The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 294

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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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Side Story. Annellia and Tian, Yuriadne ⑷

“I-I greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

Marquis Rentos quickly bowed his waist.

“It seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve met privately. Is this the first time since your wife’s funeral?”

The Empress was also beside the Emperor.

Seeing Reina in the midst of confusion, the child also seemed flustered and bowed her waist.

“The, the sun of the Empire…”

“Reina!”

He had told her several times that a lady should use a lady’s greeting.

Just as the Marquis was hurriedly trying to correct Reina’s greeting.

“You hold your skirt like this, and greet like this.”

A child who came out of the audience chamber stepped forward hesitantly, showing how to fold her skirt.

Marquis Rentos stared at that child, speechless.

Those vivid purple eyes that looked exactly like the Empress.

He hadn’t known all this time, even though he visited the kindergarten every time.

He had no idea that the Imperial Princess he last saw two years ago was there.

The Marquis’s eyes began to waver.

He recalled the expression Ann Clark had made when he demanded the contact information of the other parent.

The name ‘Yuri’ that Reina called also felt somehow familiar.

Now all the puzzle pieces were fitting together.

Marquis Rentos stared at Reina restlessly.

Even though he should prostrate himself on the floor immediately, his body wouldn’t move.

Because he wanted Reina to always live proudly.

For that, he needed to be a proud and reliable father who could nurture the child’s spirit…

It was the moment when the Marquis, who had been breaking out in cold sweat, squeezed his eyes shut.

“I’m sorry about the mistake our Yuriadne made to your daughter, Marquis.”

His shoulders trembled with a start.

When he raised his head, the Emperor was looking at him.

“She said she attacked first during their argument. I taught her that it was something she shouldn’t have done.”

The Emperor bent down to meet Reina’s eyes.

“Reina, your eyes must have hurt a lot.”

Marquis Rentos observed his daughter’s expression while frozen.

Reina’s face clearly showed bewilderment.

It was natural.

The Marquis knew what his child had said to the Imperial Princess.

“Reina said the mean things first, you know? She said Yuri’s mom and dad were liars.”

As expected, Reina avoided the Emperor’s eyes with a frightened face.

“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor…”

“Let’s go inside first. Yuri said you like chocolate cake.”

At the mention of chocolate cake, Reina glanced up.

“Marquis, please come in as well.”

The Empress also gestured to Marquis Rentos with a gentle expression.

He hurriedly walked into the audience chamber without even being able to respond.

Tea and desserts were already prepared inside.

“Reina, sit here.”

The Imperial Princess first guided Reina to a child’s chair.

Then she sat next to Reina and placed her hands properly on her knees.

The Empress, who had taken her seat, spoke.

“While quarrels between children are common, I thought we should address this more carefully.”

The Marquis nodded restlessly.

“N-No. This matter was our Reina’s…”

“Both Reina and Yuriadne made mistakes with each other.”

As if the Emperor’s following words were a signal, the Imperial Princess spoke up.

“Reina, I’m sorry for hitting you first. I didn’t know my fist was that strong.”

Reina’s lips gathered toward the center.

The child who had clenched her fists with both hands hesitantly opened her mouth.

“I-It’s okay, I, no, I first teased you, no, Your Imperial Highness…”

Reina’s voice trembled.

As if frightened again, tears welled up in the child’s eyes.

The Imperial Princess patted Reina’s shoulder gently.

“You might not have known and teased me. But I was a bit sad when you said our mom and dad were liars.”

Marquis Rentos flinched.

Reina’s face also turned pale.

The Empress, who had been watching such a child, spoke soothingly.

“Reina? That slip of the tongue was.”

“I was jealous…”

At that moment, Reina hung her head low.

“Because Yuri bragged about her mom and dad every day. She said her mom hugged her every day, that her mom was the coolest in the world…”

Everyone fell silent.

Reina was sniffling.

