I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 74

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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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Meanwhile, upon hearing those words, Cecilia raised her pretty eyebrows crookedly.

“Well, shouldn’t Milena be the one to hear such an apology directly, not me?”

“You speak truly. I was already planning to apologize directly to Princess Milena.”

“Hmm.”

Cecilia’s blue-green eyes narrowed.

She continued in a somewhat softened voice.

“All things considered, Milena seems quite hurt by this incident. So…”

But Rudrick couldn’t focus on Cecilia’s words.

And for good reason, as just then someone was approaching Milena, who had been alone.

That person was none other than.

‘Benjamin?!’

Instantly, Rudrick felt his insides twist.

He knew it in his head.

That the two of them exchanging greetings and having light conversation was perfectly natural social activity.

But.

‘…I really don’t like it.’

Strangely, he disliked the very fact that Benjamin was approaching Milena’s vicinity.

Even with Cecilia right in front of him, he couldn’t focus on her at all.

Eventually, Rudrick asked for understanding, knowing it was rude.

“I apologize, Princess Cecilia.”

“Yes?”

“Please excuse me for a moment.”

With those words.

Rudrick quickly approached Milena’s side.

Cecilia’s eyes widened as she watched this scene.

‘Did the Second Prince always care about Milena this much?’

…That didn’t seem to be the case before?

What on earth was this about?

* * *

Milena worked very hard to hide her restless feelings.

‘I thought Rudrick might possibly come…’

Seeing that he really had attended the picnic made her thoughts multiply.

Why had he attended?

Could it possibly be because of me?

…To resolve the resentment that had built up between us?

‘No way, that can’t be it.’

Milena chuckled inwardly.

If that were the case, she would have to be quite a special person to Rudrick, which was impossible.

Well, anyway.

‘I want to start getting along comfortably with Rudrick too.’

Should I approach him first?

Thinking this, Milena sighed deeply inside.

When she actually tried to start a conversation, strangely her mouth wouldn’t open.

As Milena was feeling inwardly troubled.

“Princess Milena.”

Suddenly someone addressed her in a subtle voice.

This greasy voice, like having a large spoonful of butter in one’s mouth…

“…I greet the First Prince.”

Milena forced a smile and greeted the First Prince.

The First Prince looked at her with deep eyes.

“I’m delighted to finally spend intimate time with Princess Milena.”

I’m not delighted!

“Earlier, since the Duke of Lusert and the Lord of the Magic Tower were by your side, I couldn’t converse with you for long, which was truly regrettable.”

I don’t regret it!

“The river breeze is truly wonderful. I hope we can meet like this often in the future.”

No, why does this man keep acting friendly with me?!

‘Isn’t he acting exactly like in the original story?’

Even out of courtesy, he could ask once where Cecilia had gone.

The First Prince showed interest only in her, with Cecilia not even in his consideration.

Milena swallowed her displeasure and answered calmly.

“More importantly, why is the First Prince alone? Surely other ladies must be waiting for Your Highness.”

Usually you’re too busy mingling with other ladies, so why are you only sticking by my side? So annoyingly.

…was the tactful and careful expression of that sentiment.

Meanwhile, whether he knew Milena’s uncomfortable feelings or not, the First Prince answered smoothly.

“There are many flowers in the world, but among them there is the most beautiful flower, is there not?”

“…”

“Today I intend to stay by the side of that flower with incomparable beauty. Would that be alright?”

What should I do?

How to peel off this butter-flavored clingy pest, I have no idea…

Milena’s vision went dark.

But just then.

“Princess Milena.”

Huh? This voice is?

Milena widened her eyes like a startled rabbit and turned around.

Rudrick, who had approached her side at some point, was looking at her.

His handsome face clearly showed signs of tension.

The First Prince, whose conversation had been interrupted, became quite irritated.

“What the hell, Rudrick? Today I’m planning to be the Princess’s conversation partner, so you…”

But Rudrick didn’t even pretend to listen to the First Prince’s words.

His ice-blue eyes were fixed solely on Milena.

“I’m truly sorry, but there’s something urgent I need to tell you.”

“To me?”

What is it, what’s going on?

Milena was inwardly a bit surprised.

Unless it was something significant, there would be no reason to act so suddenly.

“Rudrick. Can’t you see that Princess Milena and I are having a conversation?”

The First Prince snapped with a sharp voice.

“What kind of rudeness is this? If you can’t maintain dignity as a prince of the Empire!”

But Milena had already made up her mind.

‘If Rudrick is acting this urgently, there must be some circumstances.’

Milena glanced at the First Prince and asked for understanding.

“I’m sorry, but I think I need to go with the Second Prince for a moment.”

“…Princess Milena?”

“Let’s talk again next time. Then I’ll take my leave now.”

Milena, who gave a slight nod as greeting, readily followed Rudrick.

Rudrick escorted Milena toward a secluded area.

And.

“About the homework I gave you this time. I think the amount was too much.”

…Suddenly?

At that out-of-the-blue comment, Milena blinked blankly.

Rudrick desperately avoided Milena’s gaze while rambling on with all sorts of trivial chatter.

“I wonder if I’ve been pushing the Princess too hard in our usual lessons.”

“No, it’s fine. Teacher, no, Your Highness the Second Prince’s lessons have always been excellent.”

Milena, who had been about to call him ‘Teacher’ out of habit, hastily corrected her form of address.

Separately, these words were sincere.

Although during the first day’s lesson, she had been hurt by that genius-typical look in his eyes that seemed to say ‘How can you not know this…?’

Since then, Rudrick had been steadily conducting lessons with consideration for Milena’s position.

Upon hearing those words, Rudrick looked somewhat relieved as he glanced at Milena from the corner of his eye.

“That’s a relief. How is your mana manipulation coming along?”

…Didn’t you say just last lesson that ‘your mana manipulation skills have definitely improved’?

Milena, who forcibly swallowed the words that had risen to her throat, answered reluctantly.

“It, it’s improved a lot.”

“It’s all thanks to Princess Milena’s outstanding talent. Still, you must continue practicing consistently.”

After leaving those words of advice, Rudrick soon casually brought up the question he had been harboring.

“Ah, by any chance, do you have any complaints about the lessons?”

“Complaints?”

“Yes. Please speak freely. I will accommodate everything.”

“…”

Excuse me, self-reflection is good and all, but isn’t this a bit too out of the blue?

Milena stared blankly at Rudrick.

Meanwhile, Rudrick seemed to be desperately avoiding Milena’s gaze.

“Um, Princess Milena.”

Eventually, he carefully turned to look at Milena.

His blue eyes held a complex mixture of numerous emotions.

Embarrassment, caution, awkwardness.

However, among all of them, the emotion that stood out most clearly was.

“If you were displeased because of what happened the other day… I’m truly sorry.”

Regret.

Rudrick turned his body to face Milena directly.

Though his gaze remained fixed on the floor.

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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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