Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 189

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 189

“…….”
“Raymond, Lisianthus, and Rasper—whom I’ve only just met today—and sweet little Bibi too. Well, even that temperamental Duke will have his moments……. He’ll still harden his face, I’m sure, but at the very least if Bibi brings home a suitor, he won’t be able to resist saying something like ‘you can only take her if you can beat me’—that kind of doting father nonsense, right?”
“What of the Princess Titania?”
Perhaps it was mere impression, but Raymond’s voice had grown slightly quieter.
“The Princess Titania spoke of wanting such a life, yet somehow there’s an undercurrent in her words—as though she herself has no place in that dream.”
“Ah, well, naturally I’m human too. I’d be happy to live a peaceful, uncomplicated life without any major troubles.”
But something nagged at me—a premonition of sorts.
Perhaps since that day in the mountains when I faced the Magic Beast, scattered my blood across the Barrier, and lost consciousness. Or perhaps since I’d heard repeated hints about the Contract. That same sensation.
I have something I must do, and I cannot place that burden on anyone else.
By ordinary logic, once I break all the seals, I’ll become a cheat character wielding power comparable to Raymond’s—tremendous power. Apparently this weakened Goddess of Light, unable to exert her strength anywhere in the world, has granted me such power.
By ordinary logic, it feels inevitable that I’ll have to do something equally terrifying.
“…That life.”
Raymond spoke hesitantly.
“You have no intention of letting the Princess Titania watch over it?”
“If we remain on good terms as allies as we are now, I suppose she could watch. Wouldn’t that work?”
“…….”
“I thought we’d finished this conversation back at the Ball. Oh, but speaking of which—I’m sorry about nearly hitting you with that Sleigh just now. Why didn’t you dodge?”
I changed the subject with obvious abruptness, but Raymond, mercifully, chose to answer.
“……I thought it wasn’t real.”
“Hmm?”
“There, so suddenly, came the Princess Titania—someone I’d never have expected—in such a form. I thought I must be having a strange dream.”
“Puhaha!”
Raymond visibly averted his gaze, his ears faintly flushed.
-Contractor, do you really think that’s something to laugh about?●︿●
‘It’s… not funny?’
That realist Raymond, frozen in place because he thought it was a dream. It was hilarious.
“I mean, I managed to dodge, but Rasper was in an absolute panic because he thought he might hit the older brother he absolutely admires and loves. I assumed you’d dodge right away, Raymond. Even in a dream, it might hurt if you got hit…….”
“From now on, please refrain from such dangerous acts. I was so startled to realize it was real.”
“Yes, yes. Today was unavoidable because of the situation with the Divine Beast and a critical lack of time, but normally I’d be……careful……wouldn’t I?”
“Lisianthus gives a better answer than that.”
“…It’s not that I have that irresponsible attitude like Lisianthus, just saying whatever comes to mind regardless of what’s actually happening. My answer comes from genuine responsibility!”
Perhaps it was my imagination, but Raymond avoided my eyes as he spoke.
“…In any case, since Father himself referred to you as a ‘guest’ in his own words, there should be no such incidents going forward. Even if today’s……turmoil were to occur again, we would typically cooperate.”
“Oh, really? I’m glad I passed the test.”
As I expressed my genuine delight, Raymond’s gaze turned sharp as a blade.
“…….”
“So now there’s no need to hide things from anyone, right? I can act openly?”
“That doesn’t mean you can go about causing incidents without warning. Simply……call for me.”
“But you’ll be busy.”
“I’ll follow you and work. No matter what happens, call for me.”
He looked at me like a loan officer scrutinizing someone with poor credit. While I pondered how to object to such eyes, we arrived. Raymond seemed eager to continue our conversation, but because a Duke traveling at night was apparently quite a significant matter, he was quickly surrounded by his other subordinates waiting for him. Sensing the moment, I called out cheerfully, “I’m heading in!” and disappeared into the building.
But the moment I stepped inside…….
Bibi awaited me with eyes sharp as a flounder, alongside a bathtub filled with warm water, Cocoa, and Ginger Tea.
The first terrified me; the second pleased me. Lisianthus and Rasper, who had followed me in—or rather, apparently fled in my wake to avoid being caught up in the matter themselves should they remain beside Raymond—both avoided Bibi’s eyes as well.
Only Castrain, looking as limp and wrung-out as poorly laundered clothing, made his exit without interfering with his disciple, apparently having realized that Bibi didn’t know him well enough to meddle.
My damned employee! Abandoning his employer and fleeing!
Though Bibi was genuinely adorable in that thick, fluffy-hooded one-piece with rabbit ears perked up on top—apparently having woken from sleep without time to change—her eyes were absolutely fierce.
If my family had staged a great escape in the dead of night without warning, I’d probably feel equally pathetic and exasperated myself.
“People who are old enough to know better……committed such a scandal, and why is Rasper even here?! My brother?! Why?!”
