Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 252

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 252

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought this for the Empress….”
The Empress’s Palace was under lockdown.
Even as the nobles moving through the Imperial Palace sensed something wrong, they were cowards who had already half-condoned this madness. Those quickest to read the situation are the first to abandon a sinking ship. Cleo, who had become a de facto second ruler of the Imperial Palace, barred everything from entering the Empress’s Palace. It was evidence of her grim determination to watch her starve to death.
At the back entrance of the Empress’s residence—the small door used only for deliveries—the maidservant trembled. In her arms, she clutched a bundle containing hard bread, cheese, and a sealed bottle of wine. Barbara, examining its contents, paused with a troubled expression.
“…How am I supposed to do this? We’ll be caught.”
“But… I remember when Her Majesty the Empress showed me kindness before. My brother was ill and needed medicine, and she gave it without hesitation….”
“……Thank you. I’ll accept this.”
“Is… is Her Majesty the Empress safe?”
Trembling fingers clutched at Barbara’s skirt.
“I know it’s presumptuous to ask, but… could I confirm from a distance that she’s truly well? I’ve been so worried about Her Majesty the Empress….”
“…….”
Barbara’s face betrayed her struggle. At that moment, a soft knock came from the inner door—an invitation to enter. Barbara exhaled quietly and led the trembling maidservant inside. The servant’s eyes widened in shock, as if she hadn’t expected her request to be granted.
The room was cold.
What had once been a grand, ornate chamber now lay in disarray, like that of someone who had fled a war. Traces of furniture broken for firewood were visible, and the Empress herself sat in a chair, knitting in clothes more shabby than simple, her face bare of cosmetics.
“I heard rumors even in here. So you wanted to see me?”
“Yes, yes, of course…. F-François is… thanks to Your Majesty’s kindness…. Thanks to your kindness….”
“Thanks to my kindness?”
“H-he’s… he’s quite well. I wanted to… to express my gratitude….”
The trembling hand seized the hem of the Empress’s long skirt in reverence. In the next instant, the maidservant made a strangled sound, as if her throat were being crushed. The Empress spoke shortly.
“Debbie.”
“Yes, yes! But we can’t put Her Majesty the Empress in danger!”
Debbie’s small knife glinted coldly against the maidservant’s throat. The servant squeezed her eyes shut, trembling hopelessly. Barbara pulled a blade from the servant’s concealed hand. Seeing it, Debbie spoke brightly.
“Ah, a rather classical method, I’d say. A Poisoned Blade—Neurotoxin that kills on mere contact! Handled bare-handed without even gloves, she might’ve killed herself before Her Majesty!”
“P-please, Your Majesty, have mercy, have mercy…!”
“Did Cleo send you?”
“Yes, yes, yes! She did!”
“You have a good heart, but little spine.”
“W-well, Your Majesty…. Calling a would-be assassin, a former servant who came to murder you, ‘good’ seems rather…?”
At the Empress’s glance, Barbara ruthlessly drove her elbow into Debbie’s ribs, silencing the woman’s emerging protest. Debbie’s protruding lips sealed shut again.
“Who’s being held hostage this time?”
“…M-my colleagues. Dorothy and Anne….”
“Sending Dorothy would’ve had a higher success rate for assassination.”
“Sh-she said she’d rather die than do such a thing…. I’m sorry, Your Majesty!”
The Empress had already anticipated the effects of the Seeds that Cleo, working with Chernobog’s servants, had spread. They consume the kernel inside and pretend to be the original person. To accomplish this, they must hollow out the Vessel with medicine and other things.
But perfection is impossible.
Knowing someone’s memories and past doesn’t let you completely replace them. It’s possible to brainwash without consuming the contents, but then the intelligence degrades considerably. They become somewhat dimwitted, utterly devoid of common sense, driven toward only the final goal implanted in their minds.
So she would’ve thought it better to send someone with an original relationship to the Empress to touch her without suspicion—only to mock her for not realizing that a servant she once showed kindness to would dare raise a hand against her. After all, nobles never truly see those below them as people.
“I remember your name. Melina.”
“Y-Your Majesty….”
“You took on tasks without complaint and completed them again and again, and when you finally hit a limit and couldn’t finish, you still bowed your head and begged forgiveness. ‘I’m sorry. It’s my fault.’ I couldn’t properly punish the maids who tormented you because they were Cleo’s people. I gave you medicine for your brother’s illness, thought you’d be fine if you went far from my palace to live with good, strong companions who could protect you.”
