The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 187

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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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What was bound to come has come.

With that thought, Rico chewed his lips nervously.

For a while now, his feet had been pacing around the room on their own.

“Where is Theo?! Let me see him, I need to see him right now!”

“Princess, you mustn’t get excited…!”

Annellia, who had regained consciousness after exactly a month, looked for Theo the moment she opened her eyes.

With a terrifying expression as if she knew everything.

‘Just when did she figure it out?’

It had been quite some time since Rico had given Annellia a hint.

A book Rico had made himself, disguised to look like an ancient text.

But Annellia hadn’t shown any signs of knowing anything until now.

Of course, it seemed like she had been steadily investigating something…

Rico gulped nervously.

“Looking at how she’s searching for him so fiercely the moment she woke up… she’s not planning to let it slide.”

Theo, of course.

Well, considering what Theo had done so far, it was a natural consequence.

“It’s not like Lady Lili would be the first to cut ties, right? Saying she never wants to see my brother’s face again…”

For a while now, scenes contrary to his wishes had been unfolding in Rico’s mind.

For example, scenes of Annellia harshly confronting Theo.

“So you’ve been watching over me from behind all this time? Do you really think that’s appropriate paternal love? What I needed was a father who would care for me warmly in reality, not a father who hides and secretly takes care of me.”

If Annellia were truly angry, she would surely pour out terrifying harsh words without batting an eye.

Of course, there would be no gaps in her argument.

“I really, really, truly, incredibly hate avoidant personalities like Mr. Theo’s. It’s not like avoiding things solves anything, so why do you really act like that?”

It was just imagination, but for some reason, Isabel’s image overlapped with Annellia’s.

“You mean if Rico hadn’t told me, I would have never known for the rest of my life. How wonderful that my one and only husband was planning to leave me and our young daughter behind, just wonderful! Who did you think would like that?! Huh?!”

Isabel’s voice always became even more clear and ringing when she was angry.

And Theo was weak against an angry Isabel.

So it was obvious he wouldn’t be able to make any rebuttal to her… but what if it were Rico?

“Should I run away?”

Goosebumps crept up the back of his neck.

That wasn’t the only problem.

“…What do I do, what do I really do…?”

The moment Annellia woke up and looked for Theo.

There was another person who had been staring at Rico with a meaningful expression.

When he noticed that fact, Rico unconsciously made a guilty expression.

“Haah, really… why did you have to show that kind of reaction there…!”

Duke Abner.

Sharon Abner didn’t take her sharp gaze off Rico until Annellia calmed down.

Then after a while, she briefly gestured for Rico to come closer.

The command that quietly fell into his ear afterward was chilling even now when he thought about it.

‘You stay in my office for a moment.’

Rico slumped against the wall with a thud.

A small groan escaped from his mouth.

“My brother is the one who caused trouble, so why do I always have to take the blame…”

Theo still hadn’t regained consciousness.

It also meant that the fatigue and burden accumulated in his body was that great.

“Always causing trouble by himself, making strange plans by himself, and making me clean up the mess when problems arise!”

The more he thought about it, the more unfair the situation seemed, almost bringing tears to his eyes.

“I’m already scared of getting scolded by Lady Lili, and now Duke Abner too…”

Who was Sharon Abner?

A spine straighter than most young people.

Always in a crisp uniform with cool, sharp eyes and sword-like efficiency.

There was only one time when this human ice block would soften.

When she was with Isabel, her precious beloved daughter.

But Theo was the very person who had stolen that Isabel away from Sharon Abner.

“…I don’t know. I’ll be lucky if she doesn’t kill me. What kind of mother would like a man who eloped with her daughter…”

Just as he was sliding down the wall to sit.

“You’re right. There’s no such mother in this world.”

The door suddenly burst open without warning.

And Sharon Abner strode inside.

Rico froze completely and made a small gasp.

“Come and sit. Rico Roland of the Magic Tower.”

Rico remained frozen for a long time before finally peeling himself off the wall.

And creakily made his way to the sofa across from Sharon.

But before he could properly sit down, a cool voice fell over his head.

“You must have heard that Annellia is my biological granddaughter.”

“Kup, ahem!”

Rico coughed loudly, having heard the example.

Then he barely managed to nod his head.

“Y-yes, that… I heard about it recently.”

