The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 29

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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 wanted to take care of my own health as the Duke’s Physician advised, but I simply didn’t have the luxury to do so.
‘As I suspected, this world is… a blend of multiple novels.’
“I Became the Adopted Daughter of a Duke Couple Who Dote on Their Children.”
Shortened to “Doting Duke’s Daughter.”
In this novel, the Beiretz Family was the Empire’s only ducal house.
In other words, they were the second most powerful family right after the Imperial Court.
But what was the actual power structure of the Empire I lived in?
Two Grand Dukes called the Empire’s twin pillars, and even an Archduke who governed the Northern Territory with a degree of autonomy.
Naturally, in “Doting Duke’s Daughter,” there was no rebellion staged by the great nobles either.
‘This is completely useless as a reference!’
It meant I didn’t even have the original story knowledge that transmigrated modern people typically relied on as a foundation.
I sighed and organized the scattered documents scattered about.
I had intended to rest as advised by the Duke’s Physician, but it seemed that enjoying a carefree bureaucratic life for the time being would remain someone else’s story.
‘There were so many orphanages in the Empire.’
It all started when I looked into orphanages while trying to find a family to adopt Estella.
At first, I thought the conditions were better than expected, but upon closer inspection, only those orphanages receiving support from philanthropists were in decent shape.
In other words, excluding the places where socialite noblewomen frequented for show, the situation was dire.
Even in the outskirts, there were many places where providing one meal a day was financially precarious.
‘When I was at the Ministry of Finance, I had no idea about such circumstances.’
The budget allocated to the Child Protection Bureau was virtually nonexistent.
The fact that Director MacGuffin had to constantly push just to secure an actual office instead of a bathroom said everything.
But to me, who knew nothing of such circumstances, the Child Protection Bureau seemed like a heaven for salary thieves—an organization that existed in name only while receiving paychecks without fail.
Moreover, the budget proposals that Director MacGuffin carelessly scribbled up were openly mocked within the Ministry of Finance.
‘Am I reaping what I sowed now…?’
If I had never known about the problem in the first place, it would be one thing.
But now that I was aware, I couldn’t simply turn away.
‘I have to do something.’
At the very least, there shouldn’t be starving children in such a prosperous nation.
‘First, I need to conduct a proper investigation.’
I knew the truth.
No matter how diligently I submitted reports emphasizing the need for support, the Ministry of Finance would only scoff.
‘If there’s no budget, I’ll just have to pick the pockets of those who have it.’
There were no shortage of nobles eager to flaunt their wealth, influence, and morality through charitable endeavors.
In other words, if I prepared the materials now, I never knew when or how an opportunity might arise.
Perhaps it might even be selected as one of the Empress’s charitable projects.
While I was working despite Director MacGuffin’s sarcastic remarks about why I was working so hard,
a familiar face came looking for me.
“Ah, hello there…”
The child hesitantly opened the door, nervously glancing around before spotting me, their tense face immediately flooding with relief.
“Timothy!”
The unexpected visit snapped me to attention.
“How have you been? Nothing too difficult?”
It had been far too long.
Seeing Timothy, who seemed to have grown taller in the interim, filled me with profound emotion.
His shoulders still bore that hunched, timid posture, yet the shadow that had once darkened his face in his family’s presence had vanished entirely.
“I’ve been so curious about how you’ve been managing. I wanted to write, but I worried it might burden you, so I refrained.”
“I… I also worried it might burden you, Tessa…”
“I told you to write.”
We’d been so considerate of each other that we’d lost touch—how frustrating that was.
“Still, it’s good to see your face. How have things been?”
“I’ve been training hard.”
The answer came as though he’d been waiting for the question.
“Really, very hard… Cain Inkaris even said my skills have improved considerably.”
“Is that so?”
I answered as though it were nothing, yet I didn’t miss the calluses that had multiplied on his hands.
They weren’t the raw, cracked hands from his time at the Marquis Residence, but it was clear he was undergoing rigorous training.
“I’m relieved you’re adapting well. That’s always been my concern. Has anything been difficult?”
“No, nothing.”
Timothy answered quickly.
“Everyone treats me well… and it’s all thanks to you, Tessa.”
“Thanks to me?”
I shook my head.
“It’s all because you found the courage.”
I meant it sincerely.
Timothy joining the Military was never a path I’d envisioned for him.
After hearing Cain Inkaris’s thoughts, it was Timothy—and no one else—who seized that opportunity.
He’d chosen his own future of his own volition.
All I’d done in that process was wait for his choice, believe in it, and support him.
‘I wish Timothy understood that…’
Something felt off.
His complexion was certainly much better than when he was with his family.
The news that he was training diligently was genuinely good.
‘Yet something troubles him.’
The stiffness barely concealed in his expression suggested things weren’t proceeding entirely smoothly.
‘And the fact that he didn’t come with Cain Inkaris bothers me too.’
Of course, I’d never believed that escaping an abusive home would magically solve everything.
Still, there was no need for him to continue carrying burdens he didn’t have to bear.
“Timothy, perhaps…”
I tried to broach the subject delicately.
But before I could, an unwelcome face suddenly threw the door wide open and strode in.
Cain Inkaris cut an imposing figure in his dress uniform—heavy shoulder boards gleaming with pride, ornate medals catching the light, his bearing the very embodiment of military ideals—yet he seemed utterly out of place in this shabby warehouse.
So he hadn’t left Timothy alone after all… A brief moment of relief.
“Good heavens, Tessa. You look absolutely ghastly!”
As if my headache wasn’t enough, now a loud, oversized hound had burst through the door.
“Just because your mouth works doesn’t mean you have to spout nonsense constantly….”
“This is what happens when you work in a freezing tomb like this. That’s it, starting tomorrow you’re commuting to Military Headquarters!”
His dramatics reached absolutely sky-piercing levels.
Your hair isn’t disheveled, but your face is gaunt—are you even eating properly?
Watching Cain Inkaris rattle off his endless complaints, I found myself thinking.
…Perhaps this noise might actually be somewhat welcome.
His intentions weren’t malicious; I could hear the concern beneath his words, so I could let it pass.
But then.
“If you insist on working here, at least we need to change the environment. Wait for me—I’ll renovate everything from floor to ceiling.”
Welcome rescinded.
In the time I haven’t seen him… has he become a complete muscle-head?
“Just leave it.”
“You’re not going to say you don’t need my help again…”
“It’s not that. If the Military makes a fuss, we’ll be marked even worse.”
Finally, Cain’s face showed realization and he closed his mouth.
Of course, relations between the Military and ordinary administrative officials were poor.
It was inherently problematic for the Commander-in-Chief himself to meddle in the affairs of civilian bureaucrats.
I added an explanation to ease Cain’s concerns.
“And this isn’t the worst place I’ve ever lived. It’s not the worst place I’ve ever worked either.”
I was about to add something like so don’t worry.
“…How pathetic.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said it’s pathetic! Don’t you know your body wastes away working in a place like this? Are you trying to collapse again?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“How did you know I collapsed?”
Cain’s massive frame stiffened and he averted his gaze.
“W-well… I heard rumors! That you worked yourself to exhaustion and Duke Beiretz had to call in the Royal Physician—it was quite the commotion!”

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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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