The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 40

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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 40

 

* * *

 

Ashirion repeatedly went up and down the high hills, carrying the minerals that the workers had handed him.

 

Not only that, but he also pulled carts and moved tools for other workers to use.

 

It was clearly heavy enough to make him groan, but the workers lifted it as lightly as if they were picking up pebbles. That made Ashirion even more frustrated.

 

“Newbie, what are you doing over there?”

 

However, he had no time to express that anger.

 

“Muscles determine the rest of your life! For that, building basic stamina comes first!”

 

Just when he thought he had a moment to rest, another task would appear as if it had been waiting.

 

This kind of work would have been nothing if he had flaunted his status. But his stubborn pride wouldn’t let him break his promise with the Duke over such trivial matters.

 

Ashirion clenched his teeth and stood up from his spot.

 

It was hot. Sweat flowed naturally, and he needed air. With his breath already short, there was no time to cover his mouth with a handkerchief.

 

Ashirion threw away his handkerchief and took off his outer coat. High-quality coats like that only hindered his movement.

 

Marquis Medena, Paterre Stukkyia, the Council of Elders, Hanisha…

 

All the thoughts that had filled his mind disappeared, and he became focused only on this moment.

 

“Your grit is commendable at least. Now, it’s meal time. Take a break, newbie.”

 

Rest came along with Ralt’s evaluation.

 

Ashirion completely forgot that the ground was dirty and plopped down right there.

 

As he sat there blankly, just catching his breath.

 

A familiar figure peeked out, poking her head forward.

 

“…What?”

 

“Water. You looked thirsty.”

 

Hanisha said, shaking the hand holding a water cup once.

 

Unlike himself, who was drenched in sweat with his face covered in soot, Hanisha’s pale cheeks didn’t have even a small smudge.

 

Ashirion let out a hollow laugh. Who was to blame for ending up like this? He coldly turned his head away.

 

“…Get lost.”

 

“If you keep sweating like that, you’ll catch a cold later. You’ll also become dehydrated.”

 

“That would be great. If I collapse here, I’ll never have to enter this workshop again.”

 

Ashirion spoke sarcastically without batting an eye. Hanisha looked at Ashirion with deliberately surprised eyes.

 

“Weren’t we supposed to hide your personality?”

 

“I don’t even have the strength to hide that anymore. I’m dying from exhaustion…”

 

Ashirion said this and flopped down flat.

 

Whether his words about being tired were true, his eyes weren’t as darkly sunken as before.

 

In the blowing wind and cool air, Hanisha glanced at him sideways.

 

Now that he knew what kind of place the workshop was, he probably wouldn’t come looking for me anymore. It was obvious he’d just get worked to the bone if he came.

 

Even so, it was still cold today. It would be terrible if he caught a cold from playing with me and let that slip.

 

With that thought, Hanisha was about to offer her handkerchief when.

 

“…You.”

 

Ashirion, who had been quietly looking up at the sky, suddenly spoke.

 

“Do you like it here?”

 

It was a calm but quiet voice, yet one that carried some darkness.

 

Since she hadn’t expected him to ask a question, Hanisha was inwardly surprised but answered quietly.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why? This isn’t Agnito. A family is a means to prove yourself. Those who stray from that means can never be happy.”

 

“…”

 

“Never… never.”

 

His repetitive murmuring voice even carried a sense of conviction.

 

“But you still say you like this place? This place that’s falling apart?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

“Being here puts my mind at ease. I don’t have to force myself to smile or worry about reading the room.”

 

“…”

 

“That’s why I like it here.”

 

Stukkyia was definitely a pile of trash. It wasn’t suitable for a young child to live in.

 

But here, I didn’t have to worry about whether I’d done something wrong or read the room. They treated children as children and people as people.

 

At least here, I could be myself.

 

“Comfortable, you say…”

 

Ashirion quietly murmured Hanisha’s words. He soon let out a small laugh, deflating like air escaping.

 

“I see… you want to live.”

 

It was a light murmur that seemed to drift away on the wind.

 

It sounded like he was laughing at it as childish whim… or like he was saying he envied me for that.

 

I felt something strange, but didn’t have time to ask about it.

 

“Young master, you were here… Good heavens, young master! Wh-why do you look…!”

