The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 71
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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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“You’re here!”
As soon as I knocked on the East Wing Reception Room, the door opened immediately.
Lady Larienne was looking down at me with an expectant expression.
“Finally, today’s the day. The day I promised to pass on my incredible high society combat secrets.”
I nodded as I followed Lady Larienne inside.
As soon as I sat in the chair in front of the table, she got straight to the point.
“There’s only one thing Princess needs to focus on.”
“What is it?”
“First, don’t be looked down upon. Second, don’t be looked down upon. Third, don’t be looked down upon!”
Lady Larienne raised her index finger.
“Princess, you’re far too soft. Being so naive will only make you pitiful prey in this treacherous high society.”
She wasn’t wrong.
I was still young, from an orphanage, and had only been a princess for barely over a month.
“You’re good at using your head, but you’re also terribly bad at using your body.”
I nodded at Lady Larienne’s following words as well.
Through the past few lessons, I had come to a painful realization.
At first, I had taken the strategy of memorizing entire etiquette books.
I was at a level where I could write out an entire etiquette book identically from memory.
But the problem was that my body couldn’t follow the etiquette at all.
I should have known from when I couldn’t draw – I had no talent whatsoever for physical activities.
I was seriously, incredibly seriously clumsy!
“No. Just tilt your head slightly, and when shaking hands, spread your thumb and index finger only this much. I don’t understand why you can’t follow this…”
Lady Larienne shook her head as if truly pitying me, then suddenly widened her eyes.
“So here’s what I’m thinking. It would be better to just become shameless.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re going to be nitpicked about everything anyway. And unfortunately, your face is so lovely that there will probably be princes making advances.”
“…”
“Seeing that, the young ladies will obviously be jealous. I was no joke at that age myself.”
Lady Larienne talked to herself and nodded to herself, then finally threw out casually:
“If an ugly prince approaches you rudely, just scratch him.”
I doubted my ears.
“What…? Scratch him?”
“If you’re a little annoyed, scratch his hand. If you’re very annoyed, scratch his face.”
“B-but how could I do such a thing…”
“What’s wrong with it? Afterward, just throw him one of the healing potions you made, Princess. He probably won’t even dare to complain. Those healing potions are so precious these days.”
Lady Larienne smiled ominously.
It was a very, very sinister expression.
“Those types are predictable anyway. They’re the ones who look at Princess’s background and think you’re easy prey. Only after getting bitten will they think, ‘Ah, even if she looks like an innocent rabbit, an Abner is still an Abner.'”
I was completely at a loss for words.
Even during this, Lady Larienne continued speaking.
“Also. There will definitely be young ladies who smile sweetly while trying to insult you – when that happens, just splash whatever you’re drinking on them.”
“A-are you sure that’s really okay?”
“Of course it’s okay! If they happen to make a fuss, quietly call them out to the garden. His Grace will probably handle the rest.”
I said with a troubled expression:
“But I’m only five years old…”
Lady Larienne grinned wickedly.
“That’s exactly why all of this is possible. Children don’t hold back, you know.”
Inside the carriage racing without rest.
“If a little annoyed, the hand… if very annoyed, the face…”
As I was reviewing Lady Larienne’s teachings, I felt Sharon Abner’s gaze.
“What are you muttering about like that?”
I quickly answered.
“I’m reviewing!”
“Reviewing?”
“Yes. How not to be looked down upon at the banquet.”
When Sharon Abner made a curious expression, I explained.
“Lady Larienne said that if an unfamiliar prince acts rudely, I should scratch his face.”
Sharon Abner paused for a moment but soon nodded as if in agreement.
“I see.”
My eyes widened at that reaction.
‘What? She’s not going to stop me?’
Since even Sharon Abner reacted this way, I began to trust Lady Larienne’s educational content.
‘Maybe scratching faces between nobles isn’t as serious as I thought.’
That’s probably why both of them reacted this way.
‘Hmm. If that’s the case, maybe it’s actually good?’
