I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 69
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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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“Of course, it’s a great opportunity to show off our sisterly bond, isn’t it?”
At my cheerful response, Cecilia’s profile brightened like a clear summer sky.
But as if she didn’t want me to catch her expression, Cecilia stubbornly kept her gaze fixed on the dress.
“Th-then you should hurry up and look at your dress too.”
Then she rattled on in a prim voice.
“I can’t keep picking out your dresses forever. You need to develop your own taste too. The details differ in small aspects like the texture and color of the fabric, how the embroidery is done, what kind of lace is used.”
Seeing her like this, I realized another similarity between the Duchess and Cecilia.
Both of them are surprisingly nagging…
* * *
About 3 hours later.
Finally, under Cecilia’s sharp gaze, I managed to pick out the dress I would wear.
“That dress doesn’t seem to suit your body type quite right.”
“I don’t think the color will match your brooch?”
“The dress itself is pretty, but when you and I stand side by side, there’s no harmony.”
“Hmm, the lace detail on that one isn’t great. Let’s try looking for something else.”
…It was only after Cecilia’s numerous inspections that I could finally decide.
It’s really strange.
I was definitely picking out Cecilia’s dress at first.
But when I came to my senses, I was somehow trapped in Cecilia’s nagging prison…
‘Well, at least we picked well.’
I sprawled out in the cool tea house and gulped down the cold lemonade in one go.
The refreshing carbonation mixed with sweet flavor sent a thrilling sensation rushing to the top of my head.
“Ahh, refreshing.”
I let out a satisfied sigh as I set down the lemonade glass.
Meanwhile, Cecilia, sitting across from me, looked at me with disgust.
You know, roughly the look of ‘Ugh, acting undignified again today.’
“But Milena.”
Suddenly Cecilia spoke up with a resolute tone.
Oh no.
Is she going to nag again about how ‘that’s not befitting of a Princess’?
Feeling guilty for no reason, I sneakily watched Cecilia’s mood.
However, the topic Cecilia brought up was completely different from my expectations.
“Do you happen to have some kind of worry?”
“Huh?”
“Well, this might be a bit rude to say, but.”
Cecilia hesitated for a moment before carefully continuing.
“Your expression hasn’t looked very good lately.”
Ah, did it show.
I stiffened my shoulders with a start.
That’s right.
Honestly, I… have been extremely concerned about Rudrick lately!
Because we still haven’t made up!
Ever since that day we both visited the Imperial Palace, there’s been a cold wind blowing between us!
…Well, to be precise, it’s more like I’ve been acting coldly and Rudrick has been watching my mood.
‘Should I start mending our relationship soon?’
But just letting it slide like this doesn’t sit well with me.
If only Rudrick would apologize saying ‘I’m sorry, I was wrong!’ then I could forgive him cleanly.
But it would be awkward to poke Rudrick’s side to force an apology.
Rudrick also seems to know he was wrong, so he keeps hovering around me but can’t bring himself to speak… it’s really a vicious cycle.
“You know, if you have something difficult going on, I can listen.”
Cecilia said while fidgeting with the cold glass with both hands.
She’s probably mustering great courage to say this.
“Of course, I might not be much help, and you might not want to talk about it, but…”
Watching Cecilia trail off, I somehow felt touched.
‘She’s saying this because she’s genuinely worried about me.’
This warm yet sweet feeling, like drinking a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day.
How should I put it, it felt like we were really sisters.
Perhaps that’s why.
I felt like honestly opening up about this matter.
“Actually, sister.”
After choosing my words for a moment, I spoke with a sigh.
“Recently, I visited the Imperial Palace with Teacher, no, His Highness the Second Prince…”
A moment later.
After hearing the whole story, Cecilia’s face crumpled up.
“What? That happened?!”
Cecilia, who was always calm, raised her voice unable to contain her anger.
“My goodness, how can His Highness the Second Prince be so rude?!”
Startled, I hurriedly raised my index finger to my lips, worried someone might hear.
“Sister, other people might hear! Shh!”
“…”
Only then did Cecilia seem to come to her senses a bit and quietly sat down.
But her face was still fuming.
“No, you can’t try to use people like that!”
Cecilia declared sternly.
“This won’t do. I need to have a word with him!”
“It might just be my assumption. His Highness the Second Prince might not have had such bad intentions…”
“No, even if it’s your assumption, it’s still a problem.”
Cecilia drew a firm line.
“If you felt that kind of discomfort, then His Highness the Second Prince should reflect on his actions, even if it wasn’t intentional. Don’t you think?”
…Is that so.
I actually thought it couldn’t be helped if I was being oversensitive.
But since Cecilia is taking my side, my nose keeps wanting to sting with emotion.
Separately, Cecilia’s anger showed no signs of cooling down.
“And His Highness the First Prince too.”
Gasp.
Now the sparks have flown to the First Prince too?!
‘Will this be okay?’
Of course, I have not even an ant’s tear worth of interest in the First Prince, but Cecilia’s position might be different.
Considering how the First Prince has been carefully managing Cecilia in his harem all this time…
“A hand kiss, that’s something only lovers or engaged couples do!”
Cecilia, who had been angry, gulped down her cold juice.
Then she slammed down the glass and raised her voice again.
“Even if it was to show respect, this is going too far!”
…It seems my worry was unfounded.
Surprisingly, Cecilia didn’t seem to have any particular feelings about the First Prince showing interest in me.
In the original work, it said Cecilia was obsessed with the First Prince early on, but is the development changing?
‘Ah, is that it?’
Come to think of it, back then Milena had blatantly tried to steal the First Prince’s attention.
She even flirted affectionately with the First Prince in front of Cecilia.
But now the situation is quite different.
First of all, I didn’t even touch the Prince to begin with.
And I didn’t approach the Prince just to provoke Cecilia either.
‘Wait.’
My eyes sparkled with realization.
That means.
If things continue like this, there won’t be any reason for Cecilia and me to grab each other’s hair over that player, right?
“Really, you were both too harsh. If I had known this would happen, I should have stayed by your side.”
Cecilia let out a deep sigh and shook her head disapprovingly.
Watching Cecilia like that, I suddenly threw out a question.
“Are you perhaps getting angry on my behalf right now?”
“….”
Cecilia’s shoulders stiffened with a start.
Then her face turned bright red, and she quickly turned her head 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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