I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 7

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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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“Everyone is busy.”

“Then, is Oppa busy too?”

“Of course.”

Mrs. Howard drew a firm line.

Then she added spitefully.

“Well, if the young lady would put in a little more effort, wouldn’t your family members naturally come looking for you?”

“Th-that’s…”

“I’ve told you repeatedly. As the honorable daughter of the Rusert Ducal Family, you must be perfect in every aspect.”

Toward Cecilia, who was left speechless, Mrs. Howard curved her eyes with a gentle smile.

It was truly a smile filled with malice.

“The ‘real Cecilia’ was truly like an angel…”

“…”

“To fill even a small part of her absence, shouldn’t you at least become a cultured lady?”

Cecilia bit her lips until they bled.

At the same time, Mrs. Howard glanced at me.

“So, who is that ill-mannered child who dares to glare at her superiors?”

In an instant, my mind turned white with rage.

Words automatically spilled out.

“Well, I certainly don’t want to hear such words from you, madam.”

“What?”

“Isn’t that right? You’re clicking your tongue in front of the young lady you’re supposed to serve.”

I tilted my head defiantly.

“Are you qualified to call me insolent?”

“How dare you talk back to me?”

Mrs. Howard’s face contorted like a demon.

“Milena, stop…”

Just as Cecilia, unable to watch any longer, hurriedly intervened in the conversation.

Mrs. Howard raised her hand high.

“This stupid girl doesn’t know her place!”

Hearing that shrill shout, I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut.

But even as time passed, the expected pain never came.

‘Huh?’

When I carefully lifted my eyelids, I gasped silently in shock.

Because Cecilia was firmly gripping Mrs. Howard’s wrist!

“Miss?”

Mrs. Howard called out to Cecilia in a bewildered voice.

Cecilia straightened her hunched body and stood upright.

Her blue-green eyes stared directly at Mrs. Howard.

“Nanny, she’s my personal maid that I chose.”

At that moment, I saw it.

Cecilia’s slender shoulders trembling violently.

“I… may be lacking in many ways. But.”

Cecilia finished her words with emphasis.

“She’s my person. If anyone’s going to discipline her, it’ll be me.”

“…”

I know well how much pressure Cecilia is feeling right now.

It was described several times in the original story.

How Cecilia lived being swayed by every single word from her nanny.

Fearing that the nanny might say something bad to her parents and Oppa, and that her family might hate her because of it.

How terrified she was…

And yet.

‘She stood up for me.’

I felt an indescribable emotion.

This complex feeling that was frustrating yet apologetic, grateful yet pitiful.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Howard was looking at Cecilia with a surprised expression.

She had no choice.

Until now, Cecilia had rarely openly rebelled against her, the nanny.

“Miss. Of course, I understand that you may choose your personal maid yourself.”

Mrs. Howard spoke in a soothing tone.

“But before bringing in a subordinate, shouldn’t you have sought advice from your superior at least once?”

“…That’s.”

“In my opinion, it’s because of this willful side of yours, Miss…”

Mrs. Howard, who had been looking at Cecilia with disapproval, soon let out a deep sigh and concluded.

“I think the Duchess feels distant from you because of this.”

At those words, Cecilia’s face darkened like a cloudy sky.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t hide my incredulous expression.

‘What kind of ridiculous nonsense is that?’

Unable to bear it any longer, I unconsciously opened my mouth again.

“What on earth is that supposed to…”

“Milena.”

But before I could finish speaking, Cecilia called my name firmly.

I looked at Cecilia with wavering eyes.

“Miss.”

“Go inside for now.”

“But…!”

“Hurry.”

Cecilia urged again.

I pressed my lips tightly together.

I wanted to shoot back at Mrs. Howard with at least one word.

But when I met those completely shaking blue-green eyes, I couldn’t be stubborn anymore.

“Yes, Miss.”

In the end, I quietly withdrew.

Because I seemed to understand Cecilia’s feelings.

In her own way, she was trying to protect me.

Also.

‘…She probably doesn’t want to show me her cowering in front of someone.’

Even so, she’s the empire’s one and only princess.

Showing herself being scolded by her nanny would inevitably hurt her pride.

But she couldn’t carelessly warn the nanny either.

Because.

‘She’s afraid of being disliked by the Duke, Duchess, and young Duke.’

It was actually like that in the original story too.

Mrs. Howard sowed discord between the ducal family and Cecilia, contributing greatly to damaging Cecilia’s reputation.

‘Still, should she just take this lying down?’

Suddenly my gaze reached the 3rd floor balcony of the annex.

‘Wait.’

I made my eyes gleam wickedly.

If I do this right…?

* * *

After Milena left like that.

Mrs. Howard became even more aggressive and pressed Cecilia further.

“My lady. How long do you intend to act so childishly?”

“….”

“To just stand by and watch a mere servant girl act insolently toward me! A subordinate’s mistakes reflect the inadequacy of their superior. Do you plan to disappoint the family forever?”

“….”

“This is why the Duke and Duchess avoid you, my lady!”

In that moment, Cecilia flinched and stiffened her shoulders as if she had been struck by a whip.

Mrs. Howard muttered to herself, loud enough to be heard.

“If it were the ‘real Cecilia,’ she would have handled this more wisely.”

Instantly, Cecilia barely swallowed down the hot something that surged up to her throat.

Will anything really change if I try harder?

Mother and Father, and even Oppa.

Not once have they ever looked at me.

How long must I struggle desperately, begging them to look at me?

No, if only they would at least listen to my pleas….

But then.

Suddenly, two arms holding a bucket popped out from the third-floor balcony.

Splash!

With a refreshing sound, dirty water came pouring down.

And that dirty water drenched Mrs. Howard completely.

“Kyaaaah!”

Gone was all her usual nagging about maintaining dignity.

Mrs. Howard screamed loud enough to shake the entire annex.

“What, what is this!”

Unfortunately, the dirty water had gotten in her eyes, so Mrs. Howard couldn’t even open them properly.

With both eyes squeezed shut, she shouted frantically.

“Who is it! Who dares to do such a thing!!”

Black droplets dripped from Mrs. Howard’s entire body.

Her neatly styled hair was completely disheveled, and her elegant dress was soaked with dirty water and ruined.

“My lady! My lady, didn’t you see anyone?!”

Cecilia’s lips twitched slightly.

Then she slyly glanced at the third-floor balcony out of the corner of her eye,

“Nope, I didn’t see anything.”

She answered with a completely straight face.

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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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