I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 85

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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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“Like Princess Milena, Princess Cecilia would also like to see you frequently at our gatherings.”

“I’m truly grateful that you say so. However, since Milena hasn’t even had her debutante ball yet, I think she’ll need her parents’ permission to attend in the future.”

For a moment, the Empress’s eyes hardened slightly.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Of course, I’m well aware that the gatherings hosted by Your Majesty the Empress are tremendous opportunities. I myself would love to attend frequently,”

Cecilia answered smoothly without showing any agitation.

“I’ll do my best to speak well with my parents and try to get their permission.”

Phew.

I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

‘Social experience doesn’t just disappear, does it? Cecilia is the best!’

Other than that, well, fairly smooth conversation continued.

It was ordinary topics that ladies would typically discuss.

“I tried a new toner recently, and my skin became really smooth.”

Cosmetics, or,

“Isn’t the weather too hot lately? I’m planning to go to the seaside for a vacation with my family soon.”

Travel plans, or,

“The lemon sherbet at Riedel Tea House is trending recently. Have you tried it?”

Recently popular desserts.

“You two princesses wore matching dresses to the spring picnic. They were really pretty – which shop did you get them from?”

The eternal interest of noble young ladies – dresses.

Cecilia was particularly considerate of me.

Knowing that I was feeling awkward, she stepped forward and smoothly led the conversation.

‘Thank you.’

With that meaning, I lightly tapped the back of Cecilia’s hand.

Cecilia smiled brightly at me.

But then.

“Your Majesty the Empress, I have something urgent to tell you.”

A maid who had quietly approached nearby bowed her head.

Perhaps it was my imagination, but the Empress looked at the maid as if she had been waiting.

“What is it?”

“His Highness the First Prince has come to visit. He says he wants to pay his respects to Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Oh my goodness. The First Prince?”

The Empress exclaimed with a brightening expression.

Then the Empress looked around at the young ladies with a bright face.

“Would it be alright if we briefly greeted the First Prince?”

“Of course.”

“To be able to see His Highness the First Prince – it would be an honor for us instead.”

The young ladies each showed excited expressions, their eyes sparkling brightly.

Actually, it was natural.

Wasn’t he one of only two princes in the Empire?

Realistically, the First Prince was one of the best marriage prospects, and the young ladies were still young ladies.

They couldn’t help but have fantasies about the existence called a ‘prince.’

Which meant.

‘Am I the only one who dislikes this…?’

Thinking gloomily, I glanced sideways at Cecilia.

At the same time, I gained great comfort.

‘Oh.’

That was because Cecilia’s expression wasn’t very good either.

“Then I’ll take it that everyone has given permission.”

The Empress smiled brightly.

And so the First Prince naturally joined the gathering.

“Mother, if I had known there was a gathering, I would have visited on another day.”

The First Prince who appeared with long strides made a show of speaking loudly.

“Not at all, First Prince. I already asked the young ladies for permission.”

The Empress answered gently while looking at him, then looked around.

Then she pointed to the seat across from me.

“First Prince, would you sit over here?”

“Thank you, Mother.”

No, why does it have to be right in front of me?!

I desperately smoothed my brow that was about to furrow on its own.

The First Prince, who had already taken his seat, smiled leisurely at me.

“I’m really lucky. To be able to greet the Princess like this by chance.”

Really? That’s the complete opposite of me.

Meeting you – this is really the worst day.

“Ahaha, we meet again like this.”

I once again put on the ‘princess smile’ that Cecilia had specially trained me in.

The First Prince spoke to me again.

“How was the gathering? Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes, I enjoyed it.”

Then the First Prince smiled bitterly and spoke.

“Somehow I feel like I’ve lost out.”

“Pardon?”

“If I had come just a little earlier, couldn’t I have spent more time with the Princess?”

…Hey, didn’t you just say you were lucky?

Besides, aren’t you being too obvious about only talking to me?

Is our Cecilia invisible?

Don’t you see those young ladies who were so excited but now have their expressions hardening in real time?

“It’s truly an honor that you say so. However, I think it was actually better that you greeted us a little late today.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Today is the first day I’m directly building friendships with the young ladies. Since I’m not yet used to this kind of atmosphere, if my conduct were inadequate and caused trouble for Your Highness the First Prince… I think I would feel too uncomfortable.”

Yes, I’m busy just building friendship with the young ladies.

I answered with that intention, and fortunately the First Prince seemed to understand my words properly.

Judging by how his face hardened slightly.

Just as the atmosphere was about to become a little stiff.

Clap!

A cheerful clapping sound burst out.

Everyone’s gaze turned in that direction.

It was the Empress.

“Now, we’ve gathered like this after all.”

The Empress skillfully changed the sunken atmosphere.

Her still beautiful eyes, despite the fine wrinkles, curved like crescents.

“How about we have some light entertainment? I’ve prepared something.”

* * *

Rudrick entered the Imperial Palace after a long time.

The massive columns stretching in a long line.

The splendid yet ancient decorations characteristic of the Imperial Palace.

Looking at the delicately painted ceiling, his chest felt heavy as if he had swallowed a handful of pebbles.

‘Suffocating.’

Everything in the Imperial Palace seemed to weigh down on him.

Rudrick clenched his fists tightly.

Otherwise, it seemed like he would roughly tear off the cravat that felt like it was strangling his neck at any moment.

“Huu.”

After taking a short deep breath, Rudrick stopped in front of the ornate door decorated with relief carvings.

When he gave a look to the attendant waiting in front of the door, the man soon announced in a loud voice.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, Second Prince has arrived.”

“Let him enter.”

A stern voice came back in response.

The attendant carefully opened the door without making a sound.

Rudrick stepped inside.

“I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“Yes, you’ve come.”

The Emperor, who was sitting in front of a large desk, beckoned Rudrick over with a casual gesture while keeping his eyes fixed on the documents.

It was an attitude as if calling over a pet dog.

“Come over here.”

“….”

Rudrick quietly walked toward the Emperor.

He stood upright with his back straight, like a subordinate facing a superior.

It was always like this.

The Emperor always treated Rudrick more like a subordinate than a son.

And Rudrick had never hoped for fatherly affection from the Emperor either.

“Hmm.”

The Emperor raised his gaze obliquely.

After scrutinizing Rudrick’s face thoroughly, he narrowed his eyes.

“What’s this, you don’t even come to see your father’s face unless I summon you?”

The Emperor spoke sarcastically, making sure to be heard.

Rudrick felt something hot rising from deep in his throat.

Would you welcome me if I came to visit?

Wouldn’t you rather stuff me away in some corner like a useless sack of barley?

He had known from the beginning that the Emperor didn’t like him.

The Emperor, who had felt inferior to the perfect and intelligent former Empress, instead cherished and loved the Empress who fluttered around him like a tongue in his mouth.

“Maybe it’s because he resembles his mother, but the child has no endearing qualities.”

When Rudrick was young, the Emperor used to say this like a habit.

Then the Empress would smile broadly and chime in agreement.

“That’s so true.”

The sound of giggling mockery.

Cold gazes completely devoid of warmth.

And.

“…What is that thing.”

Even the horrified look that stared at him like he was a monster when he first manifested his magic.

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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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