 

A servant who had come looking for Ashirion asked with a shocked face.

 

“I’m just a little tired from playing with the child. What’s the matter?”

 

“The Marquis is looking for you.”

 

“I see, I’ll go.”

 

Ashirion stood up with a bright smile, as if he had never been tired.

 

“Hanisha.”

 

Then he suddenly turned to look at Hanisha and spoke.

 

“If you really want to be happy, it would be better to leave Stukkyia.”

 

Before I could ask why, Ashirion turned and walked away with a light smile.

 

What had he been trying to say?

 

Hanisha thought she should ask next time, but she couldn’t.

 

Because she couldn’t see Ashirion after that day.

 

* * *

 

Several days passed.

 

During that time, Ashirion was nowhere to be seen. Really, nowhere at all.

 

Even when I asked the maids just in case, the only answer I got was, “Well, I’m not sure, but he’s definitely in the castle.”

 

“Hmph. I guess he didn’t want to wash socks after all? How does he expect to become a big brother with such a weak mindset?”

 

Max shook his head with an ‘I knew it’ tone.

 

“…Well, socks seemed a bit harsh, so I specially prepared fragrant handkerchiefs instead. Can’t help it.”

 

However, perhaps because he was secretly concerned, he grumbled and added quietly.

 

I felt the same way.

 

“I see… you want to live.”

 

“If you really want to be happy, it would be better to leave Stukkyia.”

 

That quiet murmur.

 

Those empty eyes that seemed to have nothing somehow… reminded me of my younger self before my regression.

 

In the end, I got up from my seat with a “Fine!”

 

‘Let me just check from a distance and come back.’

 

Who knows? Maybe he was plotting some wicked scheme.

 

When I suddenly jumped up, Max, who had been innocently fidgeting with his handkerchief, opened his eyes wide.

 

“Where are you going all of a sudden? It’s getting dark!”

 

“To go check on someone!”

 

“Flesh…? Cheek fat? Why would you get rid of that? It’s cute though?”

 

Max, who had been puzzled, soon followed after me saying “It’s dangerous to go alone!”

 

* * *

 

If we asked the adults, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

 

So Hani-sha and Max had no choice but to look around the Castle on our own, unable to get anyone’s help.

 

‘We don’t have any items either, so we can’t even ask the gatekeeper Marsu for help…’

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Where is Lord Ashirion?”

 

At the sudden voices, Max and I hurriedly hid ourselves.

 

“Is he with those children who came early again?”

 

“I don’t know. He hasn’t been seen since yesterday evening…”

 

“At this rate, the Marquis will be furious again. Go find him quickly!”

 

Only after the murmuring voices disappeared could I poke my head out.

 

But still…

 

‘Ashirion hasn’t been seen since last night? Even the servants don’t know?’

 

And what’s this about the Marquis getting angry?

 

Thinking I should check it out, I emerged from the grass.

 

I hadn’t noticed while hurriedly hiding, but the place we’d hidden was near the Stable.

 

The roof had collapsed due to heavy snow a few years ago, so it wasn’t being used anymore.

 

But…

 

‘There’s a light on?’

 

I definitely saw it. Faint, but light seeping out from inside.

 

I carefully went inside.

 

Creak… As soon as I stepped inside with the unpleasant sound of wood shifting.

 

Whoosh!

 

“…!”

 

Something pounced on me. My eyes widened.

 

“A-Ashirion?”

 

“…What are you.”

 

Ashirion, who had stopped his outstretched hand mid-air, was looking at me with a pale face, breathing heavily.

 

“How did you know about this place. Did you tell the adults? The Marquis too? Did you tell His Grace? Tell me the truth!”

 

Ashirion, pouring out words rapidly, truly looked like he wasn’t in his right mind.

 

‘And he’s sweating profusely on his forehead too.’

 

First, I needed to calm him down. I put my index finger to my lips with a “shh.”

 

“The adults just passed by. They seemed to have urgent business, so they won’t come here. We just happened to pass by too.”

 

As if to prove our innocence at my words, Max raised both hands high up. Then he kept nodding with deeply wronged eyes.

 

“…”

 

Even so, Ashirion still couldn’t let his guard down. Instead of adding more words, I quietly waited for him.

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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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