Raising the Grand Duke of the North as a Farmer Behind Dad’s Back - Chapter 52

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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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Chapter 52
* * *
Six hours into my runaway.
Being outside lifted my spirits considerably.
I wandered through the town in genuine delight.
‘Shopping districts are the best!’
So much to see, so many wonderful things!
I wondered if Bedel would ever have a district like this.
The mere thought made my heart race.
Truth be told, I’d rarely had the chance to explore shopping districts.
Because ever since I went to Klein, I’d been confined to the duchy.
Of course, the Klein Duchy was practically paradise—I wanted for nothing.
‘Yet somehow my chest would feel stifled, and I’d run away. Like today.’
Much like today.
Back then, I’d nearly gotten into serious trouble in the District’s market area, and in escaping that crisis, I’d happened to meet the Crown Prince.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve run away before, even in my past life!’
Heavens, what if I grow up to be a delinquent?
I shook my head firmly.
‘I need to be more careful going forward. …But I wonder if this life’s Crown Prince will try to run away again too.’
Of course, he was surely living well in the Imperial Palace now. I’d been nine when I met him.
Besides, in this life I’d fled north—the odds of our paths crossing again were zero. Not a thread, not a whisper, nothing.
‘Though I did have something I wanted to tell him, if we’d met again.’
I hadn’t been able to say it back then.
‘That we should be friends.’
‘Hey. You seem just as friendless as I am… would you want to be my friend? Then maybe we’d see each other again!’
It had felt so urgent then, but thinking about it now, it didn’t seem like much.
‘We’ll probably never meet anyway!’
There was nothing to be done.
Just… forget it.
“Well, the price is fair. Thank you for your trouble!”
“Oh, thank you so much!”
While I was lost in thought, Brad had finished his transaction with the Western Region’s merchant.
We climbed back into the carriage.
At the small public stable where we arrived,
we met Rowen’s adjutant, who was discreetly traveling incognito, and successfully received the Rye Seeds.
“Pardon? Why is the quantity so small?”
“Ah, we were a bit short on stock ourselves… The remainder will be sent separately. It shouldn’t be too long, so don’t worry.”
“Understood.”
Though the amount was somewhat less than expected, they’d promised a second delivery, so I could rest easy.
‘This covers our winter rye planting preparations!’
Bundles of goods piled high onto the great cart.
Brad turned to me with a satisfied expression.
“Well then, shall we head back?”
Huh?
“Already? Already?”
‘But I’m running away!’
Yet the sun was already sinking beyond the ridge, casting long shadows.
Does returning home before sunset still count as running away?
‘Definitely not.’
I conceded defeat and slumped onto the cart driver’s bench, shoulders drooping.
“Brad… could we perhaps stay at the Border Post tonight?”
“Hmm, I’ve no objection… But why? Is your anger at the Duke still not settled?”
I’d just finished telling Brad what happened today.
Of course, I left out the pillar purification and only mentioned being told not to interfere in fiefdom matters.
“It’s not me—the Duke is angry with me.”
I crushed the bag of Honey Cake that Brad had bought me.
“Why won’t the Duke let me do what I’m capable of doing?”
“Hmm.”
“It must be because he doesn’t trust me. Because I’m always getting sick and…”
“That’s not quite it.”
The wagon moved slowly forward.
“He does it because you’re precious to him, Haniel.”
……
“Precious and beautiful—he’s terrified something might happen to you.”
“What does my pride matter?”
“Compared to my little one, I’d sell that a thousand times over.”
In truth, I’d known it all along. That the Grand Duke held me dear.
“But…….”
I bit at my lip.
“If I don’t do anything, nothing will happen. So how could I become precious…….”
“Of course you’re precious!”
Brad smiled generously.
It was a thing I found difficult to understand. Seeing my downcast expression, Brad continued in a gentle voice.
“Now, isn’t our Haniel looking after some chicks and piglets these days?”
“Yes!”
I answered at once.
The chicks and piglets we kept in the yard bloomed vividly in my mind’s eye.
“They’re so adorable! I chase after them, and they go peep-peep, oink-oink, like this!”
“Is that so? Then have you asked the chicks to lay eggs for you?”
“Huh? No!”
“And the piglets—have you told them to hurry up and have babies like their mother?”
“How could I say such a thing?!”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re babies!”
At that, Brad chuckled warmly.
“But then, why are those little ones precious and dear if they do nothing but cry?”
……
I lowered my head slightly and fumbled with my hands before answering.
“……Just because.”
……
“They’re so cute just by coming to me, even if that’s all…….”
“There you have it.”
……
“That’s how children are—they’re lovely and dear simply by being there.”
Brad laughed like a grandfather from a fairy tale, his voice warm and rich.
‘But my situation is different.’
I regressed.
I have Holy Power.
Having abilities but not using them felt as different as night and day from lacking them entirely—at least by my measure.
But…….
‘……I think I might finally understand His Highness’s heart.’
He must have been troubled when I hid my pain from him.
In his eyes, I must have appeared endlessly small and fragile.
Perhaps he blamed himself greatly. And became anxious.
‘Is she hiding another illness from me?’ he must have wondered.
If I put myself in his position……I think I would have felt the same.
I bit hard on the inside of my lip.
‘When we get back, should I try to talk to him properly again?’
Without anger or back-talk—slowly, step by step.
It felt as though something might unravel if I did.
I rustled the package of sweets I held in my arms and peered inside.
The sweet confection—sweet potato pieces fried until crispy and drizzled with honey—had been eaten away so much that only one piece remained.
“Brad! Just a moment! Can I buy more of these?”
“Of course, of course!”
Creak—the wagon came to a stop.
I scrambled down and hurried back to the confectioner’s stall.
“Hello! Could I have one more package of these, please?”
“Oh, little one—you’re back! Did you like the sweets so much?”
“Yes! I’m going to use them to make peace!”
“Ah, had a quarrel with a friend, did you? How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven years old!”
“…….”
The proprietor, for reasons I couldn’t fathom, heaped sweets into my hands with a generous hand.
“Thank you!”
I was turning to leave with the bundle of honey cakes when—
“—Commander! The Commander has arrived!”
“……!”
I…….
Nearly dropped the bag of sweets right then and there.
My blood ran cold.
‘Why……?’
Had I misheard just now?
How could that be?
This voice…….
It wasn’t a voice I should be hearing here, was it?
‘Mark…… Uncle?’
The Holy Paladin Mark.
His robe swept past me in a blur. It was only an instant, but to my eyes it seemed to unfold in slow motion.
And…….
He had stopped before—
“There you are. I’ve been searching for you.”
A tall man standing in front of a haberdashery shop that sold yarn.
A man of considerable height.
“…….”
The man wore a long robe and had pulled a hood over his head, yet his bearing alone spoke of nobility. Passersby glanced at him as they walked past.
A shrill ringing filled my ears.
‘No.’
I took a step back.
Almost by instinct, I snatched the Red Ear Warmer from my head and hid it.
Wind stirred from somewhere.
The hood fell away, and long hair cascaded down like a painting come to life.
Beautiful silver hair.
Mysterious violet eyes.
He quickly adjusted his hood again, and the glimpse of his face lasted only the briefest moment, yet…….
‘No……!’
There was no way I could fail to recognize that face.
It was a face I had longed for even in my dreams—
……my father’s face.

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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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