I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 70
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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, of course! You’re my little sister. What kind of older sister would be happy to see her little sister treated so rudely? Besides, Mother has repeatedly asked me to take good care of you…”
So flustered was she that Cecilia rambled on with various excuses, unlike her usual self.
I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“Thank you, sister.”
“…”
“Having you by my side is really such a great comfort.”
At those words, Cecilia glanced back at me.
Her lips were pressed tightly together.
However, seeing how the corners of her mouth twitched, it seemed she was trying hard to suppress a smile.
Eventually, Cecilia replied demurely.
“There’s nothing to gain from saying such things.”
“Nothing to gain? I was speaking from the heart though.”
I answered innocently.
Then Cecilia managed her expression primly and quietly pushed the roll cake plate toward me.
“Enough, just eat this roll cake. It’s delicious.”
The smile on my lips deepened a little more.
I cut a large piece of cake with my fork and put it in my mouth.
The fluffy yet sweet cake layers and refreshing fruit flavors spread pleasantly from the tip of my tongue.
* * *
Rudrick stared down at the invitation in his hand.
…We earnestly hope you will attend this spring picnic and grace us with your presence.
The spring picnic hosted annually by the Rexler Hotel every spring.
It was quite a prestigious social event in the Empire.
As such, they thoroughly selected their guests, so many nobles secretly awaited this invitation when spring came.
Of course, Rudrick had declined the invitation every time until now.
He was disgusted by the thought of people who knew nothing about him gossiping behind his back as they pleased.
However.
‘If I attend this time… I should be able to meet Princess Milena.’
Until now, he hadn’t had the courage to approach her, but he couldn’t continue having this awkward relationship with Milena forever.
He wanted to apologize for the mistake he had made, somehow.
After pondering for a moment, Rudrick made up his mind.
‘Yes, let’s attend.’
For the first time in five years since receiving invitations, Rudrick finally decided to attend the spring picnic.
* * *
And so, on the day of the spring picnic.
The weather was absolutely beautiful.
Pure white clouds drifted across the bright blue sky.
A gentle breeze blew from the riverside that sparkled like jewels in the sunlight.
From the buffet-style food tables set up in the neatly arranged garden, delicious aromas that stimulated one’s appetite wafted through the air.
However, the guests gathered in small groups couldn’t focus much on the picnic itself.
Instead, they were exchanging glances filled with curiosity.
“I heard ‘that’ princess is coming today?”
“Yes, I heard the same.”
“This is her first time attending a social event, isn’t it?”
Milena von Lusert.
The biological daughter that the Lusert Ducal Family had barely managed to find.
That ‘real princess’ who was supposedly being pampered at the ducal house.
But then.
“Ah, there’s the House of Lusert!”
At the small exclamation, people’s gazes instantly turned in that direction.
In the distance, the Lusert family was walking into the garden together.
The Duke with his reddish-brown hair neatly combed back and his sharp, hawk-like eyes gleaming.
The beautiful Duchess with a gentle smile.
The young Duke of Lusert courteously escorting his mother.
And the two ladies who appeared behind them were…
“Ah, that’s Princess Cecilia.”
There was a hint of surprise in that voice.
Gone was her usual withdrawn appearance; Cecilia now had a very bright expression.
Her posture was straight and she looked around gracefully, exuding confidence.
People’s gazes naturally turned to the lady standing beside Cecilia.
“Then could that person be…”
“‘That’ Princess Milena?”
The girl who was linking arms with Cecilia and clinging to her affectionately.
Her hair was a brilliant golden color, as if gold had been melted and drawn into fine threads, and her deep green eyes, resembling verdant foliage, sparkled intelligently.
A lovely young lady who seemed to embody spring itself.
What also caught people’s attention was…
“Did the two of them coordinate their outfits today?”
“Oh my, it seems so.”
The guests’ eyes widened.
And for good reason—Milena and Cecilia were wearing matching pale pink dresses in slightly different tones.
Their hair was also styled similarly, flowing long, and they wore identical brooches above their chests as accent pieces.
They looked like spring fairies.
Occasionally, siblings or engaged couples would coordinate their outfits.
However, considering that this itself was a way of showing off ‘how intimate our relationship is’…
“The two of them seem closer than expected.”
“Honestly, I thought they wouldn’t be able to get along.”
“After all, one is the biological daughter and the other is adopted, right?”
As the guests whispered in lowered voices.
Cecilia paused for a moment, then reached out to Milena beside her.
“Wait a moment, Milena.”
“Yes?”
“Close your eyes for a second.”
Milena obediently closed her eyes.
Cecilia gently touched the area around Milena’s eyes, then smiled softly.
“You had an eyelash there.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Milena beamed at Cecilia.
Their friendly way of speaking.
Their natural attitude toward each other.
The two looked like close sisters no matter how you looked at them.
However, the problem was that there are always one or two cynical people anywhere in the world.
There were those who didn’t view the harmonious appearance of the Lusert sisters favorably.
“Hmph.”
Countess Cornelius, who had been watching the two sisters chat intimately, inwardly sneered.
‘That Cecilia girl is just a fake anyway.’
The Countess’s eyes narrowed with displeasure.
‘Yet she’s acting quite arrogant, isn’t she?’
Cecilia von Lusert.
A lowly girl from an orphanage, whose origins were completely unknown.
Yet she had to show formal respect to that girl and bow to her.
Because behind that insignificant girl was the Rusert Ducal Family.
“Really, only our Lisa ended up suffering.”
The Countess of Seres, who had been her teacher until recently, always said this.
“By rights, you should be treated as the most noble lady in this Empire, but you were pushed aside because of Cecilia.”
“…Teacher.”
“But don’t be too upset about it.”
The Countess comforted her with a gentle voice.
“In my eyes, you are a far more perfect lady than that Cecilia.”
That was right.
Everything was Cecilia’s fault.
The fact that she couldn’t receive the treatment she rightfully deserved.
The fact that her kind teacher was driven out of the system as if she had vanished, everything!
‘If only that wench hadn’t existed, I could have controlled high society!’
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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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