The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 59

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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 rose from my seat.
“I’ll see you again in ten days. At that time, we’ll review the childcare journal and decide Estella’s future accordingly.”
In truth, I had no intention of actually taking Estella away.
Whether they liked it or not, the Duke’s Residence was truly the best place for Estella.
But there was no need for them to know my thoughts.
“Vice Director!”
“As a member of the Empire, I wish for the Duke’s Mansion’s wellbeing.”
After offering an impeccable formal greeting, I turned to leave, and as expected, neither of them could stop me.
I had done what needed to be done.
‘I should see Estella one last time before I go.’
I was not someone who could move freely through the Duke’s Residence.
Fortunately, the servants readily guided me to Estella’s room.
“Tessa!”
But before I could even arrive, I encountered a bundle of red yarn rushing toward me, calling my name with delight.
“B-before you leave… please take this with you!”
Estella held out a beautifully wrapped small box toward me.
“You searched for me all this time just to give me this?”
Judging by her breathlessness, she had clearly been looking for me.
“Yes.”
Estella nodded.
“It’s so delicious that I’ve been preparing it every single day. I was planning to give it to you if you came, but I forgot earlier.”
“Thank you so much, Estella.”
I carefully placed Estella’s gift into my handbag.
More than the snack itself, the fact that she had been thinking of me and preparing it daily was what was beautiful and heartbreaking.
“You’re leaving now?”
“Yes. But I wanted to say goodbye to Estella first.”
“When will you come again?”
“Probably in ten days?”
Of course, I hadn’t chosen ten days thinking it would be enough time for something to change.
Rather, I was concerned that if I gave them a longer period—a month or two—the couple might spiral further in the wrong direction, so I settled on ten days.
Estella fell silent in thought for a moment.
“Ten days means… ten nights, so it’s not that far away, right?”
“Of course. We’ll see each other again before you know it.”
I smiled gently as I spoke.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes. I’m perfectly fine. The Doctor said I’m in great shape.”
Estella answered quickly about herself, then spoke again with an earnest voice.
“You really have to come again in ten days.”
My mouth went dry.
I could easily guess why Estella was saying this.
‘I’m expressing how much I miss them in this way.’
In the end, I impulsively blurted out the words.
“Should we go out somewhere?”
* * *
The Nardic River, cutting across the northwestern Capital.
Despite serving as the water supply for the entire Capital’s daily needs, it maintained water so mysteriously clear that every citizen of the Empire had heard its name.
But the Nardic River’s fame stemmed from another reason entirely.
“Wow….”
Estella’s eyes darted about eagerly.
The lower reaches of the Nardic River were truly a spectacle—dozens of elongated gondolas drifting upon water so transparent that the riverbed was clearly visible.
Riding in gondolas adorned with several distinctive round lanterns that shimmered in vibrant colors was an essential experience for most visitors to the Capital.
“I’ve never been to a place like this before.”
It made sense.
She had been confined to the Small House in the Forest all this time, and since arriving at the Duke’s Residence, she had scarcely ventured outside.
So I refrained from asking her the foolish question of where she wanted to go.
In moments like this, it was better simply to lead the way.
“Shall we ride one?”
“Yes!”
After paying the boatman his fare, Estella began to fidget anxiously.
“I didn’t bring any money with me….”
“It’s fine. It’s not much.”
Estella didn’t seem to be listening to me at all.
“But….”
“Estella gave me a gift earlier, so I’m giving Estella a gift in return.”
Estella fell silent for a moment, then spoke loudly.
“…Next time you visit, I’ll give you even more gifts. So many more!”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
I chuckled softly and patted Estella’s head, and the child immediately pressed herself against me.
Soon the boat began gliding smoothly across the water.
Thanks to the boatman’s skillful oar work, the boat moved forward without much rocking.
Before long, Estella’s words dwindled and then ceased entirely.
She was too absorbed in eagerly looking around and taking in the sights.
From the way she kept catching her breath, it seemed she was thoroughly enjoying herself….
‘The highlight hasn’t come yet.’
I retrieved a lotus-shaped craft and a candle that were already prepared on one side of the boat, then assembled them.
“…?”
Estella immediately looked at me with curious eyes.
“This is called a wish candle.”
I explained kindly.
“If you place the candle on this lotus and set it afloat while making a wish, the wish is said to come true.”
Gradually, passengers from the other boats began setting down their wish candles one by one.
Estella stared blankly at the lights drifting along the water before suddenly speaking.
“…Can I do it too?”
“Aren’t you the one making me do this?”
“What about you, Tessa?”
“I, well….”
I hesitated for a moment.
If I said such superstitions weren’t my style, I’d be callously crushing a child’s innocence.
“Should I do it too?”
“Yes!”
The moment I finished assembling the wish candle, Estella lit both candles with a single breath.
I handed one wish candle to Estella and helped the child release it into the river.
Estella closed her eyes briefly and made her wish with utmost sincerity, then pressed her lips firmly together and carefully placed the wish candle on the river.
“There, I’m done. Now it’s your turn, Tessa!”
“….”
I paused for a moment.
There was no way a mere light floating on the river could make a wish come true.
But.
‘Why, exactly?’
I found myself thinking that perhaps, through Estella’s pure and innocent heart, it might come true.
If that were the case….
‘I should make a proper wish.’
For Estella, Timothy, Cici, and Princess Melissa.
May they all find happiness.
May their futures hold only flower-strewn paths, free from any further hardship.
As I held the lotus craft in both hands, the warmth of the small flame transferred completely to me.
I carefully placed the lotus craft on the river.
Anxiously hoping the flame wouldn’t extinguish.
It was a foolish thought, truly.
A paper lotus craft and a cheap candle’s light could never actually grant a wish.
Yet my hands trembled of their own accord as I released the lotus onto the water.
Afraid that if I accidentally snuffed it out, the wish wouldn’t come true.
“Done.”
A small exclamation escaped my lips without my realizing it.
The small flame burned brilliantly upon the river’s surface.
Just like the child before 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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