The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 159

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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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Chapter 159

The Wigzentra Empire, the hegemon of the continent. The shopping district of the Imperial Capital, the most prosperous place in the Empire.

It was such a massive place that there were rumors, with a bit of exaggeration, that it would take a week just to look around, so people called this place the Commercial District.

Even coming in the morning when there were fewer people, one would be overwhelmed by its enormous grandeur, but the true value of the Imperial Capital’s shopping district could only be understood by coming in the afternoon. The afternoon shopping district, when most shops began operating, would be no less impressive than paradise itself.

Adrian walked around looking at his surroundings like someone who had fallen on a deserted island.

It wasn’t because this was his first time seeing the shopping district. He had come to the shopping district to find me before, and since he had been living at Grand Duchess Camilla’s estate for several years, he often had opportunities to visit this place.

The reason that child was surprised was because the place I led him to was a shabby path that only commoners would frequent.

“I didn’t know there was a path like this in the alley.”

At his muttering as he looked around the dark alley, I asked.

“Did you only go to Main Street?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded.

‘Well, there would be no reason for His Highness the Prince to frequent such back alleys.’

Main Street was where the Imperial Capital nobles went.

The rear gate area was where wandering noble travelers who came to the Imperial Capital, or nouveau riche who had some money, went.

And in deep alleys like this, commoners went.

When I lived as Young Lady of Amitie and Young Lady of Valois, I didn’t even know such places existed. I learned about this place from my past life when I lived as a beggar.

“If you turn that corner, there’s a place that sells really delicious cake. It might be more delicious than the cakes on Main Street? You can trust me.”

When I spoke boastfully, Adrian smiled faintly and nodded, saying “Okay.”

Encouraged by his response, I walked even more energetically.

Before long, a very shabby shop with a half-fallen sign came into view.

【Johnny’s Bakery】

This was the shop where I, as a beggar, always got bread.

Johnny, the bakery owner, looked gruff, but actually had a tender heart. So when hungry beggar children held out both hands, he would throw them bread along with his scolding.

“You brats, get out of my shop right now! …But you should take the bread!”

When I opened the door, the jingling sound of a wind chime could be heard.

“Welcome.”

Christie!

That Christie, an employee of the bakery, was also a really kind person. She would secretly give handfuls of almonds or peanuts to beggar children without Johnny knowing.

“Oh my, a little customer has come. Would you like to order?”

“Um, mmm…!”

I excitedly tugged at Adrian’s sleeve.

“What do you want to eat? What looks good? The chocolate cake is delicious, and the raspberry pie is delicious too. Ah! Butter cream cake. This one is really delicious!”

“Then I’ll have that.”

I stood on my tiptoes and placed a silver coin on the counter.

“Buttercream cake.”

“Would you like it sliced?”

“No, the whole thing!”

“Excellent choice.”

“Oh, and….”

When I whispered something in her ear, Christie giggled and nodded. She soon guided us to our seats.

‘Wow, what an old chair.’

It was exactly the same as the chair in my memory. When I sat down, it made that familiar creaking metal sound.

“Hmm, hm. Hm.”

I was excitedly swinging my legs when Christie brought over a whole cake, two glasses of milk, and one long, thin paper bag.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Inside the envelope were the candles I had asked Christie for.

I took out the candles and stuck them into the cake with little pokes, and Christie skillfully lit the candles before returning to the counter.

“What are you doing? You need to make a wish.”

“A wish….”

“On birthdays, you make a wish and blow out the candles.”

I clasped my hands together and waited for Adrian to speak, but he hesitated for a moment.

“Don’t you have any wishes?”

“Yeah….”

“Huh?”

How could someone our age not have any wishes!

I stared at him with a shocked expression.

“Like wanting to manifest Aura, or wanting to get good grades on tests. Those kinds of wishes.”

“But those are things you can do if you put your mind to it.”

Adrian spoke as if confused, which made me feel a bit bitter. For some reason, I remembered what that boy from my Beggar Gang days had said.

“This is why talented people are….”

I almost frowned, but then I noticed Adrian’s scarred hands and his sleeves with cufflinks dangling as if they were about to fall off.

That child has no one to take care of him. He’s surrounded only by people who constantly push him harshly, and every day is a war just to survive.

I knew all too well what it was like to live without even the luxury of thinking about wishes, so it felt like a heavy stone had settled in my chest.

“Then let’s think about it. What would be good to wish for. Hmm, how about growing to be about 2 meters tall?”

“….”

“Or becoming incredibly handsome.”

“….”

“Or becoming rich.”

“….”

“Or you could be a little greedy. Birthdays are days when it’s okay to be greedy. How about wishing to become a really tall, incredibly handsome rich guy who gets to date the cutest girlfriend in the world?”

“…Do you like that too?”

