The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 86

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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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Did they plan this together?
Last week, the Cardicha Grand Duke Residence.
This week, the Beiretz Ducal Family.
I’d been invited to consecutive events that were lavish enough to indulge in, yet likely to cause indigestion.
The Duke’s Mansion wasn’t a dinner, but rather Estella’s first tea party.
‘I couldn’t possibly decline the inaugural tea party she’s hosting.’
The spring sunlight, now grown pleasantly warm, streamed through the carriage window. Exhausted as I was, I’d been dozing in the drowsy atmosphere when the butler suddenly opened the carriage door and escorted me out—we’d arrived.
“Today, I shall show you to the Tea Room.”
I’d expected to be received in the Reception Room or the Garden, but there was a dedicated Tea Room.
Truly, this was the Duke’s Residence.
The moment I stepped into the Tea Room, Estella rose from her seat.
“Tessa!”
She was dressed to perfection from head to toe today.
A hair ribbon adorned with lace, a charming frilled dress with genuine pearls that shimmered with every movement, and gleaming pink shoes.
I found myself regretting that I’d come in my official bureaucratic attire.
“Thank you for coming, Vice Director.”
The Duchess Beiretz greeted me with a gentle smile.
Since I appeared to be the only guest, it seemed the tea party was merely an excuse to invite me.
Still, for Estella’s sake, I was more than willing to accommodate.
“How could I not come when Estella is hosting her first tea party?”
After offering a formal greeting, I took my seat, and Estella promptly prepared the tea.
The child was awkward yet made a genuine effort to receive her guest with maturity.
‘How adorable!’
From the second cup onward, the maid would serve, but by custom, the host pours the first cup.
Her small hands gripped the teacup handle firmly as she carefully poured tea into each cup.
As the first cup was nearly emptied,
the Duchess gently spoke.
“Thanks to you, Vice Director, Estella was truly able to become our daughter. I’m genuinely grateful.”
“Please, think nothing of it. Since Estella is happy here, I’ve simply done what was naturally required of me.”
I said nothing more.
It was a topic that could burden Estella if I wasn’t careful.
“Tessa, are you still very busy these days?”
“Well… quite busy, actually.”
I swallowed a sigh.
The Orphanage reports, the Mage Tower reorganization… there was still a mountain of work to be done.
And on top of that, the additional investigation for Estella.
‘In the end, I never did find that anonymous informant, but I was able to secure several other witnesses.’
Estella’s expression grew sad.
“Cedric and Fabian are busy too. That’s why I’m always alone.”
“Estella, how many times must I tell you? They’re your older brothers, so call them that comfortably.”
“B-but….”
“Or you could simply call me by my name.”
Estella’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How could I do that!”
“Why not? You are my daughter, after all.”
“….”
Estella’s head drooped, her expression growing heavy. The Duchess continued, her face taking on a subtle, knowing look.
“Of course, I won’t force you to call me mother, so don’t worry yourself.”
“…!”
Estella’s small lips trembled slightly. The child seemed to steel herself, drawing a quiet breath before placing both hands gently upon her lap.
“…M-mo….”
The syllable scattered before it could properly form.
“I’m s-sorry.”
The child’s face flushed crimson in an instant. Her small hands resting on her lap trembled delicately.
“…I still c-can’t say it. I’m sorry….”
Her voice was small and fractured.
The Duchess’s faint smile vanished in that moment.
It was not disappointment in Estella, but rather self-reproach directed inward.
“It’s alright, Estella. If anything, I’m the one who should apologize. I’ve put you in an awkward position by asking for something you weren’t ready for….”
“N-no, that’s not it!”
Estella cried out before catching herself, covering her mouth.
“I-I want to call you that too. It’s just… I don’t remember my mother very well…. And I’ve never tried saying it before, so I’m not sure how….”
“….”
The Duchess fell silent for a moment, then slowly leaned toward Estella.
“May I hold you, dear?”
“Y-yes….”
The Duchess embraced Estella warmly, utterly indifferent to the other servants in the Tea Room or to my presence.
‘She truly cherishes Estella with all her heart.’
Something warm bloomed in my chest, and my anxieties eased considerably.
A woman who sometimes fails to read Estella’s heart and speaks carelessly. Yet one who immediately acknowledges her mistakes and can embrace the child with such warmth.
‘I needn’t worry overmuch.’
We sipped tea and exchanged pleasant conversation until the tea party drew to a close.
After bidding farewell to Estella, who waved her small hand, and to the Duchess, I rose from my seat.
‘The weather is truly magnificent.’
Flowers bloomed abundantly in every direction—the very essence of spring.
What possessed me, I wonder.
The thought that it would be a shame to return home just yet stirred an impulse to explore the Garden.
I opened my mouth to address the butler who was about to escort me to the Carriage.
“Would it be possible to take a brief stroll through the Garden?”
It was something I would never ordinarily suggest, yet somehow the spring air had intoxicated me into speaking it aloud.
After experiencing so many extraordinary things, I found myself thinking: why not do whatever I want?
Fortunately, the butler guided me to the Garden without hesitation.
‘It really is beautiful.’
In the Beiretz Ducal Family’s Garden, roses of every imaginable hue bloomed in profusion—pink, sky blue, yellow, scarlet—and my eyes and heart both delighted in the sight.
‘This is lovely.’
I should have asked Estella or Cedric to bring me here sooner.
As I strolled slowly among the roses, I found myself in the heart of the Garden.
Beneath the drooping branches of an enormous weeping willow, a familiar silhouette sat motionless.
‘…Fabian Beiretz.’
Fabian seemed entirely unaware of my presence.
He leaned his back lightly against the tree, one hand resting loosely upon his knee, his gaze fixed upon something distant.
I drew in a breath.
His slender frame, draped in a white robe, evoked the image of a birch tree, and the spring sunlight filtering through the branches struck his golden, tousled hair and scattered like golden dust.
His delicate features, shadowed by the play of light, appeared even more fragile than usual.
As if enchanted, I drew closer to him.
The moment a small twig snapped beneath my foot, Fabian lifted his head.
Rather than startled, he offered his customary gentle smile.
“I wondered who it might be. Vice Director, what a pleasant surprise.”
‘…Something feels off.’
At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, yet his tone and posture conveyed a subtle distance.
I took another step closer.
Fabian remained seated, his eyes fixed upon me.
His expression betrayed no hint of his true thoughts.
Impulsively, I spoke.
“I wish you had attended Estella’s tea party today.”
Fabian’s long lashes brushed against his skin, then lifted again, and a sigh-laden response escaped him.
“…I’m not certain I deserve such an honor.”

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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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