The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 55
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 55
“The condition.”
As the physician straightened up, the Duke, who had been standing firm like a mountain, asked.
“It’s stable. She seems to have fainted briefly, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
“….”
Even at those words, the Duke’s lips remained tightly sealed, not even twitching.
Instead of adding many words, the physician quietly left the room.
“….”
In the bedroom where only silence had settled, Paterre quietly clenched his fist.
‘…Why.’
An unutterable question lingered.
Why did you step forward.
You knew it was dangerous. So why.
…No, actually he knew.
“…Please save Ash, Your Grace. That’s the reward I want.”
Because she was a child accustomed to that.
Because she was a child who cared more about others than herself.
That’s how she saved Paterre Stukkyia’s servants, the orphaned children, and Paterre himself.
Without taking care of herself.
It had been truly long since he felt regret.
“I want to become Your Grace’s daughter!”
When they first met, he should have sent her away mercilessly then.
The child who suddenly appeared, saying she wanted to become his daughter.
And a child who might possibly be related to that person.
Regardless of such things, he just, just should have sent her away.
“I… want to live.”
“….”
“That’s just, that’s all….”
Then at least there wouldn’t have been this terrible situation of throwing herself into harm’s way.
Perhaps it might not be too late even now.
Even while thinking that….
“….”
Paterre couldn’t bring himself to speak in the end.
It wasn’t because the child was sleeping.
He was simply curious about what expression Hanisha might be wearing as she slept.
What look she would give him when she opened her eyes again.
He kept his mouth shut for a long time.
Bound by promises and curses now, yearning for someone in the darkness was his only freedom.
* * *
In the dark place, I slowly opened my eyes.
‘Where is this?’
Blinking was brief, as I soon realized.
A dark room. Objects prepared only as needed. Beyond a door that wouldn’t open except for truly important times, the voices of family members chatting quietly.
And me, crouched and sniffling.
This is a memory from childhood. Precisely, a memory from when I lived on Earth.
“I was wrong….”
Even knowing no one would listen, I kept muttering repeatedly.
I was wrong.
Whatever it was, I was wrong, so please….
“I don’t want to be alone….”
The moment a small sob escaped my lips.
Jingle….
A sound came from not far away. The sound of a small bead hitting a round surface. It was the sound of a bell.
I slowly raised my head.
And blinked in disbelief.
In the room without a single light, someone was looking at me.
“…Ah.”
That being called to me. With a voice that seemed soaked in tears.
A sudden intrusion, a strange being, an odd sound.
But strangely, somehow that being didn’t feel unfamiliar.
No, rather….
It felt so dear that it brought tears to my eyes.
“…Ah….”
As if yielding to the call, I reached out my hand toward that being as if enchanted.
* * *
At the same time, I opened my eyes with a start.
‘Where is this?’
An unfamiliar space, a strange place.
Blinking slowly was brief, as my mind began to turn slowly.
‘So, I was definitely talking with Palren….’
Then… I saw the Duke’s rampage.
“…!”
I reflexively bolted upright. Whether due to some unknown force, my vision was blurry as if dark clouds had covered my eyes.
Beyond that hazy sight, I could see someone’s silhouette.
“Anna? Hati? Lord Caron? H-how did it turn out? The, the Duke….”
“….”
“Ugh, ah, I can’t see well….”
I just rubbed my innocent eyes vigorously. Then the approaching silhouette soon held something out to me. It was a warm wet towel.
“Thank you….”
I bowed in greeting and wiped my eyes.
Despite the warm and soft cloth, my eyes stung, so it seemed I had been crying the entire time I was lying down.
Fortunately, my vision gradually became clearer. After blinking slowly a couple of times, I raised my head.
“Thank you very….”
I should have finished my greeting, but I couldn’t bring myself to complete it.
The person in front of me was Paterre Stukkyia.
I was flustered and could only gape. I never thought the Duke would be here, and in such a perfectly fine state at that.
‘No, wait!’
I grabbed the Duke’s arm and examined him from all angles.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Somewhere, maybe in pain?”
“What?”
“If there’s anywhere uncomfortable, please tell me…”
I said this thinking there might be somewhere I hadn’t noticed.
The Duke was someone skilled at hiding anything, after all.
But something felt strange.
“No.”
After moving his lips slightly, the Duke pressed them shut and grabbed my arm.
“That’s not what you should be saying.”
“…What?”
“I heard from Ashirion and Max. You thought there was a traitor and tried to investigate Count Agnito’s people.”
“…Ah.”
“And then you found out I was in danger and jumped in.”
“That’s… Yes, that’s right.”
I, who was about to say something, just obediently admitted it.
This kind of firm voice from the Duke, without a trace of playfulness, was a first.
Come to think of it, it was natural.
Since the blue moon incident, the Duke had never once given me any orders. Everything was done on my own whim.
‘He must think I did something useless. He might really tell me to leave now.’
It was a situation I had anticipated from the moment I jumped in to help the Duke.
But…
Strangely, my chest felt tight and suffocating.
Though I had never stood on a clear path before, this time I truly felt lost. Just as I unconsciously lowered my gaze.
“I’m sorry.”
At those words, I quickly raised my head.
Sorry? For what exactly?
“While you were jumping in to help me, people didn’t stop you. Those adults couldn’t restrain a child like you.”
“…”
“And I too, having lost my reason, showed you a terrible sight. I exposed you to horrific danger.”
The Duke was the same as always.
His mountain-like build. His still-covered eyes and low, sunken voice. The tone that felt devoid of warmth, thoroughly pinpointing only the core when pointing out mistakes.
Literally a sight that brought to mind a living tomb.
But why was it?
“I’m sorry, Hanisha. For showing you such a terrible sight.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for making you experience things you didn’t need to.”
Why did his voice sound so tender?
Strangely, my heart was pounding. It felt like we were facing each other as person to person, not as Duke and aspiring daughter.
“…It’s not your fault. I didn’t do anything right either. A major accident almost happened because of me.”
“I’m not trying to assign blame. If we must weigh responsibility, mine is greater.”
“Even so… I want to ask you one more thing. Is that okay?”
“Anything, if you’ll accept my apology.”
When I spoke while cautiously reading his mood, the Duke smiled faintly.
“This time, you really can’t lie… Can you promise me that?”
“Yes. If you want, I’ll swear on the name of Stukkyia.”
The Duke raised an eyebrow as if trying to lighten the stiff atmosphere.
It was like an unchanging promise.
I slowly parted my lips.
“…I heard from Palren. That I was the second person to open the gates of Paterre Castle.”
“That’s right.”
“And I also heard that the first person was the one who injured your eyes. So I was wondering…”
I carefully began.
“…Is that first love the same person who hurt you?”
Even with the promise made, it was a sensitive question.
But I had to ask.
Though it was said to be due to the blue moon’s influence, the Duke had harmed himself.
‘Moreover, he didn’t even catch the culprit who injured his eyes.’
Yet this same Duke had come to my wedding with Rene, the leader of the Rebel Forces, with perfectly fine eyes.
‘Which means perhaps.’
Could there be some other connection between that first love and the Duke?
If that’s why he hadn’t healed his eyes until now, if it was his own will…
I waited for the answer with a tense expression.
Finally, the Duke slowly opened his mouth.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