“Huh?”

“Someone who’s really tall, incredibly handsome, and rich.”

Adrian’s eyes somehow became serious. I tilted my head and answered.

“If I had to choose, I guess that would be better?”

“Then that’s what I want.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll go with that.”

“….”

“I want to become someone who’s really tall, incredibly handsome, and rich.”

For some reason, I felt strange.

‘This child, could he possibly be thinking of me….’

I stared intently at Adrian.

Adrian’s eyes were affectionate. Sweeter than any cake in this bakery.

And I became very pleased.

‘So it’s already that time.’

Yes, yes. It’s time to start his first love. Oh my, our Prince. He’s all grown up.

I felt like a sister watching her younger brother’s innocent growth diary.

I nodded with a benevolent expression.

“Yes, yes. Hurry up and make a wish.”

Adrian clumsily clasped his hands together, copying me. Then he made a wish with a very serious expression.

‘How cute.’

After blowing out the candles, I removed the candles and placed them neatly on the tray, then picked up the bread knife. When I carefully cut it, the moist sponge with fragrant butter cream inside was revealed. I tried to pick up the biggest piece, but it kept slipping off the bread knife.

“Why is this….”

Adrian gently took my hand.

Then he took the knife instead and picked up the cake in one go, placing it on my plate.

“I was trying to give Adrian the biggest piece.”

“I like the second biggest one.”

“But it’s your birthday….”

“I always like being second.”

“….”

“I like it when you’re first.”

For some reason, my throat feels itchy.

“…You know, if you live being that kind, you’ll lose out?”

“It’s okay. I’m only kind to you.”

“That’s a lie. As if you’d be particularly mean to other people.”

This child is too kind, even for someone kind.

It wasn’t just about giving up the cake.

My going to places with fewer people’s eyes might look like I don’t want to get involved with a Prince who receives Empress Yvonne’s scrutiny, but that child seemed happy just to come to the cake shop with me.

“Let’s go buy gifts after eating this.”

“A gift?”

“Yeah. A birthday gift.”

Adrian smiled brightly.

* * *

Isaac looked at the Dubbled carriage waiting at the entrance of the shopping district with a crooked posture.

“What?”

At his ruffian-like tone, the coachman flinched and gripped his hat.

“Y-yes?”

“Where did the little one go, leaving all of you here?”

All the wolves assigned as guards were in the carriage. Even Zachary, her guard, was waiting here.

Henri pushed back the coachman and wolves, then whispered to Zachary.

“Did Leblaine go to the trading company alone?”

Since only the family and closest associates knew she was the Hope Trading Company Master, it wasn’t strange for her to move alone.

However, it was puzzling that she didn’t bring Zachary, who knew Leblaine’s identity.

Leblaine was a cautious child who wouldn’t dismiss her guards unless it was urgent business.

Zachary glanced at the shopping district.

“I don’t think she went to the trading company.”

“She didn’t? Then where did she go?”

Isaac asked with a frown. Henri, Johan, and Duke Dubbled also looked at Zachary.

The beast-like instincts of the four men said:

Something feels off.

When Zachary remained silent, Duke Dubbled stepped forward in front of his sons.

“Answer me. Where is my daughter?”

“I didn’t hear the destination.”

“But how can you be certain she didn’t go to the trading company?”

“…She left with someone who rode in the carriage with her, so it’s probably not the trading company.”

“Who dared.”

“She’s with Second Prince Adrian.”

The coachman standing far away flinched and stepped back.

Despite being late summer, the beginning of autumn, the surroundings felt chilly. It was because the expressions of the men bearing the Dubbled name had become terribly fierce.

“…Adrian Luerge.”

When Johan muttered, Isaac immediately frowned.

“That bastard keeps getting on my nerves.”

“The prince that Leblaine chose to become her guard…”

Henri muttered coldly as if gauging something.

Johan looked at his father and spoke.

“At Grand Duchess Camilla’s estate, that bast… that man was holding Leblaine in his arms.”

“What?”

“What?! Why are you telling me this now! Are you determined to get your limbs cut off? Why are you holding someone else’s younger sister!”

Isaac flew into a rage, and Henri and Johan’s eyes darkened ominously.

Just as the sons were getting extremely agitated, Duke Dubbled slowly turned to look at the Wolves.

“I’ll give you ten minutes. Find her.”

Leblaine’s guard captain’s eyes trembled slightly.

Ten minutes?

Surely not the Little One?

In the shopping district where there’s a joke that it takes a week just to look around?

“T-ten minutes seems im-impossible─”

“Hurry up. If ten minutes pass, I’ll really want to do something impossible.”

The Wolves, their faces turning pale, rushed out frantically.

“Emergency!”

“Emergency! Emergency!”

“Entire army! Find the Little One and Tiger Nose!”

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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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