The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 48

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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 48

 

* * *

 

It was late evening, but not yet time to sleep.

 

Therefore, the servants who were slowly finishing their daily tasks widened their eyes in surprise when they saw Paterre emerge from his office.

 

“Th-the Duke has come outside…”

 

“Did a war break out? Otherwise, there’s no way the Duke would come outside!”

 

“I knew this would happen. Good thing I packed my bags in advance. Everyone hurry and pack!”

 

They each threw out a comment.

 

“He’s going to see Miss Hanisha.”

 

But as soon as Caron said that.

 

“Ah, if it’s about Hanisha, it makes sense he’d move.”

 

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the Younger Boy today. Is she in her room?”

 

“If it weren’t for the Duke’s work, I would have gone myself. What a shame…”

 

Everyone was in agreement.

 

Baby, newcomer, youngest, snowflake, icicle…

 

There were endless terms referring to Hanisha.

 

Paterre unconsciously let out a short chuckle.

 

Throughout her time bringing him meals and working as a butler, she had chattered about how the chef was doing, how the garden was, and so on. She had gone beyond just making her mark to completely making Paterre Castle her own territory.

 

“Um… if it’s alright with you, could you also take this? I wanted to give it to Hanisha, but she absolutely won’t accept it.”

 

“If the Duke gives it to her, she’ll accept it well.”

 

As if that wasn’t enough, they had even turned Paterre into a gift deliverer of sorts.

 

Thanks to this, the plate that had only contained simple desserts was now filled with candies, chocolates, and other things children would love.

 

Paterre slowly nodded his head at this.

 

“Everyone seems to be living comfortably. Carrying such things in their pockets.”

 

“It’s because we have more work to do thanks to Miss Hanisha.”

 

The cook, who rarely had occasion to prepare various dishes, picked up the knife again for the small child.

 

The gardener, who had given up tending the garden because no one looked at it, began managing the grass again so the child could walk comfortably.

 

Having work to do was proof of being alive.

 

“…That’s right.”

 

So Paterre agreed, quite rarely.

 

“You’re right.”

 

According to his words, he was already no different from being dead, so at least that much was true, wasn’t it?

 

“Here we are.”

 

Soon Caron stopped walking first.

 

“I’ll go in first to check. After all, if that young and delicate lady encounters someone as large as the Duke in the middle of the night, she might just faint on the spot.”

 

“Faint, really.”

 

Paterre chuckled softly.

 

Hanisha had said she wasn’t afraid of ghosts or anything like that.

 

Just coming into this pile of trash on her own feet showed what tremendous courage she had.

 

Rather, she would be happy that he came.

 

Paterre quietly tried to picture Hanisha’s happy face, which he had never seen nor even thought to imagine.

 

He wasn’t sure exactly, but she would obviously be smiling brightly. Hanisha was that kind of child.

 

With such thoughts, Paterre pushed Caron aside and approached Hanisha’s room.

 

Then he tried to open the door, but there was no need. The door was already slightly open.

 

“I don’t like… melting…”

 

So he couldn’t help but clearly hear the words flowing out.

 

* * *

 

‘Ugh, I’m tired.’

 

Perhaps because of various events. When I came out after finishing a warm bath, I was in a somewhat exhausted state.

 

However, since I had to keep my promise with the maids about changing clothes and arranging my hair, I put strength in my eyes and endured.

 

“Since Miss Hanisha came, the Aquarium Caretaker has been happy.”

 

Then Hati, who was drying my hair, spoke in a bright voice.

 

“He’s been putting his hands in the water all day, saying he needs to find a temperature a young child can endure.”

 

“Other servants would be shocked to hear this, but for us, being able to work is an incredibly joyful thing.”

 

“And thanks to you, miss, we also have more work to do. You are an indispensable presence in this Paterre Castle.”

 

While saying this and gently patting my head…

 

‘Ah, they’re doing this on purpose.’

 

It seemed they had heard somewhere that I might soon leave this castle.

 

It might not be a wrong thought.

 

But it wasn’t sad. Rather than wanting to become a daughter, it was more accurate to say I didn’t want to be kicked out.

