The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 36

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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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“Oh my, they’re completely knocked out.”

The Dowager Empress chuckled softly as she looked at the two children buried in a pile of wrapping paper.

“Tian. How long have the children been sleeping?”

Crown Prince Tian, who was the only one still awake, answered.

“Not long. After opening all the gifts, Annellia said she wanted to remember who gave what and was writing it down…”

Only then did they notice the pencil and notebook clutched tightly in Annellia’s hand.

The notebook contained crooked handwriting listing the names of gift-givers and the items received.

“A child who’s already grasped the importance of keeping records.”

The Dowager Empress’s joke brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Only Tian was fidgeting with a somewhat dark expression.

“What’s wrong, Tian?”

When the Dowager Empress asked, something finally caught her eye.

Tian was holding a small box in his hand.

The pink box tied with a gold ribbon was clearly a gift for Annellia at first glance.

“Oh my! You haven’t given your gift yet?”

Tian looked at Awin, who was sleeping next to Annellia, with a sulky expression.

“I wanted to give it when they were alone together, but Prince Dennis kept…”

The Dowager Empress burst into laughter.

“You didn’t get a chance to be alone together.”

Even Sharon Abner smiled faintly at the transparent behavior of the child.

She soon asked Tian casually.

“How about another day then?”

“Another day?”

“Yes. It’s already late today, and everyone has gone home.”

Dark night had already settled outside the window.

Tian, who had been hesitating, slowly nodded his head.

“Then would it be alright if I visit again later…”

“Anytime.”

Tian’s eyes widened slightly.

Worried that Sharon Abner might withdraw her offer, he quickly nodded.

“Then I’ll just leave a note before I go…!”

Tian found an unused card among the wrapping paper and quickly scribbled a short memo.

It was a neat message saying he would return later to give his gift.

“I should be going now too. You can rest once I leave.”

The Dowager Empress said.

As she said, there were still several nobles remaining in the garden.

They were holding out even after the party ended, hoping to exchange a word or two with the Dowager Empress.

Sharon Abner escorted the Dowager Empress and Tian to the front gate of the manor.

“From now on, I’ll just send Tian alone. It would be troublesome if people started gossiping about an old woman visiting too often.”

“…What are you saying? Abner owes Your Majesty a great debt.”

She was referring to recovering the funds embezzled by the House of Coel.

In fact, today’s party was the same.

Though it was the child’s birthday party, this gathering was also meant to celebrate Abner’s legal victory.

The Dowager Empress responded with a smile before getting into her carriage.

As the procession departed, Butler Roger approached Sharon Abner.

“I had the maids tidy up the room. Prince Awin has also returned to his bedroom.”

“Good. Well done.”

The clock hands were already pointing toward ten o’clock.

Thinking of the child who had fallen asleep among the wrapping paper made her chuckle.

Despite all the people coming and going, Annellia hadn’t opened her eyes.

Her thick eyelashes beneath her tightly closed eyes trembled occasionally, as if dreaming.

Seeing her in such deep sleep, she must have played to her heart’s content today.

“Once she falls asleep, she rarely wakes until dawn.”

“That’s right.”

Sharon Abner nodded with relief.

Ann Clark, suspected of abusing the child, was scheduled to enter through the manor’s rear gate at midnight tonight.

In preparation for any possible situation, she had arranged for Ann Clark and the orphanage children to stay in an annex far from the main manor.

‘Finally, I’ll find out.’

At last, it was time to face the person she suspected was behind the child.

The positions of Lambert Longton’s spies.

The pattern of the secret seal given only to his most favored retainers.

How Ann Clark knew all of this, what she was thinking when she used such a young child.

Why on earth she made that young child read adults’ expressions.

There were countless things to ask.

“Let’s go.”

She began walking.

Numerous administrators and retainers followed behind her.

In the sky, a not-quite-full moon shone white.

Coo-oo- Coo-oo-

I opened my eyes to the sound of a moon bird’s call.

Through the half-drawn chiffon curtains, I could see the night sky with bright moonlight streaming down.

‘When did I fall asleep?’

I looked around with a drowsy face.

I think I was in the middle of making a birthday gift list.

I must have dozed off while saying I’d rest for a moment.

Coo-oo-

The moon bird called again from outside the window.

I tilted my head.

‘Moon birds live here too.’

I thought moon birds only lived in warm southern regions like Lambert Longton’s territory.

Moreover, moon birds were a rare species that had almost disappeared even there, so their call was distinctive.

‘That’s why Duke Lambert Longton used it as a hand signal, wasn’t it?’

For his cherished Lambert Longton’s Elite Guards and Skilled Assassins.

‘It’s been a while since I heard that… wait.’

I froze as I thought that far.

Hand signals, and assassins.

Suddenly, an ominous premonition flashed through my mind.

As I slowly got up from my position, that call came again.

Coo- Coo-

I looked out the window again with a tense expression.

Goosebumps rose along my spine.

‘No way.’

Sweat gradually seeped into my hand gripping the blanket.

Thinking about it again, this couldn’t be a normal bird sound.

Because moon birds don’t live in the Abner Estate.

This was the cold northern region where winter came too early.

My mind went blank.

Just as I was about to bolt upright, the window rattled very slightly.

I covered my mouth and stepped back hesitantly.

The neat blanket that Miel had covered me with was now crumpled messily on the bed.

Clatter-

Once again, that chilling noise reached my ears.

At the same time, someone’s hand suddenly pressed against the glass on the left side of the window.

“Hng, ugh…!”

I swallowed my scream and propped myself up on the bed with one arm.

Under the bright moonlight, I could vaguely make out something.

On the uninvited guest’s slightly exposed wrist, a distinctively shaped tattoo was carved.

‘This Brooke dedicates his heart and remaining life entirely to you, Miss.’

‘Uncle Brooke! What are you doing!’

The wrist that had been cut with sharp crystal, blood dripping steadily.

The man who had kissed that tattooed wrist while swearing loyalty to Hiana.

‘From now on, you shall be my master and my light.’

‘Father! Please stop Uncle! Please?!’

He was undoubtedly Brooke, Duke Longton’s most favored shadow knight and skilled assassin.

“No, no. This can’t be.”

As I grasped the situation, my legs tangled wildly.

I practically rolled off the bed.

Behind me, the window opened silently.

A shadowy figure with his face completely covered was just entering the room.

“…Damn, my skills have gotten rusty.”

A familiar voice flowed from beneath the mask.

“It would be troublesome if you started crying.”

Despite his calm voice, his movements were instantaneous.

The assassin crouched low and then launched himself over the bed toward me.

Just before his hand could reach the back of my neck, I barely managed to jump up and run toward the door.

In the darkness, only the rustling sound of fabric brushing past could be heard, making me breathless.

Amidst that, a cold metallic sound rang out – shing.

It was the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath.

“Little one. It would be best not to resist.”

The room that I had only thought of as spacious and luxurious now seemed far too large.

With my short little legs, there was no way I could be faster than the man.

Thud-

Soon I felt a heavy pain in my caught left arm.

“Ugh, urgh…!”

Paralyzed by extreme terror, even screams wouldn’t come out.

As I twisted my body with all my strength, the blade’s gleam flashed right before my eyes.

Thanks to somehow evading it, the man’s movement was interrupted.

I ran with desperate determination.

It felt like my breath was automatically cutting off.

But just as the door handle seemed within reach of my fingertips.

Footsteps echoed right behind me.

“Ah!”

The next moment, I felt a burning sensation on my back as if I’d been scalded.

My vision grew dizzy, and just as my body was tilting forward.

“Kugh, what the-!”

Suddenly, an intense light covered the entire room.

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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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