The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 173

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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 173

I was watching Emeline from afar as she collapsed and cried in the temple courtyard. Until Stefano disappeared into the temple.

I approached the child. That child who had been sobbing with her face buried in her palms sensed someone’s presence and lifted her head.

“Did you come to mock me?”

“How ridiculous I must have looked.”

In my past life, I had also told Emeline about her biological father’s whereabouts.

I was well acquainted with the 21 Priests, who were difficult for others to even meet, since I had been educated at the temple as the Child of Fate in both my first and second lives.

Especially since Stefano was one of my teachers, I witnessed both his rise and fall.

In my first life, he removes his priest robes.

It was revealed that one of the 21 Priests who had taken a vow of celibacy, and who was about to be appointed Cardinal, actually had a child.

I had never seen his daughter in my first life, but in my third life, I realized it immediately upon hearing Emeline’s story about her biological father.

“Our father’s name is ‘Hen’. It’s written on the necklace that our mother and I shared.”

Because I knew that the name engraved on the necklace always hidden inside Stefano’s priest robes was the same as Emeline’s mother’s.

But I hesitated to tell Emeline.

Because Stefano hanged himself not long after removing his priest robes.

And because the first person to discover his corpse was his daughter.

Emeline’s hope was Stefano’s despair. And the cruel father abandoned his daughter even after removing his priest robes.

So I tried not to tell that child, but ironically, it was because of me that the father and daughter met.

Stefano was in the temple procession that came looking for me, and Tree happened to discover the necklace around his neck.

I held back Emeline who was about to rush to him immediately and explained the situation. Everything – that I had regressed and that Stefano didn’t want Emeline.

“How ridiculous I must have looked to you, desperately trying to survive. It’s terrible. You’re truly a chilling child, Leblaine.”

“I… Emeline, that’s not what I…”

“How did it feel to watch me eagerly waiting for my father for over ten years when you knew everything? Was it fun?”

Then, as now, Emeline glared at me and reproached me with sharp words.

In my past life, I couldn’t understand this child. I felt wronged and angry that my actions for her sake were twisted into mockery.

But ridiculously, now that I’m no longer friends with that child, I’ve come to understand her.

I could understand because I too now had a father I desperately longed for, like Emeline.

The feeling that the sky might collapse, the wretchedness of being unable to breathe without creating an outlet for anger toward someone, the grief of knowing you’re in the wrong but feeling like you’ll crumble if you don’t act this way.

I could understand because I now had someone precious to me.

“Yes. It was ridiculous.”

At my words, Emeline bit her lips tightly.

“You…”

“How ridiculous. You, sobbing over someone who doesn’t need you.”

“….”

“You’ll live like that for the rest of your life. Until you die, you’ll crumble at the word ‘father,’ and your life will become meaningless. You’ll be miserable like this every time. Because you were abandoned by your father.”

Zachary, who had come with me as my escort, flinched and looked back at me.

“Miss─”

“You, abandoned by your father, have no value whatsoever. Isn’t that right?”

Emeline burst out crying.

“No! I am, I… I too…”

That child contorted her face terribly and barely managed to speak.

“I too can be happy…”

“How? You were abandoned by your father. The center of your life is your father, so how can you be happy?”

“Shut up! Shut up! Close your mouth! The center of my life is me! So! So…”

That child, who had been screaming with her eyes tightly shut, looked at me blankly as if she had realized something.

I smiled.

“See, Emeline. You know it.”

“….”

“This is just one of several misfortunes that will happen in your life.”

Being abandoned by Duke Amitie and being abused by Duke Valois were just one of many misfortunes.

Tears began to flow from Emeline’s eyes again.

Tree, whom I had called in advance, approached that child who was sobbing silently.

“E, Emeline…”

“….”

“Don’t cry, Emeline. Don’t cry…!”

Even though they weren’t connected by blood, Emeline’s truest family embraced that child.

I stood there blankly, watching them.

Zachary chuckled and handed me something. It was a handkerchief.

“I thought you had grown up, but you’re still dripping snot.”

“Be quiet.”

“Yes, yes.”

I blew my nose loudly into Zachary’s handkerchief.

And some time later, I returned to the mansion. Holding hands tightly with Emeline and Tree, just like in those old days.

“Hello, Leblaine. I’m Tree.”

“You fool, when someone hits you, you should at least bite their arm! Come on, Leblaine. Let’s go get revenge!”

* * *

That night, Cecilia, who had secretly visited the mansion, was startled when she saw the bed in my room.

I was being held captive by the sleeping Tree and Emeline, unable to do anything and groaning helplessly.

“This child really.”

Cecilia chuckled and scooped Tree up into her arms.

I widened my eyes seeing petite Cecilia effortlessly lift Tree, who was a span taller than her peers.

“Cecilia, you’re so strong…”

“I may not look it, but I’m a former knight.”

“When the Emperor got slapped, his neck didn’t snap, did it?”

