I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 32

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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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“Really, if I had my way, I’d want Oppa to monitor every single move Mrs. Howard and I make.”

 

I muttered quietly with a sigh mixed in.

 

“Actually, it would be difficult for Oppa to just blindly believe my words alone. Since I have nothing to hide, if my grievances could be resolved through such methods… Oh.”

 

Pretending I couldn’t overcome my frustration, I had been pouring out my complaints in an agitated voice for a moment.

 

I deliberately put on an embarrassed expression.

 

“I’m sorry. I said too much, didn’t I?”

 

“…Milena.”

 

“Please forget it. I think I unnecessarily troubled Oppa’s mind. Mrs. Howard is someone who has devoted herself to the family all this time, and here I am.”

 

I gave a bitter smile and bowed my head.

 

“Anyway, thank you so much for coming to see me. Having Oppa here is truly a great comfort.”

 

Now, don’t you feel sorry for me?

 

Hurry up and sympathize with me!

 

And move to improve the current situation!

 

…It seems to have worked as intended.

 

The young duke’s eyes looking at me shook violently.

 

* * *

 

After parting with Milena like that.

 

Elias carefully recalled all the incidents involving Mrs. Howard that had happened so far.

 

Milena, who blatantly avoided the governess.

 

Cecilia, who was always intimidated in front of the governess.

 

‘Yet Mother has been subtly protecting the governess.’

 

Even the conversation between Milena and Mother that he had accidentally overheard earlier was like that.

 

“Mrs. Howard is a very good person. She was very worried about you this time too.”

 

“For my sake too, if there’s any misunderstanding, try to resolve it. Okay?”

 

A gentle attitude, as if soothing a thoughtless young daughter.

 

However, that tone and behavior carried the prejudice that ‘Milena was being petulant.’

 

Of course, Mother probably didn’t act that way consciously, but…

 

‘Was I like that too?’

 

As Elias bit his lower lip thoughtfully, Milena’s words from earlier flashed through his mind.

 

“Really, if I had my way, I’d want Oppa to monitor every single move Mrs. Howard and I make.”

 

At the same time, his violet eyes sank deeply.

 

‘…Monitor, she said.’

 

Although the entire family had trusted the governess completely until now, it was necessary to look at her with more objective eyes now.

 

‘Yes, let’s try doing as Milena said.’

 

Having finally made up his mind, Elias called for someone.

 

That person was the butler of the Lusert ducal household.

 

He was one of the few servants who remained outside Mrs. Howard’s sphere of influence.

 

“You called for me, Young Duke.”

 

The butler bowed politely.

 

Elias gave his order with a frighteningly stern face.

 

“Secretly assign someone to watch Mrs. Howard.”

 

…Mrs. Howard?

 

To the butler who couldn’t hide his surprised expression, Elias continued resolutely.

 

“Yes. Report to me if there’s even the slightest abnormality in her behavior. Oh, and.”

 

Elias glanced back at the butler.

 

His violet eyes flashed sharply like shattered amethyst fragments.

 

“She must never find out. Do you understand?”

 

The butler, who gulped down his dry saliva, bowed respectfully.

 

“I will obey your command, Young Duke.”

 

* * *

 

Mathilde had been enjoying life lately.

 

It was because Miss Milena visited her regularly without fail.

 

‘Will Miss come to see me today too?’

 

Mathilde, who had been mopping the floor with a mop for a while, glanced sideways toward the door.

 

And.

 

“Hello, Mathilde!”

 

A lively voice greeted Mathilde.

 

Mathilde’s eyes widened.

 

“Miss?”

 

“Do you like cookies by any chance?”

 

Milena, who poked her head through the door, smiled with her eyes and boldly showed off a bundle wrapped in a handkerchief.

 

“…Cookies?”

 

Mathilde unconsciously swallowed her saliva.

 

Grumble.

 

At the same time, a thunderous sound echoed from her tactless stomach.

 

Milena’s brow furrowed.

 

“What? You didn’t eat lunch?”

 

“…”

 

Instead of answering, Mathilde only gave a bitter smile.

 

Milena’s expression became serious.

 

“Not again?”

 

“I was busy with work.”

 

Mathilde answered awkwardly.

 

It was true that she was incredibly busy.

 

It was because there was so much work that other maids had dumped on her.

 

And rather than eating while receiving cold treatment from the maids, it was better to just aim for leftover food later.

 

Of course, if there were no leftovers, she had to keep starving…

 

“…”

 

Milena didn’t ask further.

 

Instead, she let out a deep sigh and approached Mathilde with quick steps.

 

Then she firmly grasped Mathilde’s hand.

 

“Let’s eat cookies together.”

 

“What? But how could I possibly eat with Miss…”

 

“Oh come on, it’s just the two of us here, what’s the problem.”

 

Milena shrugged her shoulders and made Mathilde sit on the sofa first.

 

Sitting close beside Mathilde, she unwrapped the bundle she had brought.

 

The sweet aroma characteristic of sugar spread through the air.

 

“Long ago, I was Cecilia’s maid, you know?”

 

“…”

 

Come to think of it, she had heard Mrs. Howard exploding with anger.

 

“Even though she was just a mere maid, she’s already acting high and mighty calling herself Miss!”

 

…Is it okay for her to tell me such stories so casually?

 

Of course, having worked as a maid wouldn’t be a secret, but still, from Miss Milena’s position, it might be a somewhat uncomfortable topic.

 

However, Milena still had a cheerful expression.

 

“Back then, Sister used to feed me delicious things too. That was the first time I sat at a tea table, and it felt really good.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yeah. So I thought I should definitely do the same for other people. Well, I can only manage to bring some cookies at most.”

 

Milena smiled sheepishly and picked up a cookie to offer to Mathilde.

 

“Here, eat quickly.”

 

The red strawberry jam positioned round in the center of the crispy cookie sparkled like a jewel.

 

Mathilde reluctantly tore her gaze away from the cookies.

 

“You should eat first, Miss.”

 

“I already ate before coming.”

 

Milena shrugged her shoulders and added playfully.

 

“If Mathilde doesn’t eat, I won’t eat either.”

 

“….”

 

In the end, Mathilde pretended to give in and bit into a cookie.

 

The savory butter aroma and sweet taste of strawberry jam mixed on her tongue, instantly lifting her mood.

 

‘Ah.’

 

Only after devouring three or four cookies in the blink of an eye did Mathilde suddenly come to her senses.

 

At some point, Milena had been watching her with fond eyes.

 

“Is it delicious?”

 

“Yes, Miss.”

 

Did I eat too frantically?

 

Mathilde felt a bit embarrassed belatedly.

 

However, Milena didn’t seem to mind at all.

 

Rather, she looked a little apologetic and continued carefully.

 

“I’m sorry. I’d like to redistribute the work assignments if I could, but I’m not officially confirmed as the real daughter yet….”

 

“No, it’s not that. Just having you care like this makes me happy.”

 

Mathilde quickly shook her head.

 

She was sincere.

 

No one had ever shown this much interest in her before.

 

She had always thought of herself as a shadow of the Duke’s Household.

 

But in front of Milena… she no longer felt like a shadow.

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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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