The Villainess in the Childcare Story Doesn’t Hide Her Personality - Chapter 9

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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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I let his nonsense go in one ear and out the other, then launched into a full lecture.
“Raising a child isn’t something to take so lightly. To you, it’s just one little kid, but to that child, you become their entire world! Besides, if you need an heir, you could just bring any relative you want. Why do you need a stranger?”
“You don’t know? Because there’s no decent relative to choose from.”
Cain Inkaris spoke with genuine bewilderment in his voice.
I sighed.
“So I’m supposed to know a decent candidate?”
“You have good instincts.”
Cain Inkaris said confidently.
“You’re the one who discovered my talent in the first place.”
“….”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words.
His words had stirred up old memories.
My time at the Academy had begun with hope, but ultimately became a nightmare. I’d pushed myself relentlessly through accelerated advancement, graduating two years ahead of my peers for that very reason.
But the anecdote Cain was referring to dated back to around the time I’d enrolled.
It remained a cherished memory in its own way.
‘But that’s all in the past.’
There was no reason for me to help Cain Inkaris now.
And besides….
“How did you know I was staying in Arendel?”
“I went to your office and you weren’t there. When I asked the director, they told me right away.”
“….”
It had been a mistake to leave my lodging address on file as a precaution.
“Anyway, it won’t work. I’m not capable, and I don’t know anyone suitable.”
“Tessa….”
There he goes again.
Well, plenty of women fall for that act—hunching those broad shoulders and scrunching his eyebrows pitifully. I suppose that’s why he does it.
Back at the Academy, he’d only been gangly and tall, but I couldn’t even remember when his shoulders had become so broad.
But if he thought it would work on me, he was sorely mistaken.
I knew his true nature far too well.
I turned away coldly.
“It seems you’re doing well enough, so I’m glad. Don’t come looking for me again.”
I’d thought that if he had any conscience at all, he’d at least give me a ride to the Hotel in a carriage….
Unfortunately, Cain Inkaris and conscience were among the most incompatible combinations in the world.
“How are you planning to get there? On foot?”
“….”
I stopped dead in my tracks and said nothing.
My intentions were transparent, and I didn’t even want to respond.
“Ah, wait. Tessa, are you angry?”
As if you’re only just noticing.
“I was joking. I’m sorry. Are you really upset?”
Even as his voice grew increasingly desperate, I didn’t so much as twitch.
Cain Inkaris strode forward quickly and faced me. His amber eyes gleamed with longing, tracking my gaze with every shift.
“Sorry for messing with you. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you—I got too excited.”
His subordinates around him had all gone pale with shock.
Well, that made sense.
Cain Inkaris was not a man who apologized easily.
…Unfortunately, I’d heard it quite often.
Which meant he owed me that much of a debt.
I crossed my arms.
“Good thing you realize that.”
“I’ll… I’ll take you back.”
Hmm, he had some sense after all.
If he’d tried to hold me any longer, I would have exposed all his embarrassing secrets to the world.
But I had no intention of returning with him.
“Not you. I’d prefer if that person took me back.”
I pointed to the soldier who had brought me here.
“That guy?”
Cain’s face crumpled immediately.
“I’m far more trustworthy! And we haven’t seen each other in ages—aren’t you happy to see me? I have so much to talk to you about.”
“…Cain.”
I opened my mouth slowly.
“What would your parents think if they knew we were like this?”
Cain’s eyes rolled.
“They’d probably like it? They both liked you more than me anyway.”
I stared at him in disbelief. Former Commander-in-Chief Inkaris and his wife had never liked me.
Of course, they treated me well enough.
I was, after all, in a position as their son’s benefactor.
But there was one fact Cain seemed completely unaware of.
They had scrutinized me so carefully, terrified that some presumptuous commoner might bewitch their precious son into marriage.
Such a filthy wretch—we shall refuse on our end!
…That outburst was probably our last meeting.
I’d thought they would have told him directly, but seeing how oblivious he was, perhaps they’d been too ashamed of their own conduct.
“Either way, I prefer that person.”
“Tessa!”
Unfortunately, the soldier seemed to have no intention of complying with my request.
“Vice-Director, I’m not feeling well and should withdraw. I’d hate to be a burden….”
