I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 37

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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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The surroundings fell silent at that thunderous shout.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Not only the servants, but even the Duchess looked stunned.

 

But the most surprised person was undoubtedly Cecilia.

 

At the same time, Milena whipped around to face Cecilia.

 

Her face was so furious that her deep green eyes seemed to be blazing with fire.

 

“Sister, don’t even listen to such nonsense.”

 

Milena continued, fuming with anger.

 

“Since the day we first met at Tranciere Manor, I have never once disliked you, Sister.”

 

For a moment, her blue-green eyes shook violently.

 

That was right.

 

While everyone else only threw cheap interest at the ‘fake daughter of Lusert’ like charity.

 

Only Milena had approached her with a sincere heart.

 

Through Milena, she had learned for the first time what a ‘friend’ was.

 

She even owed her life to her.

 

…Why had she forgotten that fact until now?

 

“Milena. I….”

 

“I fully understand that you’ve felt emotionally burdened because of me all this time, Sister. So if there are difficult parts, please talk to me directly instead.”

 

Milena got angry again.

 

“I really hate the idea of Sister misunderstanding me because of such nonsense!!”

 

“….”

 

Cecilia blinked her eyes blankly.

 

This was the second time she had seen Milena, who was always smiling brightly, get so angry.

 

The first time was probably….

 

‘The day she spilled dirty water on Mrs. Howard.’

 

Come to think of it, Milena only got truly angry about things related to herself.

 

That meant.

 

‘Doesn’t that mean this child also takes our relationship seriously?’

 

Light gradually returned to Cecilia’s eyes.

 

The identity of that light was ‘hope.’

 

“And about what you said regarding me ordering Cecilia’s dress to be ruined.”

 

A moment later.

 

Milena, who had barely calmed down, turned to look at Mathilde.

 

Perhaps out of consideration for the terrified Mathilde.

 

Even in her anger, she was clearly trying to speak as calmly as possible.

 

“Is that really true, Mathilde?”

 

“M-Miss.”

 

“Did I tell you to ruin Sister Cecilia’s dress?”

 

“….”

 

Mathilde bit her lower lip until it turned white.

 

Milena continued gently.

 

“You can speak honestly. You remember the promise I made before, don’t you?”

 

“….”

 

Mrs. Howard turned pale upon hearing those words.

 

A promise?

 

Could it be that this girl and Mathilde had made prior contact?!

 

‘Don’t spout nonsense. Got it?!’

 

Mrs. Howard glared fiercely at Mathilde while avoiding others’ eyes.

 

Under the countless pressures bearing down on her, Mathilde gripped her apron tightly.

 

Her whole body trembled.

 

‘…I’m scared.’

 

The first thing that came to mind was Mrs. Howard’s mocking voice.

 

“If not me, who would take care of a cripple like you?”

 

Those words were exactly right.

 

Until now, no one had listened to her, an orphan with nowhere to go.

 

But Milena was different.

 

“Hello, how was your day today?”

 

Since the day they first met, she had always checked on how she was doing.

 

Sometimes they would share snacks that Milena brought.

 

When work became overwhelming, she would skillfully help with her tasks.

 

“My goodness, if Miss does such work…!”

 

When the horrified Mathilde frantically tried to stop Milena.

 

She could clearly see her playfully winking while diligently wiping dust from the window frame.

 

“I’m really good at cleaning, aren’t I?”

 

Even the way she whispered softly in a warm voice.

 

“It’s a secret, but I used to be a maid too?”

 

“…Miss.”

 

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

 

That was probably why.

 

The reason she had come to look forward to Milena’s visits.

 

The person who first treated her kindly in her precarious life.

 

What that Milena always said to her was….

 

“I want to listen carefully to what you have to say.”

 

Mathilde swallowed dryly.

 

Of course, she wasn’t without fear.

 

Mrs. Howard’s piercing gaze made her knees weak.

 

…Still.

 

“M-Miss Milena never ordered me to do it.”

 

A trembling voice flowed from between Mathilde’s lips.

 

‘That girl?!’

 

Mrs. Howard’s eyes widened.

 

Mathilde gripped her skirt tightly and struggled to finish her words.

 

“The person who ordered me to ruin the dress was… Mrs. Howard.”

 

“That’s all lies!”

 

Mrs. Howard raised her voice sharply.

 

Mathilde shrank back as if she had been whipped.

 

“H-how could you do this to me? I thought of Mathilde like my own daughter….”

 

Mrs. Howard gazed at Mathilde with tearful eyes.

 

Then she cried out in a voice as if coughing up blood.

 

“Mathilde, why are you telling such lies?”

 

“I-it’s not a lie! I….”

 

“You know well how much I’ve cherished you like my own daughter. Of course, I can guess what you’re afraid of. But such slander is too….”

 

Mrs. Howard trailed off and glanced sideways at Milena.

 

The effect of that look was tremendous.

 

It appeared as if she feared Milena trying to silence her.

 

“It’s not too late even now. Deceiving Madam would be a greater wrong, wouldn’t it?”

 

Thus Mrs. Howard cleverly drew even the Duchess into it.

 

While Mathilde became even more terrified and Milena couldn’t hide her astounded expression.

 

The Duchess looked back and forth between the three with a confused face.

 

‘Good.’

 

Mrs. Howard’s eyes sparkled with delight.

 

Although Mathilde had spoken out of turn, it was clear that the Duchess still trusted her.

 

‘How dare you defy me?’

 

Mrs. Howard narrowed her eyes and glared at Mathilde.

 

‘Once this matter is settled, I’ll have to properly discipline that Mathilde girl.’

 

Just as Mrs. Howard was inwardly plotting her revenge.

 

“Governess, how long do you plan to keep tormenting innocent Milena and the maid?”

 

Someone spoke sharply.

 

The person who threw cold water on the situation that Mrs. Howard had been perfectly controlling was none other than.

 

“Y-Young Duke?!”

 

The Young Duke, Elias.

 

The Duchess’s eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at her son.

 

“Elias? What do you mean by that?”

 

“Young Duke, what on earth do you mean by that? Tormenting…”

 

Mrs. Howard, startled, frantically tried to interrupt Elias’s words.

 

At the same time, Elias stared directly at Mrs. Howard.

 

“You ordered that maid to ruin Cecilia’s dress from the beginning, didn’t you, Governess?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

At that bombshell statement, while everyone was unable to hide their shock.

 

Elias continued coldly.

 

“Don’t think about making excuses. There’s someone who saw you giving orders to that maid.”

 

What?!

 

Mrs. Howard doubted her own ears.

 

At the same time, Elias recalled his conversation with the butler from a few days ago.

 

“I have something urgent to tell you, Young Duke.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“About when you told me to have someone watch Mrs. Howard, that matter…”

 

The butler’s testimony that he heard was truly shocking.

 

Mrs. Howard had ordered a maid named Mathilde to ‘ruin Cecilia’s dress.’

 

She had even told her to frame Milena for it.

 

“Did you mishear?”

 

Elias asked with wide eyes.

 

“Surely the governess didn’t actually say that herself?”

 

However, the butler only bowed his head with a grave expression.

 

Only then did Elias realize.

 

That Mrs. Howard was truly trying to frame Milena.

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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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