The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 189

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 189
“Mother.”
At the sudden voice, she slowly turned her head to look at Shalone. Before she knew it, Shalone had drawn close and knelt before her.
“Thank you for raising me all these years. You were… difficult at times, and there were moments of inconvenience. I’ve felt disappointed before. But when I look back on it all…”
Shalone smiled brightly.
“I think you were my only family.”
“…!”
“Thank you so much for raising me. I hope you achieve everything you desire. Of course, until then, I’ll visit you regularly. Even if you don’t want me to, please see me.”
As Shalone bowed her head and grinned, Hila noticed her expression resembled Bunny’s in some way, and she faltered.
“Well, I suppose sisters do resemble each other… I raised her so well, yet she’s picked up all the wrong habits.”
Hila clicked her tongue and waved her hand dismissively.
“Do as you please. Now get out. My head aches and I need more rest. Looking at you foolish creatures any longer is giving me a headache, truly.”
Shalone burst into laughter and rose from her seat.
Bunny stuck out her tongue and muttered softly, “So dishonest, Shalone’s Mother.”
“Then… I shall take my leave. Farewell, Mother.”
Shalone bowed deeply at the waist.
Hila did not respond to the greeting, her head turned away.
Shalone stood for a moment longer before turning.
As she walked forward, she never once looked back.
As though she harbored no lingering attachments whatsoever.
* * *
Bunny, having collected Shalone as well, made her way back to the Main Mansion.
She was eating the pastries the Butler had prepared, as Grandfather was on his way, when—bang!—the door burst open.
Her eyes met Grandfather’s.
“You…!”
Bunny’s eyes curved into crescents.
Seeing the Old Man in such disheveled attire, evidence of how hard he had rushed, Bunny’s face bloomed with a radiant smile.
At that sight, Ludbreed Yudia drew a sharp breath. The child he remembered had grown far more than he expected—she was now a young lady in every sense of the word.
“Grandfather!”
“Bunny… you!”
Shalone, who had been sitting beside her, glanced between Bunny and Grandfather, and was about to slip away discreetly.
Bunny reached out and grasped Shalone’s wrist.
“You… how did you grow so much while I wasn’t looking? You slept for so long—are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?”
“I’m completely healthy. I slept to grow up, after all.”
“…Your father hasn’t shown his face once.”
“Well, Father loves me so much it’s actually a problem.”
Bunny giggled and shrugged her shoulders.
“I was so worried about whether Grandfather would dislike me, but it seems that’s not the case, so I’m relieved.”
“Why would I dislike you…!”
Ludbreed Yudia seemed about to retort emotionally at Bunny’s words, but he stopped short.
After all, he had once inflicted a grave wound upon Bunny. Even if it had occurred in a confusing and bewildering situation that made his head ache.
“That was… the circumstances were simply terrible. It was something I’d never heard of or seen before, so I was utterly bewildered. That’s why….”
“Yes, I understand.”
Bunny nodded with an unflustered expression.
Ludbreed Yudia’s face twisted slightly as he watched his granddaughter respond so maturely to his excuses. It struck him as absurd—the child remained composed while he stood there making excuses.
“…I’m sorry, little one.”
So he slowly lowered his head.
“I never properly asked you about it. Even though it was bewildering… you surely had your own circumstances. I should never have let you go like that, and foolishly, I came to regret it only later.”
“Actually, I was quite hurt….”
Bunny trailed off, then shook her head from side to side.
“No, not just hurt—I was deeply hurt. But it seems Father took revenge on my behalf in the meantime… and Grandfather has apologized… and seeing Grandfather has lifted my spirits, so it’s all right.”
“…Bunny.”
“If I’m being honest, I was the one who lied first….”
Bunny rose from her seat and then slowly bent at the waist.
“I’m sorry for deceiving you for so long, Grandfather.”
The eyes of Shalone, Ludbreed, and even the butler widened simultaneously at Bunny’s bowed head.
With her mischievous smile erased and her expression solemn, not a trace of playfulness remained on Bunny’s face.
Ludbreed stared blankly at the child.
He had thought she was merely tall in body, but somewhere along the way, she had truly grown into an adult. Looking down at her with a slightly bewildered expression, Ludbreed drew a deep breath.
“Bunny, lift your head.”
His words caught in his throat, but he called out to the child nonetheless. After all, it was he who owed a proper apology.
He had been unable to do anything but watch as she left without a word of comfort, departing abruptly.
Had he possessed even slightly greater qualities as a guardian, there might have been a more flexible and better way to handle it, he thought only after his son and granddaughter had gone.
Bunny slowly raised her head and smiled softly.
That smile, tinged with playfulness yet appearing so at ease, remained unchanged, and Ludbreed’s lips likewise relaxed without his realizing it.
“When I was young, after escaping from the Demon Realm, Luriel… ah, Luriel was like a nanny who raised me from childhood. Luriel once told me to come here. To become a fine adult in this place.”
“….”
“But since I couldn’t let it be known that I was a Demon Clan Member, I lied and said I was human. In the meantime, I became so incredibly happy that I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth.”
Her words continued at length, spoken calmly yet with a slight tremor at the edges. Ludbreed felt his chest tighten at the truth she had long held within herself.
“I had planned to live as a human and then leave once I became an adult… but I came to love Grandfather and Father and Shalone and Roel and Kalbad, and the butler and all the servants so much….”
“…Bunny.”
“So I missed my chance to tell you the truth.”
Shalone stared blankly at Bunny.
She had never anticipated that this child would offer such an apology. She had naturally assumed Bunny would laugh and chatter as if she knew nothing, then depart. Because the Bunny that Shalone knew would never… confront something so exhausting and uncomfortable.
‘…But I was wrong about that.’
Now that she thought about it, Bunny had always tried to face whatever problem arose. She had rarely avoided anything unpleasant.
“I apologize, Grandfather.”
“…No, no. If that was the case, you must have had your reasons. I… I too have been very happy since meeting you. So… you have no need to apologize.”
“Will I now be removed from the family register?”
“What kind of grandfather removes his granddaughter from the family register? Enough of such nonsense. Tell me instead—how have you been, when did you awaken, and is your health sound?”
Ludbreed turned his head to look at Shalone as he spoke.
Shalone flinched, her shoulders trembling slightly.
“It’s been a while for you too. How can you be my granddaughter and avoid showing your face like this?”
Ludbreed let out a soft chuckle before speaking in an even gentler tone.
Shalone’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, soon wavered slightly before settling into an awkward smile.
“I’m sorry. I thought I had no face to show you…”
“If you’re blaming yourself for Bunny leaving, I already told you not to do that. It’s not your fault. If anything, this girl decided on her own to run off recklessly.”
Though I knew it…
At Ludbreed’s words, Bunny pouted, pushing out her lips.
Watching Bunny’s sullen expression, Luriel laughed softly. Though a few more wrinkles had appeared over the years, he was the grandfather I remembered.

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