The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 15
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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 15
“Hello, my name is Hanisha. It’s an honor to greet you like this.”
Hanisha, holding the hem of her skirt, bowed her head politely.
From the angle to her respectful tone of speech.
Unlike her round appearance that seemed soft, there was nothing particularly to find fault with.
However, she couldn’t yet hide her nervous expression.
“An attitude that doesn’t suit Stukkyia.”
“Looking at her from head to toe, she’s so frail… Tsk.”
As the displeased murmurs continued, the atmosphere became even more solemn.
That’s when it happened.
“Daughter.”
A different voice suddenly interrupted.
“Come here, my daughter.”
The owner of the gentle voice was Paterre.
“You should greet the grandfathers together with daddy, shouldn’t you?”
The retainers were shocked by his friendly tone and the word “daughter.”
Paterre had never once called anyone with such an affectionate voice. Moreover, hadn’t he never even officially brought his own biological daughter into Paterre Castle?
‘Does he really intend to adopt her as his daughter?’
‘This is absurd… But, calling her like that…!’
Even Count Roman hadn’t anticipated this situation.
However, Hanisha didn’t move.
“I’m sorry, Duke. Before greeting you, may I show you something else first?”
“Something else?”
“Yes.”
After answering briefly, Hanisha said “Excuse me for a moment” and went out, then came back dragging something.
It was a tray with a teapot on it.
“I heard that all the retainers came early this morning. If it’s alright, I’d like to serve you some fragrant tea. Would that be okay?”
It was an appropriate suggestion for the early hour.
A child who had worked hard from morning might deserve at least a small compliment.
‘Oh my.’
‘I understand she wants to score points, but to choose such a method…’
But the retainers shook their heads inwardly.
Since injuring his eyes, the Duke didn’t carelessly accept food from others. Therefore, any food the Duke ate had to go through Caron first.
As if to prove this, Caron politely placed his hand on his chest.
“If it’s alright, may I taste it first, Miss?”
“Uh…”
Hanisha, who didn’t know this, blinked in confusion.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
The child, who seemed a bit troubled, soon smiled awkwardly.
Caron, who smiled and said “Thank you,” opened the lid of the teapot. Caron, who was checking the tea’s aroma and leaves, poured tea into a teacup.
Then he slowly brought the teacup to his lips.
Count Roman unconsciously clenched his fist.
It was the moment Caron’s Adam’s apple moved slowly.
“Mmph…!”
Caron frowned and quickly pulled the teacup away.
“Th-this is…!”
Then he covered his mouth with a handkerchief and began coughing.
“But-Butler? Are you alright?”
Just as Hanisha was about to approach.
“Caron. What’s wrong with you?”
Taking advantage of the confusion, Count Roman rose from his seat. He quickly opened the lid of the teapot.
“No, why are there tea leaves from the Ramus Mountains…?”
“Ramus is contaminated land, isn’t it!”
“Did she brew tea leaves from there?”
The assembly began to stir. Hanisha’s eyes widened. Then she looked at Count Roman with disbelieving eyes.
“B-but that’s…”
“Call a physician immediately! Hurry!”
Count Roman, cutting off Hanisha’s words, approached Caron who was still covering his mouth and coughing.
“Don’t swallow your saliva. The poison is strong, so you might become paralyzed-“
“Cough, I’m fine.”
“…What?”
While the Count stiffened, Caron slowly lowered his handkerchief.
The white handkerchief was clean without a drop of blood.
‘H-how is this possible?’
Just as the Count with a hardened face was hesitating in confusion.
“I apologize. Since I’m not good with hot things, I made an unseemly display.”
After clearing his throat a couple of times, Caron placed his hand on his chest as if nothing had happened.
“By the way, Miss, your skills are remarkable. This is the first time I’ve had such delicious tea.”
“The chef taught me how to brew it deliciously.”
“I’ll correct myself. It’s slightly bitter.”
“I did the final brewing myself.”
“But that bitter taste was very harmonious. It was the perfect ratio.”
While Caron’s evaluation of the tea continued, the retainers stood awkwardly, unable to move.
They couldn’t gauge what kind of situation this was at all.
“Oh, and also.”
