The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 52

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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 52

 

When Hanisha opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything, Paterre Stukkyia raised the corners of his lips.

 

“What. Don’t believe it? I may not look it, but I’m quite the romantic, you know.”

 

“Are you really not married because of your first love?”

 

It might seem childish, but first love stories were always interesting to hear. Especially when the subject was none other than Paterre Stukkyia himself.

 

“So where is she now? Did you confess? Did you confess? Which family was she from, even a small hint…”

 

Paterre Stukkyia chuckled as he listened to the flood of questions.

 

“I don’t know where she is, and I never confessed. I don’t even know her name.”

 

“…Huh? You don’t even know her name…?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Paterre Stukkyia grinned wide enough to show the dimples on both cheeks.

 

“You’re lying.”

 

It was the same smile as back then.

 

The same one when he cheered me on, telling me to do well collecting signatures.

 

‘He was just teasing me!’

 

My heart, which had been greatly surprised at the thought of learning Paterre Stukkyia’s secret that no one else knew, deflated with a whoosh.

 

“What the heck. Why would you tell such a lie…”

 

“Why? It’s fun. A first love story I don’t even remember.”

 

“It’s not fun at all. You’re totally, ah, such a mister.”

 

I mumbled the word “mister” as quietly as possible in case it might offend him. But Paterre Stukkyia seemed to have heard it.

 

“That’s right. I’ll act like an old man, little kid.”

 

Paterre Stukkyia, showing no sign of being affected at all, wiggled his eyebrows and straightened his body that had been leaning against the backrest. It meant the meal was over.

 

“Well then, Your Grace.”

 

Hanisha stood up from her seat and asked while organizing the dishes.

 

“If you met that first love you don’t even remember again, what would you do?”

 

Since he had answered jokingly, this was just a playful question in return. If I used this well, I might be able to ward off people approaching Paterre Stukkyia.

 

But no answer came back from Paterre Stukkyia.

 

Hanisha, who had been organizing the dishes, suddenly looked up.

 

He was looking toward the window. Since his eyes were injured, it would be more accurate to say he was vaguely gazing at somewhere the light was coming from.

 

“Well. I don’t know when she might appear, but I’d have to catch her first.”

 

It was his usual indifferent voice.

 

“And I’d ask her why. Why she left me.”

 

But I could clearly feel it.

 

“So I’d keep her until I’m satisfied. So she could never escape.”

 

“…”

 

“Absolutely never let her run away.”

 

The long-held regret toward his first love, and the resentment so vivid it sent chills down the listener’s spine—all of it was sincere.

 

“Your Grace…!”

 

There’s a clue in that. Just as Hanisha was about to ask urgently.

 

“Ugh…”

 

With a faint groan, Paterre Stukkyia’s body began to sway. Soon, shadows began creeping up from his feet.

 

“…!”

 

Hanisha instinctively realized.

 

‘The blue moon has begun.’

 

But something was strange. The sun was still up. Even during the blue moon period, it should be far from the point of going berserk…!

 

Hanisha shot up from her seat. Just as she was about to approach Paterre.

 

“Stay back!”

 

At that moment, Paterre shouted loudly.

 

It wasn’t an angry roar or fury. Yet it felt like the entire space was reverberating.

 

I could feel the windows and objects in the office rattling.

 

‘This is what going berserk is like…’

 

Hanisha froze unconsciously at this phenomenon she was experiencing for the first time.

 

“Damn it…”

 

Even though they were his own words, Paterre gritted his teeth as if regretting them. Soon he muttered in a much more subdued voice.

 

“…Get out.”

 

“…”

 

“Get out, right now.”

 

Paterre barked fiercely. At that moment, the door opened and Caron and the maids entered.

 

“I’m sorry, Miss Hanisha. Please leave now.”

 

With his usual cheerful smile completely wiped from his face, Caron spoke.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Hanisha briefly said “I’m sorry” and left the room with the maids.

 

Thud.

 

The door closed as if it had been waiting.

 

Like the castle gates that had been firmly shut for over ten years.

 

* * *

 

The blue moon had begun.

 

While the blue moon is up, the senses of those with magical power and abilities become extremely sensitive. Therefore, the servants were as careful as possible with their movements.

 

“How is His Grace’s condition?”

