I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 9

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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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“Oh, thank you for the meal!”

That’s when I was savoring the tart and pound cake, taking one bite of each.

There was a hand that quietly reached toward me.

‘Hm?’

I looked up with my mouth full of tart.

Then Cecilia suddenly stiffened her shoulders for a moment.

And very naturally picked up the chocolate éclair plate.

‘She was just about to pat me… No, that can’t be right.’

I became absorbed again in the plate being placed in front of me.

“Try this too.”

Again?

I’m starting to get full now.

But Cecilia was acting like a grandmother I hadn’t seen since the holidays.

She was constantly fretting about not feeding me enough.

“Won’t your mouth get too sweet if you only eat sweets like that? Have a sandwich too.”

“Th-thank you…”

“Shall I pour you more tea?”

Cecilia personally picked up the teapot.

At this rate, she was going to fill my teacup to the brim even though it was still more than half full.

“Um, I still have tea and dessert left! I’ll eat a little more slowly!”

I quickly waved my hands and stopped Cecilia.

Cecilia put down the teapot with a slightly disappointed expression.

“Right, you’ll get indigestion if you eat too fast.”

Only then did I begin eating while carefully savoring the flavors.

“Chew thoroughly.”

How should I put it, she’s like my mother.

“Yes, Princess.”

I smiled and nodded, but only for a moment.

At the thought of my mother that came to mind carelessly, my mouth somehow felt dry.

‘My mother, you see.’

The fork in my hand felt heavy.

The desserts that had been melting sweetly on my tongue until now were swirling around in my mouth like sand.

‘Such luxurious desserts… she’s probably never tasted anything like this.’

My appetite completely disappeared.

I tried my best not to pick at my food.

But I couldn’t escape Cecilia’s sharp, hawk-like gaze.

“Why do you look like that?”

“Oh, my mother has never tried desserts like these…”

I answered carelessly, then bit my lip with an ‘oh no.’

I think I misspoke.

Even though I clearly know what kind of treatment Cecilia usually receives from her family.

‘Did I just show off that my mother and I have a good relationship?’

I looked at Cecilia nervously, not knowing what to do.

Meanwhile, Cecilia’s expression was completely unreadable.

Her calm teal eyes stared at me intently.

“Never mind, just eat.”

She turned her head away with a ‘hmph.’

‘What?’

Is she upset? Or is she okay?

I took a big bite of the ham and cheese sandwich with mixed feelings.

At the same time, my eyes widened a little.

‘This sandwich, my mother would especially love this.’

The sauce spread on the bread was incredibly delicious.

‘I should stop by the kitchen before going home later.’

I need to ask how they made the sauce.

Hmm, if I’m lucky, maybe I can get some leftover ham and cheese too?

And on the way home.

I didn’t even need to stop by the kitchen.

“Here, take this with you.”

The Head Chef personally came to find me and handed me a huge basket.

It was so heavy that my arms nearly dropped as soon as I received the basket.

Flustered, I asked a question.

“What is this?”

The Head Chef shrugged his shoulders and answered.

“I packed all the desserts you had at tea time today, one of each kind. I especially packed plenty of sandwiches.”

“What?”

Sandwiches – you mean the ones I was planning to make for my mother?

Just then, the Head Chef added one more thing.

“The Princess told me to prepare this for you.”

…What?!

* * *

“My goodness, Lena. What is all this?”

Facing a luxurious table that you’d only see in noble families, Mother opened her eyes wide.

I proudly lifted my chin.

“Looks delicious, right? The Princess prepared this for me!”

“The Princess… you mean the one you’re serving now?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded with a smile.

Cecilia had an unexpectedly thoughtful side.

Considering that it was almost dinner time, she had prepared not only desserts but also various foods that would make a proper meal.

Thus, my mother and I were able to enjoy a hearty meal.

“Mother, try this sandwich.”

I quickly pushed the sandwich I had been eyeing earlier in front of my mother.

Then I also offered her a large meat pie plate.

“This meat pie looks delicious too. You know it tastes better when eaten warm, right?”

“I’m eating. My goodness, thanks to my daughter, I’m living in luxury. You eat some too.”

Mother chuckled and cut a large piece of meat pie to put on my plate.

I deliberately made a pouty expression and glared at my mother.

“If you don’t eat first, I won’t eat either.”

“Why is this child being so clingy?”

Unable to resist my nagging, Mother took a bite of the meat pie.

At the same time, Mother’s eyes widened.

“Oh my, this is really delicious?”

“Right? The Head Chef at the annex is very skilled.”

Starting from that, my mother and I had a cozy conversation.

About how strict the head maid, Baroness Tilda, is.

About what the employees at the annex are like.

Among all the many topics, the person who naturally took up the most time was.

“So, the Princess actually…”

Naturally, it was Cecilia.

Mother, who had been listening intently to my story for a while, asked me in a playful voice.

“Our daughter seems to like that Princess very much, doesn’t she?”

“What? Why?”

“Well, you talk about that Princess every single day lately.”

Mother shrugged her shoulders as she added.

“Every time you talk about the Princess, you smile so brightly, really.”

“…”

For a moment, I was speechless.

I was… smiling?

I unconsciously touched the corners of my mouth.

I felt my lips that were gently curved in an arc.

After thinking for a moment, I nodded my head slightly.

“…Yes, I think she’s a good person.”

It was true that I had been reluctant about Cecilia at first.

It couldn’t be helped.

She was the female protagonist from the original story who would bring about my miserable downfall in the future.

But from actually watching her closely, Cecilia was just an ordinary girl you could see anywhere.

On the outside, she looked like a proud cat.

But in reality, she was someone who felt lonely often.

Also a lovely young lady who desperately longed for her family’s affection.

‘I hope Cecilia can be happy with her family too.’

As I cut a large piece of meat pie and put it in my mouth, I thought of her once again.

Although the original story had the keyword of family regret.

Still, I hoped that Cecilia’s family wouldn’t leave her alone for too long.

Just like how my mother is always by my side.

I hoped that Cecilia’s family wouldn’t just obsess over their ‘real daughter’ but would truly accept her.

‘What is Cecilia doing right now?’

I hoped that tonight, at least, she wouldn’t be too lonely.

I hoped she could enjoy a peaceful evening.

…I earnestly wished for that.

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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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