The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 27

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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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I seriously considered taking a leave of absence as I turned to address the Duke and Duchess.
“Thank you for taking such good care of Estella all this time. I notice the Mage Tower Master is absent, so it seems all the basic measures have been completed—is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
The Duke nodded.
“Regarding that matter… Vice Director Harrington, let’s have a word.”
It was exactly as I’d anticipated.
I barely managed to pry Estella away from clinging to my skirts before following the Duke into an empty room.
The Duke got straight to the point.
“Vice Director Harrington, once we receive permission from the Child Protection Bureau, we can adopt that child immediately. Is that correct?”
I quickly calculated the situation in my mind.
Fortunately, over the past two weeks, Estella’s father had taken no action whatsoever.
If the matter went to court, what he had done to Estella would be exposed to the world, so he likely wanted to preserve whatever dignity remained to him as a mage.
Since Director McGuffin wouldn’t oppose it either, if I handled the paperwork diligently, Estella could truly become the Duke and Duchess’s adopted daughter.
“That’s correct. However…”
I continued immediately.
“I cannot authorize it immediately on my own authority. The adoption will only be finalized once my superior, Director McGuffin, grants his approval.”
“But Director McGuffin is famous for having completely abandoned his duties. In other words, once you give your permission, Estella becomes our daughter.”
I regarded him quietly.
Clearly, Duke Beiretz and his wife were not bad people.
They would support Estella in every way and become good parents to her.
But…
‘Estella will suffer tremendous wounds in the process of adapting as the Duke and Duchess’s adopted daughter.’
Wouldn’t it be better if I raised her instead?
‘…What am I even thinking?’
As the Royal Physician said, I cannot even properly care for my own body. There’s no way I could raise a child.
I opened my mouth slowly.
“Estella’s wishes are most important. Once we confirm that, I will help you proceed with the adoption.”
“Estella’s… wishes.”
The Duke fell into contemplation.
“Yes, you’re right. Whether Estella wants us is what matters most. Should we ask her now?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Estella doesn’t know you both well yet. I believe we’ll need about a month for her to become acquainted with you. After that, if Estella wishes it, you can proceed with the adoption.”
“…I see.”
The Duke murmured.
“A month… a month, you say. So you’re telling me to win the child’s affection in that time.”
I looked directly at him.
“No. You must not do that.”
“What did you just say…?”
The Duke asked in great surprise.
“What do you mean by that?”
I drew a deep breath.
If there was a reason why the plot of a novel I’d read and forgotten long ago suddenly came to mind, it must have been for this very moment.
“Estella is a delicate child. Even if you offer her things that seem unfamiliar—clothing, food, and the like—she will only grow frightened. Please approach her more gently.”
I spoke each word with utmost sincerity.
“Above all, please love the child. And express that love sufficiently. She will carry a single warm word from Your Grace throughout her entire life.”
“…You speak of difficult things.”
A peculiar expression flickered across the Duke’s face.
“My wife and I have lived our entire lives without displaying emotion. Yet you ask me to express love? How can I express what I have never shown even to my own children?”
“You were wrong to do so.”
The words tumbled out before I could think.
I had braced myself for the Duke’s displeasure, but he merely gazed at me with a contemplative expression.
Emboldened, I continued.
“Whether they are your biological children or not, you must express your love so that your children can truly feel it. Children are not mature enough to discern love that parents conceal beneath a silent exterior.”
Well, what did it matter now?
Since I’d already overstepped, I might as well go all the way.
“I understand the youngest prince is still quite young. Please cherish and love him.”
“…I will consider it.”
My conversation with the Duke ended there.
I hastily prepared to leave and stepped outside.
“T-Tessa…”
Somehow knowing, Estella came running toward me.
The child’s small hand gripped the hem of my skirt.
Though the fabric grew damp with her tears, it didn’t bother me in the slightest.
‘She must be terrified.’
I knelt on one knee and held Estella silently in my arms.
The child burrowed completely into my embrace.
I had deliberately tried to avoid her and leave without saying goodbye, knowing she would be disappointed.
Because I feared the pain of tearing myself away if we met like this.
And sure enough.
‘I mustn’t cry.’
Estella wasn’t crying, yet here I was—a grown woman—with my nose stinging and my eyes aching as though tears might spill at any moment.
“Tessa… you must stay healthy.”
My heart ached even more at the dignified way the child bid me farewell.
Because I could see all too clearly what lay hidden beneath that composed exterior.
‘She must be so frightened.’
The Duke and Duchess, complete strangers trying so hard to win her over with their lavish efforts.
This vast mansion.
Even Fabian Beiretz, the Empire’s mightiest mage.
All of it would be nothing but strange, uncomfortable, and terrifying to Estella.
But here, Estella could find happiness.
Receiving the love the child truly deserved.
“You must be well, Estella.”
I barely managed to separate myself from Estella.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say I barely managed to tear myself away from her.
With a promise to meet again in a month, I stepped outside.
“Vice Director!”
Just as I was about to board the carriage, someone came rushing toward me in a flustered state.
“Vice Director, wait just a moment!”
Running with such urgency, their clear voice had become completely hoarse.
I quickly descended from the carriage.
I couldn’t ignore someone calling out so desperately.
Besides, this wasn’t someone I could ignore anyway.
‘Why is Fabian Beiretz here…?’
“Mage Tower Master?”
I called out to him in bewilderment.
“What brings you here?”
….
Fabian Beiretz gazed at me intently with eyes resembling a lake beneath summer sunlight.
Ah, I see.
‘Now that I think about it, Fabian was the Empire’s most notorious sister-doting fool.’
It seemed he had become instantly attached to Estella according to the novel’s plot and wanted to thank me for bringing the child to him.
“I’m not sure what words would adequately express my gratitude to you, Vice Director.”
“I merely did what was necessary. Please take good care of Estella.”
“Yes, I will care for Estella as best I can. However, Vice Director, I didn’t chase after you because of Estella.”
I hadn’t realized this man possessed such remarkably persuasive eyes.
“You’ve provided great help not only to Estella but also to my youngest sibling, Vice Director.”
Could my few words truly have been of such help?
It was impossible to know.
But if Fabian, the son of the Duke and Duchess, believed so, then I too wanted to trust in that belief.
“I love my parents, but I cannot say their way of treating me and my siblings has been right.”
Fabian let out a small laugh.
“But thanks to you, Vice Director, I believe things will change somewhat.”

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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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