Then, Hanisha took something out from her bosom.
Dark green tea leaves.
They were the tea leaves from the Ramus Mountains that Count Roman had given her.
“Actually, I received these tea leaves from the Count, but I couldn’t use them because he said they were precious. I’ll return them to you.”
“What? From the Count?”
At Caron’s questioning look, the Count’s body trembled with a start.
“What, I never gave you such a thing!”
The Count, who had been waving his hands as if absurd, spoke with a troubled face.
“Why would you tell such lies… Child, you can’t be used if you say such wicked things.”
“But surely the Count…”
“I told you lying is not allowed!”
Count Roman’s voice shot out harshly.
Hanisha’s eyes widened as if startled. The Count, realizing his mistake, smiled awkwardly.
“This is the first time I’ve experienced such a thing. Isn’t that right?”
While saying this, he looked around at those who shared his views.
However, everyone avoided his gaze.
As if treating someone completely unrelated to them.
No, rather like treating someone they should avoid.
Just as the Count was only blinking his eyes.
“Count.”
In the silence, Caron spoke first.
“What the Miss brought are tea leaves.”
“Right! Aren’t they tea leaves from the Ramus Mountains! They cause instant death upon consumption-“
“They’re the tea leaves the Duke usually enjoys drinking.”
“…What?”
Caron turned around and extended his hand toward the frozen Count.
The dark green tea leaves looked like Ramus tea leaves at first glance….
But they were very finely split at the ends.
These were tea leaves that Northern Region people enjoyed drinking.
Count Roman realized belatedly.
Hanisha had never once called those ‘Ramus tea leaves’ in this place.
His face turned deathly pale.
* * *
‘I knew this would happen.’
I had noticed his plan from the beginning.
But Count Roman was someone who received trust publicly.
If I rashly rejected his proposal, there was no telling what kind of gossip would spread among the retainers.
“Hello, Chef! Do you happen to have any good tea leaves?”
So I immediately ran to the kitchen.
“…Will you be drinking it yourself, Miss?”
“I’ll be serving it to the adults. I’d prefer something with a good aroma that relieves fatigue if possible.”
Rather than choosing randomly, it was wise to borrow the wisdom of someone who had worked here for a long time.
“Should I brew the tea like this?”
“It’s better to brew it when the steam is rising vigorously. That way the aroma is better. …But why aren’t you eating dessert?”
“Ah! Chef! Your foot! Hot water is spilling on your foot!”
I also spent time together and secured a witness who could prove my alibi.
Because of that, time was delayed a bit, and I ended up coming without even being able to let it cool down.
‘I was worried it might be extremely hot. It was just as I thought.’
I was mentally apologizing to Caron when it happened.
“This… there seems to have been some kind of mistake.”
The Count, who belatedly grasped the situation, made an excuse.
“I’ve been investigating prohibited medicinal materials recently, so I must have become sensitive. I apologize for causing a disturbance, Your Grace.”
Just moments ago, he had acted as if Caron had really consumed Ramus tea leaves.
His scheme to gloss over the situation while pretending to worry about the Duke was obvious.
“Co, Count Roman has always been sensitive when it comes to matters related to Your Grace.”
“It’s perfectly understandable. There have been so many who targeted Stukkyia. Haha….”
As if they had been waiting, the other retainers chimed in.
And they began subtly portraying me as a threatening child again.
‘I actually brought real Ramus tea leaves too, should I just shove them in their mouths?’
I was just thinking when it happened.
“A misunderstanding.”
A low voice echoed through the large room.
The Duke, who had remained silent throughout the entire situation, spoke for the first time.
He silently gestured with his hand.
Caron quietly brought the teapot and teacup to him.
“Count.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Come here.”
When the Duke gestured, the Count awkwardly approached him.
A teacup was smoothly extended toward the Count. It meant to take it. The Count hesitantly picked up the teacup.
“I’d like to verify whether your words are true, but unfortunately my eyes are in this condition so I cannot do so.”
As if he had been waiting, the Duke picked up the teapot.
“So would you verify it directly?”
With those words, the Duke tilted the teapot.
Trickle, the dark red tea fell into the cup.
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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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