The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 46

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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 46

 

“…That’s it? You’re saying we should find other dreams?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

I answered clearly.

 

I had certainly helped Ashirion because of his abilities.

 

However, if today’s events had caused him great trauma, he didn’t have to do it.

 

After all, that wasn’t the biggest reason I had wanted to save Ashirion in the first place.

 

Succession, dukedom—Ash is still only 13 years old.

 

A young child had resigned himself to everything and was trying to let go of himself. And all to escape the abuse of adults.

 

How could I just stand by and watch that?

 

“People don’t really need a specific reason to live.”

 

“….”

 

“So I don’t care if you don’t have any other special abilities. If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to. That doesn’t make Ash an unnecessary existence.”

 

My past self couldn’t think that way.

 

I thought people absolutely had to be useful.

 

Those who weren’t had no right to live. As the daughter of a corrupt saint, I especially had to show my worth to be acknowledged.

 

That’s why I never had my own ‘dreams.’

 

What I thought were my dreams were sometimes Count Agnito’s, sometimes the Imperial Palace’s, and sometimes my younger cousins’.

 

Ashirion was probably similar.

 

Free now, but not knowing what to do—that empty feeling of having lost everything in his hands.

 

‘Honestly, even if someone asked me what my dream is right now, I still wouldn’t know what to answer.’

 

So now that we were free, it was time to find only our own dreams. In that process, we’d worry and despair.

 

But even dreams changing into other dreams was all part of the process of dreaming and living.

 

Something I had never been able to do. Something I desperately wanted to try.

 

This was why I had asked for Ashirion to be saved.

 

Finding eternal dreams.

 

And.

 

“Let’s live together, Ash. We can do it.”

 

Because I am me, and you are you.

 

This reason was enough.

 

Leaving behind Ashirion, who looked somewhat dazed, I continued speaking.

 

“And… Ash didn’t tell anyone where I came from either.”

 

If he had told Marquis Medena that I came from Agnito, I could have been kicked out immediately. Agnito and Stukkyia had never gotten along well for generations.

 

But Ashirion knew and didn’t say anything. Just like the Duke.

 

“Ash helped me, so I’m repaying the favor.”

 

“….”

 

“So Ash doesn’t need to feel particularly grateful to me!”

 

Despite my clear words, Ashirion said nothing.

 

Maybe my answer didn’t please him. I was starting to worry a little.

 

After a brief moment, Ashirion’s mouth slowly opened.

 

“…I heard from another servant earlier. The bird and eggs that the Marquis took are safe.”

 

It was completely unexpected.

 

“So, Hanisha. Won’t you come visit again?”

 

My eyes widened.

 

“Is that really okay?”

 

“If you’re fine with it. Since you helped too, the bird will be happy.”

 

Ashirion’s eyes were a little red as he said this. He seemed to be holding back tears, but also looked somewhat relieved.

 

“…Please come again, Hanisha. I think she’ll want to see you.”

 

But it was a bright smile. I quickly nodded, saying “I’ll come!”

 

“Ahem. Can I come too? I wasn’t just standing around doing nothing either.”

 

Then Max subtly interjected.

 

“My jasmine-scented handkerchief played a big role, didn’t it?”

 

Max’s lips were twitching.

 

Then Ashirion, with a smile on his face, still keeping his gaze fixed on me, answered kindly.

 

“You can’t come.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Fragrance fades, but stupidity is contagious.”

 

“What, what? I’m a genius!”

 

Max, who had gotten angry, familiarly started his genius routine.

 

But Ashirion didn’t furrow his brow like before. He just smiled brightly.

 

As I watched him fondly, I failed to notice that the closed door was now open.

 

While laughing like that.

 

I suddenly raised my voice, saying “Oh, right!”

 

“Ash. Could you do me just one favor?”

 

“A favor?”

 

“Yeah. It’s nothing big, but it’s something I can’t do.”

 

Then Ashirion tilted his head.

 

“There’s something you can’t do?”

 

“There shouldn’t be. Except washing socks.”

 

Max chimed in agreement.

 

After a moment, Ashirion nodded.

 

“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything. What is it?”

 

* * *

 

Inside the prison cell of the dark underground auction house.

 

“…So, have you been well?”

 

The guard holding a food tray hesitantly entered.

 

He should have been swaggering and picking fights as usual, but lately he had been acting as carefully as possible.

 

It was because of what he had witnessed a few days ago.

 

That day was when he was assigned night guard duty.

