I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 23

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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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That was probably why.

Even while she was anxiously worried that the child might push her out of the family forever, she ended up helping her stay out of the family’s sight.

But Milena was a much more courageous person than Cecilia had thought.

‘I never expected her to thank me here…’

Honestly, it would have been fine if she had just kept quiet.

Milena openly revealed to outsiders that she couldn’t handle utensils properly.

All just to show her gratitude to Cecilia.

The result was amazing.

Wasn’t she getting along comfortably with her family for the first time, when they had only drifted apart like oil and water before?

All of that was thanks to ‘Milena’ acting as a mediator.

“Sister, how do you eat this?”

Just then, Milena approached Cecilia affectionately.

“Oh, that’s with this utensil…”

As Cecilia picked up the fork and knife placed side by side, a voice filled with laughter reached her ears.

“Cecilia.”

“Yes, Father.”

It was Count of Lusert.

Cecilia reflexively straightened her posture and turned to look at the Duke.

The Duke smiled warmly with his eyes.

“You look really good today.”

“…”

For a moment, Cecilia was speechless.

This was the first time she had been praised by her father.

The Duke continued gently.

“Please take good care of your sister from now on.”

If Milena is my sister, do I still have a chance left?

Can I stay in Lusert too…?

Trying to organize the thoughts that rose like clouds, Cecilia quickly nodded.

“Yes, Father.”

She knew well enough that expecting anything would only lead to disappointment.

She had been hurt countless times until now.

…But her oblivious heart was already beating rapidly on its own.

* * *

The Lusert Ducal Family, which had usually been as quiet as a mouse, became bustling after a long time.

The maids were no different.

The reason was precisely.

“A new young lady came this time. How does she seem?”

It was because of Milena, who had newly appeared in the ducal family.

Golden hair that looked exactly like the Duchess.

The distinctive deep green eyes of Lusert.

And even the ‘wind ability’.

Although it hadn’t been officially announced, the ducal family had almost confirmed Milena as their biological daughter.

“Well, she seemed quite easygoing from what I could see.”

“Right, she greets us properly every time we meet.”

The maids were also quite favorable toward Milena.

“The Duke personally contacted the Master of the Magic Tower, didn’t he?”

“Well, the paternity test results should come out soon.”

While the maids were chatting away like this.

Click.

The break room door opened.

Mrs. Howard appeared from beyond it.

The maids stood up with welcoming faces.

“Welcome, Mrs. Howard.”

“You said you were going to attend to Miss Milena, how was it?”

Mrs. Howard had quite a bit of influence among the maids.

As the governess who took care of the Lusert siblings, she received the complete trust of the ducal family members.

If they got on Mrs. Howard’s bad side and bad words flowed to the Lusert family, it would be terrible.

Well, separately, she was generally kind to the maids anyway.

But.

“Sigh.”

Mrs. Howard let out a long sigh with a troubled face.

The maids asked with puzzled faces.

“Ma’am, what’s wrong?”

“Did something happen?”

To the pouring questions, Mrs. Howard shook her head heavily.

“No, nothing happened.”

But contrary to her answer, Mrs. Howard still had an expression as if she was carrying all the world’s worries.

Seeing that, the maids became anxious for no reason.

Whenever Mrs. Howard made that expression, the maids got caught in the crossfire too.

“What, do you want to be kicked out of the family too?”

“If I say a few words to the Duchess, getting rid of a little girl like you would be nothing.”

Those confident words weren’t just bluster.

Mrs. Howard had overwhelming trust in the ducal family, and she knew how to cleverly use that trust.

She had actually secretly gotten rid of maids she didn’t like several times.

“Please tell us instead.”

“Right. Maybe we can help you somehow?”

If they got on her bad side here, they didn’t know what would happen to them.

In that fear, the maids opened their mouths in unison as if flattering her.

Mrs. Howard opened her mouth as if she had been waiting.

“It’s about the new young lady.”

“Miss Milena?”

“Yes. That young lady is somewhat… high-handed in her attitude.”

Really?

The maids’ eyes widened as they looked at each other.

She didn’t seem to have that kind of personality though…?

Meanwhile, Mrs. Howard, who noticed the suspicious atmosphere among the maids, began to speak in earnest while sighing deeply.

“It hasn’t been long since the young lady came, so you might not know well. But I already met her at Trancy Baron’s Domain, didn’t I?”

“Why? What happened at the baron’s domain?”

One maid asked carefully.

Then Mrs. Howard lowered her voice as if telling a great secret.

“Miss Milena has quite a temper.”

“A-a temper?”

“Yes. I was just trying to help her get dressed, but she told me to get lost immediately. She said she didn’t need a governess who used to serve Miss Cecilia…”

To be precise, she had drawn a line saying ‘don’t come to me after abandoning Cecilia whom you used to serve,’ but Mrs. Howard cleverly changed her words.

She said that Milena had reacted sensitively, saying she wouldn’t accept service from someone who had served Cecilia.

She had never even said harsh words like ‘get lost.’

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

Mrs. Howard wore a sinister smile.

After all, the maids wouldn’t verify the facts with Milena anyway.

“Miss Milena is likely to be the biological daughter. So I think she’s uncomfortable with Miss Cecilia, who is adopted.”

After naturally creating the situation where ‘the real daughter oppresses the fake daughter.’

Mrs. Howard looked around at the maids with a rather worried expression.

“So everyone be careful not to get caught up in any trouble. I’m saying this because I’m worried about you all.”

At those words, the maids quietly exchanged glances.

Whether Milena oppressed Cecilia or not, from the servants’ perspective, the truth of it wasn’t really important.

What mattered more was not getting on the bad side of Mrs. Howard, who they had to face every day.

“Oh my, how could that be….”

“You must be so upset.”

“Are you alright, Mrs. Howard?”

Countless hollow words of concern poured out.

Mrs. Howard sighed repeatedly, as if she were some persecuted loyal retainer of the nation.

“Well, what can I do. If I serve the young lady with sincere devotion, someday she’ll open her heart to me too.”

“But it must be so difficult for you.”

“What choice do I have, I still have to serve the young lady… after all, she’s the one who returned.”

Mrs. Howard shook her head and smiled weakly.

The maids were busy trying to comfort Mrs. Howard in any way they could.

“Stay strong, Mrs. Howard.”

“You’re already serving that sensitive Lady Cecilia as her personal attendant….”

“Oh my, if it were us, we would have run away unable to handle that fussiness.”

Good, it seemed the atmosphere was now completely on her side.

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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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