”

At that call, Elias quickly raised his head.

The Duke tilted his head.

“What are you thinking about so intently?”

“It’s nothing.”

Elias quickly shook his head.

The Duke chuckled heartily.

“You rascal, how silly.”

Elias also quickly smiled, following his father’s lead.

However, that smile quickly faded.

‘Earlier, what the governess said.’

Elias’s eyes sank deeply.

‘That attitude toward Cecilia, what was that about?’

Mrs. Howard’s behavior from earlier was still clearly etched in his mind.

The sharp words directed at Cecilia.

And how she became gentle as soon as she faced him, like flipping her palm.

‘Could the governess be doing something to Cecilia… No, that can’t be right?’

Wasn’t she usually such a kind person?

Probably because he had become sensitive, ordinary behavior had gotten on his nerves.

Also, the governess was human too, so she couldn’t always be kind.

Elias suppressed his suspicions like that.

Separately, the governess’s sharp attitude kept lingering in his memory.

…Like a thorn stuck under his fingernail.

* * *

‘Ah.’

I suddenly lifted my eyelids.

It seemed I had dozed off for a moment.

I, who had been lying face down at the edge of the bed, groggily sat up.

The surroundings were simply quiet.

As I was blinking blankly, I quickly looked down.

‘Mother?!’

At the same time, I felt a little relieved.

Mother was sleeping soundly, breathing steadily.

Her cheeks had regained a rosy color, and her expression also looked comfortable.

The medicine the doctor had given her earlier must have been effective.

‘Thank goodness…’

I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

However, my chest still felt stuffy, as if a boulder had been placed on it.

‘So, she needs to take that expensive medicine for at least three years?’

My gaze turned to the medicine packet placed on the dresser.

Brown pills the size of a thumbnail.

My mother’s life depended on those tiny pills.

I let out a long sigh.

‘…I won’t be able to see Mother for a while.’

I had finished all discussions with the Duke.

So that Mother could recover properly, he agreed to provide the southern villa owned by Lusert.

He would assign servants and a personal physician to be dedicated to Mother’s treatment.

He said he would also arrange for regular correspondence, which finally put me at ease.

‘I’m glad the discussion about Mother ended well, but…’

I reflected on the conversation I had with the Duke earlier.

The Magic Tower’s paternity identification magic.

Since the Duke had proposed it, I couldn’t hide the fact that I was his biological daughter.

Eventually, being discovered as the ‘biological daughter of the Lusert ducal family’ was just a matter of time.

So the limitation I had set was…

‘Three years.’

If I continued to play the role of Lusert’s daughter, it would be difficult to avoid Cecilia’s resentment.

I would stay only during Mother’s treatment period, and after that, getting out as quickly as possible would be the best strategy.

“Don’t think about other matters, and for now, focus only on your mother’s complete recovery.”

…Still, honestly, the Duke’s words were somewhat appreciated.

Well, anyway, since I was going to the ducal house.

‘Pretending not to know about Cecilia’s situation isn’t the best approach.’

Until now, I had stayed quiet to avoid getting entangled with Cecilia.

To avoid earning Cecilia’s resentment, it seemed better to move a bit more actively.

Since I had become the beloved ‘real daughter’ anyway.

Couldn’t I use this position advantageously?

‘For instance, improving the relationship between Cecilia and the family…’

My gaze, which had been lost in deep thought, quietly turned toward Mother.

‘Was our mother always this gaunt?’

It felt like a large awl had pierced straight through my chest.

I ignored the stinging pain and tightly grasped Mother’s dry hand.

“Don’t worry too much, Mother.”

“…”

No answer came back from Mother, who was sleeping soundly.

I spoke with determination in my voice.

“I’ll definitely make you better, Mother.”

And so I kept watch by Mother’s side as she slept peacefully.

As the moon waned, dawn approached, and finally morning came. Continuously.

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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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