TEWMDD29

Chapter 29

‘The researchers must have tipped someone off.’

Otherwise, there’s no way they’d be making things this difficult for me.

“Ahh, refreshing, isn’t it?”

I let out a long sigh, lips pushed out, while I surrendered myself to the maid’s hands as she gently dried my hair with a towel.

Refreshing, yes. But somehow that makes it more frustrating!
If I hadn’t washed up, I could’ve drifted straight into dreamland just as I was earlier…

‘No, this is better.’

Thanks to the bath, my head felt lighter, clearer.
And during that time, I had managed to reorganize my priorities.

The most important thing now is—

‘Finding the person who harbors murderous intent toward Mom.’

Bertholt hasn’t shown much interest in her yet, nor do I know what might provoke him.
And besides, as long as the scroll warns me, I can handle things whenever an “extra story” tries to unfold.

‘But this person is different.’

I can’t just stand by while someone with direct killing intent against my mother lurks nearby.
Even if that weren’t the case, there are other reasons too.

In any case—I must find them.
I may not be able to eliminate them, but I’ll find them no matter what!

Clenching my fists tightly, I steeled my resolve.

At that very moment, the voice I loved most in the world slipped softly into my ears.

“Cici?”

“Mom!”

I turned my head toward her with a bright smile, though the maid’s hands quickly forced me back to position.

“I’ll do it from here,” Mom said gently.

She took the towel from the maid and came to stand behind me.
Filled with joy, I kicked my feet against the floor and giggled.

“Why are you so late?”

“I was taking care of Grandma, making sure she didn’t get any sicker. Did my Cici wait long?”

“…Of course I did!”

Not that I had been waiting impatiently, but I had been thinking of her plenty…!

“What about Dad?” I asked, shivering happily each time her hands massaged my scalp.
No one could compare to Mom’s touch—firm, skillful, just like a head massage.

“Your father’s still with your uncle, talking a bit longer.”

“Ugh.”

Off to see Bertholt again.
I couldn’t help but grumble. Why did Dad like Bertholt so much? Was that just the power of time?

“Mom, listen.”

I reached behind to clutch the hem of her dress.

“You have to live a long, long life. Promise me.”

She had to spend far more years with Dad than Bertholt ever could.
Balance had to be restored. Down with Bertholt!

“Hm?”

Mom blinked in surprise before laughing softly.

“Why is my little princess suddenly so concerned about Mom’s health?”

Because I’ve seen spoilers about your future, that’s why…

“Don’t worry, Cici.”

Mom hugged me warmly from behind and whispered in my ear.

“Mom will live happily and sweetly with her daughter, longer than anyone else in the world.”

Then she tugged playfully at my cheek with her fingers.
My face stung immediately, but I only laughed.

You know what, Mom?
Your hands are really spicy…

“But what worries me more is my daughter’s health.”

“Huh?”

“What did the doctor say? What’s causing the coughing? Are you sick?”

“Oh!”

So she only knew that I’d been to the doctor.

“I’m the healthiest kid alive,” I said proudly.
Certified fit and strong, stamped by the doctor himself!

“Then why did you cough so badly?”

Mom’s expression remained troubled, muttering in concern.
I gasped inwardly.

Now? Was this the time?

“Actually—”

This was the perfect chance to tell her about the Sneezing Powder…

‘Wait.’

But how exactly was I supposed to explain that I had made it?

She’d eventually find out that I had crafted glittering powders in the lab.
But Sneezing Powder was a different level entirely.

Sure, I’d only mixed prepared ingredients and dried them, but still.
Calling it “child’s play” wouldn’t cut it.

‘Besides, Mom already knows what goes into it.’

Rare, precious ingredients—no one would believe I just happened to make it by chance.
And Mom knew I didn’t have any knowledge in this field.

I had so confidently made it with the intent of sprinkling it on Mom and Dad… but when it came to explaining—

‘I can’t think of a single excuse!’

Should I lie and say I stole it from Dad’s lab along with the Invisible Cloak?
But what if she confiscated it?
Its effects wouldn’t last more than a few weeks, and if I lost it, I’d fail to stop Bertholt’s schemes later…

Maybe I should just blurt out the truth: “This is a novel, and I was a reader!”
Mom, being a reincarnator too, would understand.

‘But then I’d have to explain why I followed her here.’

And that would mean admitting I had an agenda.
Which would mean…

‘Death!’

The scroll from my birthday flashed in my mind—
Respiratory failure, death.
Absolutely not.

‘What do I do?’

After a whole day of brainwork, my mind was shutting down again.
My sugar was running low…

“That was just…”

In the end, I chickened out and spouted nonsense.