The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 72

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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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“Why wouldn’t we want to stay close to Estella? But for her sake, we can endure that much without complaint.”
“That’s right. A proper parent must wait for their child.”
I couldn’t speak to everything, but this much was clear to me.
The Duke and Duchess’s concern for Estella was genuine.
The problem was they hadn’t considered the extreme anxiety Estella must be experiencing right now.
“I’ll speak with Estella about this. However, regarding Prince Cedric….”
“There’s no need to worry about that. My brother is the Mage Tower Master, so if things become difficult, he’ll simply stop and return home.”
Cedric didn’t seem like the type to do that, but the Duke’s words held merit.
Fabian Beiretz cared for his younger brother, so if Cedric were struggling, he would take action rather than ignore it.
‘It might actually be better than staying at the Beiretz Duchy Mansion.’
In that case, the immediate problem was Estella.
“I’ll speak with Estella first.”
“We’d be grateful for that. As for the adoption…the timing isn’t right, so it’s best we postpone it.”
“Thank you.”
I’d been worried about what to do if they insisted on proceeding with the adoption, so I was relieved they brought it up first.
After the brief meeting with the Duke and Duchess ended, I made my way to Estella’s room.
“Tessa!”
Estella jumped up from her chair and rushed toward me.
“I heard you were coming today, but you didn’t arrive, so I thought… you weren’t coming….”
Oh dear.
I caught a glimpse of just how lonely Estella had been all this time.
“Of course I had to come. I’m here to check on how you’re doing.”
“I, I’m doing well…! Everyone has been so, truly, incredibly kind to me….”
Something was definitely off.
Estella looked even more unstable than she had ten days ago, and she kept glancing nervously over her shoulder as if afraid of something.
“Is there something behind you?”
“Huh? Oh, no, there isn’t.”
Estella quickly waved her hand.
“It’s just… I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling anxious lately….”
“I heard you’ve been nauseous frequently these days.”
I spoke carefully.
There was no point in reminding her of the cause.
“Oh, that….”
Estella’s expression darkened.
“It’s been happening for a while, but I was hiding it… until I couldn’t anymore.”
“It’s been happening for a while?”
“Yes.”
Estella nodded.
“But nausea is so unpleasant, you know.”
My heart sank.
It was true that Estella’s situation was pitiful.
But it was truly fortunate that her secret retching wasn’t a physical rejection or fear of the Duke and Duchess Beiretz.
“You’ve been doing this for a while, haven’t you? Do you know what’s causing it?”
“I’m not sure.”
Estella fell into deep thought.
“It got worse after I started using fire magic, though….”
Could it be related to magic somehow?
“Have you mentioned this to anyone else?”
“No. It’s disgusting.”
The same answer as always.
“Estella, that’s not disgusting. It’s proof that you’re suffering, and if it can be treated, then it should be.”
“….”
“If you’re comfortable with it, I’ll tell the Duke and Duchess and have the Royal Physician brought here. It could be an ordinary illness, after all.”
“It can’t be cured.”
Estella answered dejectedly.
“It gets worse every time I use magic.”
* * *
I succeeded in persuading Estella to inform the Duke and Duchess and summoning the Royal Physician, but even he failed to identify a clear cause.
“It could be a psychological issue. Still, it seems more likely to be related to magic.”
One positive thing was that the Duke and Duchess’s misunderstanding had been cleared up.
“Estella, I’m truly sorry. We had no idea… We thought it was all our fault.”
The Duchess’s eyes glistened with tears.
“We missed you so much, but we could only watch from afar. Don’t you know how that felt?”
“I… I thought you’d come to dislike me.”
Estella stammered.
“So I thought that was why you stopped calling for me….”
“What? That’s nonsense. Don’t ever have such misunderstandings again. You are our….”
The Duke paused and glanced at me.
He obviously wanted to say “our daughter.”
I swallowed a sigh and nodded.
“Our precious daughter. Of course, Vice Director Harrington will have to give his permission, but still.”
Estella’s eyes widened.
“Am I… the Duke’s daughter…?”
“Not yet, but you will be soon. But whether you are or not, you are our daughter.”
The Duchess chimed in from beside him with an irritating smile.
“Don’t worry, Estella. Even if Vice Director Harrington judges that we wouldn’t be good parents for you, you will always be our most precious guest.”
“W-what do you mean…? Tessa, whether I’m your daughter or not….”
I realized it then.
I’d been caught by two foxes.
“….”
What should I do?
It was a moment that gave me pause.
Of course, the Duke and Duchess Beiretz still had much to learn.
Especially when I’d asked them to write a parenting journal, they’d had someone else write an observation log instead—it was absolutely infuriating.
The whole point was for them to gain insight through the process of writing it themselves, wasn’t it?!
But.
Estella was gripping both of the Duke and Duchess’s hands so tightly, looking at me with such desperate hope.
And knowing what kind of child she was.
“I will ensure Estella’s adoption procedures are completed within this month.”
I had no choice but to say it.
“…!”
Estella’s eyes widened, then she quickly covered her mouth and just as rapidly shielded her eyes, her shoulders trembling.
“S-sob, s-sorry… I’m just so happy…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for, Estella.”
I spoke gently.
“You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“That’s right, Estella. Did you hear what the Vice Director said? Now, dry those tears.”
Good heavens.
I could hardly believe my eyes.
The Duke and Duchess’s faces were split by the most foolish grins as they comforted Estella.
* * *
I finally managed to turn away, reluctantly separating myself from Estella’s reluctance to part.
Fabian Beiretz was hurrying toward me from the direction of the Main Gate.
Since we were at least acquainted, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to greet him, so I stopped.
“I heard you were coming today and waited continuously, but you stopped by while I was briefly called away…”
I was slightly taken aback.
There was no reason for Fabian to have been waiting for me.
“Is there perhaps some issue related to Estella? There was a minor misunderstanding, but…”
“No.”
Fabian shook his head.
“It’s a rather long story to discuss here. If you have the time, I’d like to treat you to a meal outside.”
I hesitated for a moment.
There was no way this man would offer to buy me a meal without reason.
And not even at the Duke’s Residence, but outside?
Of course, the Duke’s Residence was lined with snacks on all sides.
If I’d just mentioned it, they would have prepared food for me without hesitation.
But while Estella was having that tearful reunion with the Duke and Duchess, I hadn’t felt right eating anything, and my stomach was absolutely ravenous.
Besides, a meal bought by the Mage Tower Master would surely be delicious…?
Growl.
My stomach won out.

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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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