The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11

“Your character seems lacking as well, but since you’re probably better than thieves, I’ll end it with just a glare.”

“My character was that bad… I had no idea.”

Though Paterre Stukkyia muttered as if hurt.

No matter what, it would be better than the pale faces of the thieves.

Soon, the man with single-lens glasses gestured to the knights.

“Well then, shall we go, Miss Hanisha?”

“Y-yes…”

As we entered the castle holding hands, the thieves’ cries for mercy echoed behind us.

* * *

The man with single-lens glasses was the butler of Stukkyia Castle.

“Just call me Butler comfortably.”

While entering the castle holding his hand, I briefly explained why I had come here.

Without detailed explanation, just that since my family was trying to abandon me, I chose Stukkyia instead.

It was what I had told Paterre Stukkyia earlier, with a bit more flesh added to it.

In case of any other misunderstandings, I also added that the man eaten by the Marsu was a very bad criminal.

“So, what Miss Hanisha is saying is…”

The Butler who had been listening to my explanation said.

“You had no choice but to step forward to escape your family and give freedom to the maid you love.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“So you lured our gatekeeper as bait, very safely, without a single hair harmed on that cute appearance, and entered this Stukkyia Castle. Not satisfied with that, you even bravely beat up thieves. Is that what you’re saying?”

I never said it to that extent…

But since it wasn’t completely wrong, I inadvertently nodded.

“Oh, my goodness.”

The Butler who sighed softly took out a handkerchief from his pocket. Then he began wiping his eyes.

“Truly a story that cannot be heard without tears. This butler is truly moved.”

“Huh, are you crying?”

“But I don’t shed tears easily.”

He erased his expression in an instant and shook his handkerchief so crisply it made a pop sound.

“…”

I thought so from when I first saw him…

He didn’t seem like an ordinary person…

As I unconsciously shrank back, he suddenly looked into the distance and said.

“…Anyway, this is the second time.”

It was a serious voice with all humor gone.

“The second person to offer a human, and a very bad one at that, as payment to open the castle gates.”

His gaze reached the Marsu in my arms.

“And the second person to hold that guy in their arms too.”

There was an indescribable emotion in his eyes.

But second time? What could this mean?

I didn’t have time to ask. The Butler, who had erased his smile, stepped back and politely bowed to me.

“Now I’ll guide you to a suitable room to stay in.”

The Butler said this while taking the Marsu from my arms.

“W-wait a moment!”

When I urgently grabbed him, the Butler turned around. The Marsu in his arms also tilted its head curiously.

I swallowed dry saliva and asked.

“A-aren’t you going to ask more questions?”

Of course, even if he asked, I wouldn’t have much to say, but still, he was Stukkyia’s butler. Even if Paterre Stukkyia just let it pass, he might be curious about who I was.

“Why would you ask that?”

However, an answer different from my expectation came back.

“As you know, this place is a garbage dump. We accept everything – objects, beasts, monsters, and even people. It doesn’t matter what kind of person Miss Hanisha is.”

He said this with a bright smile.

As if my origins truly didn’t matter to them at all.

Then the Butler lightly shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, maybe Miss Hanisha really could be the Duke’s daughter.”

“That’s…”

Impossible.

Agnito and Stukkyia were in an adversarial relationship, and Stukkyia had been a garbage dump even before my mother conceived me. There was no way my mother would have sought out this place.

Anyway, since I couldn’t say this, I remained silent. The Butler who had been watching me said “Good” and clapped his hands cheerfully.

“Now, please go inside. The maids will guide you.”

With those words, people in maid uniforms appeared as if they had been waiting.

“This is Miss Hanisha, who will become the Duke’s daughter.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Hanisha. Please take care of us.”

Like the Butler, the maids showed no sign of surprise at the mention of daughter.

‘These people don’t seem surprised by most things.’

It was when I was leaving the Butler’s hands to take the maid’s hand.

‘Ah, come to think of it.’

I heard that Paterre Stukkyia always had his right-hand man by his side.

