The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 70

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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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Bang.
Cain Inkaris simply stared at the closed door in a daze.
Tessa didn’t even glance back as she left.
As if severing our connection entirely wasn’t worth reconsidering.
“….”
I sat there for a long time. I knew Tessa’s nature far too well, and I also knew that even if I tried to stop her now, it would be pointless.
I buried my face in my hands.
But.
‘I can’t give up like this.’
I pushed myself up from the chair.
How could I possibly abandon Tessa Harrington when she meant so much to me?
I would find a way to explain myself and change her mind.
As I left the Inn searching for a solution, the long shadow of the setting sun clung to my heels like a tail.
* * *
I sent several letters.
Though no replies came, I wasn’t discouraged.
It was exactly what I had expected.
“It seems Tessa is quite busy. She sent word through Timothy that it would be difficult to meet during this Foundation Festival.”
…The reply that came through Timothy was somewhat painful, yet strangely reassuring.
It meant she wasn’t ignoring Timothy because of me.
‘Of course… Tessa has always been soft-hearted toward children.’
Her anger was undoubtedly caused by Princess Melissa Cardicha, the Grand Duke’s young sister.
‘She was only nine years old… and they seemed quite close.’
But considering the rumors that had spread because of her friendship with the princess, it was right that House of Cardicha never set foot in the Capital again.
‘I can’t leave the Capital without resolving this.’
My anxiety grew with each passing day.
I knew Tessa well.
If contact ceased and I didn’t see her face, she would never spare a single thought for me for the rest of her life.
We would become complete strangers.
‘I have to meet her before the Foundation Festival ends.’
Meeting itself should be easy enough.
Tessa would surely report to work without fail even during the Festival.
With that thought, I sought out the Child Protection Bureau Office.
“I don’t know where the Vice Director went. Lately she’s been going out without telling me.”
“….”
I left without another word.
Director McGarvin was truly a worthless man.
But.
‘She doesn’t seem to have gone on an official trip. Then….’
She must be at the Archives.
She would likely be there as always, absorbed in her work among the documents.
As I recalled those moments searching through the Archives together, a smile naturally bloomed across my lips.
Tessa had a habit of pressing her index finger to her lips when deeply focused, and that endearing gesture had made me steal glances at her more than once.
‘Getting inside won’t be difficult.’
Who would stop me?
So I made my way toward the Archives.
At the end of the corridor, a slender silhouette caught sight of me and hastily dodged out of view.
Without a moment’s thought, I knew it was Tessa.
I didn’t chase after her.
I understood that such pursuit would only backfire.
Instead, I turned slowly and consoled myself that there was still time.
‘She’s like a wild rabbit.’
Wary yet courageous.
Approach her based on her pretty exterior alone, and she might bite your fingers off.
That’s why I had been circling around Tessa under the guise of coincidence all this time.
Hadn’t I won her trust at the Academy in much the same way?
Tessa seemed to believe our interests aligned whenever I enrolled in her classes, but the truth was the opposite.
I had no genuine interest in arithmetic or whatever subject captivated her.
I simply found it entertaining to watch her concentrate intently, her brow furrowed as she solved problems.
Or to observe her scoff at lessons far beneath her level.
Even her desperate struggle to claim first place in physical education was fascinating.
The Tessa I had forced myself to grow close to was, in truth, far more…
‘This is no time for sentimentality.’
I smiled bitterly.
I had to find a way to change her mind about me.
If I could just meet with her, I had plenty of excuses prepared.
I was ready to reveal to Tessa that Grand Duke Cardicha harbored treacherous intentions, and that the Emperor already knew and was exploiting this fact.
It was strictly confidential, but Tessa wasn’t the type to spread such information around, so it didn’t matter.
The problem was.
‘At this rate, she won’t even agree to meet me.’
Now that I thought about it, Director McGarvin seemed to be in on it as well.
From his perspective, it would be far more advantageous to side with a competent subordinate.
‘…’
It seemed there was only one method left.
* * *
The next morning.
As Tessa arrived for work, she stopped in her tracks upon seeing Cain Inkaris waiting for her directly outside the office.
“…Cain.”
Tessa shook her head, her face weary.
“Would you move? I need to get to work.”
“We need to talk.”
I knew how pathetic and ridiculous I must appear.
How many times was this now?
But Tessa no longer fell for my schemes as easily as she once had.
She worked on different floors each day, commuting between her residence and the Imperial Palace by carriage.
As if making a silent declaration to me with unwavering resolve—that she would avoid crossing paths with me at all costs.
In the end, all I could do was wait for Tessa each morning like a dog abandoned by its master, hoping for her return.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Tessa sighed and reached for the door, but it wouldn’t budge—blocked by me.
“I think you’re misunderstanding something….”
“Misunderstanding what?”
Tessa looked directly at me.
Her eyes burned bright and vivid red, like blazing torches.
During my Academy days, I often caught myself marveling at how I would do anything for those two eyes.
No one before her had ever stirred such feelings within me.
“Grand Duke Cardicha is a dangerous man.”
I spoke quickly, in hushed tones.
“I couldn’t tell you because it’s classified, but he….”
“Whether or not I speak to you has nothing to do with Grand Duke Cardicha.”
My mind went blank.
I could instinctively sense that Tessa meant every word.
Even if Achilles Cardicha truly committed treason, it would change nothing in her heart.
“So if you come looking for me like this even one more time, then….”
Tessa paused mid-sentence, her face flushing.
She’d realized she had no real way to threaten me.
“…I won’t come looking for you.”
I spoke in a hoarse voice.
“There’s no reason to, if you hate it.”
“….”
Tessa stared at me blankly, her lips slightly parted.
Even that brilliant mind of hers sometimes couldn’t find the words to respond.
A bitter smile crossed my face.
“Goodbye, Tessa.”
I left before she could answer.
Or perhaps I was afraid to hear her answer.
It was the last day of the Founding Festival.
Before noon that day, I left Timothy in the Capital and headed north.
The news that the Commander-in-Chief himself was departing to subjugate monsters sent shockwaves through every Military Headquarters and even the Imperial Court, but no one could object once the daily reports of demon nest eradications began flooding in.

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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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