I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 96

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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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The next day.

Cecilia, Rudrick, and I went outside.

Actually, I wanted to stay by Mother’s side a little longer, but.

“We’ve come all the way to the South, are you planning to stay in the villa the whole time?”

Mother pushed my back with a smiling face.

“Princess Cecilia came with us too, wouldn’t she be bored if you just stick by my side?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Cecilia quickly shook her head.

But Mother just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

“I want to let our Milena see the outside world too.”

“Still…”

“Today happens to be market day. They sell many interesting things, and there’s a lot to see.”

At those words, Cecilia perked up her ears.

Then she rolled her eyes around, and.

“Well, if you put it that way… shall I take Milena out for a look?”

She was instantly persuaded by my mother’s words!

Well, I understood her feelings.

She had seen the ocean for the first time in her life this time.

Naturally, she would want to explore the South.

I also felt like taking a look since Mother was talking about it so much.

“What about Teacher?”

I looked back at Rudrick.

Then Rudrick shook his head with a regretful expression.

“Ah, I need to stop by the Mage Tower branch.”

“I see. It would have been nice if we could go together, what a shame.”

As I was saying that, I suddenly looked to the side.

Because I had been feeling an intensely hot and prickling gaze directed at me for some time.

As if pressuring me with ‘don’t follow me’…

But Cecilia put on an innocent face and met my gaze.

“What’s wrong, Milena?”

“…”

What could it be?

I don’t understand Cecilia’s feelings at all anymore…

* * *

As the group departed like a receding tide.

Rosie, who was about to return inside the villa, suddenly widened her eyes.

‘Hm?’

Because in the distance, a young man was striding toward her.

But that person’s face looked familiar.

“Second Prince?”

That’s right.

Milena’s teacher and the Empire’s only mage.

And Rudrick, the Imperial Family’s only legitimate prince!

“Um, Lady Rosie.”

Rudrick, who had started speaking, looked at Rosie with a strangely tense expression.

‘What could he possibly want to say with that expression?’

Rosie also became nervous in response.

After moving only his lips for a while, Rudrick opened his mouth with a voice as small as an ant crawling.

“Well, the Princess mentioned in her letter…”

“A letter?”

Rosie tilted her head curiously.

A moment later, Rudrick’s face turned bright red.

“No, it’s nothing.”

He quickly shook his head and left the spot as if fleeing.

Rosie watched Rudrick’s retreating figure with a dumbfounded expression.

For a while.

‘Hmm.’

Rosie narrowed her eyes.

She had a feeling about something.

It was the intuition she felt as a mother who had raised a daughter for a long time.

‘Could it be, Second Prince…’

Rosie’s eyes sparkled.

‘Does he perhaps like my daughter?’

* * *

Cecilia, Mathilde, and I headed to the market connected to the main road.

As befitting a city adjacent to the sea.

Beyond the colorfully lined tents, the blue ocean was rippling.

“Wow!”

Cecilia widened her eyes and kept looking around.

Though Cecilia usually acted prim and proper, she couldn’t hide her excitement now.

Mathilde also had a surprised expression.

Though for a much more practical reason than Cecilia.

“My goodness, even on the main island it’s rare to see such a large market.”

The scale of the market was truly enormous.

Exotic-feeling fabrics of all kinds, piles of shiny fruits stacked like mountains, colorful accessories, and fish freshly caught from the sea.

The variety of items they handled was also very diverse.

“L-let’s go take a look.”

Cecilia tried to maintain her dignity, but she couldn’t hide her increasingly quick steps.

Before long, Cecilia was lost in admiring the market.

After a while.

“Wow, Milena. Look over there!”

Cecilia suddenly turned to me with a completely excited face.

“Isn’t it so pretty?”

In the direction Cecilia pointed, there was a street vendor.

The thoroughly excited Cecilia pulled my arm and approached that way.

On the stall were accessories made by weaving colorful threads, small seashells, and beads.

Their delicate appearance was quite refined and pretty.

“Welcome, young lady.”

The merchant greeted Cecilia with a gentle smile.

“You have a good eye for merchandise. This bracelet brings good luck to whoever wears it.”

“Good luck?”

“Yes, that’s why sailors going out to sea often wear them.”

Cecilia was already holding a couple of bracelets.

After examining the bracelets from various angles for a while, she carefully asked me a question.

“Do you think my parents and Oppa would like it if I gave these as gifts?”

“Of course they would.”

I nodded with a smile.

“…Then.”

Cecilia blushed on both cheeks and picked up several more bracelets.

Then, as if she belatedly noticed my pleased gaze,

“It’s nice when family does things together.”

With that logic, she bought portions for Mother and Mathilde as well.

Mathilde’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re giving one to me too?”

“Of course. Mathilde is part of our household too.”

At Cecilia’s answer, a bright smile spread across Mathilde’s face.

“Thank you, Miss.”

And so the bracelet shopping came to an end.

Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly hesitated.

Somehow my feet wouldn’t move.

‘Someone like family.’

If that’s the case, isn’t there one more person I should get something for besides Mother and Mathilde?

That person is…

“Um, please ring up this bracelet too.”

As I impulsively picked up another bracelet, Cecilia looked at me with a strange expression.

I desperately avoided her gaze and tucked the bracelet into my arms.

Why was this happening?

…For some reason, it was difficult to look Cecilia straight in the eyes.

And so we wandered around the market for quite a while.

The exotic scenery, so different from the Empire, made us lose track of time completely.

It was such an enjoyable time.

“Oh, let’s have some fried shrimp!”

“Alright.”

She was in such a good mood that even Cecilia, who usually detested street food, nodded generously.

The most memorable moment here was when we saw fresh fish flopping around alive.

“Kyaaah!”

Cecilia was so startled she nearly fainted, throwing aside all dignity and hiding behind my back.

And so now.

We were taking a break at a nearby tea house, each with a drink ordered.

Everything had been quite peaceful until then.

That is…

“Mathilde, could you excuse us for a moment?”

Until Cecilia gestured for Mathilde to leave.

“Yes, Miss.”

Mathilde bowed her head and immediately left her seat.

‘What? Why is Mathilde leaving?’

I was momentarily confused, but then froze solid at Cecilia’s next question.

“That bracelet. Who are you planning to give it to?”

I was so startled that my eyes widened without realizing it.

“Pardon?”

Cecilia narrowed her eyes and stared at me intently.

“You bought an extra bracelet earlier. Who is it for?”

“Well, you see. I was planning to wear two bracelets…”

“Don’t joke around.”

Her firm words left me speechless.

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed even further.

“Is it for Second Prince?”

“…”

I bit down hard on my lower lip.

It’s not like I committed a crime or anything.

It’s just a student giving a light gift to her teacher, right?

But why… why can’t I seem to open my mouth?

After hesitating for a long time, I answered in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Cecilia nodded and asked me again.

“You seem to care about Second Prince quite a lot?”

“No, he’s just my teacher…!”

I reflexively raised my voice for a moment.

But in the end, I couldn’t completely deny Cecilia’s words.

Honestly, it was difficult to say it wasn’t true at all.

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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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