The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 70

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

“Of course, I never intended to ride on your coattails anyway? I’m already satisfied with saving Awin. You know that, you little bean.”

I couldn’t give any response and just kept staring at the paper clutched in my hand.

My gaze was fixed on the name ‘Annellia Abner’ as if nailed to it.

“Since we’re on the topic, let’s make this easy. You said before that both Longton and Abner are the same in adopting you out of necessity.”

“…”

“But did you properly derive that conclusion? Can you be sure there were no errors in your reasoning process?”

My eyes wavered.

“Lambert Longton, who stole your achievements in your previous life and used them as he pleased, versus Sharon Abner, who came to find you and threatened not to omit your contributions.”

“…”

“How exactly are they the same, and where do you see the similarity?”

“…”

“The cases are clearly different, so why are you drawing the same conclusion? Are you even a scholar?”

My heart began pounding, and my eyes grew hot.

“The cases are different…”

Come to think of it, he was right.

There was nothing wrong with Owen’s words.

Sharon Abner was never the same as Lambert Longton.

Though I had tried to deny it and continued to deny it… I knew better than anyone.

Everything I had seen and felt from that person was different.

Eventually, tears dropped onto the desk, one by one.

Owen swallowed a sigh and muttered to himself.

“That’s why you shouldn’t be so stubbornly strange…”

Beyond that voice, the events from a few days ago that I had barely managed to suppress came flooding back.

It was the day when the orphanage children, including Mica, left the ducal castle.

I had hugged the children and cried loudly, then ran into my room because I couldn’t bear to watch them leave.

But then I ended up clinging to the window.

Because I couldn’t miss seeing them go for the last time.

That’s when it happened.

I heard what Mica and Sharon Abner were saying.

‘I’m worried about Annellia. Without me, she’ll definitely cry… *sniff*.’

Mica was rubbing her red eyes while snot ran down her nose.

Behind her, Lady Rieri was watching the child with a pitiful expression.

Then Sharon Abner spoke.

‘There’s no need to worry about Annellia.’

‘But how can I not worry! I can’t meet my family while leaving Annellia behind, this is betrayal! *sob*…!’

‘It’s not betrayal. Your friend has also met her family.’

‘…’

‘I will become that child’s family.’

As soon as I heard those words, I froze in a daze.

After that, I quickly closed the window and drew the curtains.

I burrowed under the blankets while listening to my pounding heartbeat.

‘She adopted me for mutual benefit.’

She’ll send me away someday, she’ll think I’m annoying.

I thought it was ridiculous to talk about family.

Yet, yet Sharon Abner had never once said such things.

Drop, drop.

Tears kept falling.

Owen, unable to watch anymore, started patting my back.

“Sigh, this kid cries often these days…”

“*sob*, *waaah*…!”

But the crying that grew louder soon filled the entire research room.

I could see Owen looking troubled, but I couldn’t easily stop crying.

I eventually spoke through my sobs.

“From now on…!”

Wiping my snot with my hand, Owen looked at me as if asking what.

“Every time we make new medicine, Annellia will be the sole developer! *sob*!”

Owen closed his eyes and shook his head.

“So even if someone calls Master less capable than his student… even if they call him a wallflower, I don’t care!!!”

It was a strange evening.

That day, I returned to my room held tightly in Logrio’s arms.

And as soon as I lay down on the bed, I fell fast asleep.

Even though it was a bed I had been using for months, that night it felt especially cozy.

In Abner Territory, autumn was beginning quickly.

It was the chronic climate problem of the northern region with long winters and short summers.

“Just in case, pack everything. It gets chilly in the evening, and we can’t have you catching a cold.”

Watching Teacher Ann pack with the maids, I swung my legs back and forth on the bed.

“Teacher!”

As soon as I called, the teacher turned around with wide eyes.

“Yes, little miss.”

“Gasp! We agreed you wouldn’t call me that.”

Teacher Ann blinked thoughtfully for a moment.

Then she showed me a gentle smile.

“Alright, I won’t.”

Even after all the orphanage children were adopted, Teacher Ann didn’t leave the ducal castle.

Because Teacher Ann had become the wet nurse for me, who had become the Abner princess.

I tapped the bed with my heels for no reason.

‘Teacher Ann became my wet nurse.’

It didn’t feel real, but honestly, I felt good.

