The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 60

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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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“What wish did you make, Tessa?”
“What about Estella?”
The child’s expression grew slightly flustered.
“Could we keep it a secret…?”
“Keep it secret. I’ll keep mine secret too.”
“Tessa…!”
“Look over there.”
Rather than engage further with the child, I pointed toward the direction the wish candles were drifting downstream.
The small but brilliantly glowing wish candles merged with others, creating a shimmering wave of light across the water’s surface.
“Our wishes are heading out there.”
I’d only meant to redirect her attention to the wish candles, but Estella responded with something entirely unexpected.
“Are you talking about Cedric and Fabian, sir?”
“What do you mean… Cedric?”
I blinked.
The two figures walking amicably downstream, both draped in Mage Tower robes, were unmistakably the eldest and third sons of the Beiretz Ducal Family!
I wavered for a moment—perhaps I should simply ignore them since they likely had other business to attend to.
“Estella!”
Cedric and Estella’s eyes met instantly.
I swallowed a sigh and asked the boatman to row us toward the riverbank.
Even before we’d fully disembarked, Cedric was already waving cheerfully at Estella in greeting.
“There you are!”
Cedric spoke with unmistakable relief in his voice.
“I was worried we wouldn’t find you….”
“I’m certain I informed you of our destination.”
I couldn’t simply take Estella, whom the Duke’s Mansion was protecting, out without proper notice.
Since I’d informed the butler of our destination and return time, Cedric’s concern about finding Estella was somewhat unexpected.
“Still, I thought there might be a chance we’d be late.”
“My apologies, Vice Director.”
Fabian shook his head.
The Mage Tower Master’s face, which should have been as clear and bright as sunlight, was shadowed by deep contemplation.
“Cedric was so concerned about Estella, and I myself wished to lift my younger brother’s spirits, which have been rather low lately. I’m afraid we’ve imposed upon you.”
“There’s no need to apologize… But I heard you’ve been quite busy recently. Did something come up at the main residence?”
“Meddling on my part.”
Cedric spoke bluntly.
“When I’m in an exceptionally foul mood… my eldest brother notices. I’ve tried hiding it, but it’s useless.”
…Now that I thought about it, I had heard something like that before.
That exceptionally powerful mages could perceive in real time the emotions and thoughts of those they held dear.
‘I’d assumed it was an exaggeration, but it seems it’s true.’
Fabian opened his mouth with a bewildered expression.
“Cedric, that’s….”
“Never mind, I don’t want to hear it. Did you enjoy the boat ride, Estella?”
The boy’s demeanor shifted instantly—he became gentle with his newly acquired younger sister in a way he never was with anyone else.
“Yes, brother…?”
Estella still seemed uncertain whether she had the right to call Cedric her brother.
“Is there anywhere else you’d like to go? I know this whole area well.”
“Anywhere is fine as long as we’re all together.”
Estella glanced toward me, gauging my reaction.
“That’s alright, isn’t it, Tessa…?”
“Of course.”
I answered quickly.
This outing was meant to lift Estella’s spirits in the first place.
Naturally, I should do whatever she wanted.
Besides, it was a good opportunity to see how well the children got along.
“Where would you like to go, young master?”
I asked simply to accommodate his preferences, but the boy’s face crumpled immediately.
“I hate being called that.”
My eyes narrowed involuntarily.
It wasn’t as though I enjoyed using such excessively formal language with this spoiled brat who acted like Cedric.
But such is the nature of a hierarchical society—inherently unreasonable.
So much so that I had to ask again just to suit this difficult child’s preferences.
“Then what should I call you?”
“…Cedric. Just Cedric, nothing else attached.”
I hesitated.
If anyone saw me addressing the Duke Beiretz’s youngest son that way, they would surely think I harbored treasonous intentions.
“That’s rather…”
“Are you going to call Estella ‘young lady’ later too?”
“N-no, I don’t want that!”
Estella’s face crumpled in distress.
“I don’t want to hear you call me that, Tessa.”
…Now that I thought about it, Princess Melissa used to cry and wail at hearing such formality too.
She understood when I explained it was unavoidable in public.
I swallowed a sigh.
“Then should I treat you exactly the same as Estella?”
“…Well, that’s not so bad either.”
As I stared at him, Cedric’s face flushed crimson.
“J-just treat me normally! Don’t act like I’m some incredibly important person. It’s un… uncomfortable, that’s all.”
…I didn’t understand all the details, but I grasped something of it.
What this boy was trying to convey through his disjointed words.
Why he had been belittling himself and suffering all this time.
If that were the case, there was no need to add anything more to that pain.
“Understood.”
Cedric’s expression brightened.
“You should have said so from the start!”
In high spirits, Cedric led us to his favorite landmark in the Capital.
It was the Clock Tower.
“If you go up there, you can see everything below at a glance.”
“…Isn’t it terribly high?”
Of course there would be no elevator. I’d have to climb all those countless stairs.
“Magic will take care of it.”
Cedric extended his hand toward Estella with impeccable posture.
The formal gesture of requesting a dance at a ball.
Estella hesitated, but succumbed to Cedric’s playful smile, took his hand, and bounded up the stairs ahead of us.
They ascended so swiftly that their cheerful chatter echoed behind them long after they’d vanished from sight.
“What do I do about this?”
“I’ll teach you once we reach the top. It’ll be harder if we stop halfway.”
Now only Fabian Beiretz and I remained.
With the children gone, the atmosphere became decidedly awkward.
‘After all, he’s the Mage Tower Master.’
Moreover, I had several vulnerable points.
Working in the Finance Ministry meant clashing with the Mage Tower over various matters.
From the Mage Tower Master’s perspective, I was—or had been—an adversary.
Fabian Beiretz likely wouldn’t remember the name of a mere junior employee like myself, but one could never be certain.
‘And with the Mage Tower and the Beiretz Ducal Family’s intelligence network, investigating my background would be trivial.’
I cleared my throat and spoke.
“Shall we head up as well?”
“Yes. But first…”
Here it comes.
I suppressed the urge to squeeze my eyes shut and fixed my gaze on Fabian Beiretz.
With his lips pouted in thought, he possessed an angelic appearance—the sort who couldn’t harm a single ant.
“There’s something I’d like to tell you, but this place isn’t quite suitable. What about there?”
Fabian Beiretz pointed to one of several cafes located near the Clock Tower.
My tension deepened.
What could he possibly want to discuss that required going to a cafe?

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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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