I recalled what Count Agnito had said before my regression, clicking his tongue that while Paterre Stukkyia was quite crazy, that guy was even worse, and unless you were a considerable lunatic, you couldn’t handle him.

‘With such a big incident happening, where on earth did that right-hand man go?’

It was when I was tilting my head in wonder.

“Ah, Miss Hanisha.”

At the following call, I turned my head.

The Butler was looking in my direction.

“Just in case, let me tell you that you might hear strange sounds tonight.”

“…Pardon?”

“They might sound like screams and be a bit unpleasant to hear, but don’t be too scared. Once you get used to it, it’ll be sweeter than musicians’ performances.”

The Butler said this with a grin.

A strange sense of unease flashed through my mind.

I gulped and asked.

“Um, Butler.”

“Yes, Miss Hanisha.”

“I’m sorry, but what might your name be?”

“Ah, I didn’t tell you that.”

After a brief sigh, he placed one hand on his chest and bowed his head politely.

“But I’m sorry. I’ve already abandoned my past, so things like names don’t exist for me. Just call me Butler.”

It meant he wouldn’t tell me.

So I decided to change my question.

“Are those screams… from people?”

This time too, the Butler answered obediently.

“Hmm, no?”

“…”

“They probably aren’t.”

“…”

“Maybe.”

As expected.

This person was definitely Caron.

The Duke’s right hand. The mad dog of the battlefield. The greatest lunatic in Stukkyia, who loved blood more than water…

Perhaps thinking I was frightened, he kindly added an explanation.

“Just think of it as a lullaby. After all, what comes out of our mouths will be similar either way. If you listen long enough, it’ll sound sweet.”

How could that be similar, and how could it possibly sound sweet.

I swallowed the words that were spinning in my head. The butler disappeared humming a tune, leaving me behind.

* * *

I was assigned a total of two maids – the brown-haired one was Anna, and the wheat-colored haired one was Hati.

Together with them, I headed straight to the shower room. I had expected poor conditions, but the interior was cleaner than I thought and hot water flowed well.

“Is the water temperature alright?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Please speak comfortably. Since you’ve come as someone who will be the Duke’s daughter, it’s natural for you to speak formally.”

The wheat-colored haired maid, Hati, said.

“Ah, okay. I understand… yo.”

Even though I knew, I wasn’t used to it and added the ending awkwardly, making Hati smile brightly.

The atmosphere wasn’t as cold and rigid as I had expected.

Watching for the right moment, I carefully opened my mouth.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about… yo.”

“Please tell us.”

“What kind of person is the butler who was beside the Duke?”

“The butler, ah, you mean Lord Caron. Lord Caron was a comrade who roamed the battlefields together with Lord Paterre, the current Duke of Stukkyia.”

“Though he’s now changed careers to being a butler.”

When Hati added quietly, Anna said “Hati” in a reproving tone.

However, neither of them seemed to be working here reluctantly.

‘Rather, they seem deeply loyal.’

That made it even more puzzling.

Stukkyia was notoriously known as a place unfit for human habitation.

It wasn’t simply because the Northern Region was originally a land where survival was difficult.

The reason was… Duke Stukkyia himself.

* * *

Even just 15 years ago, the Duke of Stukkyia was the eldest son, Enril Stukkyia.

Until then, it was only famous for cold weather and many Marsu, and the Stukkyia territory didn’t have the fearsome nickname of ‘garbage dump’ like it does now.

The wise and merciful eldest son and duke, Enril Stukkyia.

And the rough but cunning owner of powerful swordsmanship and knight of the cold blade, the second son Pater Stukya.

Everyone thought that as long as these two were there, the Northern Region would remain solid forever.

Moreover, the eldest son Enril was about to marry Princess Trisha Klain of the Klain Duchy.

The marriage between a princess of a prosperous duchy and a duke.

Furthermore, Enril’s love for Trisha was so devoted that everyone expected Stukkyia’s prosperity.

However, in an instant, those expectations were shattered.

Trisha became pregnant with another man’s child.

Her fiancé’s younger brother.

That is, Pater Stukya’s child.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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