The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 38

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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 38

 

The Marquis pushed forward Ashirion, claiming it was an order from the previous Duke, that is, Enril Stukkyia, Paterre Stukkyia’s older brother. He could have refused. Why did he accept?

 

Paterre Stukkyia smiled faintly as if he had heard a very trivial question.

 

“I’ve granted even greater favors, so how could I not grant just that one thing.”

 

“…Greater favors?”

 

“There are some, things the children don’t need to know.”

 

Paterre Stukkyia, who seemed to have no intention of telling me, ended his words lightly and tilted his head languidly.

 

“Get along well with Ashirion. Who knows? You might become good siblings.”

 

“I think he’s going to hate me…”

 

“I can’t let even the children’s relationships turn to dust. Bring him here. I’ll scold him, as his father.”

 

“Wow. That’s really, really encouraging…”

 

When I muttered with a soulless voice, Paterre Stukkyia chuckled.

 

Anyway, it was really time to leave now, so I carefully left the room pulling the tray.

 

‘I was told a child from the branch family was coming, so I thought Ashirion would be displeased. But it doesn’t seem to be particularly like that. His words about getting along well seem somewhat sincere too.’

 

But even so, the presence of Marquis Medena behind Ashirion was too overwhelming. If he pushed forward, I would have to be pushed out without being able to make a peep.

 

‘So, what I need to do is.’

 

First, avoid Ashirion as much as possible.

 

Whether it was family background or ability, my side was overwhelmingly more disadvantaged. It would be better to explore while keeping distance step by step.

 

Ashirion would think the same way. Maybe he wouldn’t even care about someone like me…

 

However, as soon as I thought that.

 

“Hello, Hanisha.”

 

From the next day, Ashirion came looking for me.

 

With a very angelic face that looked good-natured.

 

“The weather is quite cold today. Have you eaten?”

 

The next day too.

 

“You’re in the library today. Do you like studying by any chance?”

 

And the day after that too.

 

Each time, I would.

 

“I ate with the blacksmiths.”

 

Answer like that, or.

 

“I don’t like it, but I do like reading books.”

 

I would answer like that.

 

“Really? I heard Hanisha hasn’t been here long either, but you adapt quickly.”

 

Then Ashirion would always continue like this.

 

“So, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to join that gathering from next time too. Would that be alright?”

 

A request accompanied by a gentle smile was something anyone would have to nod their head to.

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

So that firm answer definitely didn’t come from my mouth.

 

Max was looking this way with his arms crossed and a displeased expression.

 

“If you want to play with Hanisha, you’ll have to go through me first, won’t you?”

 

Considering the relationship between nobles and commoners, it was something that could never happen.

 

However, since Paterre Stukkyia had publicly declared to get along regardless of status, and Ashirion had accepted this, he had to treat Max, who was the same age, equally.

 

‘Besides, strictly speaking by age alone, Max was about 6 months older.’

 

However, the class of nobility didn’t disappear. So I subtly leaned my body and asked Max if this would be okay.

 

“What are you asking, of course I’m scared… If you look closely, my legs are probably trembling.”

 

“Then why do you keep speaking informally?”

 

“Think about it carefully, Hanisha. When will we ever be able to match nobles?”

 

Max’s eyes lit up like someone who had seized a golden opportunity.

 

“We have to clash to our heart’s content when we have the chance. So we won’t have regrets even if we get scolded later!”

 

“Oh…”

 

“And, it would be somehow annoying if that bastard takes your big brother’s place. Tch. Even I haven’t heard you call me big brother.”

 

-With that mindset, he was facing Ashirion without hesitation.

 

And Ashirion’s reaction to that was…

 

“Hm? Hanisha, would that be okay?”

 

Naturally, it was ignoring him.

 

And I hadn’t said anything until then. Since Max was stepping forward to block him, I thought I didn’t need to step forward.

 

‘And if my prediction is correct, probably around today…’

 

That’s when it happened. Ashirion put down his teacup with a small sigh. Then he looked back at the chattering Max and spoke in a troubled voice.

 

“How long are you going to keep this up? It’s getting a bit tiring to keep ignoring you.”

 

“Until you acknowledge me.”

 

It was a firm statement, but looking closely, his legs were really trembling.

 

Perhaps understanding Max’s determination, Ashirion let out a big sigh.

 

“Fine, I’ll listen for now. What do I need to do?”

 

“Hanisha is my little sister, but she’s also strictly a blacksmith apprentice. So what an apprentice needs to do is-.”

