The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 195

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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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“There, all done.”

Ann patted my shoulders lightly.

I gulped and quickly turned around to stare at the mirror.

In the mirror, I could see myself neatly dressed up.

“How does it look? Does it suit me well…?”

At my uncertain voice, Ann’s eyes widened.

“Does it suit you well? Our Annellia is asking something so obvious today.”

Miel and Soya, who were beside us, also made a fuss as they stepped forward.

“Don’t worry. I think it’s the cutest outfit I’ve seen recently!”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Only then did I hesitantly stare at the mirror again.

“I see…”

Ann, Miel, and Soya exchanged worried glances.

But it couldn’t be helped.

‘I’m so nervous I feel like I’m going to die.’

Today was exactly the tenth day since we escaped from Debokio Island.

I was about to face what Owen called a ‘very important strategic meeting.’

It would start in twenty minutes, with a total of six participants.

Me, Owen, Grandmother, my still-awkward-to-call mother and father… and Tian.

The reason Tian was included in what seemed like a simple family meeting was just one.

‘Because Crookiatus and Karin are connected.’

And Tian needed to gradually learn all the truth about Karin.

Starting with the immediate problem of Karin’s unborn child.

‘Also my past life story and… anyway, I promised to tell him everything.’

The day we escaped with the teleportation circle from the cliff’s edge.

Debokio Island sank entirely with a tremendous earthquake.

The tsunami damage to the western continent was quite severe.

After exactly two days passed, the appearance of Debokio Island confirmed by sending a reconnaissance ship was horrific.

All that remained above the water surface was one giant peak.

And at its summit sat something never seen before.

Jet-black scales with blood vessels spread widely between them.

A dragon’s egg that looked like the heart of a living creature.

“It’s only a matter of time before Crookiatus recovers his power.”

Rico said with a frown.

“Whatever he’s doing in there, he’s still alive. He’ll wake up again in a few years at the earliest, or a few decades at the latest. Whatever happens, we’ll only know the details after that.”

Debokio Island had now become Crookiatus’s nest itself.

In this unpredictable situation, Theo seemed quite flustered.

From the beginning, he couldn’t easily adapt to the changed environment.

As evidence, he hadn’t come out of his room even once during the past ten days.

At least not while I was awake.

“Lady Lili, please understand with a generous heart. From what I’ve seen, he only sneaks out at night to check if everyone’s okay. He may be gloomy, but he’s just clumsy by nature.”

However, contrary to Rico’s worry, I didn’t particularly resent Theo.

Rather, I felt like I could understand him to some extent.

‘I’m dying of awkwardness myself.’

Mother, Father.

Those words were so difficult that I hadn’t been able to say them out loud even once.

I couldn’t even use those words when referring to Theo and Lady Isabel to other people.

I just said “Theo, Lady Isabel” with an awkward face.

“Ugh, I don’t know.”

When I slapped my cheek with my palm, Ann, Miel, and Soya’s eyes widened.

I put on my indoor shoes listlessly and left the room dejected.

Whatever happened, I planned to go to the meeting room first and wait.

During the past ten days, Grandmother, Wendel, and Lady Isabel received intensive purification treatment.

Grandmother regained consciousness just two days after starting treatment, but had to keep her arm bandaged for a while.

Of course, even in that condition, Grandmother quickly processed the accumulated work.

Sometimes she called me to the Lord’s Office to ask about Crookiatus or Karin Empress.

I told her everything I knew.

There was nothing more to hide or conceal.

As I sighed and turned my head, I could see the bright sky outside the window.

‘I heard Jayden is locked up in a prison cell.’

I was very curious about how Grandmother had handled Jayden’s matter.

“Princess! Good day to you!”

Just then, a group of knights appeared around the corner.

They bowed politely when they saw me.

I was waving my hand at them when I closed my mouth.

This time I was worried about Wendel’s condition.

Wendel regained consciousness three days ago, the latest of all.

His recovery was notably slower compared to Grandmother and Lady Isabel.

Thanks to that, Ann took care of me during the day, and when she had no work, she ran to Wendel’s bedroom to nurse him.

