The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 29
“What do you mean? You said your foot was hurting.”
The woman referred to as Lady Camilla fussed over her daughter Ruby, looking down at her.
“It’s okay! Ruby is eight years old now, I can wait and endure this much.”
As the child smiled brightly, her braided hair bounced cheerfully.
She resembled her mother with her lavish blonde hair and big, round eyes.
Dressed in a cute, quaint dress, the girl looked like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
‘But who are they?’
A mother and daughter being guided by Jaden Abner into the main residence of the Abner ducal family.
“What brings you here, Lady?”
At Roger’s question, Camilla expressed her displeasure.
“I heard the Abner family has taken in a foster child?”
“…..”
“How could my sister-in-law do such a thing? When I’ve asked her to look after our Ruby, she wouldn’t even consider it!”
“…Lady.”
Camilla was continuously fanning her face with her hand.
“When I heard that news, you can’t imagine how upset I was…”
“Where did you hear this news?”
Camilla sighed as if incredulously.
“I am Camilla Coel. The very Camilla Coel who knows every detail in the realm, down to the location of a mouse hole in an empty kitchen!”
“So, you heard it from Master Jaden.”
Camilla’s incessant chatter stopped abruptly.
It seemed like the correct guess.
I sighed inwardly.
Jaden Abner.
I knew he was the worst of humanity.
‘He’s spreading the internal affairs of the mansion without the family head’s permission?’
I had heard enough about Jaden’s sordid behavior in my previous life.
Unlike the perfect and wise Sharon Abner, Jaden was known to be violent and impatient.
‘That’s why he hasn’t received the title of Viscount yet.’
What mother would want to pass her family on to such a disgraceful son?
The image of Jaden nonchalantly slapping Roger’s cheek flashed through my mind.
Meanwhile, a maid swiftly ran to inform Duke Sharon Abner’s office of the visitors.
“Please wait in the reception room. I will inform the lady of your visit,” said Roger.
Though Lady Camilla glared daggers at Roger, she eventually moved towards the reception room as if resigned.
That’s when it happened.
“Ah?”
Ruby, who had been following her mother, stopped in her tracks when she saw me standing at one side of the corridor.
“Ruby. Don’t dawdle, come quickly…”
Because she was urged by Camilla, she noticed me too.
Lady Camilla’s eyes widened, then narrowed, and widened again in disbelief.
“No way, no way.”
She trembled as she pointed a finger at me, her shaking hand scanning my long hair, brushed by Mielle and Soya, and my simple indoor clothing.
Unlike Ruby, I lacked ornamental hairpieces, luxurious dresses, or fancy shoes.
Then I realized why Lady Camilla was making such a face.
This was the residence of the Grand Duke Abner, one of the major pillars of the Taranta Empire, a place decked from floor to ceiling with rare stones, gold, and expensive furniture. And here I was, a child in utterly plain attire.
“I was wondering if you really were a commoner after hearing the rumor.”
What happened next unfolded in an instant.
“Lady!”
Before Roger could intervene, Camilla swiftly approached me.
Then, with her hand heavy with rings, she grabbed my cheek.
“How could such a decision be made…!” she exclaimed while examining my face from all sides.
A scream erupted from among the maids in the background.
“Young Lady!”
Soya’s face went pale as she covered her mouth.
“Answer me, Roger. Is this child really the, the…!”
“Ah, it hurts…”
I let out a faint cry of pain.
The gem-encrusted ring dug into my cheek, leaving a stinging sensation.
“The person in question is officially under the guardianship of our lady!” Roger quickly intervened, inserting himself between Camilla and me.
With his action, her hand withdrew, leaving a tingling pain on my cheek.
Little Ruby was still looking at me with curious eyes.
“A ward? A ward?! So you’re telling me the child the Duke is sponsoring is really a commoner?!” Camilla grasped the back of her neck in disbelief.
Roger urgently called for the servants.
“Mielle, Soya. Come and take the Lady away!”
Mielle and Soya hurried over.
“My lady…!”
Mielle approached, her eyes welling up as she carefully touched the red mark on my cheek.
“I-it’s okay.”
I answered softly before being swiftly swept into Soya’s arms and carried up the stairs.
Ruby’s gaze followed me intently.
