The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 6

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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 6

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Deep night. Count Agnito’s Study.

Count Agnito let out a deep sigh.

Today, the High Cleric had thoroughly examined every last ledger before finally returning.

“I trust you will fill in the discrepancies in the ledgers. …Dear Count Agnito.”

He knew exactly what those words meant. Even with his eyes closed, that humiliation was vivid before him.

“Damn it all…!”

Finally, the Count crumpled up the documents he was holding along with the curse he had been suppressing.

Today was the Day of Mercy, when Agnito needed to show other nobles that they were still standing strong.

Though the line of saints had been broken, Agnito’s authority still remained. This was because noble society still held the belief that with his daughter Esther, their connection to the Temple had not been severed.

But not only had he been openly humiliated in front of other nobles, all the records of donations they had secretly embezzled were thoroughly investigated.

“Damn….”

His head ached. While strained relationships could be mended with money, as long as Hanisha existed, that day’s humiliation would continue to resurface.

Now, trying to hide the child for other reasons would only invite suspicions of abuse.

He could neither expose the illegitimate Hanisha nor hide her again.

‘Hanisha, I want to get rid of that thing, but….’

Strangely, the Temple was overly protective of people, especially children. Even orphans were given names and registered in the Temple records.

Names could only be removed from Temple records after reaching adulthood, and they managed it so meticulously it almost seemed obsessive.

It was ridiculous.

The increase in war orphans was due to the religious war started by the Temple several years ago.

They had killed those children’s parents in a war waged in God’s name. Then, once again in God’s name, they opened their granaries just once a year, displaying their hypocrisy.

Of course, this was somewhat why Agnito could feel a bit justified in their corruption.

Nevertheless, his anger still did not subside.

His youngest sister Serpina, if only that thing had obediently married the person chosen by the Temple, the saint’s power would never have been severed….

Just as he was letting out a deep sigh, someone entered after knocking.

It was Esther’s Wet Nurse and her maids.

“Did the child return safely?”

“Yes. She completed the ceremony safely as she always has.”

That was fortunate. At least they had shown the Empire’s people that Agnito was still standing strong.

“However….”

The wet nurse, who should have finished her report and left, was hesitating for some reason.

“The young lady cried a lot today.”

“She cried? Why?”

“She said she was surprised that you didn’t come to pick her up… but she seemed much more anxious than that would warrant.”

Before she could finish speaking, Count Agnito shot up from his seat.

He went straight to Esther’s room and opened the door with a knock.

Esther, who had been sniffling, looked at the Count with surprised eyes.

“Oh, Papa.”

“Why are you crying? Were you that disappointed I didn’t come to meet you?”

Esther, who had been blinking at him, quickly wiped her eyes.

“No, my eyes just hurt….”

Count Agnito gently stopped her from roughly rubbing her eyes.

“If you go around with such swollen eyes, people will tease you. Saying you’re a princess with eyes this puffy.”

He then took something out from his chest and gave it to her.

It was a handkerchief made of very soft silk. It was already familiar to Esther.

When the illegitimate Hanisha was born and Agnito fell into despair, Esther was born.

The only future that could free Agnito from illegitimacy.

After that, the Count prepared only the finest for anything related to Esther. This handkerchief was one of those things.

Seeing her father’s affection with her own eyes, her heart gradually softened.

No, rather, she felt sorrowful. She had worked hard representing Agnito from morning to evening, but all she got in return was Hanisha’s unreasonable demands.

Perhaps because of this, Esther wanted to act spoiled with her loving father.

“It’s nothing big. I just… had a little fight with my sister.”

“…Sister? You don’t mean Hanisha, do you?”

Esther nodded.

“Sister told Esther to carry luggage and just… bullied me.”

She deliberately didn’t mention what Hanisha had said about not having to prostrate herself.

She was afraid that maybe Hanisha had really awakened some other ability.

And that she might have to share the affection that was rightfully hers.

Actually, Esther didn’t really hate Hanisha either.

When she became old enough to think for herself, Esther had felt sorry watching Hanisha being mistreated.

At least she had memories of her mother, but sister Hanisha didn’t.

