The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 231

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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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“U-u-u-Ulgen?!”

[Euriko!]

I slowly looked around the research room.

First, I saw Euriko staring blankly at Ulgen’s form in front of the ritual altar.

Perhaps due to the contract, each of the gods had taken human form.

“T-to meet you like this is such an honor!”

[Honor, what honor. I’m the one who’s happy to have this opportunity. You know how much I cherish your tribe, right?]

“Of course! No matter how much the southern people dismissed us as superstition, as primitive tribal beliefs…”

Euriko’s eyes glistened with tears of emotion.

“To receive a response like this, I can’t believe it…”

Ulgen gently patted Euriko’s head.

[Those wicked ones, ignoring my adorable humans. Should I bring divine punishment to the southern regions too?]

“…Pardon?”

[Just kidding! Kyahahaha!]

Both Ulgen and Euriko clearly looked extremely excited.

On the other hand, the situation with Hegatan, Armin, and Dimas was a bit different.

“Uh, well. Hello?”

[Soul sharer! Trust only me!]

Unlike Ulgen who had the appearance of a tall woman, Hegatan had taken the form of a young child.

As Armin and Dimas exchanged awkward glances, Hegatan shouted with gravity.

[Soul sharer! From now on, become stronger than the Crown Prince!]

Armin and Dimas widened their eyes.

“The Crown Prince? The Empire’s Crown Prince Tian?”

[Yes! You are weaker than your Crown Prince!]

A moment of silence followed, then Armin smiled brightly.

“Where did you hear that? That’s a lie.”

“That’s right.”

Hegatan’s face became puzzled.

[Is that so?]

“Of course. When we were young, we might have been slightly behind Tian, but now it’s different.”

“Right, right. How could a hothouse flower who’s only walked on solid ground his whole life beat us? We’re warriors forged through all kinds of hardships in the waves.”

Hegatan’s face brightened.

[I see! Hegatan! Hegatan has contracted! With the strongest humans!]

“Of course. Besides, the strongest naturally hang out with other strongest. You must be the strongest on your side too, Hegatan?”

[Naturally! Hegatan is stronger than Ricaruss! Humans fear Hegatan too! Wicked and evil humans, Hegatan has cleaned them twice with the sea!]

“Wow, cleaning up villains… That’s so cool?”

“Right. I think I’ll use the word ‘cleaning’ instead of ‘extermination’ from now on. Actually, I just cleaned up some nasty pirates recently too.”

[Excellent! Make the human realm clean! Clean up Crookiatus! Let’s go!]

“Let’s go!”

I turned my gaze away with mixed feelings from the three who were raising their weapons in the air and shouting.

Mother, who had been watching from behind, approached and said quietly.

“Did it wrap up well?”

“Yeah. The contracts seem to have been successfully completed, and they plan to learn through training how to use the gods’ powers going forward.”

“I see. Even though demon beasts have increased, Debokio Island is still quiet for now.”

When Crookiatus’s revival becomes imminent, the changes will undoubtedly start from Debokio Island first.

Since that’s where the Nest of the Evil Dragon is located.

“By the way, when did Tian say he was coming?”

I pondered for a moment before answering.

“Probably this afternoon? He said he was busy but would come as soon as he finished work. I want to explain roughly what happened first and then have dinner. Also to discuss the engagement annulment.”

Mother’s eyes widened.

“Engagement annulment?”

“Actually, the promised time has already passed long ago. We were supposed to do it once Karin Empress was dealt with, but we’ve been too busy until now.”

“I-I see…”

“Also, there’s the promise I made with Dowager Empress. It’s one thing if I didn’t know about the other Crown Princess candidate she has in mind, but now that I know, I can’t just occupy the position.”

I smiled brightly, but for some reason Mother looked uncomfortable.

“I like Tian though…”

I suddenly became curious and asked.

“What do you like about him? That he’s incredibly kind, tall, and even handsome?”

“He cherishes you.”

Mother continued.

“Don’t you like Tian, our daughter? Since you’re already engaged, don’t you want to marry him and live together?”

I blinked for several seconds.

Then answered awkwardly.

“Isn’t marriage something only people who love each other tremendously do? Like Grandmother and Grandfather, or like you and Father.”

I continued speaking.

“When they love each other so much they feel like they can’t live without each other, that’s when they marry. Tian and I weren’t even lovers to begin with.”

“…”

“Also, maybe because I’ve known him since we were too young, I don’t really feel like he’s a man…”

At that moment, I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth.