“Then do you also know that I met with the midwife in that process? The midwife who personally delivered Annellia from my daughter.”

Rico’s eyes widened.

Recently, there had been a shocking announcement within the Abner Household.

An announcement secretly conveyed only to Annellia’s closest associates and a few high-ranking vassals.

“It has been confirmed that Annellia is Isabel’s biological daughter.”

The vassals were shocked beyond belief.

‘But that information was discovered through the midwife.’

To the dumbfounded Rico, Sharon continued in a low voice.

“I heard from the midwife the description of the man presumed to be the child’s father.”

Rico stared at Sharon with a somewhat frightened expression.

“She said he had red hair and golden eyes.”

At those words, his heart sank.

Cold sweat began trickling down his forehead.

“Is there anything else as rare as red hair and golden eyes in the Empire, no, on this continent?”

“Uh, that… Your Grace.”

“Where is Theo Lirquian right now?”

Sharon asked concisely.

It was a voice that was small, threatening, and strangely calm, making it sound frightening.

“Well, you see. So that means….”

“You’d better not think about lying. I’m already on my way here after hearing from Annellia. There’s some kind of monster in this world, isn’t there?”

Rico finally slowly closed his mouth.

Because he realized there was no way to get out of this situation with anything now.

“I have no intention of arguing with you. Just yes if it’s right. No if it’s wrong. I’m asking you to answer.”

Sharon Abner passed by Rico and went to the window.

Then she boldly drew back the curtains.

“Is Theo Lirquian really Annellia’s father? If so, where is my daughter now?”

Under the sunset dyed orange.

Abner’s army could be seen standing in tight formation in orderly rows.

“…Answer me. I absolutely must know.”

“I’m telling you again, there’s no guarantee it will work.”

Inside the greenhouse at Abner Castle.

Rico muttered as he drew a portal in the open space inside the empty greenhouse.

“It’s always been a portal that only I or my brother used for travel. Three, no, four people have never used it even once….”

“Doesn’t the Magic Tower sell teleportation circles that can move armies of over a hundred soldiers at once?”

“This isn’t such a simple teleportation circle….”

Rico wiped the cold sweat flowing down his forehead with a troubled expression.

“The place we’re trying to go is surrounded by twelve hundred barriers, literally a space that no one knows about except me and my brother. It’s even inside the Magic Tower, which is Crookiatus’s nest!”

Sharon narrowed her brow and nodded.

“So it’s a sanctuary hidden in the middle of enemy territory.”

“Exactly! That’s why it’s not easy to come and go as we please….”

“I believe in Uncle Rico.”

Just then, a slightly hoarse voice was heard from beside them.

When he turned his head, he saw Annellia tightly embraced in Wendel’s arms.

“Even though you always pretend to be stupid, you’re actually an incredible mage. Just look at how Theo, or rather Lord Theo… anyway, the Magtop Lord chose you.”

“Ahem! That’s true, but….”

Rico, who had been unconsciously twitching the corners of his mouth, shook his head vigorously.

After clearing his throat, he continued drawing the teleportation circle to open the portal.

Just then, another familiar voice was heard from behind.

“Are you really sure it’ll be okay? Ha, I’m really anxious!”

The owner of the voice was Owen, co-president of the Abner Academy.

“…Annellia. Be careful. You really have to be careful.”

Awin was also beside him.

Annellia smiled faintly as if to reassure them.

“Don’t worry, both of you! I’ll go and definitely bring Theo back too….”

After glancing at Sharon, Annellia said.

“I’ll bring Lady Isabel back as well.”

Rico let out a small sigh inwardly.

‘If only it were as easy as it sounds….’

For some unknown reason, Annellia who had awakened from her long sleep was somehow strange.

Her cautious and methodical side had disappeared somewhere.

She recklessly pressed Rico to guide her to the Magic Tower where Theo was.

‘I don’t know. Once I get her to meet my brother, somehow an answer will come out.’

Anyway, Rico couldn’t tell them about Theo’s plan even if he wanted to.

Because of the oath of secrecy carved into his heart.

Rico, who had channeled his mana to do a final check of the circuits, said.

“It’s almost ready.”

And at the same time, in the West Wing of the castle.

“…What are you doing?”

Herman, who had received Sharon’s orders, said to Jayden with a calm smile.

“As of this moment, His Grace has ordered that the Prince be confined to the underground prison.”

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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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