 

The night work was very simple. Monitoring to see if any chess pieces tried to escape from their cells.

 

But the monitoring was just a facade. How could they escape this cell while wearing those big shackles?

 

Therefore, those assigned night guard duty would openly do other things or go watch night matches, blatantly neglecting their watch.

 

That day was the same. He had stayed behind while his colleagues went to watch matches, sitting in a chair and dozing off.

 

Then he heard someone’s footsteps.

 

Wondering if it might be his supervisor, he opened his eyes with a start.

 

But what he saw was a young boy.

 

To be precise, it was a chess piece he was managing.

 

The boy with devil’s eyes that the auction house owner had brought.

 

“Why, why are you here… How, how did you get outside?”

 

“….”

 

Despite his question, the boy calmly walked past him.

 

Then he went into the cell himself and put the shackles on his own hands.

 

The guard’s mouth slowly fell open.

 

The boy had never fought in any matches. Since he was destined to be discarded soon, even his training had stopped.

 

Therefore, they hadn’t checked if the shackles were intact. In the first place, they couldn’t even imagine that they could be broken.

 

However, the handcuffs seemed to have been broken for a long time.

 

And even knowing him, the Young Boy didn’t run away.

 

Even though he could leave, he had returned to this place on his own.

 

Surely he must have other business here.

 

The moment he thought that far, the Young Boy who had entered the Prison Cell looked at the Guard.

 

“….”

 

Quiet golden eyes stared intently at him.

 

He could tell without words being spoken.

 

If he told anyone else what he had just seen, he wouldn’t let it slide….

 

A very clear and certain warning.

 

Therefore, the Guard couldn’t say anything and left the Prison Cell.

 

It was from that time that he started watching the Young Boy’s mood. To make up even a little for the countless words he had ignored and spat out.

 

“Here’s today’s food ration. I specially asked them to put in the good stuff. Even kids sponsored by Nobles can’t easily get this kind of food. Ahem.”

 

He pushed the food tray inside while making a big show of it, but the Young Boy’s gaze didn’t reach him.

 

It was a familiar occurrence.

 

But it wouldn’t be like that anymore.

 

“And another sponsorship came in for you….”

 

At the same time the words weren’t even finished, golden eyes reached him.

 

‘I thought so.’

 

The Young Boy who showed no interest in anything else had this as his sole interest. The sponsorship that some unknown person sent periodically.

 

It was recovery potions.

 

And one more thing, the Patron’s letter.

 

Since it was a system where prices went up according to match performance, this Underground Auction House had its own fan base.

 

Therefore, letters often contained detailed explanations of who they were and what reasons led them to sponsor a Chess Piece.

 

However, the letters that came to the Young Boy were always extremely short.

 

Hang in there.

 

Don’t get hurt.

 

I’m sorry I can only do this much for you….

 

Letters that were too short to be considered carefully written, yet the frequency of sponsorship was excessively frequent for something carelessly done – letters that showed tender affection.

 

‘It’ll probably be the same kind of content today. Though that guy probably can’t even read anyway.’

 

It was customary to read letters that came for customers. The Guard unfolded the letter.

 

“According to legend, a god descended to this land with the blue moon. You know the blue moon is in a few days, right? I’ll pray that the god comes to your side too. The sender is… ‘Baby Snowflake Won’t Endure’…?”

 

What is this?

 

Seeing ‘Baby Snowflake’ written there, it seemed to be the same person. But it was somewhat puzzling that the words attached before and after kept changing.

 

When a sponsored Chess Piece won or when purchasing auction items, the Patron’s name would be called out loudly. Therefore, Patrons usually came up with plausible and cool aliases.

 

‘Well, what a peculiar person….’

 

That’s when he noticed the final postscript.

 

“‘P.S., I think it’ll be difficult to contact you for a while. But I’ll definitely contact you again, so you have to stay healthy until then’….”

 

The Guard who read that far sighed without realizing it.

 

For some unknown reason, the Young Boy didn’t drink the recovery potions his Patron gave him. However, seeing that no empty bottles remained, it seemed he left this Prison Cell to give them to someone else.

 

But today would probably be the last time for this too.

 

Chess Pieces who don’t participate in matches despite continued sponsorship get disposed of.

 

And as he remembered, this Chess Piece’s disposal was scheduled for next week.

 

‘This might be the last time. He’ll leave without even seeing it.’

 

Just as he was thinking that.

 

Suddenly, the Young Boy stood up from his spot.

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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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