 

Max said with a resolute face.

 

“First, she needs to wash socks.”

 

For a moment, silence flowed.

 

What broke that chilly atmosphere was Ashirion’s laughter.

 

“…Haha!”

 

A light voice, but one with no good emotions mixed in.

 

He was looking at Max, so I couldn’t see his expression.

 

However, just from that small laugh, I could fully imagine what kind of expression he was making.

 

“I kept wondering what you were thinking, always putting that kid forward. It’s more unexpected than I thought?”

 

With slow words, Ashirion slowly turned his body.

 

Just as the distance seemed to close, he whispered in a voice only I could hear.

 

“…I didn’t know Agnito would use such childish methods.”

 

I clenched my fists tightly.

 

‘As expected, he knew.’

 

When I looked at him with such eyes, Ashirion smiled brightly.

 

“When you caused a commotion at Count Agnito’s estate, we had someone there too.”

 

“…”

 

“There’s no way I’d join hands with commoners for no reason, right?”

 

As if asking why I was surprised by such a thing, Ashirion shrugged his shoulders lightly.

 

‘Probably, this appearance now is Ashirion’s true self.’

 

However, since this much was predictable, I replied nonchalantly.

 

“Even if you say that, nothing changes.”

 

“No, there is. You’re rejecting me right now.”

 

“…”

 

“Duke Stukkyia gave me the mission of becoming close with you. In other words, I can live comfortably in Stukkyia as long as I get along with you on the surface.”

 

So it meant let’s not waste energy on each other.

 

“Think about it carefully. Don’t you want to return to Agnito rather than this pile of trash?”

 

“What?”

 

“I think I could help with that problem.”

 

Ashirion whispered with a sly smile.

 

“If I safely become Duke Stukkyia’s successor, that is.”

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

Though I hadn’t said much until now, I had to answer this quickly.

 

‘Agnito, of all places.’

 

Even though this place was called a trash heap, it was where I could live as myself.

 

“I will never go back to Agnito.”

 

This was a hundred, a thousand times better than Agnito where I wasn’t even treated as human.

 

“You’re young, I suppose. You don’t know much about the world yet.”

 

Ashirion stood up from his seat with a small sigh. As if his business was finished, he smoothed his gloves and glanced down at me.

 

“Let’s continue this conversation next time. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

 

With his purple eyes gently closing as his final gesture, Ashirion casually left the room.

 

Thud.

 

As soon as the door closed, Max made a groaning sound and clutched his chest.

 

“Wow, I almost had a heart attack. Hanisha, are you okay?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“Seriously, you have no fear. Even after seeing him change expressions like that, you weren’t scared at all…”

 

Max shook his head and soon looked at the closed door with suspicious eyes.

 

Since he was only talking about Ashirion’s dual nature, it seemed he hadn’t heard our whispered conversation.

 

“Anyway, it’s better not to get close to that guy. He’s openly giving off a rotten smell. I can smell it, I tell you.”

 

“Isn’t that the smell of the socks you were sucking on, Max?”

 

“N-no it’s not! I always have the fragrant scent of jasmine…!”

 

Max shouted with his face turning red.

 

But instead of responding, I quietly crossed my arms.

 

‘…Something’s strange.’

 

I just wanted to be free when I became an adult as the Duke’s daughter, I had no interest in the ducal title.

 

So we should have been able to get along well, but we couldn’t because of Ashirion’s future.

 

The day I turned 15.

 

That is, around the time I began to gain Count Agnito’s trust and could gradually go outside, the position of heir to House Stukkyia became vacant again.

 

Because Ashirion had died.

 

The official cause of death was suicide.

 

Marquis Medena, who had once been his guardian, raged that Paterre Stukkyia must have done something.

 

The Temple conducted an official investigation, but concluded that there was only a dead bird at the scene, with no other signs of murder.

 

The Temple, which had not been on good terms with them, acknowledged Paterre Stukkyia’s innocence. Though he was cleared of suspicion…

 

The criticism toward Stukkyia grew even stronger. People said he must have tormented the boy terribly for him to take his own life.

 

That was all I knew about Ashirion.

 

A snake beastman hybrid.

 

A branch member of Stukkyia and Stukkyia’s second son. One who took his own life.

 

These were the words that described Ashirion.

 

But the Ashirion I met in person didn’t seem like someone who would easily take his own life. If anything, he was overflowing with ambition.

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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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