I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 46

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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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A large dining table laden with delicious food.

 

Steam rose from the dishes that the head chef had put his heart and soul into preparing.

 

The savory yet sweet aroma that brushed past my nose made my mouth water naturally.

 

However, I couldn’t focus on the food at all.

 

Because I was watching Elias and Cecilia with hawk-like eyes, my gaze sharp and alert.

 

“Um, could you pass the salt?”

 

Elias stammered as he spoke to Cecilia.

 

Cecilia, her face tense for no reason, carefully handed him the salt shaker.

 

“Here you go.”

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

Well, this could be considered reasonably harmonious.

 

In the past, the two of them barely spoke to each other properly.

 

Back then, it was truly to the point where I couldn’t tell if food was going in through my nose or mouth…

 

However, since both of them looked so awkward right now.

 

“Sister, please try this.”

 

I, who had been reading the mood, smoothly joined the conversation.

 

I naturally recommended the braised beef dish that Cecilia usually enjoyed.

 

“It’s really delicious.”

 

“Oh, does that meat dish suit Milena’s taste as well?”

 

The Duchess, who had been moving her utensils across from us, brightened up and spoke to us.

 

“That’s Elias’s favorite dish.”

 

Ah, the young Duke liked it too?

 

Honestly, I wasn’t really interested in the young Duke, so I didn’t know…

 

“Since our daughters like it too, I should tell the kitchen to serve it more often.”

 

Our daughters.

 

At those words, both of Cecilia’s cheeks turned rosy.

 

The Duchess smiled brightly as she looked at Cecilia.

 

“Cecilia, you should eat more too.”

 

“Yes, Mother.”

 

Cecilia obediently took some meat from the plate.

 

At the same time, the Duchess opened her mouth as if she had just remembered something.

 

“Oh right, that’s it. I heard Milena’s brooch is almost finished.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

“Yes. I told them to bring it as soon as it’s completed.”

 

The Duchess continued with an excited voice.

 

“Just thinking about our daughters wearing their brooches side by side makes me look forward to it already.”

 

“I’m really looking forward to it too.”

 

I smiled brightly and glanced at Cecilia from the corner of my eye.

 

Do you see, Cecilia?

 

I like you this much…!

 

“Really? Since our Milena is looking forward to it so much, I should ask the jeweler if they can make it faster.”

 

“No, you don’t need to push them.”

 

“Push them? It’s a gift for my daughter. That would actually be my joy.”

 

The Duchess who answered like that truly looked happy.

 

How should I put it, it felt like she genuinely cherished and loved me as her real daughter…

 

‘Whenever she acts like that… I feel strange.’

 

Strength gradually entered my hand gripping the spoon.

 

I only have my mother.

 

…Why does my heart feel so unsettled?

 

“Oh, and about Milena’s tutor. Countess Dowager Seles suggested she could teach you.”

 

Just then, the Duchess asked me affectionately.

 

“She’s a teacher who has excellently raised many ladies so far. I also learned from her before, and she’s teaching Cecilia well now too.”

 

Well, in that case.

 

I had no particular reason to object.

 

‘But this is rather interesting.’

 

In the original story, Cecilia’s tutor wasn’t that person.

 

Then could the original story and reality flow a bit differently?

 

After all, in the original story, my mother ‘Rose’ was never mentioned even once.

 

‘From now on, I should respond more flexibly to people and situations.’

 

Having made up my mind, I smiled and nodded.

 

“Yes, I’d be hap—”

 

“I’m sorry, but that would be difficult.”

 

Huh?

 

My eyes widened.

 

Cecilia looked down with a completely stiff expression.

 

But her voice that followed was calm and unwavering.

 

“I want to be the only one learning from that teacher.”

 

Suddenly, the surroundings became as quiet as if cold water had been poured over them.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

This felt like Cecilia was trying to monopolize the teacher, didn’t it?

 

“Cecilia, are you worried the teacher might neglect you? You don’t need to worry about that.”

 

The Duchess tried to hide her bewildered expression and comforted Cecilia.

 

“You and Milena have different lesson progress, don’t you? She’ll probably teach you separately, so it won’t greatly interfere with your classes.”

 

“I understand what you’re saying. But…”

 

But Cecilia still didn’t bend her will.

 

After trailing off for a moment, Cecilia finished with a sigh mixed in her words.

 

“Still, I think it would be better for Milena to learn from a different teacher.”

 

At that firm answer, the Duchess’s forehead wrinkled slightly.

 

“Cecilia. Don’t be so stubborn…”

 

“I-I’m fine.”

 

Unable to watch any longer, I hurriedly joined the conversation.

 

“Even if I don’t learn from that teacher, there must be other good teachers. Isn’t that right?”

 

“Well, if we look for one, we could find one, but…”

 

The Duchess still looked unconvinced.

 

I glanced at Cecilia from the corner of my eye.

 

Tightly pressed lips.

 

Eyes demurely cast downward.

 

‘This is bad.’

 

That was the expression of someone who would absolutely not bend their stubbornness.

 

At the same time, I became somewhat puzzled.

 

‘Why is she refusing so firmly like that?’

 

Actually, the Duchess’s words weren’t wrong.

 

Even if we learned from the same teacher, it’s not like the teacher would wear out.

 

In reality, it’s common for one tutor to take charge of teaching several ladies from different families.

 

‘I thought we had gotten closer… I guess I was the only one who thought that.’

 

I poked at the piece of meat in front of me with a dejected expression.

 

Somehow, my appetite had completely disappeared.

 

* * *

 

In the end, the meal concluded in an awkward atmosphere.

 

The family members got up from their seats one by one.

 

Cecilia bowed her head gracefully with an unreadable expression.

 

“Then I shall take my leave first.”

 

“Yes, go ahead.”

 

The Duke nodded with a complicated expression.

 

At the same time, I felt a bit anxious.

 

‘I can’t let Cecilia go like this.’

 

She might have refused simply because she wanted to monopolize a good teacher.

 

But there could be some other circumstances, right?

 

With that thought, I quickly caught hold of Cecilia.

 

“Um, sister.”

 

Cecilia paused and glanced back at me.

 

I gave her a bright smile.

 

“Well, I’m so full that I want to digest a bit.”

 

“….”

 

“Shall we take a walk together?”

 

I was secretly worried about what I’d do if Cecilia refused right away.

 

Cecilia quietly nodded her head.

 

“Alright.”

 

Phew, thank goodness.

 

Relieved, I quickly stuck close to Cecilia’s side.

 

“Then let’s go out right away!”

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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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