The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 41

—————

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

—————

‘…So that’s what it was.’
“My Mother Lost Me and Went Mad”—abbreviated as “Mom Went Mad”—begins when the Protagonist is struck by a truck and dies.
A so-called regression, or rather, a truck possession.
The Protagonist, possessing a baby who has just begun to speak, hears a shocking conversation before she can even adapt to her situation.
【Get rid of that monster right now!】
【But Pete, we got paid a fortune on the condition that we raise that little monster.】
【So what? Just dump her at any orphanage! It’s not like those people would want to see that monster again, right?】
Abandoned at the Orphanage, the Protagonist gradually comes to understand her circumstances.
A girl covered in coarse fur from head to toe, liked by no one.
Even when she displays the intellect of an adult, rather than being called a genius, she only hears that she’s a disgusting monster after all.
Yet the Protagonist does not despair and always holds onto hope.
Because she knows she is Duke Montina’s daughter.
Duke Montina’s daughter is an extra in the original novel within “Mom Went Mad,” and there has been no word of her since she was kidnapped as a baby.
Because of this, the corrupted Duke Montina becomes a villain who constantly blocks the Protagonist’s path.
The original novel’s story involves Duke Montina being punished and, at the end, discovering her daughter’s grave and repenting before the girl even reaches adulthood.
Naturally, our Protagonist thinks to herself:
I need to find Duke Montina quickly!
Then I can live happily!
But barely escaping the Orphanage and heading toward the Capital, the Protagonist hears:
Duke Montina has gone completely mad and disappeared.
Fortunately, Count Clark, who recognized the Protagonist, acknowledged her as the Duke’s daughter, and after Duke Montina returned to the Duke’s Residence late, they reunite, and the story gradually rushes toward a happy ending.
‘Hmm?’
Something felt off.
The Count Clark I met was certainly very reluctant to confirm Cici’s identity.
‘Well, that’s not really important. What really matters is…’
I gazed quietly at Cici.
‘Whether this child is a possessor or not.’
The Protagonist of “Mom Went Mad” escapes the Orphanage at twelve years old.
There’s no way to know whether this Cici is the Protagonist of “Mom Went Mad” or the real Cici who was never possessed.
‘…For Duke Montina’s sake, I hope she’s the real Cici.’
I bit my lip.
I’m hardly one to speak, given that I’m not the real Tessa Harrington either, but seeing Duke Montina so delighted at having found her daughter, I genuinely wished she were the real daughter she’d been searching for.
‘But whether she’s the real Cici or not, I hope this child becomes happy.’
The Protagonist of “Mom Went Mad” also endures endless hardship until age twelve.
No matter how mature a soul she possesses, being the weakest—a small child—and suffering abuse, coldness, and ostracism for ten years is never something to take lightly.
As a result, she accumulated many traumas.
‘Either way, I’m glad she was found quickly.’
Of course, there isn’t no way to confirm whether Cici is a possessor or not.
I could investigate Cici’s past actions and compare them with the Protagonist of “Mom Went Mad.”
But I didn’t want to uncover the truth to that extent.
Regardless of the truth, the Cici I met is this Cici.
The Cici who couldn’t speak a single proper word and only made animal sounds.
The Cici who would cling to my back and hide whenever there was a loud noise.
‘Now she’ll be happy… that’s enough for me.’
Duke Montina opened her mouth as she carefully cradled Cici in her arms.
“If you thought it would end with just one door like that, you’re mistaken.”
I let out a short laugh.
“The compensation overflows, Your Grace.”
“It’s not compensation—it’s a debt.”
The Duke brushed her fingers through Cici’s soft hair and planted a kiss on the child’s cheek.
“I’ve been thinking about how I might repay even a fraction of that debt.”
“There’s truly no need, Your Grace….”
“They say you’re a noble soul who doesn’t bat an eye at money? You’ve rejected every bribe offered to you, haven’t you?”
“….”
“Because of that, you were exiled to this backwater post and were able to save Cici… perhaps I should thank those fools in the Finance Ministry.”
Oh my….
I was so flustered that I couldn’t respond and merely moved my lips soundlessly.
It wasn’t particularly difficult to understand, but the Duke—who had essentially abandoned her position—had uncovered all the rumors about me in this short span of time.
‘So she wasn’t mad after all.’
She was simply desperate to find her daughter.
“But I will find a way to repay this debt, no matter what. Whatever you need from now on, just say the word. I’ll grant it on the honor of House Monstina.”
I barely managed to compose myself.
“It’s more than enough to see Your Grace living happily with Cici.”
Duke Montina’s brow furrowed deeply.
“I don’t understand. I’m saying I’ll grant you anything you wish for—isn’t that good?”
“…I merely did my duty. I recognized the identity of a child who had lost her parents and returned her to her rightful home. I have no intention of accepting further compensation.”
Truthfully, my reason was far removed from the “noble character” Duke Montina might have imagined.
‘I’m terrified!’
I was already overwhelmed just dealing with House of Cardicha and the Beiretz Ducal Family.
And now House Monstina is involved too?
‘And the Beiretz Ducal Family is famous for being at odds with House Monstina….’
I didn’t want to invite unnecessary trouble by being greedy.
But Duke Montina seemed to have misunderstood.
“How strange. Nine times out of ten, people would seize such an opportunity without hesitation. How have you survived in the Imperial Court this long with such a temperament?”
The Duke tilted her head in confusion, and just as she was about to turn away—
“Ma….”
A small voice was heard.
Between strands of pink hair, eyes like peach blossoms sparkled as they turned toward me. Cici tugged at the Duke’s collar, pulling her toward me.
The Duke stepped closer to me with an understanding expression, still holding Cici.
“Again.”
Cici’s lips trembled shyly as she mumbled something.
“Again, please.”
“…!”
Her pronunciation was imperfect, but the meaning was unmistakable.
“Yes.”
I met Cici’s gaze. Was it my imagination? The floral pattern nestled within her golden irises seemed to unfurl its petals like a blossoming flower as she looked at me.
‘I thought my role here was finished….’
It would be a lie to say I hadn’t grown fond of Cici, yet I’d assumed that for a child who’d drifted through the Orphanage, I was merely another fleeting adult passing through her life.
And yet she cared for me enough to hope for our next meeting.
“Let’s meet again, Cici.”
Cici broke into a bright smile and grasped my hand firmly.
I was surprised by the strength hidden in that small grip—her handshake was remarkably powerful.
“Promise, okay?”
“Promise.”
I linked my pinky with the child’s and sealed the vow.
Tears glistened at the corners of Duke Montina’s eyes, but I pretended not to notice as I saw them both off.
Wishing sincerely for their happiness.
On the way home, fresh green shoots—the first I’d seen this year—brushed against my eyes.
The long winter had quietly slipped away.

—————

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

—————