 

“I see…”

 

So I should tell them it’s okay.

 

Perhaps because I was drained from today’s events, I couldn’t speak actively.

 

Rather, as they touched my head, drowsiness gradually came over me.

 

“So, speaking of which. Is there anything you might want?”

 

“Even something trivial is fine. Candy or sweets would be good too.”

 

“The Chef prepared desserts that you might like, miss. Should I bring those at least?”

 

Hati and Anna, who couldn’t know my condition, asked in gentle voices.

 

As instinct overwhelmed me, rational thinking became difficult. But I had to answer at least. That would be right, wouldn’t it…

 

“I don’t like… melting…”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“It doesn’t fill my stomach…”

 

“…”

 

“So… I don’t like candy either…”

 

At my words, the hands that had been touching my head froze momentarily. Not noticing this, I suddenly recalled an old memory.

 

My previous previous life, that is, before being Hanisha, when I lived on Earth.

 

Occasionally, I had met Grandmother’s friends.

 

Each time, they would take candy from their pockets and give it to me.

 

Their pockets always contained something sweet like candy. My older brother and younger sibling would show displeasure whenever they received them.

 

“Ah, why does that old lady always give such old-fashioned stuff? It doesn’t even taste good.”

 

“Forget it. Let’s eat something else instead of this.”

 

However, I really loved those things.

 

“You’re the second child of this house?”

 

“…Hello.”

 

“Yes, my goodness. You’re so pretty. Here, take this, second child.”

 

“Th-thank you…”

 

“My, this house’s second child is so polite too. Your father must be pleased.”

 

Ridiculously, I really loved being called the second child.

 

It felt like I had truly become family with them.

 

So like opening a box filled with joy, I would melt the candy as slowly as possible.

 

Always carrying around something sweet and delicious like candy meant having children or grandchildren worth that much.

 

What would that feel like? Adults always carrying around delicious things for me.

 

I had melted and eaten it as slowly as possible to feel that sensation.

 

Because I thought I could feel even a little bit loved that way.

 

But now I know.

 

Candy is sweet and delicious, but it disappears as quickly as a fantasy, leaving only a sticky sensation lingering in your mouth for a very long time.

 

“I’d rather have water. At least it can fill my stomach for a moment…”

 

No. Actually, if I’m being a little more honest.

 

“Still, I really… hate cold things…”

 

The maids seemed to say something after that.

 

Unable to overcome the drowsiness that washed over me, I quietly closed my eyes.

 

* * *

 

I opened my eyes with a gasp.

 

‘When did I fall asleep?’

 

Looking around, I could see the bright sun was already up outside the window.

 

This is bad. I need to get up early in the morning and naturally play my supporting role as if nothing happened!

 

I was about to hurriedly get up, worried that I might have overslept.

 

“Miss, are you awake?”

 

I quickly raised my head at the voice I heard. It was Anna and Hati.

 

“Go, good morning! But did I, by any chance, oversleep?”

 

“No. You actually woke up early.”

 

“I see. That’s a relief… Huh?”

 

Just as I was feeling relieved, I noticed something placed in front of the bed.

 

It was a delicious-looking dessert on a pretty plate.

 

That wasn’t all.

 

In a slightly smaller bundle were sweet chocolates, candies, cookies, and so on. It was full of things that children would love.

 

“What is this…?”

 

“Some wicked person dumped this in front of the castle and left.”

 

“What? This much? But it looks brand new…”

 

“Who knows. Maybe they stole it but got scared of the consequences and dumped it on our side.”

 

Anna said that and added, “Though we can’t fully understand a thief’s mind.”

 

Well, it’s land where anything can be dumped, so why not food.

 

I nodded in understanding while examining the bundle. But then I saw something small and folded inside it.

 

“…!”

 

At that moment, my eyes widened without me realizing it.

 

Something I carried around so much that I couldn’t mistake it, that was.

 

‘That’s my adoption consent form!’

 

I had definitely given it to Paterre when I asked him to save Ashirion!

 

‘Why is this here?’

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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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