 

I asked Anna and Hati carefully. Then Anna, who had been tidying the room, smiled gently and said.

 

“He’s in pain. As all ability users are. Of course, His Grace suffers more than others due to his physical condition…”

 

“…”

 

“He’ll overcome it as he always has. Don’t worry too much.”

 

As if talking about a passing cold, Anna answered matter-of-factly. As if it really wasn’t a big deal.

 

I know too. That Paterre Stukkyia’s pain is because of the blue moon.

 

Even so, I couldn’t put my mind at ease.

 

“Well. I don’t know when she might appear, but I’d have to catch her first.”

 

“And I’d ask her why. Why she left me.”

 

“So I’d keep her until I’m satisfied. So she could never escape.”

 

Because I had touched something I shouldn’t have touched, because it seemed like the rampage came early because of me.

 

“…”

 

I quietly fidgeted with my hands. If only I had power at times like this, I could have been of help to Paterre Stukkyia too.

 

But as if to prove my uselessness, I felt no pain at all despite it being the blue moon period.

 

I thought I might be helpful this time. But again, I couldn’t do anything.

 

No, I had actually crossed the line. Even if Paterre Stukkyia came to his senses and kicked me out, I’d have nothing to say.

 

I’ll be abandoned again. Just like I always have been…

 

‘…No, get it together!’

 

As gloomy thoughts kept trying to continue, I shook my head vigorously.

 

There was no point in regretting what had already happened.

 

‘For now, I need to do what I can do right now.’

 

I took a deep breath and left the room.

 

As I passed through the corridor, I immediately saw Caron.

 

“Sir Caron.”

 

“Miss Hanisha.”

 

Caron greeted me as warmly as usual. Even though he must be busy checking on Paterre Stukkyia’s condition and handling proxy duties, he showed no signs of fatigue.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“There’s a lot of work to do. I want to help Caron too. I’m Caron’s successor, after all. I want to be by his side.”

 

When I shook my head and spoke, Caron said “Oh, my goodness” and placed his hand on his chest like someone deeply moved.

 

“It feels like I’ve received a birthday present at just the right time.”

 

“Oh, Caron, was it your birthday?”

 

“No. But I’m thinking of changing my birthday to today. It’s such a glorious day.”

 

Caron answered without batting an eye. It seemed he really meant it was okay.

 

Though it was a silly conversation, it seemed to ease my tense feelings.

 

I walked alongside Caron.

 

As we entered the meeting room, the gazes of three men sitting on the wide sofa all turned to us at once.

 

They were the people who had secured manufacturing contracts from Paterre Stukkyia before the Marquis Medena incident.

 

I quietly took a breath.

 

The reason I had been particularly worried about the blue moon wasn’t solely because of the clash between abilities and magic power.

 

Today, that is, the year I turned 10.

 

Taking advantage of the blue moon rising, someone attacks Paterre Stukkyia.

 

However, who attacked him was never officially revealed. Everyone just thought ‘the duke has earned someone’s resentment again.’ Paterre Stukkyia didn’t search for the culprit either.

 

That was probably because it was the work of an insider.

 

No matter how much of a trash heap it was, there would be nothing good about revealing that someone related to him was the culprit.

 

‘And if my prediction is correct… that traitor is one of these three.’

 

Hiding my thoughts, I smiled brightly and greeted them.

 

“Hello, it’s nice to see you again after so long.”

 

“My goodness, Hanisha. It’s so good to see you again like this.”

 

The retainer who appeared to be the oldest among the three smiled kindly. He was the gentle adult who had readily stepped forward when I was going around getting signatures on adoption consent forms.

 

“Hello, Griezmann. Have you been well?”

 

“I’ve been well, thanks to you. So, are you doing well assisting Paterre Stukkyia?”

 

“Yes. He’s having a bit of trouble with the blue moon, but with you by his side, Griezmann, Paterre Stukkyia can rest easy.”

 

As I greeted him politely while also flattering him a little, he chuckled heartily.

 

“Paterre Stukkyia must be pleased. Having such a reliable assistant by his side.”

 

“You flatter me…”

 

“Hmph, she’s still just a lowly brat of unknown origins, what’s the big deal.”

 

That’s when it happened. A sarcastic sneer could be heard.

 

I let my gaze slide to the side.

 

One man was watching me with crooked eyes, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

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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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