The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 13

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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 13

It was a strange matter.

When the pregnancy of Princess Trisha Klain of the Klain Duchy was announced, several retainers tried to persuade Paterre.

They suggested claiming it was someone else’s child instead.

Enril was already dead, and the Empire still had no means to confirm paternity. No matter how much he was suspected of committing acts worse than trash, there was no proof.

Above all, he was their lord.

They wanted to protect Stukkyia’s prestige and Paterre’s dignity, even in that way.

However, Paterre was firm.

“That child is indeed my child. My daughter, clearly born from my infidelity.”

Unable to overcome his resolute will, quite a few retainers gave up their positions.

If he himself had driven the nail in so firmly, why was he speaking of his own daughter as if she were a stranger?

It was a moment when everyone fell silent at Paterre’s inexplicable laughter.

“…In any case, we must send that child away.”

One retainer who had been reading the room spoke up.

“If you’re reluctant to make Heidi your heir for other reasons, couldn’t we bring in a child from a branch family?”

“…Branch family?”

“Yes. You remember the child who greeted you back then, don’t you? Teril, my great-grandson—he’s very smart and clever. He said he could do anything for Your Grace—”

“Ah. I remember.”

Paterre cut off the lengthy appeal that was about to continue.

“He was so interested that he asked where the armory was.”

“…Pardon?”

The ‘armory’ was no different from the heart of Stukkyia.

The first head of Stukkyia was the one who put the magic power circulating in the earth into weapons like swords, allowing even people without magic to use weapons.

It was the reason why the Temple, which opposed killing, strongly criticized Stukkyia, but it was also why Stukkyia had survived until now despite the stigma of being a pile of trash.

And yet he dared to be curious about it so carelessly.

“Your great-grandson seemed truly curious about Stukkyia’s internal affairs. So I gave him a sword and even told him about the lair of Marsu so he could learn more deeply.”

‘Marsu’ were magical creatures with magic power, but in Stukkyia, the meaning was somewhat different.

They were creatures that Paterre raised.

Magic power was drawn to stronger magic power. Therefore, the Marsu attacked Paterre, who had the strongest magic power after the first head of Stukkyia, and Paterre grew stronger by repeatedly healing and fighting them.

As long as he didn’t fall first, the fights continued, and the final victor was always Paterre.

Even though he could no longer see.

‘But he told my great-grandson about the place where those Marsu come from?’

And while giving him a sword imbued with his own magic power?

At such unimaginably terrible words, the retainers swallowed dryly.

“I thought he should be capable of at least that much if he wanted to succeed me, so I kindly told him, but he never returned.”

“…”

“I suppose I’ll have to re-educate him on manners.”

Paterre smiled as if it were regrettable.

A mere collateral relative dared to covet the head’s domain. It was no different from disrespecting the Stukkyia that their bloodline had emphasized so much.

“I’m getting sleepy…”

In the silence, Paterre slowly yawned.

“Would you all please leave now? I’m tired from experiencing too many things today.”

Even that appearance seemed dissolute, but who would dare to speak up?

In the end, the retainers had to withdraw without achieving any significant results.

“Really, why did you tactlessly bring up your great-grandson!”

“Then were you not going to? Some child of unknown origin and parents is about to swallow up Stukkyia whole!”

“That’s a nice excuse. Did you think I wouldn’t know that you’ve been coveting Stukkyia by using your great-grandson?”

“Does this person think words are sweet treats!”

The atmosphere became serious. The argument only died down when one of the younger retainers stepped in to stop them.

“Would things have been different if Count Karbendi had been by our side at a time like this?”

Count Karbendi.

He was the teacher of the late Enril and Paterre, someone who had cared for the two Stukkyia brothers like a grandfather.

Perhaps that’s why. He insisted that Trisha Klain should be brought in as the duchess.

However, Paterre’s opposition was firm, and eventually the count suddenly disappeared without a trace.

If he had been there, the situation might have changed somewhat.

“Should we track down which family she’s from even now?”

“No, it doesn’t matter.”

Then, someone spoke up.

It was Count Roman, who had protected this family for as long as Count Karbendi.

“Since the Temple and Imperial Palace’s proposal, there have been many more children lately claiming to be His Grace’s offspring. What happened to all those children?”

“Ah…!”

At Count Roman’s words, everyone showed expressions of realization.

“We just need to do what we’ve always done. It’ll be fine.”

“Yes. We’ll trust only you, Count.”

Watching the heads bowing toward him, Count Roman smiled triumphantly.

Yes, everything was for Stukkyia.

* * *

The next morning.

Sitting in front of the mirror, I rubbed my sleepy eyes.

Despite the warm bed, I hadn’t slept well.

It was because of the dream I had all night.

Dressed prettily, I went to see Paterre Stukkyia with Butler Caron.

“Hello, Your Grace.”

“Hmm? Who is this dirty little child?”

“She’s the daughter you newly took in yesterday.”

“Ah, was there such a child? I don’t remember.”

“He says he doesn’t remember. Please leave now, Miss Hanisha.”

“Ahhh! No!”

…It was that kind of dream where I was kicked out without even being able to change clothes.

‘Fortunately, seeing that Anna and Hati dressed me up from early morning, it seems he didn’t say to throw me out, but…’

I couldn’t guarantee that a situation like in my dream wouldn’t happen.

The duke accepted all abandoned children but didn’t pay much attention to them.

‘No wonder they said there wasn’t a single orphan abandoned in Stukkyia who didn’t insist the duke was their real father. Of course, none of them were real.’

Therefore, my first goal was.

‘To receive the Stukkyia surname.’

There were many orphans who, though outside Paterre Castle, were protected within the duchy. I thought I could live like that too.

But I was an Agnito.

In other words, unless I broke free from the Agnito shackles, I could never be truly free.

‘I might be used for marriage deals like in my life before regression.’

To avoid that, I had to be officially adopted by the duke.

‘So when I safely become an adult and can secure my position, I’ll leave this castle.’

That was my ultimate goal.

After all, the Duke wouldn’t really want a family either, so he would accept my proposal.

‘In the meantime, I mustn’t forget to give the Agnito Family a taste of their own medicine!’

It was when I was steeling my resolve and gulping down the last remaining croissant.

Then, Anna asked.

“If you’ve finished your meal, shall I bring dessert?”

“There’s dessert too?”

“If you would like some, miss.”

Dessert. I fell into thought for a moment.

I wasn’t particularly fond of dessert, and I only needed to fill my stomach just enough.

‘This is already more than enough compared to my time with the Agnito Family.’

More than anything, the Chef watching me with such a grim face looked so menacing that I thought it would be better to stop eating now.

‘He probably came here reluctantly under the Duke’s orders.’

For his freedom, I shook my head.

“It’s fine. This is enough for me.”

But why was it?

The Chef’s menacing face seemed to turn a little dejected.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

I glanced around cautiously.

“Well then… just a very small portion…”

“…!”

At my words, it felt like the Chef’s stern face brightened just a little.

Knock knock.

Someone entered with a knock.

When I confirmed the figure who entered, I unconsciously widened my eyes.

‘Huh, that person is…?’

“I apologize for visiting so suddenly.”

The visitor was an elderly man with a kind face.

His gentle impression was unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar. No, it was definitely a face I knew.

“Allow me to introduce myself for the first time.”

If my memory serves me right, that person is…

‘Marcel Roman.’

“I am Count Marcel Roman.”

Once a retainer of Stukkyia and…

“A humble old man who has served the current Duke since his childhood.”

Someone who would later turn to the Empress’s side.

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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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