‘I used to get jealous of the other orphanage kids when I was really little.’

Of course, during my time at the orphanage, I never thought Teacher Ann’s affection was lacking.

But still, having to share one person with over twenty children was sometimes a bit sad.

‘But now Teacher Ann is my wet nurse.’

Teacher Ann took care of my meals every day, went on walks with me, and sang lullabies before bedtime.

Also, perhaps because she knew about my regression, she sensitively noticed even my slightest mood changes.

“Are you worried about going to the Imperial Capital?”

Just like now.

I quietly nodded my head.

“A little. I’m wondering if only the Duke could go without me…”

Currently, the Taranta Empire was busy preparing for the Emperor’s birthday celebration.

Tian had written in a letter that the Imperial Capital was already overflowing with flower decorations in every alley.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do there either…”

When my expression became even more dejected, Teacher Ann gestured lightly for the servants to leave.

Then she came and sat beside me.

“It’s because you don’t have good memories of the Imperial Capital.”

“…That’s right.”

I immediately acknowledged it and nodded my head.

In my previous life, I was a princess of House Longton, but I could count on my fingers the times I had been to the Imperial Capital.

This was because Duke Longton had forced me to live only within the manor.

Naturally, I had never attended social parties with other young ladies my age, nor had I ever participated in the Empire’s annual events.

‘Even when I succeeded in my research and created new magical formulas…’

Everything was stolen by Hiana, so it was Hiana, not me, who went to the presentation ceremonies.

“It’ll be fun when you go this time. Let’s cover up the bad memories with new, good ones. Okay?”

Teacher Ann gently stroked my head.

I reluctantly nodded my head.

“Yes! I have to receive the award as Princess of Abner!”

When the Eastern Continent war ended in victory for the Allied Forces, the Emperor was greatly pleased.

And he was supposed to bestow various gifts upon our family for supporting them with weapons.

‘I’m the one who will receive those gifts.’

I felt nervous somehow and fidgeted with my fingers.

Teacher Ann smiled softly and placed sweet chocolate in my hand.

“Don’t worry, Annellia. Everything will go well. You practiced noble etiquette diligently too. Come to think of it, is today the last lesson?”

I nodded my head.

That was actually why I had called for Teacher Ann.

“Yes! Today we’re doing it in the East Wing Reception Room!”

Although it was for a short period, surprisingly, the person who ended up teaching me noble etiquette was Lady Larienne.

That noblewoman who had called me a ‘lowly commoner orphan’ at the previous council meeting.

However, Lady Larienne was also the retainer who most quickly reflected on her attitude and sided with Sharon Abner.

Should I say she was someone whose outside and inside were exactly the same, as much as she had been malicious.

Thinking that far, I naturally recalled the training from the past few weeks.

‘Again, again! You bent your waist again, didn’t you?’

‘Ah, I’m sorry…’

‘Why are you apologizing to me? You should rather get angry and ask what kind of lesson this is!’

The reason Lady Larienne could casually hurl harsh words even at me, a five-year-old, was quickly revealed.

Lady Larienne was… in short, an extraordinary person.

‘Princess, remember this. No matter who you meet at the party, unless they’re royalty, you don’t need to bow your waist that much.’

‘Then what should I do?’

‘Just nod your head slightly. Keep your gaze thin, and just smile a little while pretending to be polite.’

‘Not actually being polite, but pretending to be polite?’

‘There’s no need for someone who is a princess to be polite. If anyone should do it, it’s them.’

Lady Larienne’s lessons were all extreme without exception.

But I found those lessons quite good.

This was because I had a secret understanding of why Lady Larienne was teaching me this way.

‘Because I’m a princess from an orphanage.’

The lady was particularly concerned about the gazes and contempt that would be directed at me for that reason.

Having finished my thoughts, I jumped down from the bed.

“Then I’ll go and come back!”

Looking at the clock, the time I had promised to meet the lady was approaching.

‘She said she would tell me an amazing tip that I could apply in real situations today, right?’

It surely wouldn’t be normal this time either, but curiosity began to bloom because I was intrigued.

I left the room, leaving behind Teacher Ann who was waving goodbye.

I could feel the guards following me, but it didn’t bother me much anymore.

This was because I had gotten used to this strange lifestyle after a few weeks.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————