The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 5

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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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“Annellia.”

I lowered my gaze awkwardly in front of Ann.

“What on earth is all this about, hmm?”

The surroundings were bustling with the Abner soldiers preparing for their return.

It seemed they planned to use scrolls to activate teleportation magic all the way to the main castle.

“Well, the Duke said we’ll be able to see each other again soon. So take care of yourself until then, and make sure to eat your meals properly…”

“Lia will be fine.”

Ann closed her mouth.

“Don’t worry, teacher. Lia is all grown up now.”

I meant it sincerely.

At the orphanage, I had always been a child who could handle anything on my own.

After my regression, now in my second life, that was even more true.

But Ann’s expression didn’t ease at all.

She finally let out a deep sigh.

“I really don’t know what to do with you, Lia.”

I widened my eyes.

“I knew everything. I knew you touched my seal and my drawer.”

My mouth fell open reflexively.

Light wrinkles appeared on Ann’s forehead.

“You’re right. Our Lia is all grown up. So smart too. You brush your teeth and blow your nose all by yourself. But still…”

Ann carefully opened my tightly clenched fist.

My palm was completely ruined.

Countless scratches and scabs covered the white, tender skin.

These were the spots where blisters from carving the seal had burst and healed again.

Some places were still oozing fluid.

“What am I supposed to do with you, hmm?”

I quickly pulled my hand back, but Ann was already tearing up.

“What four-year-old steals their teacher’s seal and knife?”

She glanced at Sharon Abner and the Abner soldiers, then lowered her voice.

“When we went to the city last time? You wrote about how to catch mice in that letter. Why did you suddenly think to write such a letter, hmm?”

My eyes rolled around.

“It’s only because His Lordship found it cute, but honestly, sending instructions on how to catch mice to the main castle…”

I fidgeted and avoided Ann’s gaze.

Of course, my mind was thinking something completely different.

‘She knew I stole the seal and carving knife?’

I had thought it was the perfect crime until now.

‘Why was I so convinced that no one would know?’

But thinking about it, it was obvious.

The seal was always in the same spot on her desk.

The carving knife was used frequently, so she would have noticed it was missing right away.

I pondered seriously.

‘Is it because I’ve become a little kid?’

I had no idea until now.

My plan, which I thought was perfect, was full of holes.

‘I really need to be more careful from now on.’

Just as I was thinking this.

“Preparations are complete. We’ll be departing now.”

A low voice came from behind.

It was the tall knight who had swept me up from behind the barn.

“I’m Wendel Lucian. I’ll be traveling with Miss Annellia to Abner Castle.”

Ann hesitated.

“But our Lia has never ridden a horse…”

Wendel answered calmly, as if to say not to worry.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be using a teleportation circle, ma’am.”

Ann nodded in bewilderment.

And rightfully so.

There weren’t many knights who would use the title “ma’am” for a commoner orphanage director.

“Well then.”

Soon Wendel’s long, large arms swept me up.

My view instantly became much higher.

Wendel carried me away from Ann without even giving me time to say goodbye.

From a distance, I heard young voices calling out.

“Lia! Take care!!”

“See you again!”

The other children had gathered near the orphanage entrance.

I couldn’t bring myself to wave back and just stared at them blankly.

These were faces I had truly missed in my previous life.

People I had wanted to see again, even just once.

After returning, I had been so busy that I couldn’t even have proper conversations with them.

“You might feel a little dizzy.”

At Wendel’s words, I barely managed to look away from the orphanage children.

“Hold on tight to my arm. You can tell me anytime if it gets difficult. It should take about 2 minutes.”

I nodded while looking into his indifferent brown eyes.

Before I knew it, we were in the middle of the garden.

Soon, with a heavy vibration, my body seemed to float as massive blue light spread around us.

A little distance away, Sharon Abner sat atop a white horse.

Even amid all the commotion around her, she was gazing at the plains across from Evehill Orphanage.

Light burst several more times, and a dizzy sensation struck my body.

“Please close your eyes. When your body is small, it’s hard to handle the magical power…”

Wendel’s voice became distant.

It was the moment I was leaving Evehill Orphanage for the second time.

The dark courtyard of the manor’s east wing.

Jayden, who had been sitting at the entrance, looked up at the sound of someone approaching.

Before him stood Wendel Lucian with knights in tow.

“What.”

At his aggressive tone, Wendel bowed his head slightly and answered.

“There’s a guest.”

Jayden’s brow furrowed.

Wendel Lucian, the young knight who served as his mother’s guard.

He had always found Wendel thoroughly disagreeable.

“So what am I supposed to do about it.”

“The Duke has assigned the guest a room on the second floor of the east wing.”

“So you’re telling me to get out of the way?”

“You’re blocking the path.”

Jayden glared at Wendel with a displeased expression.

Only then did he notice something in Wendel’s arms.

Wrapped tightly in a thick blanket, it looked exactly like a child.

His brow furrowed slightly.

“Is that thing the guest you mentioned?”

“It’s Lady Annellia.”

A brief snicker escaped between Jayden’s lips.

He swept back his silver hair that resembled his mother’s and tilted his head slightly.

“She’s just a baby who’s barely weaned. Mother brought that into the mansion?”

“….”

Wendel remained silent, standing his ground without a response.

Jayden rose from his seat irritably.

Though his body swayed from the alcohol, he managed to steady himself.

“Just get lost to another building. The east wing is mine.”

“His Grace has assigned Lady Annellia’s quarters to the second floor of the east wing.”

“That’s why-!!”

Jayden, who had been shouting, wiped the expression from his face.

His silver hair that perfectly resembled Sharon Abner’s and his distinctly colored eyes, vivid despite being dulled by alcohol, flashed in the darkness.

His prominent nose bridge that resembled his predecessors, tall stature, and slender build made his appearance all the more striking.

“Go tell mother yourself. The east wing is mine, so put that guest or whatever kid somewhere else.”

“That’s enough, Jayden.”

Just then, someone appeared from behind Wendel.

Jayden froze in place with a start.

Sharon Abner, with a thin fur coat draped over her shoulders, was staring at him coldly.

“Being rude to my guard—are you out of your mind?”

“…Mother.”

“The east wing isn’t there for you to drink all day long. Your bedroom is separately prepared in the west wing.”

Unlike with Wendel, Jayden could no longer easily open his mouth.

Sharon Abner’s presence was that formidable.

“If you understand, return to your quarters now. Stop causing a disturbance.”

Jayden flinched and clenched his fists tightly.

Wendel passed by Jayden while carrying Annellia.

That was the moment.

A sudden breeze blew, and the blanket covering the child in Wendel’s arms slipped smoothly away.

Her profile, bathed in moonlight, was revealed.

“…?”

Jayden stepped back in surprise.

Silver hair that was similar yet different from the Abner Family members.

Though he couldn’t see her eyes because they were closed, the shape of her face flowing from forehead to nose tip to lips momentarily overlapped with someone else’s.

Jayden unconsciously swallowed.

Then he hesitated and asked.

“Where did you bring this child from?”

Sharon Abner’s gaze turned to him.

She looked at her son silently for a moment before answering curtly.

“She’s a child I’ve decided to sponsor.”

Jayden’s brow furrowed.

‘So she’s an orphan?’

Jayden stared blankly at Wendel walking away, then lightly gripped his head.

‘…Right. That can’t be it.’

It was to shake off the baseless anxiety that had suddenly sprouted in his heart.

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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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