“Oh, is that so? Then, that person—”
“I’m terribly sorry! I’ve suddenly developed a severe migraine…!”
“Then, that person—”
“My apologies!”
Had they coordinated their story beforehand?
Cain Inkaris’s subordinates spewed nothing but apologies, every last one of them.
Behind their ashen faces, Cain Inkaris flashed a devastatingly beautiful, radiant smile.
“That’ll do, Tessa?”
…This damnable bastard.
* * *
“Be careful, Tessa.”
The moment we were alone in the carriage, he brought this up.
I stared directly at him across from me.
“What?”
“Grand Duke Cardicha.”
“….”
Somehow, the excuse about helping with adopting an heir seemed far too absurd.
There was no way Cain Inkaris didn’t know that the Child Protection Bureau was essentially handling matters completely unrelated to children.
Cain Inkaris’s face twisted.
“Whatever you’re thinking, he’s not someone to take lightly.”
“I know.”
I answered curtly.
“And you know him, yet you’re spending time with his sister?”
“It just happened that way.”
“Tessa….”
Cain Inkaris exhaled a sigh.
“He’s a dangerous man. I’d prefer it if you kept your distance from House of Dever.”
My body went rigid of its own accord.
Surely Cain Inkaris hadn’t uncovered the treason plot. If he had, he would’ve spoken far more directly about it.
But there had to be a reason Cain Inkaris was warning me.
“…I simply happened to develop a connection with Princess Melissa. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Princess Melissa is only ten years old. Does that sound reasonable to you?”
“Reasonable or not, it’s the truth.”
Cain Inkaris let out a hollow laugh.
“You really don’t know anything, do you. There are widespread rumors that the Grand Duke is taking an interest in you.”
“…?”
I blinked.
What Cain Inkaris was implying just now—surely not….
“What are you talking about?”
“There are widespread rumors that the Grand Duke intends to take you as his mistress.”
Cain Inkaris explained it very kindly.
“Of course, I don’t think that’s likely. You’re quite striking to look at, but the Grand Duke is somewhat… beneath you.”
What the hell was this bastard saying.
Achilles Cardicha was a man whose beauty alone could entrance the eye.
Even I, who rarely found myself flustered by appearances, was momentarily captivated.
Yet once I realized this was all born from a misunderstanding, my heart grew considerably lighter.
I let out a scoff.
“Such baseless rumors were circulating?”
“They had every reason to. Grand Duke Cardicha hasn’t shown the slightest interest in women since his fiancée died years ago. Then you appeared.”
I grimaced.
‘People couldn’t possibly know the details… and now that the Grand Duke suddenly acts as my patron, it’s no wonder such gossip spreads.’
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll be more careful.”
Cain Inkaris had grown concerned enough to visit the Child Protection Bureau, and even followed me to this resort.
I felt guilty for having suspected and been wary of him, despite the debt I owed him from our Academy days.
Shortly after, the carriage arrived at the Hotel.
Cain Inkaris didn’t even properly bid farewell before departing in the carriage the moment I stepped down.
…It wasn’t particularly disappointing.
Absolutely not.
Fortunately, the book remained exactly where I’d left it on the table.
To distract myself from my turbulent thoughts, I picked it up again, and it drew me deeper into increasingly captivating passages.
When I finally reached the last page, an irritated voice pierced my ears.
It was a conversation I couldn’t help but overhear.
“No rooms available? What do you mean by that right now?”
“My sincerest apologies, madam. We currently have no vacant rooms available. If you would try another hotel…”
“This is absurd. We sent a servant two months ago. Didn’t that servant make a proper reservation?”
“No one from House of Dever has ever visited us.”
The hotel manager looked uncomfortable as he shuffled through documents.
“We keep records of all reservations, but as you can see, there is not a single one from House of Dever…”
“Hmph.”
Marquise Dever glared at the servant standing obediently beside her, holding her luggage.
Crack—!
The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the lobby.
The small servant crumpled to the floor, keeping their head bowed without uttering a word.
‘Wait a moment.’
My eyes widened involuntarily.
At first glance, I’d thought it was merely a servant of slight build, but looking more carefully…
‘That’s a child.’

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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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