I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 47

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The garden at nightfall was quiet.

 

The leaves that held darkness cast blackish shadows, and above our heads, a moon like a silver mirror hung round.

 

The gentle night breeze that occasionally blew softly caressed our cheeks.

 

Cecilia and I walked through the garden, sometimes ahead, sometimes behind each other.

 

“Still, it’s not too dark because of the moonlight. That’s fortunate.”

 

I spoke to Cecilia with a deliberately bright voice.

 

Cecilia glanced at me briefly, then turned her head back toward the garden trees swaying in the wind.

 

“I suppose so.”

 

…Ugh, isn’t that a bit too curt of an answer?

 

Grumbling inwardly, I carefully observed Cecilia’s expression.

 

Somehow Cecilia’s expression seemed a bit dark since earlier, or was it my imagination?

 

I wanted to ask ‘why she had to monopolize the teacher.’

 

But.

 

‘There’s no way I could ask that…’

 

I barely swallowed the sigh that was about to burst out.

 

Hadn’t Cecilia finally opened her heart to me, even just a little?

 

It would be troublesome if things went sour over just the teacher issue.

 

Honestly, it’s not like I absolutely had to learn from Cecilia’s teacher.

 

I just wanted to know why Cecilia was showing such a reaction, the cause of it.

 

“Milena.”

 

I flinched for a moment and quietly turned my head.

 

Before I knew it, Cecilia was looking straight at me.

 

“You can say it if you have something to say.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Didn’t you suggest taking a walk because you had something to say?”

 

Gasp.

 

As expected of the female protagonist, isn’t she too perceptive?

 

I reflexively played dumb.

 

“That’s not it? I just wanted to spend time with you, sister.”

 

“…”

 

At the same time, Cecilia’s gaze deepened.

 

It was an expression full of thoughts.

 

But as if she had no intention of saying more, Cecilia turned her head away again.

 

Then she walked ahead of me as if escaping.

 

‘…That trip to the park feels like it was ages ago.’

 

I looked at Cecilia’s back as she walked ahead with a complicated gaze.

 

I thought we had opened up to each other without reserve.

 

I believed we had grown closer in our own way…

 

‘Was I the only one who felt that way.’

 

Just as I was biting my lower lip.

 

Suddenly, Cecilia, who had been walking ahead of me, swayed greatly.

 

“Sister?”

 

Did she miss her step?!

 

I quickly supported Cecilia.

 

At the same time, a sharp scream burst from between Cecilia’s lips.

 

“Ahhh!”

 

What, what is it?!

 

Startled, I let go of the hand that had been holding Cecilia.

 

Cecilia trembled and clutched her forearm where my hand had touched.

 

Her face was completely pale, drained of color from the pain.

 

“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?!”

 

Had she injured her arm?

 

I hurriedly rolled up Cecilia’s sleeve.

 

But her arm was perfectly fine.

 

There wasn’t even a single scratch, let alone a bruise.

 

“…It’s fine.”

 

At the same time, Cecilia quickly pulled down her sleeve.

 

It was clearly a motion to hide her arm.

 

“I just screamed because I was startled.”

 

Cecilia spoke while quietly avoiding my gaze.

 

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”

 

“…”

 

I looked at Cecilia with suspicious eyes.

 

Her reaction was too intense for it to be just from being startled…?

 

And that expression.

 

That was definitely an expression of enduring pain.

 

‘Something’s suspicious.’

 

* * *

 

The next day.

 

I gathered some snacks and headed to the training ground prepared behind the townhouse.

 

In the distance, I could see the young duke sparring with a knight.

 

‘Ooh.’

 

I stared at the young duke’s swift movements with wide eyes.

 

The young duke took a deep breath and rushed toward the knight’s sword like a leopard.

 

Their wooden swords clashed violently.

 

Crack!

 

…It’s clearly wood hitting wood, so why is it making such a tremendous sound?

