The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 45

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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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The Crown Prince of the Taranta Empire, Tian’s expression crumpled with displeasure.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Just as you heard. A reply came from Abner, but it only said that the Duke is currently not in a position to meet with Your Highness.”

Tian quickly took the letter from his butler.

As he said, the letter contained only a brief sentence.

“Due to personal matters, no outsiders can be admitted under any circumstances.”

He had finally made time to visit Abner Territory after two months, only to be told he might not be able to see Annellia.

As mixed feelings washed over him, the image of Annellia from their last meeting came to mind.

His ears automatically turned red at the memory.

That day, Annellia had been incredibly adorable.

Strangely, she seemed to become prettier and more adorable each time he saw her.

‘Maybe it was because she wore such a beautiful dress for her birthday.’

When he first saw her at Abner Manor, she had worn a simple, plain dress, but on the day of the party, Lia had her silver-like hair beautifully styled with pins.

‘I really should have given her the gift that day.’

Tian fiddled with the small box in his hand, his expression slightly troubled.

‘If it weren’t for that fox-like bastard Awin or whatever his name is…’

He could have given her the gift he had personally prepared and expressed his gratitude.

In fact, wasn’t his slight lateness to the party because of this very gift?

‘I had so much I wanted to say that day.’

How much he had been able to change thanks to her, and how much that meant to him.

He wanted to officially give her the gift while having more conversations about various things.

He felt like he had been unconsciously sharp with her before, so this time he had tried to show a caring and gentle side.

And if they grew closer from that, even better.

But what was the point of all that?

In the end, he returned to the Imperial Palace without even being able to present the gift.

‘This is all because of Awin Dennis.’

Awin Dennis had tried not to leave Annellia’s side for even a moment.

Behind his smiling face, his intentions were so dark, and he never backed down even in front of him, the Crown Prince.

Tian pressed his lips together tightly.

‘…It’s because I’m still lacking.’

After Annellia’s advice, Tian had changed.

First, he punished Butler Jack, who had tormented him endlessly.

That wasn’t all.

‘Once I got rid of Jack, I was able to naturally eliminate Karin Empress’s other pawns around me one by one.’

When Grandmother, the Dowager Empress, learned of his situation, things proceeded even more smoothly.

Tian recalled the words the Dowager Empress had said while firmly holding his hand.

‘This grandmother is so grateful that you found the courage. If you had just hidden and endured it, I would never have dreamed that Karin was doing such things to you.’

The Dowager Empress had also said this:

‘Tian. Making up your mind about anything is always the most difficult. Once you’re caught in a trap, the trapped person must struggle desperately to escape. Otherwise, no matter how much help others offer, it’s useless.’

Though it was difficult to understand, Tian could vaguely grasp the meaning.

It was similar in context to what Annellia had told him.

‘If it weren’t for her…’

If he had just lamented his situation and continued to fear Karin Empress as he had before.

‘Crown Prince Tian the Deposed.’

That derogatory term some people used for him might have actually become reality.

Tian pondered deeply before rising from his seat.

“This won’t do. I’ll just go anyway.”

The butler’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Pardon? But how can you now…?”

Outside the window, the sun was already setting.

Getting to Abner Territory would take at least half a day unless they used a teleportation formation.

“If we leave now, we can arrive tomorrow morning, can’t we?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Duke Abner definitely said I could visit anytime.”

The butler looked troubled for a moment, but then nodded.

He then left the inner chamber to prepare for departure.

Tian fiddled with the gift box, lost in thought.

“Personal matters…”

It couldn’t be anything too serious, right?

So Annellia must be doing well.

Tian nodded and rose from his seat.

The night he left.

He had no idea what kind of commotion had occurred at Abner Manor.

“What? Who’s here?”

I looked up from where I sat on the bed in a dazed state.

Miel answered with a slightly excited expression.

“His Highness the Crown Prince! He’s currently in front of the manor…”

“The Crown Prince? You mean His Highness Tian?”

What business did Tian have here so early in the morning?

“Oh, come to think of it…!”

Just then, Soya suddenly covered her mouth beside me.

I looked at Soya with wide eyes.

Soya stamped her feet as if in dismay.

“I, I completely forgot because of the accident on the night of the birthday party!”

“Forgot what?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince left a note for you, young miss!”

She then hurriedly opened the drawer across from the bed.

Soya soon found something and rushed over with it.

I quickly took it from her.

It was a birthday card with several sentences written in neat handwriting.

Annellia.

I owe you in many ways.

I prepared a small gift in return, but I really want to give it to you in person) so I’ll visit again soon.

I hope you won’t be with Prince Dennis when I do.

Happy birthday.

Tian

It was a note where one sentence in the middle had been heavily crossed out.

“Oh…”

As I blinked, the downstairs suddenly became noisy.

Miel, Soya, and I all turned toward the door at the same time.

The sound of someone muttering mixed with the heavy footsteps of several people.

The sounds gradually began approaching my room.

“The, the young miss is currently recovering…”

Just then, I heard the familiar voices of servants right outside the door, and the door burst open.

“Annellia. What is all this about?”

The one who quickly entered was Tian with a pale white face.

“There was an attack on the manor. And you….”

Gasping for breath, Tian scanned my face.

Soon his gaze slowly dropped and moved to my right arm where small scars remained.

“Are you hurt?”

Tian asked in a considerably tense voice.

I quickly raised one hand.

And spoke as if to reassure him.

“No! It’s not just that I got hurt, I almost really died!”

“I’m telling you it’s true.”

When I shrugged my shoulders, Tian looked at me as if he was dumbfounded.

We were sitting across from each other at a small table prepared in the room.

We each had a cup of steaming hot cocoa and tea placed in front of us.

“As for where I was hurt, first my forehead was hurt this much.”

When I spread my index finger and thumb apart, Tian’s expression hardened.

“This leg here, and this arm also hurt a lot, and my stomach hurt terribly too, but they said that was because my ribs were injured!”

Tian’s eyes trembled slightly as he looked at the areas I mentioned.

“The worst part was my back!”

I turned my body slightly while sitting in the chair and pointed to my back.

“From here, all the way down!”

To describe the injury on my back, I needed both arms, not just fingers.

“This much, this mu~ch hurt and it was stinging and burning….”

“Stop… stop it.”

I stopped mid-gesture of spreading my arms wide and closed my mouth.

Tian was frowning with every expression possible.

“How can you say such things while smiling?”

“Why not? It’s already over and I’m all healed, so there’s no need to talk about it crying sadly….”

Feeling awkward, I scratched my head and smiled sheepishly.

“And I’m healthy like this now! Right, Sister Miel, Sister Soya?”

I asked expecting Miel and Soya to take my side, but for some reason the two of them subtly avoided my gaze.

Tian spoke in a resentful voice.

“No, if you were hurt that badly, you should have told me!”

Then he got down from his chair and approached me.

He grabbed the back of my hand and turned it this way and that as he continued speaking.

“How did you get the Forentia flower? There must have been many people waiting. If you had come to me first before stopping by the Academy of Pharmacy….”

Then he closed his mouth.

I looked at Tian with a slight inner smile.

‘He was probably going to say he’d share what was presented to the Imperial Palace.’

But seeing how he closed his mouth, Tian must have realized it too.

That these days the supply of Forentia flowers is so scarce that there isn’t even enough for the royal family to use.

“I didn’t use Forentia flowers.”

Sure enough, Tian’s eyes widened.

I continued in a very cheerful voice.

“There’s a newly invented medicine at our Abner Academy!”

After all, my purpose had been decided from the beginning.

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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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