When I asked seriously, she burst into laughter.

“I did consider it briefly, but I didn’t make his neck snap. Oh, speaking of the Emperor, the Chief Chamberlain came to the lodging you arranged for me.”

“The Chief Chamberlain?”

“Didn’t you send him?”

“No. What did he say when he came?”

“He asked if there was anything uncomfortable or if I needed anything.”

I smiled wickedly and gently pushed away Emeline’s hand that was gripping my sleeve, then jumped down from the bed.

The time was ripe.

‘Now it’s time to harvest.’

I saw off Cecilia as she left the mansion carrying Tree, then went to find Father.

Father was in his office discussing territorial matters with my brothers and the administrators.

“Father, Father.”

When I bounced into the office and approached the sofa, tugging on his sleeve, Father sat me down beside him and asked.

“What is it?”

I clasped my hands together tightly and spoke with my most earnest expression.

“There’s something I’d like to ask for.”

Father and my brothers looked surprised.

I had almost never asked for anything first.

In Dubbled, others often took care of things before I even thought I needed them, and above all, having lived as Duke Amitie’s Young Lady, not asking for things had become ingrained in me, making it difficult to speak up easily.

Isaac asked with sparkling eyes.

“What is it? A sword? I have lots of good swords too!”

Henri also smiled brightly.

“If it’s jewelry, I have some good pieces, Leblaine.”

Then came Johan.

“If it’s clothes, books, or toys, tell me. Dubbled’s secretly operated trading company just started distributing toys targeting noble children.”

Father smiled faintly and stroked my head.

“Even buildings or land with owners are fine, so speak comfortably.”

So I really did speak comfortably.

“Marriage.”

“What?!”

“What did you say?”

“Marriage?”

“…”

I nodded with a bright, innocent face.

I’ve laid out plenty of bait, so now it’s time to reel it in.

Isn’t it time to marry off Cecilia and the Emperor now?

‘But why do I feel like I’ve been struck by lightning?’

* * *

Leblaine cheerfully returned, saying “Then I’ll take that as you accepting my request and prepare for it!”

The employees and administrators who had been attending to the office muttered in subdued voices.

“Marriage… Isn’t it too early?”

At the administrator’s words, the head butler groaned, “Hmm.”

“It is about time for the young lady to have a fiancé.”

“Is that so?”

“Getting engaged around this time and marrying after coming of age is the custom among great nobles.”

“But for the young lady to be the first to request marriage… Has she perhaps taken a liking to some young lord?”

“It’s also the time to learn such emotions.”

When the butler chuckled softly, the other administrators nodded with pleased expressions.

“When did she grow up so much…”

“It feels like just yesterday she couldn’t even climb onto a dining chair by herself.”

When the administrator speaking with a wistful expression began to tear up, his superior scolded him, “Oh my, this fellow.”

“A child leaving an adult’s embrace happens in an instant. The young lady is now at the age for her first love… *sob*.”

“Just what kind of brat…”

“We should congratulate her.”

“To think the young lady’s first love would come so quickly…”

The administrators and employees were feeling emotions of regret, pride, fondness, and sadness as they recalled Leblaine running around the territorial castle saying “Bye-bye!” when this happened.

“First, love.”

A dark, low voice that seemed ready to pierce through one’s core emerged from among the Dubbled men.

Theodore, with his fists clenched tight, glared at the floor with eyes like a demon.

“Which bastard dares to touch the little one…”

Isaac, who would normally have been shouting excitedly, slowly rose while gripping his scabbard.

Henri, who had been fiddling with the edge of documents, stared at the administrator with cold eyes.

“Call in the shadow operatives. We need to investigate around Leblaine.”

Theodore gripped the armrest of the sofa tightly as he spoke.

“Mobilize all troops.”

The timid administrator gulped nervously, saying “Eek…” The other administrators, employees, and head butler also trembled violently.

Kill him?

Really?

‘This is terrible.’

While it was time for the young lady to start her first love, it wasn’t time for these crazy overprotective men to let the young lady go.

When everyone except the Dubbled men was trembling, a ray of light shone through.

Johan opened his mouth with a calm expression.

“Why are you getting so worked up?”

As expected of Johan Dubbled!

He truly deserved to be called the reason of Dubbled.

The administrators and employees nodded their heads as if relieved.

“Young Master Johan is right. Our younger sister’s marriage should be celebrated.”

When the Head Butler spoke with an awkward smile, Isaac shouted indignantly as if it was absurd.

“How can Eldest Brother stay calm when the Little One is getting married?!”

Johan rested his chin on his hand and spoke as if asking what he was talking about.

“My younger sister said she would marry me.”

What did he say?

Everyone looked at him with incredulous expressions. Johan continued speaking nonchalantly.

“Since she’ll return to my embrace anyway, a brief moment of playing with fire won’t be a problem.”

The ceremonial guard who had come to the office with documents frowned.

‘What kind of nonsense is this.’

The world was going crazy.

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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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