The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 56

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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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My heart ached watching Estella do her utmost for Cedric, the very boy who had tormented her, while the adults around us descended into panic.
Thanks to Estella’s magic, Cedric landed safely on the earth that had suddenly risen beneath him.
The fall had been only a few meters, so his clothes were merely soiled—his body unharmed.
It was all thanks to Estella.
Estella, her face remaining deathly pale, continued chanting her spell, slowly lowering the ground where Cedric had collapsed until it aligned with the surrounding terrain.
When Cedric finally stood at eye level with Estella, his face as ashen as hers, he opened his mouth to speak.
“You….”
But Cedric could not continue.
Estella suddenly retched, her body convulsing as she vomited onto the ground.
Then she simply collapsed onto the earth.
Sensing something was gravely wrong, I rushed forward and cried out.
“Fetch the Doctor at once! Estella, are you alright? Don’t push yourself—just sit there.”
Regardless of my words, Estella gazed at Cedric as he scrambled desperately toward her, her voice trembling with tears.
“I’m so g-glad you’re safe, Cedric….”
“Are you an idiot?”
Cedric’s voice came out sharp and strained.
“Why would you go that far?! I’ve told you countless times not to exhaust yourself like that! And besides, I’ve done nothing but treat you poorly….”
Estella shook her head.
“You’ve been so kind to me, Cedric.”
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured something.
“You’re just like an older brother.”
A brief silence fell.
No one dared interrupt the children’s exchange; we simply held our breath and watched.
Estella, startled by her own words, clapped her hands over her mouth.
“I’m s-so sorry…! How could I presume….”
Then.
“Foolish girl.”
Cedric spoke bluntly.
“I’m not just like an older brother—I am your older brother.”
His face flushed crimson, as though it might burst at any moment.
“Is it really alright if I call you that?”
Estella’s desperate voice made my chest constrict with pain.
“Don’t my words mean anything to you? I said I am your brother.”
Despite his harsh tone, Cedric’s voice was gentle.
“Stand up. You’ll get all dirty staying on the ground.”
“Yes…!”
Estella nodded and was rising to her feet when——
“Your Grace!”
My blood ran cold.
So focused had I been on the children that I had failed to notice Duke Beiretz’s arrival.
‘I thought the commotion might draw someone’s attention, but…’
Of all people, it had to be Duke Beiretz. The worst possible timing.
His piercing gaze—sharp enough to skewer a man with a glance alone—fixed upon his youngest son, barely eleven years old.
“I saw everything.”
Duke Beiretz opened his mouth, his voice glacial and cutting.
“What is this shameful display, Cedric? And because of you, Estella nearly came to harm.”
Cedric clenched his fists and hung his head.
Though words seemed to crowd his throat, the boy uttered not a single one of the many things clearly swirling within him.
“I won’t demand you accomplish something extraordinary as a member of Beiretz, given your older brothers. But surely you understand you mustn’t burden others with your troubles.”
“…Yes, Father.”
Cedric answered in a voice barely above a whisper.
“I shall exercise restraint.”
Despite the boy’s dignified response—so unlike the petulant child from moments before—Duke Beiretz seemed not the slightest bit mollified.
His reaction was the worst possible.
He withdrew his attention from Cedric entirely, dropped to one knee, and examined Estella.
“Let me see, Estella.”
Genuine concern bloomed across the Duke’s stern face—a visage so unyielding it seemed incapable of shedding a drop of blood even if pierced.
“Your mana core has been destabilized from overexertion. We should return at once so you can rest.”
He lifted Estella into his arms himself and began walking briskly toward his carriage.
Estella murmured softly.
“But…what about Cedric…?”
“How kind of you to worry about him even now. That boy will manage on his own.”
With that, Duke Beiretz placed Estella in the carriage and departed in an instant.
Never once sparing Cedric a proper glance.
Something caught in my chest with a dull thud.
What did Duke Beiretz truly think of Cedric?
A plant left to grow of its own accord after being planted and entrusted to servants?
‘I never imagined it would be this severe.’
Of course, I’d known that Duke and Duchess Beiretz were far from ideal parents.
That’s precisely why I’d offered them counsel before departing with Estella.
Though it had proven utterly useless.
‘…How foolish of me to think a few words could resolve this.’
【Whether they are blood children or not, parents must express love sufficiently so their children can truly feel it. I understand the young masters are still quite young except for the eldest, so please cherish and love them dearly.】
I possessed neither the remarkable abilities of novel heroines nor the charm to move hearts with a single word.
The price of this miscalculation was paid entirely by Estella and Cedric.
‘…This is my fault.’
I had simply left Estella to languish based on the reasoning that ‘in the novel, Duke and Duchess Beiretz eventually became good guardians despite their initial missteps.’
As I stood there in a daze, a small voice reached my ears.
“…Go.”
It was Cedric.
How many times must I hear that I should go with her?
“Go on, you should follow Estella too. You like Estella more anyway, don’t you? Ah, I’m such an idiot, really. Of course it’s Estella. I just met you today for the first time.”
The boy’s bright blue eyes glistened with unshed tears as he rambled on incoherently.
I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him.
Though he was older than Estella, he was only eleven years old.
How difficult it must have been for him in an environment where he received no emotional support whatsoever.
“It’s true that I’m more concerned about Estella. After all, I’m the one who rescued her.”
That’s right—I couldn’t lie.
And even if I tried, it wouldn’t work anyway.
“But that doesn’t mean I want to just leave you here and go.”
“….”
“Would you return with me?”
I gestured toward the carriage I had arrived in.
“Never mind.”
Cedric, having regained his composure, spoke curtly.
“The Governess is here, and I can manage on my own….”
“I’d like to talk with you, Young Master. Do you dislike me?”
“…That’s not it.”
“That’s a relief. I don’t dislike you, so I think I’d be quite sad if you disliked me.”
“Why?”
I blinked.
“Well, no one enjoys being disliked….”
“No, I mean why don’t you dislike me?”
My mind went blank for a moment.
“I’m sorry?”
“I have every reason for you to dislike me. I’m rude, I’ve tormented Estella, my father dislikes me… No one likes me.”

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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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