For some reason, the moment when Tian’s and my lips touched flashed through my mind.

“I don’t f-feel like…”

His large hand that had gently grasped my wrist.

The distance close enough to feel each other’s breath completely, and those very, very hot,

“Lips…”

“Hm? Lips?”

I jumped up from my spot in shock.

Then hurriedly rushed out of the research room and began walking quickly down the corridor.

“Annellia! Where are you suddenly going!”

My face was hot, and my heart was pounding.

“Crazy, crazy, you idiot.”

It had already been more than two months since that incident.

And the person involved, Tian, had done it while drunk and completely forgotten about it!

“Mica said it was a mistake, so you should pretend it was a mistake too and move on. Move on! Forget it! Forget about it!”

I was hitting my head and squeezing my eyes shut when,

“Oh!”

I bumped into someone and looked up.

“Annellia?”

When I opened my eyes, captivating red eyes immediately caught my gaze.

Having already finished his meeting and on his way here, Tian was looking down at me intently, dressed in his neat uniform.

His hair, half swept back and half hanging over his forehead, swayed gently.

I could see his smooth forehead, deep-set eyes, sharp nose tip, and red lips in sequence.

In that frozen moment, cool hands touched both my cheeks.

“Annellia. Did you stay up all night overworking yourself again?”

Tian’s brow had already furrowed slightly.

“No matter how busy you are, we promised you’d sleep properly. You make me promise never to pull all-nighters, but isn’t it unfair if you do this?”

After cooling my hot cheeks, when his hand moved to tuck my hair behind my ear, I unconsciously grabbed Tian’s wrist.

“Annellia?”

Tian widened his eyes and stared at me.

But I didn’t avoid his gaze and looked straight back at him.

I could tell immediately.

The fact that pretending not to know wasn’t the solution.

Looking at Tian, my thoughts gradually became clearer.

‘…I’m trembling.’

I was definitely trembling.

Tian’s hand cupping my cheek, his handsome face right in front of me.

Those deep, sparkling eyes.

Unlike my pounding heart, my mind was still steadily reaching the right conclusion even in this moment.

I wasn’t unable to see Tian as a man.

“Why are you so tall?”

Tian blinked.

“Huh?”

“I didn’t know, but everyone around says you’re incredibly strong.”

“…Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Your broad shoulders, chest, and back – is that from working out a lot?”

Tian frowned slightly.

Looking closely, the tips of his ears were slightly red.

“Annellia. What’s with the sudden…”

“You have a lot of dating experience, don’t you?”

But at my next words, Tian closed his mouth.

I quickly continued.

“I pretended not to know, but I’m aware too. There were many young nobles who had feelings for you. Some even flirted with you at parties where I was present.”

“…You knew?”

“Yeah. I also saw Nancia Countess grab your hand and drag you to the back of the party venue during your coming-of-age ceremony.”

Tian’s eyes widened.

“What did you do there? Did you kiss Nancia Countess by any chance?”

“What?”

Tian looked down at me with an incredulous expression.

“Why are you asking that? I have a fiancée, so there’s no way I would do that.”

“I have reasonable suspicions. It seems like you probably have tons of experience with women.”

I grabbed Tian’s other wrist tightly and continued speaking.

“Of course I know too. Since it’s a contract marriage, I can’t really take issue with your dating experience.”

“Annellia. I don’t understand why you’ve been acting like this…”

“The reason is simple. Right now, you look like a man to me.”

Silence fell between us.

After a long moment, Tian asked back.

“What did you say?”

“You look like a man to me. I’m trembling because of you.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. So answer me. Did you kiss Nancia and become so skilled that you did that to me 67 days ago too?”

Tian’s brow furrowed.

I urged him on.

“You kissed me. I know it was a mistake, but you’re not going to say you don’t even remember, are you?”

For some reason, my voice grew louder without me realizing it.

Just as I was feeling my pulse intensify.

“Of course not. I remember. It wasn’t a mistake.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ve never kissed another woman, you were my first. I didn’t do it lightly either. Don’t you remember what I said before kissing you?”

“…”

“I said I love you.”

I let go of Tian’s wrist in bewilderment.

And asked in a stammering voice.

“Then, then why did you pretend not to remember? You acted like nothing happened the next day.”

Tian closed his mouth.

Then he sighed while holding his forehead.

“That was… because I was afraid I’d die.”

“What?”

“On the day of our engagement ceremony. Your father.”

“…”

“He said he’d kill me if I confessed or kissed you before you came of age.”

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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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