“Reina had a mom too, and Reina’s mom was also the coolest in the world, but now she’s gone, so I was jealous…”

Marquis Rentos’s eyes reddened.

He cleared his throat and clenched his fist under the table.

“Waaah!”

Then the Imperial Princess burst into tears.

The child got down from her chair and hugged Reina tightly.

“I’m sorry Reina! It must have hurt a lot!”

Reina also hugged Yuriadne back tightly.

“No, you were hurt too when I scratched you!”

“That didn’t hurt! But I was really, really sad when you wouldn’t let me be a knight!”

“I’m sorry! The teacher said to play together, but I didn’t play with you and wouldn’t let you be a knight! I’m sorry! Waaah…!”

Marquis Rentos blinked his eyes hard.

It was to dry his moistened eyes.

The Emperor’s awkward voice was heard.

“We sent her hoping that the Imperial Princess would grow up normally among other children.”

When he looked up, the Emperor was looking at him.

“We didn’t expect something like this to happen. We’re sorry to you in many ways.”

Marquis Rentos quickly shook his head.

“N-No! I also became sensitive after losing my wife and taught my child wrongly… My fault is great in my child’s slip of the tongue!”

The Empress smiled.

“Since the two have reconciled, let’s put that matter aside.”

The two children were already up on the sofa in the audience chamber.

Whether they were things the Imperial Princess had brought from her room, the place was full of all kinds of toys.

“Reina, will you let me be a knight tomorrow then? I’ll give you this doll instead.”

“Yes! I mean, yes! If Your Imperial Highness is the knight, I’ll be the princess! But wait? Shouldn’t Your Imperial Highness be the princess…?”

“Why do you keep calling me Your Imperial Highness? Just call me Yuri, like before.”

“But is it okay to do that…?”

“Of course! And the fact that I’m a princess is a secret, so you have to pretend you don’t know anyway.”

“A secret?”

“Yeah. Originally it was a secret only I knew, but now you know too.”

Yuriadne pointed toward where the adults were sitting.

“It’s a secret that only my dad, my mom, your dad, you and I know.”

Reina’s eyes sparkled brightly.

For some reason, a resolute expression appeared on the child’s face.

“Then I’ll keep the secret! I’m really good at keeping secrets!”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Oh, I have about three secrets too, should I tell you one? Since you told me a secret too.”

“Gasp! Tell me!”

Reina brought her hand to Yuriadne’s ear.

Then she began earnestly whispering something.

Soon Yuriadne’s eyes widened.

“R-really?”

“Yeah! Really!”

Annellia burst into laughter first.

Marquis Rentos also broke into hearty laughter.

“The child is so bright. You must be proud of your daughter, Marquis.”

At the Empress’s gentle voice, his eyes grew moist.

“Reina has always been a child who lacks nothing. It’s because I’m inadequate.”

“You’re doing well enough yourself. I say this not as an Empress, but as a comrade raising children together in this country.”

The Marquis unconsciously closed his mouth.

‘…To call a mere imperial noble your comrade.’

There weren’t many people who could humble themselves from such a high position.

From a subject’s standpoint, it was overwhelming and grateful humility.

Marquis Rentos looked at Reina and Yuriadne who were still playing together.

He suddenly felt he understood why the Empire was peaceful and safe today.

Feeling his heart beat pleasantly, he dared to speak up.

“Your Majesty. Though it’s a different matter, the Empire’s future seems bright.”

The Emperor and Empress widened their eyes.

“Looking at you two, looking at Her Highness the Princess… I dare think the Empire’s future cannot possibly be dark.”

Soon the two burst into laughter.

Of course, Marquis Rentos joined them.

That day, the sound of conversation leaked from the audience chamber for a long time.

Yuriadne fell fast asleep on the sofa with her back against Reina’s.

In her dream, Reina was trapped in a chocolate cake castle.

Yuriadne was a knight.

A knight as generous as her father and as strong as her mother.

A faint smile spread across the sleeping child’s lips.

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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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