Upon realizing that Rasper, the quiet older brother whom Bibi had always trusted implicitly among the three notoriously troublesome Castrain brothers, was involved in this commotion, she grasped the back of her head in genuine distress. Rasper averted his eyes and stammered.
“…U-um, Bibi, I’m sorry for worrying you…….”
Bibi’s eyes widened for a moment as she looked at him, then understanding dawned on her face. Immediately, she pointed an accusing finger at Lisianthus beside her, who was cheerfully munching bread with the expression of someone who accepted that such things happened in life.
“It’s because of Lisianthus!”
“Wh-hey, what’re you—?!”
“What do you mean ‘why’! Why else! I can’t live like this! How could you corrupt Rasper too! If you’re going to cause trouble, do it alone!”
Whack! Whack!
Bibi pounded Lisianthus’s shoulders and back with her small, delicate fists. But her hands were so tiny and frail that the blows didn’t seem to land with any real force. Lisianthus swallowed his bread and grinned impudently.
“Our little Bibi, massaging her brother’s neck because he worked so hard……hack!”
“That’s right! Neck massage!”
“Bibi, uh, brother’s d-dying, I can’t breathe—brother’s really dying!”
“You can’t breathe? Then how are you talking!”
It was like a meme. Bibi, ignoring her brother’s cotton-soft fists, deliberately squeezed his neck as if to make a point.
Lisianthus thrashed about, flailing his limbs.
Bibi wouldn’t actually strangle her precious older brother until he truly couldn’t breathe, but since I bore some responsibility for the incident that had pulled even Rasper into this mess, I decided to redirect everyone’s attention elsewhere.
“Bi-Bibi, you were awake this late~? Were you very frightened~?”
“…….”
The moment Bibi heard my voice, she released her grip on Lisianthus’s neck.
“Huff. Huff-huff. Hack…….”
Released, Lisianthus clutched his throat and hastily withdrew from the area. I withdrew Gemina from inside my clothes and placed her on my palm, my posture clearly saying, ‘Please, just look at this.’
“I really, truly worried about you when you ran out in the dead of night without a word. I’m sorry. I was wrong. But to save this adorable little baby bird, there was no other choice.”
-Contractor, was there truly, genuinely no other method besides that one? Really? Genuinely? ヽ(。_°)ノ
‘You’re the one who said we had to leave immediately because of the Divine Beast.’
-But still, the stables could have……. Anyway, was there really a need to resort to……such means?!
‘Come on, Gemina, you’re our only hope! The cutest newborn creature! The rarest being alive!’
“Chirp…….”
Gemina, with eyes already grown cloudy as if she’d lost faith in life, emitted a businesslike cry. It was utterly unconvincing. But Bibi’s eyes wavered slightly.
“W-what is it?”
“Ahem. A newborn Divine Beast. Her name is Gemina.”
“Y-yes, such a pretty name……. M-may I touch her?”
Bibi truly loved cute things, but since the people of the Castrain Family were far from ordinary and their auras were somewhat ominous……unless a creature was as fierce as a beast that Lisianthus had trained, it seemed difficult to keep one nearby. There appeared to be practical limitations when living with such strong-natured people.
Bibi herself, knowing that many great events would unfold ahead, couldn’t simply take in a living creature as if it were a doll.
“Yes. And she can eat normal food too. Would you mind watching over her while I bathe?”
“Wow.”
Bibi’s distinctive clear blue eyes sparkled with light.
“H-hey, wait, if you’re just going to make excuses and leave like this……. Oh. Y-your beak is so soft…….”
Gemina, with an expression that seemed to say, ‘I’ll collect what I’m owed from you later, master……,’ nestled against Bibi’s palm and nuzzled her beak. Perfect timing! Excellent assist! A wonderful companion Divine Beast!
I hurried off to bathe. I even refused the offer of bathing assistance. Though the Titania in the source material commanded handmaidens wherever she went, since my memories returned, having people attend me felt uncomfortable unless absolutely necessary. Whether sensing this or realizing I disliked keeping untrustworthy people nearby, the household here tended to send people as needed rather than keeping them stationed at my side.
Of course, this made it easy to escape in the middle of the night……. But now that things have come to this, would Bibi insist on having someone stationed with me?
After warming myself in the bathtub filled with hot water and changing into fresh clothes, I emerged to find Bibi setting Gemina on a plush cushion and feeding her bite-sized sweets. Gemina was dipping her beak into a bowl of milk, then nibbling the treat, thoroughly enjoying her happiness.
“Chirp.”

Those eyes, so cynical for a Divine Beast only a few hours old, were gradually softening. It seemed she’d found favor.
Her small belly, swollen from eating her fill, protruded prominently. Her head tilted slowly on the cushion. She seemed to be drifting toward sleep.
With delicate care, Bibi positioned Gemina properly on the cushion. Then she looked at me.
“Sister, talk to me.”
“…….”
I knew Bibi wasn’t going to devour me, only express her concern, yet why was I so terrified? The same chill ran through me as when my mother in my past life, adding formality to her words, said, ‘Now then, have a seat’…….

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————