However, as everyone loved her and recognized her as the only daughter of Agnito, those thoughts gradually faded.

Her father’s loving embrace. The always kind servants and sweet desserts. The unique title of being Agnito’s future.

But sister Hanisha, the real saint’s daughter.

If I had to share my things with sister….

Then I would be… Esther would be….

“Sob….”

Tears began to well up in Esther’s eyes again.

Once Esther started crying, she rarely stopped.

Count Agnito, who knew this better than anyone, had a flash of irritation cross his eyes.

There were still mountains of work to handle.

Yet here he was, having to comfort a child with meaningless talk during such precious time.

However, the Count suppressed his rising anger.

“Don’t worry, Esther. I’ll give Hanisha a stern scolding.”

“Really?”

Esther, who had seemed to brighten up, flinched and drooped her shoulders.

“Oh, no. Still, sister isn’t really bad… um, just scold her a little bit.”

“Yes, I will. My good daughter.”

Count Agnito stroked Esther’s head.

Her mood lifted, Esther began chattering about what had happened today.

Perhaps tired from talking, the child fell asleep before long.

At the sound of her steady breathing, Count Agnito hardened his expression as if nothing had happened and left the room.

Checking the time, it was already past midnight.

Sparks flew in the eyes of the Count, who had been pretending to be calm.

This was already the second time today. An incident caused by Hanisha.

Would this really be the last?

No, he couldn’t tell.

She might even continue to stay by Esther’s side and influence her.

Esther was the only child who could wash away the family’s disgrace.

She had to be raised as a good and innocent child so she wouldn’t go astray.

Only then could she continue the line of saints.

‘No more disturbances can be allowed.’

If that’s the case.

Count Agnito, having reached some conclusion in his mind, commanded his subordinate beside him.

“Prepare a carriage. Prepare it with one coachman. Someone so worthless they could disappear immediately.”

If a large corruption continued to grow bigger and bigger, it would simply need to be eliminated.

* * *

After that, Paterre Castle remained quiet for a while. The footsteps of other nobles who used to come and go almost daily to discuss business with Count Agnito also ceased.

‘Of course, they won’t completely cut ties with Agnito. They must have ongoing business ventures.’

But what mattered was that such a thing had happened at all.

“Still, thanks to the Temple’s inspection that day, it seems support for the children will increase for a while.”

Lisa cheerfully shared the rumors circulating around the manor.

She seemed pleased that Bert and Esther were no longer tormenting me.

‘Of course, they’re probably sharpening their knives while eagerly awaiting the day they can torment me again…’

I thought it would be better not to say such things for Lisa’s sake, and kept my mouth firmly shut.

That’s when she said “All done” and brought a mirror in front of me.

In the mirror was me with my hair braided on both sides, just blinking my eyes.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“…It doesn’t look like me. It’s too cute.”

“What are you saying? You’ve always been cute, Miss.”

Lisa smiled contentedly and gently smoothed a slightly crooked hairpin once more.

“The clerics will be captivated at first sight when they see how you look now.”

Lisa spoke with conviction.

Seeing her sparkling eyes, Lisa seemed to believe without a doubt that I could truly receive the clerics’ affection.

“Yes, thank y… Achoo!”

“Oh my, you’re cold, aren’t you? I’m sorry.”

At my sudden sneeze, Lisa quickly wrapped my scarf around me.

“They said the Eastern Temple is really cold since it borders the north… It really is true. If I had known, I would have brought more clothes.”

Instead of answering, I sniffled. As she said, this place was indeed very cold.

So, a week after the Day of Mercy.

My room door, which had remained closed all this time, suddenly opened. The head butler, whom I had never spoken to before, appeared and immediately said this:

“We received word from the Eastern Temple. They said to visit the Temple as soon as possible.”

All children of noble families receive the Temple’s blessing.

However, I, who was born as a corruption, had never visited the Temple even once.

This was because Count Agnito had absolutely forbidden me from leaving the manor.

For me, the Temple’s message was tantamount to freedom, or perhaps forgiveness for being a corruption.

This was also why Lisa had rolled up her sleeves, insisting she would dress me up herself.

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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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