Until recently, I had been desperate to get along with everyone at Abner Manor.
I thought that was the only way to survive in this harsh world.
‘But that was about the people at Abner Manor.’
The people I’d meet at the banquet were different.
Of course, there would probably be some people worth building relationships with.
For example, foreign royalty or famous scholars.
I suddenly became curious and looked at Sharon Abner.
“Your Grace. By the way, will there be important people at this banquet too?”
When Sharon Abner sent me a puzzled look, I quickly added:
“Important people I should make a good impression on. Well, I’m already close with Tian and Dowager Empress, so that’s settled…”
Suddenly, Sharon Abner’s brow furrowed slightly.
“…Dowager Empress, grandmother?”
My eyes widened at the low questioning tone.
Sharon Abner looked at me with a very sullen expression, then answered halfheartedly.
“You don’t need to worry about such things.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m saying you don’t need to try to impress anyone there. What’s a five-year-old supposed to do?”
I nodded for now.
But soon I narrowed my eyes and secretly observed her expression.
‘What’s this?’
Sharon Abner’s mood had suddenly become low-pressure.
‘Is she a bit tired today?’
Well.
Sharon Abner had been busy with various governmental affairs lately.
She also had to select young scholars to bring to Abner Academy.
According to Wendel, she often couldn’t sleep until late these days.
‘I see. She must be in a bad mood because she’s tired. I should stay quiet for her.’
Feeling quite mature about myself, I leaned back against the seat with satisfaction.
The scenery outside the window was changing very rapidly.
This was because the carriage equipped with acceleration magical devices was still racing toward the Imperial Capital without rest.
‘…I need to do well when I get there.’
The Emperor’s birthday banquet was the first official event since becoming Princess of Abner.
I practiced extending my nails sharply a few times under the blanket.
The Imperial Capital was already bustling from the North-East Gate.
There were so many crowds on the main road that carriages couldn’t move forward.
Then, as we passed the entrance to the city wall, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
“Wooow…!”
Red flower petals floated slowly through the air along with colorful paper streamers.
Workers from the Imperial Palace were scattering flowers one by one from the top of the city wall.
‘The weather has been quite chilly lately, so where did they get all these flower petals?’
Just as I was admiring the scene, the smell of grilling meat wafted from somewhere.
When I turned my head, children selling newspapers and flowers passed by the carriage every few seconds.
“This is really the Imperial Capital. A festival…”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the outside.
People dressed in splendid clothing were dancing in the streets, and business was booming at the festival booths.
“Fig bread here! Everyone come have your fortune told for today!”
“Beautiful lady over there, these are flower crowns made from His Majesty’s birth flowers! Perfect for the festival, don’t you think?”
Noble ladies giggled and exchanged glances at the handsome commoner youth’s solicitation.
“Fresh fruit juice! We have strawberry, banana, and blueberry!”
A fruit juice machine made with crude magical tools also caught my eye.
Then I heard a voice beside me.
“Choose one.”
Sharon Abner, who had been sulking and not speaking this whole time for some reason, had come up behind me and was gazing out the window together.
“Really?”
“Of course, would I go back on my word at this age?”
I smiled brightly and nodded.
“I’ll have strawberry, and you have blueberry, Duke!”
Sharon Abner’s violet eyes turned toward me.
“Me too?”
“Yes! Let’s share them between us.”
“…”
Actually, I had said that because I wanted to try both flavors.
I was worried about being found out, but Sharon Abner unexpectedly nodded quickly.
Then he stretched his arm out the car window and called for Wendel.
“You called for me?”
“Go buy fruit juice. Two kinds – strawberry and blueberry.”
Wendel looked at me and smiled slightly.
“Understood.”
I was watching Wendel’s retreating figure when suddenly a friendly face popped up in front of me.
“Oh my, Young Girl there! How about some sweet sugar bread?”
“Look here too! The grilled sparrow is absolutely amazing!”
The peddlers had come rushing over after seeing us buy juice.
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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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