 

Thud thud thud- Clack!

 

The blade that had been sliding down the knight’s wooden sword fell back with a whoosh.

 

The young duke nimbly retrieved his wooden sword and took a defensive stance again.

 

And.

 

“Milena?”

 

The young duke, sensing my presence, turned around quickly.

 

I smiled brightly and opened my mouth.

 

“Young Du…”

 

Ugh, I almost called him Young Duke.

 

“Oppa Elias!”

 

I hurriedly changed the title and approached the young duke.

 

The young duke asked me with a surprised face.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“I just heard that oppa was doing sword training, so I came to see you!”

 

“…Me?”

 

The young duke looked at me with sparkling eyes.

 

What’s with that deeply moved expression?

 

I felt somewhat embarrassed.

 

“I greet Princess Milena.”

 

Just then, the knight beside him bowed to me with proper etiquette.

 

Hmm, I really can’t get used to such formal courtesy.

 

“Nice to meet you, Sir Knight… I mean, Sir.”

 

Phew, maybe because I lived as a maid for too long, I keep speaking formally.

 

I clicked my tongue inwardly and handed a towel to the young duke.

 

“Aren’t you hot? Here’s a towel.”

 

“Ah, thank you.”

 

The young duke took the towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

 

After handing a towel to the knight as well, I carefully opened my mouth.

 

“Actually, I came here today because there’s something I wanted to ask Oppa.”

 

“Me?”

 

The young duke tilted his head for a moment, then gestured for the knight to step back.

 

Then he turned his gaze to me.

 

“What do you want to ask?”

 

“Well. Is Cecilia unnie perhaps not feeling well?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

The young duke blinked his eyes for a moment.

 

Then he slowly furrowed his brow,

 

“…I don’t think so?”

 

He muttered in a voice barely audible, like an ant crawling.

 

It seemed like even after giving his answer, he wasn’t quite confident about it.

 

At the same time, the young duke let out a deep sigh.

 

“Ha, I thought I should pay more attention to Cecilia… I guess I’m still lacking.”

 

Suddenly he’s reflecting on himself…

 

Well, it would be good if he pays more attention to Cecilia anyway.

 

“Don’t blame yourself too much. Unnie knows your feelings well.”

 

“…Still.”

 

The young duke, who had a dark expression for a moment, forced himself to ask cheerfully.

 

“Anyway, why are you asking about that?”

 

“Well, yesterday during our walk, unnie almost fell down.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. I was worried that maybe she stumbled because her health wasn’t good, but I think it might have just been because she was startled.”

 

After answering like that, I smiled brightly and offered him cold water.

 

“It’s hot, right? Please drink some water.”

 

“Ah, thank you.”

 

He must have been thirsty from training non-stop.

 

The young duke, who had emptied more than half the water bottle, opened his mouth as if he just remembered something.

 

“Oh right. Speaking of Cecilia, I don’t really understand why she wants to monopolize her teacher.”

 

“Maybe it’s because she’s such a wonderful person?”

 

I subtly probed the young duke.

 

“After all, she’s an excellent person who has taught many ladies. Don’t you think?”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

The young duke stated without hesitation.

 

“Mother also relies on the Countess a lot. She’s fundamentally a kind person.”

 

“…”

 

This is really strange.

 

Everyone testifies that she’s a ‘good person,’ but why do I feel a chill down my spine?

 

Somehow I don’t have a good feeling about this. Am I being too sensitive?

 

But according to my intuition…

 

‘No, there’s no difference from Mrs. Howard!’

 

Back then, wasn’t Mrs. Howard also trusted by the family?

 

‘No, maybe I’m being excessive.’

 

I shook my head inwardly.

 

It seems like I’ve developed a serious case of suspicion because of everything I’ve experienced so far.

 

Today happens to be the day Cecilia receives lessons from the Countess of Seres.

 

‘I should observe the situation a bit more for now.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————