“…….”
“But for your companions’ sake, you’ve grown bold enough to raise a blade at your Empress.”
“Y-that is… th-that….”
The Empress’s thoughts suddenly turned to Titania.
‘I just ask for a chance and… well, just give one.’
When the maidservant who had once tormented Titania begged late for just one more chance, asking to be saved, the Empress participated in granting it and questioned her reason.
‘Not everyone in this world can be perfect. In difficult, exhausting circumstances, anyone can make mistakes. Of course, it might not be genuine remorse. They could be rotten at the core. Forgiveness now might lead to betrayal later—but that’s why I’m testing. I also suffered because I never had such a chance.’
The Empress of the past would never have attempted such boldness.
Giving a mere maidservant without proven bloodline or ability a second chance.
The Empress had been desperate to protect Adrian, unable to keep by her side even a maid who betrayed her over a trivial matter. She couldn’t tolerate the smallest risk.
So Titania had ultimately given that maid a chance, and the maid repaid the debt by performing her duties faithfully. Thus, the Empress resolved to think differently.
The Empress of the past believed she was rightfully the palace’s Empress and must fulfill her duty. Since Cleo had pushed her aside, failing to perform her obligations, she thought herself an insufficient mistress even to those below her. That was the extent of her understanding.
“Dorothy said she’d rather die than do such work, and you stood beside her, trying to dissuade her before volunteering yourself?”
“Y-yes, that’s… correct….”
“Cleo didn’t think you’d succeed either. She wanted to see how I’d respond. In other words, something serious enough that she needs to gauge my condition.”
“…….”
Before the trembling Melina, the Empress laughed.
“The Imperial Palace will soon be in danger. Likely today.”
“Y-yes… yes…?”
“You thought I could kill you without consequences, didn’t you?”
“W-well, I committed a crime worthy of death…?”
“And you hoped that if an enraged Empress was confirmed, Cleo might show mercy and release your companions?”
“C-could Your Majesty the Empress read hearts…?”
“If you have the nerve to hold a blade to the Empress’s throat for your companions’ sake, there’s nothing you couldn’t do for them. Isn’t that right?”
“Y-yes… yes…?”
Melina’s eyes merely rolled about, baffled by how events were unfolding. Beside her, Barbara sighed.
“…To be honest, Your Majesty, I must disagree….”
“So do I! If I think of what Master Rasper warned us about earlier, wouldn’t it be better if I just handled everything myself!”
The Empress suddenly found herself laughing.
She hadn’t known all that Titania had done. But she had grasped the essential truth.
Kidnapped in the middle of the night by a man and waking on a bed—she should’ve been far more alarmed. Instead, she forgave kindly, offered care and treatment…. Of course, the treatment process involved some rather physical impacts, which the Empress barely registered as a concern. What pain could come from being struck by Titania’s small fists and feet?
Adrian and the Empress, who had tried to suppress themselves until the very end, changed quite actively in Titania’s presence.
‘The problem is His Majesty the Emperor, not Your Majesty the Empress.’
‘True. I’ve told Your Majesty the Empress many times, but she never believes me on my word alone.’
‘This is all because the biological father crushed someone as wonderful as Her Majesty under his narrow vessel.’
‘You’re right, Titania. You always speak only truth.’
‘…Yet you speak like that despite being a prince and princess.’
‘Oh, Mother smiled!’
‘Ha ha ha, Mother, we’ve only ever spoken the truth?’
‘Trusting unexpected people at such a critical moment?! Is imitating me like that really meaningful?’ If Titania had been there, she certainly would’ve screamed with a face poised for absolute anguish. But Titania had extended her hand to those who sought to harm her, resolved situations again and again, and saved people repeatedly.
And so.
If one’s eyes were fixed only on playing ‘Adrian’s excellent mother,’ one would never conceive of such a method.
Cleo used people as mere puppets who obeyed her voice. She grasped what was precious, threatened, and scorned trembling weakness. If she ruthlessly killed those around her like crushing ants, wouldn’t they submit to her? Through threats or whatever means—once something had fallen to the bottom, it would never see light again.
“So, Melina. Will you help me?”
This was one of the Empress’s counterattacks, a decision to fight Cleo in a different way.

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