I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 66

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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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I looked at Rudrick with suspicious eyes but answered politely on the surface.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

But then.

Prince Benjamin interjected into the conversation again.

“If you’re that worried about the Lady, wouldn’t it be better to have the imperial physician examine her?”

The Prince continued while almost glaring at Rudrick.

“I’ll escort her to the rest room. We can call the imperial physician from there.”

“No, I will escort her myself.”

Rudrick shook his head gently but firmly.

“After all, for Lady Milena, wouldn’t I be more comfortable than a brother she’s meeting for the first time today?”

At those words, the Prince’s eyebrows twitched.

“You usually just hole up in the library whenever you enter the palace, so why are you being so fussy today? Why don’t you just go read your beloved books like usual?”

“Your words are quite puzzling, brother. The Lady is clearly my companion whom I escorted here. Naturally, it’s right for me to accompany her to the end.”

Rudrick lightly shrugged his shoulders and narrowed his eyes as he faced the Prince.

“Surely you’re not telling me to commit the rudeness of abandoning the Lady, are you?”

I alternately looked at the two men who were openly sneering at each other, then furrowed my brow.

‘What are these guys doing?’

Now I was beginning to understand the situation.

The two men were currently engaged in a war of nerves with me in between.

And the reason was probably.

‘Because of the background I possess.’

The Rusert Ducal Family, the Empire’s only ducal house.

From what I heard, Lusert had already declared they would maintain political neutrality.

Even if the two princes started a succession war, it meant they wouldn’t support either side.

So in the Prince’s calculations, if he built a friendship with me, he could gain Lusert’s support.

Although Cecilia was suffering from gossip for being an adopted daughter, I was a biological child.

He would think I was a safer and more reliable asset.

And Rudrick was…

‘…using me to ruin the Prince’s mood.’

As depicted in the original work, Rudrick actually had no particular interest in the throne.

More precisely, he was disgusted by the conflicts surrounding the succession.

So even when he was with Cecilia, he only supported her from behind and was repulsed by the imperial family’s greedy atmosphere.

Naturally, he also despised the Prince who openly showed ambition for the throne.

‘Wow, this is annoying.’

I barely managed to compose my expression that was about to harden on its own.

Both the Prince who wanted to switch from Cecilia to me, and Rudrick who was dragging me in with the purpose of going against the Prince’s wishes were the worst.

What do they think I am, some object?

“I’m grateful for Your Highness the Prince’s consideration, but I’m fine.”

I flatly rejected his offer to call the imperial physician.

At the same time, the tense atmosphere between the two men snapped like a cut string.

Rudrick and the Prince turned to look at me almost simultaneously.

I continued calmly.

“I just got a little startled from falling off the ladder, but I’m not physically uncomfortable.”

“But, Lady Milena…”

The Prince tried to say something, but I pretended not to hear and turned to Rudrick.

It seemed urgent to separate these two men first.

“You said earlier that I could borrow books. Would you help me?”

I smiled brightly.

Meanwhile, Rudrick’s expression brightened upon hearing my words, and he politely extended his arm as if he had been waiting.

“With pleasure.”

I placed my hand on his arm while forcing strength into my lips that kept trying to twist on their own.

Ha, this is really annoying!

* * *

Milena and Rudrick left the Imperial Palace Library together.

Left alone, Prince Benjamin recalled the lady he had just met with strange feelings.

Milena von Lusert.

The so-called ‘real daughter’ of Lusert.

Until now, the Rusert Ducal Family had thoroughly protected Milena, so this was actually the first time he had seen her in person.

‘She was quite… pretty, more than I thought.’

Of course, she didn’t have the overwhelming beauty that captivated everyone at first glance like Cecilia, the Duke’s adopted daughter.

But with her bright blonde hair, green eyes resembling young sprouts, and her uniquely lively yet lovely atmosphere.

She was a lady who drew one’s gaze more and more, like a freesia blooming brightly in a corner of a garden.

‘Hmm, in that case.’

The Prince’s eyes narrowed.

‘For now… shall I try courting Lady Milena as well?’

Objectively speaking, she had beauty that was second to none.

And the overwhelming background of being ‘Lusert’s biological daughter.’

It was clear that Milena was a ‘superior product’ to Cecilia in many ways.

Who knows?

If he were to become engaged to Milena, perhaps the Rusert Ducal Family would support him as the next emperor.

He was lost in pleasant fantasies for a while.

Suddenly, the Prince’s lips hardened.

‘However, the key is how to get rid of Rudrick first.’

He had no idea when that fox-like bastard had built such a close relationship with Milena.

The light and friendly tone when speaking to Milena.

Those words about ‘being allowed to use nicknames.’

…And that behavior of completely blocking his approach.

‘Is that bastard serious about Lady Milena?’

The Prince’s brow furrowed deeply as he pondered for a moment.

‘Surely not, right?’

Rudrick, who had lived like the wind his whole life, unbound by anything.

He who had looked upon ladies like stones was now showing off his relationship with a lady.

And that partner was none other than ‘Milena von Lusert.’

If Rudrick were to declare his entry into the succession war even now…

‘That absolutely cannot happen.’

Crack.

A sharp grinding sound flowed fiercely from between his clenched teeth.

Anyway, Rudrick was the legitimate son born to the Empress.

In terms of legitimate lineage, he would inevitably be pushed back.

…Since he was an illegitimate son born to an Imperial Consort who had been a maid.

‘Ha, how irritating.’

The Prince’s crumpled expression showed no signs of smoothing out.

* * *

Milena was quiet the entire way to the lending room.

More precisely, she seemed somewhat upset.

Her tightly closed lips and sunken gaze gave off a strangely cold feeling.

Rudrick found himself unconsciously watching Milena’s mood.

“Um, Lady Milena?”

At the same time, Milena withdrew her hand that had been placed on his arm.

Then she turned to face Rudrick.

“I felt sorry that the compensation seemed too small, but it turns out it wasn’t small at all.”

“….”

Rudrick reflexively flinched and stiffened his shoulders.

Milena, who had always been gentle, was looking at him with a coldly distant expression he had never seen before.

Moreover, that chilly tone of voice was, what on earth….

“You know well too, don’t you, Teacher? That the Lusert Ducal Family is currently maintaining political neutrality.”

“Princess, that’s….”

“Lusert has not chosen either of the two princes. So in noble society, they found it very unexpected that the 2nd Prince would serve as my teacher.”

Her deeply sunken green eyes pierced through Rudrick as she stared at him.

“But today, Teacher, you deliberately acted friendly toward me in front of the 1st Prince.”

To Rudrick, who couldn’t bring himself to answer, Milena coldly posed a question.

“Was there absolutely no intention behind that action?”

“….”

“It wasn’t because you hoped the 1st Prince would feel uncomfortable, was it?”

Ah,

Rudrick swallowed a hollow breath.

Milena continued in a cool tone.

“Actually, you don’t have much personal interest in me as a person, do you, Teacher? You’re only interested in my magical talent, aren’t you?”

What?

Rudrick’s eyes widened slightly.

“Wait, what you’re saying is….”

He moved his lips as if to refute something, but Milena’s words came a bit faster.

“I held back today, but please stop using me to ruin the 1st Prince’s mood.”

With those final words.

Milena politely bowed toward Rudrick.

“Then I shall take my leave now.”

Milena turned around sharply.

She looked ready to leave this place immediately.

‘No.’

Rudrick felt his heart tighten.

Why was that?

It felt like he shouldn’t let Milena go like this.

If she left, an anxiety washed over him that he would greatly regret it.

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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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