I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 27

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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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“Yes, Mother.”

Cecilia forced a smile, pretending nothing was wrong.

But the Duchess’s words weren’t finished yet.

“What’s wrong, Cecilia?”

She followed up with a worried question.

“You don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“….”

For a moment, Cecilia looked at the Duchess with eyes that seemed ready to crumble.

The enormous pressure she felt regarding her ‘real daughter.’

She resented her mother for being completely oblivious to those feelings.

But even so… she was deeply happy that her mother was worried about her.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Cecilia composed her expression, pretending nothing was wrong.

However, the Duchess still looked concerned.

“Well, if you say so, I won’t press the matter, but…”

Her heart kept fluttering.

What should I say here to make Mother happy?

After thinking for a moment, Cecilia glanced sideways at Milena.

And then.

“Shouldn’t we start choosing accessories for Milena soon?”

Mother must be very happy that Milena has returned.

For now, it seemed best to bring up the topic that would make Mother happiest – her ‘real daughter.’

And Cecilia’s effort had tremendous effect.

“How thoughtful of you to care so much for your younger sister. You’re truly admirable.”

Admirable?

Cecilia froze stiff.

Though it might just be trivial praise to others.

But right now, in this moment, Cecilia was as happy as if she had gained the whole world.

‘Yes!’

Milena, who had been carefully observing the situation, also clenched her fist in triumph.

If things continued like this, the project to improve the relationship between Cecilia and the family might go quite smoothly!

Meanwhile, the Duchess, who had broken Cecilia with a single compliment, turned to look at Milena with crescent-shaped eyes.

“Yes, it’s about time we took a look at accessories too.”

“What?!”

Separately, those words weren’t particularly welcome.

‘Oh no, another fashion show!!’

She had already suffered enough just trying on dresses, and now she had to look at accessories too?!

Alarmed, Milena quickly waved her hands.

“I-I’m fine. Just having the dresses fitted is enough…”

But the Duchess shook her head seriously.

“As a daughter of the Lusert Ducal Family, you must maintain dignity. Having accessories that match your dresses is basic.”

“….”

At those words, Milena closed her mouth with a very complicated expression.

Meanwhile, witnessing that reaction, the smile gradually faded from Cecilia’s face.

‘Mother is taking such good care of her, but she doesn’t seem happy at all.’

Receiving all the family love she most desired, yet rather than being joyful, she seemed somewhat burdened.

Honestly, it made her a bit… jealous.

‘Enough, let’s not think like this.’

Continuing to have negative thoughts would only make her uglier.

It was when Cecilia subtly averted her gaze and moistened her throat with cold tea.

“Sister Cecilia.”

M-me?!

At the completely unexpected call, Cecilia nearly spat out her tea.

Startled, she turned around.

Milena was smiling brightly and holding out a jewelry box.

“Could you please look at this with me?”

“M-me?”

“Yes!”

Milena nodded and continued with an embarrassed expression.

“I actually don’t know much about these things. It would be really helpful if you could give me some advice.”

“Yes, Cecilia. Could you help Milena?”

The Duchess looked at Cecilia with an affectionate expression.

Then she smiled warmly.

“It’s really nice to see you sisters getting along so well.”

“….”

At the same time, Cecilia’s face melted softly like frozen ground touched by spring sunshine.

Sisters.

Honestly, she didn’t really understand such warm relationships yet.

But still.

‘I feel like… I’m part of the family too.’

Her heart was already beating pleasantly with anticipation.

Trying to ignore that heartbeat, Cecilia looked into the jewelry box.

Inside was a silver decorative pin densely adorned with deep blue sapphires.

Cecilia held up the pin and placed it near Milena’s hair, then firmly shook her head.

“This color is too dark for your hair color. Something brighter would be better.”

“Really? Then what about this?”

Milena held out another jewelry box.

Cecilia looked down at the accessories in the jewelry box with a careful expression.

A hair tie decorated with cream-colored pearls and transparent crystals.

A ribbon decoration made of deep green satin with a fingernail-sized bright red ruby accent.

Even an amethyst decorative pin meant to be worn in the hair.

They were all very high-quality items.

“Among these, this pearl pin and the ribbon decoration…”

“Wow, thank you!”

Milena smiled brightly and picked up the ribbon decoration.

Then she skillfully tied her hair up in a ponytail and finished it with the ribbon decoration.

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

She suddenly thrust the back of her head toward Cecilia.

At that cheeky attitude, Cecilia couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yes, it suits you well.”

“It’s all because you chose it for me, Sister.”

Milena straightened her posture again and curved her eyes like crescents toward Cecilia.

“It’s thanks to your good eye. Thank you, Sister.”

“….”

Cecilia’s face turned slightly red.

At the same time, the Duchess couldn’t hide her pleased expression as she spoke.

“Come to think of it, Milena arranges her hair well even by herself.”

“Of course, this much is basic. When I used to work at Tranciere Manor, they always made us tie our hair up…”

Milena, who had been responding casually, suddenly looked flustered.

Because a pitying expression had appeared on the Duchess’s face.

“…So that’s why you were used to it?”

Even the Young Duke, Elias, was looking at Milena with pitying eyes.

“It’s okay now.”

The Young Duke concluded his words with emphasis.

“We’ll always be by your side from now on.”

Ah, no.

There’s no need to make such remorseful expressions.

What’s the big deal about just tying up hair?

While Milena was inwardly flustered.

Cecilia’s gaze was directed toward a brooch placed in the corner of the table far away.

‘That looks like it would be quite useful to have.’

It was a brooch delicately woven with coral pink coral, mother-of-pearl, and small diamonds.

The design was both modest and luxurious, making it seem suitable as an accent piece for both everyday wear and evening gowns.

It was exactly what Milena, who didn’t have many outfits yet, needed.

But then.

“Miss Cecilia, really.”

Suddenly, a gentle reproach came from behind Cecilia.

It was Mrs. Howard.

“G-Governess?”

A flustered Cecilia looked up at her governess.

Mrs. Howard continued gently.

“Of course Miss Cecilia would naturally want to receive jewelry too, but today is the day to prepare Miss Milena’s belongings, isn’t it?”

What does that mean?

Her turquoise eyes shook violently.

The lady concluded affectionately, as if coaxing a whining child.

“Today, let’s yield to your younger sister. Understood?”

“….”

This makes it seem like… I was coveting that brooch.

That’s not it.

I was just thinking it would be useful for Milena….

Just as Cecilia bit her lips tightly.

“What were you looking at?”

Suddenly Milena poked her head forward.

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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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