The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 84

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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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“Don’t apologize. If not like this, when would we ever see each other?”
In any case, I couldn’t afford to miss the opportunity to meet Grand Duke Cardicha directly.
‘…Cain’s words weren’t wrong. The Grand Duke is definitely still preparing for rebellion.’
For Melissa’s sake too, meeting in person was better. I actually preferred seeing her to exchanging hollow letters about nothing in particular.
Of course, the real reason we exchanged only meaningless letters wasn’t because of Melissa, but because of Achilles Cardicha.
‘Melissa says the Grand Duke promised not to peek at the letters, but… only a fool would believe that.’
Considering the time I’d sent Melissa that magical artifact necklace, caution was warranted.
I didn’t want to be dismissed as a woman spouting nonsense to her precious younger sister!
Half-dragged along by Melissa, I arrived at the Dining Hall, where an enormous table capable of seating at least a hundred people had been set up.
…Yet place settings were prepared for only three.
The food was, of course, an exquisite feast.
Had Grand Duke Cardicha not wielded flawless etiquette without flaw, I could have eaten more comfortably.
‘I’m going to get indigestion.’
Imperial nobility dining etiquette was notoriously demanding.
Unlike commoners who could drink water whenever they pleased, even the timing of a single sip had to conform to protocol.
I was grateful that the Academy had a separate etiquette curriculum.
Recalling how I’d desperately mastered etiquette for the scholarship, I quickly adapted to Grand Duke Cardicha’s rhythm, though it remained uncomfortable.
…Meanwhile, Melissa.
‘She’s trying, but… she’s still quite clumsy.’
Who would ever think that girl was a Grand Duke’s daughter?
‘Since she can’t return home, she’ll need to master this far more perfectly if she’s to survive in this world.’
As things stood, she’d only invite ridicule from those around her.
Yet Grand Duke Cardicha seemed entirely unbothered by Melissa’s shortcomings.
More precisely, he was paying excessive attention to me.
I could feel his gaze piercing down every time I lowered my head to eat.
Cold sweat began beading on my skin.
‘Why? Did I arouse his suspicion? Or does my closeness with Melissa bother him?’
I still had much to do.
Cici had found her mother, but Estella and Timothy still depended on me.
Above all, if I fell under suspicion from the mastermind and was eliminated, Melissa would be devastated.
After finishing her meal, Melissa offered her thanks for the food and rose from her seat, then clung to me with drowsy eyes.
“I want to sleep with you, big sister….”
“That’s not possible, Melissa.”
Before I could even refuse, the Grand Duke preempted the child’s awkward request.
“Vice Director Harrington is unmarried, so it’s best to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”
I’d been troubled lately by Melissa constantly inviting me to stay over, and the Grand Duke had conveniently provided an excuse.
The problem was that Melissa didn’t understand at all.
“What does big sister not being married have to do with this?”
“….”
A complex emotion flickered across Grand Duke Cardicha’s face for a moment.
Still, the way he swallowed his sigh before explaining to Princess Melissa was quite befitting of a guardian.
“If an unmarried woman spends the night in the home of an unmarried man… they must marry. Otherwise, both of their reputations will be damaged.”
I watched the two of them with keen interest.
So this was… a fantasy novel version of sex education?!
Princess Melissa’s eyes widened.
“Then, if you sleep here, does that mean you have to marry my brother?”
I nearly spat out my water.
The Grand Duke hesitated, then answered with a beat of delay.
“That won’t happen.”
Fortunately, Princess Melissa’s attention quickly shifted to ‘me and Tessa’.
“Then, is it okay if I go sleep at your house?”
“The space is too cramped, I’m afraid, Your Highness.”
I smiled toward Princess Melissa.
“But I’ll at least walk you to your room. Please show me your quarters.”
“Really?”
Princess Melissa’s eyes went wide.
“Then I’ll show you the paintings I drew!”
The child, delighted, grabbed my hand and dragged me along eagerly.
Upon arriving at Melissa’s Room moments later, I found myself at a loss for words.
The child’s room was filled with paintings that were quite well-executed for her age.
The problem wasn’t the skill—it was the subject matter.
To the people here, they would appear merely as the whimsical imaginings of an eccentric princess, but I could see the truth.
Towering apartment buildings reaching toward the sky, cars speeding down roads, the dazzling roller coasters of amusement parks….
Princess Melissa—no, this young girl from Korea—was homesick.
Only when I heard a young, hesitant voice could I finally collect myself.
“D-do you not like them?”
Turning my head, I saw Princess Melissa, tense with worry, her delicate fingers fidgeting ceaselessly with the lace of her dress.
“My drawing teacher said the subject matter is the issue, but the paintings themselves are well done… Still, do you not like them, sister? The Imperial Court has so many brilliant painters, after all.”
“That’s not it at all.”
I answered slowly, with emphasis.
“I was actually amazed. They’re drawn so well. They even brought back old memories….”
“Old memories?”
Princess Melissa’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Have you been here a long time?”
“Not that long. Five years.”
Princess Melissa’s already large eyes grew even wider.
“That’s so long…!”
I gave a bitter smile.
Half her lifetime—no wonder it seemed long to her.
But for an adult like me, five years couldn’t be called a long time at all.
And yet.
‘It feels just like a past life.’
Rather than yearning for a world I could never return to, I had thrown myself into adapting to this one, and in doing so, even the modern conveniences that once seemed so essential had grown hazy in my mind.
The internet and all the rest—no matter how much I longed for them, there was no way this world’s technology could ever replicate them.
Princess Melissa pushed out her lips in a pout.
“I don’t want to stay here as long as you have. I want to go home.”
The child lifted her head and stared at me intently.
“You said we can’t go back because we don’t know our names. But… I believe I can go home. Names have nothing to do with it!”
“….”
My mouth had gone completely dry.
This childlike innocence and hope were talents that Tessa Harrington—awakened in a stranger’s body—had never possessed.
“Even if you knew your name, you wouldn’t know how to return, would you? If you did, you would have already gone back.”
“…That’s true.”
Princess Melissa’s face seemed to crumple for a moment, but only for a moment.
“It’s okay, sister.”
The child extended her small, delicate hand—which had only been toying with the lace hem until now—and grasped mine, breaking into a radiant smile.
“I’ll figure it out, and then we’ll go home together!”
The instant I saw that luminous face.
A realization struck me like a thunderbolt.
Ah.
She truly is the Protagonist.
That confidence that she can accomplish anything.
That determination to achieve the impossible.
Then my role must be….
“I’ll help you.”
I found myself speaking to Princess Melissa as if enchanted.
“I’ll help you. So that you can return home.”
I would be the supporting character who helps the Protagonist find her happy ending.

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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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