I didn’t know how things concluded between them, but Ann definitely liked Wendel too.

“My disciple. What are you doing? Now you’re just walking around in a daze.”

When I reached the central staircase.

A playful voice came from right in front of me.

Soon I could see Owen standing on the landing.

“Oh, Master.”

“You’re going to the meeting room? Let’s go together.”

“Yes…”

“The Crown Prince is coming too, right?”

My eyes widened at Owen’s words.

“That’s right! Come to think of it, he should be here by now?”

My steps quickened for no reason.

When I reached the first floor, I could see the already busy scene at the main gate.

Beyond the bustling servants, I caught sight of a familiar face.

“Your Highness!”

I rushed to the door.

And before anyone could stop me, I hugged Tian.

“I missed you so much!”

Tian looked surprised for a moment but soon hugged me back tightly.

“Me too. You’re not hurt anywhere, right? No injuries either.”

“None! I’m perfectly fine!”

I rubbed my nose and giggled.

Then I asked awkwardly.

“Did Awin give you the letter? The one where I wrote that I was sorry for leaving without seeing you…”

“Yes. I received it well.”

“Actually, the situation was really urgent back then. I was too busy to wait…”

“I’m fine. Don’t stand here, let’s go inside. You’ll catch a cold.”

I glanced back at Tian and nodded.

The wind blowing through the open door was indeed chilly.

As Tian and I began walking side by side toward the meeting room, Owen followed behind us with his arms crossed.

For some reason, he was squinting and glaring at Tian with disapproval.

“We have so much to talk about today. Grandmother and I thought about it for a really long time, but we concluded that whatever happens, both the Dowager Empress and Your Highness need to know everything.”

“Right. That’s why you called me.”

“Exactly. But I’m a bit worried that Your Highness might be shocked after hearing everything…”

Tian smiled softly.

Then he leaned toward me and spoke quietly.

“You’re going to tell me that the prince in Karin Hunt’s belly isn’t actually a prince?”

“Huh.”

I turned to stare at Tian with a creaking motion.

Tian was smiling as if he couldn’t help it.

“I already knew that. The Dowager Empress does too.”

Unable to calm my pounding heart, I stammered.

“H-how?”

“The Imperial Palace has its own information network. We don’t know who the child’s real father is yet, though.”

Tian, who had been staring at me intently, added.

“…But seeing your reaction, I think I might know who it is.”

I hastily shut my mouth.

And nervously resumed walking toward the meeting room.

‘I never thought Tian and the Dowager Empress already knew about the Second Prince’s true identity.’

Yet they still hadn’t revealed that fact to the world, so they must have some plan.

As if reading my thoughts, Tian said.

“Anyway, we’re planning to finalize things after today’s meeting. What we’ll do going forward, I mean.”

Tian’s expression was very calm.

It also felt somewhat sharp.

It was a face he didn’t often show in front of me.

I found myself staring at him intently.

‘…Right. I should definitely bring it up.’

Actually, I also had something I wanted to propose to everyone today.

I had thought about it a bit, but it was a decision I made for Abner and the Taranta Imperial Court.

Furthermore, it was also an efficient way to protect everyone close to me.

“Your Highness. I have something I’m curious about.”

Tian looked at me.

“That Crown Princess competition we talked about before, is it still intense these days? You said there was a subtle war of nerves going on among the nobles.”

As if wondering why I was asking such a thing, Tian tilted his head and answered.

“It is. But why do you ask?”

Instead of answering, I made a hmm sound and said.

“I’ll tell you in detail when we have the meeting later. Actually, I’ve been thinking about something.”

Tian looked puzzled but soon nodded.

I thought carefully.

‘Everyone will agree, right? No matter how you look at it, it’s a plan with no losses.’

What I was planning to propose today was an engagement.

Specifically, an engagement between Tian and me.

Though there was one thing that worried me.

‘…Tian will probably be the only one to oppose it.’

Of course, I had no idea that this prediction would be completely wrong,

“Absolutely not! Over my dead body, no, even if rocks get in my eyes, that’s not happening!”

And I never dreamed that the meeting hall would turn into complete chaos.

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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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