The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 66

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 66

 

Even so, Paterre’s furrowed brow wouldn’t relax easily, so I looked at Palren behind him. Then I widened my eyes as if to say, please say something.

 

‘If you don’t settle Rene as my friend, Palren, it’ll look like you just sat there doing nothing when I was kidnapped!’

 

-That’s what I meant to convey.

 

Palren flinched as if he understood that look. He smiled awkwardly and began to speak.

 

“It would be better for Hanisha to have a child her own age rather than adults. Making friends with peers is important too.”

 

“A friend…”

 

“Besides, didn’t Lord Enril also take in strong individuals as children of Stukkyia regardless of their origin or race? Hanisha recognized him too.”

 

When he mentioned Enril, the deceased older brother of Paterre Stukkyia, Paterre’s displeased expression became much more lenient.

 

“Having one more child wouldn’t be strange. It would also be a good method to keep him by her side as a guard to prevent such situations in the future.”

 

“That’s true. But… I have a strange feeling.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I feel like I’m going to really regret this situation…”

 

It was the moment Paterre muttered meaningfully.

 

Grumble.

 

My stomach growled in the silence. Having eaten deliciously lately, I couldn’t endure the hunger and became hungry.

 

As if hearing my grumbling sound, Paterre changed his tone as if nothing had happened.

 

“I’ll scold her later. For now, let’s return to the castle. Go back and feed the child first.”

 

At those words, the people from Paterre Castle who came with us responded “Yes!” and changed direction.

 

“Oh, then can I go with my friend? He got hurt trying to save me. I want to treat him.”

 

“After you finish eating.”

 

“I’ll eat! I’ll eat it!”

 

When I answered energetically, Paterre said “Good answer” and flicked my nose gently so it wouldn’t hurt.

 

“Let’s go home.”

 

Then he lifted me up without hesitation.

 

It was the second time since entering through the gates of Paterre Castle. Being held by him.

 

Surely it was the same for Paterre, but it felt stable as if he had held me countless times.

 

‘Is this what it feels like to go home with family?’

 

My heart fluttered at the unknown sensation. I felt like I needed to grab onto something, but there was nothing to hold, so I just fidgeted with my hands.

 

‘No, wait. This isn’t the time for this.’

 

I glanced back just in case. Even if Rene didn’t follow me, I wasn’t planning to force him to come along.

 

“…”

 

However, Rene looked back once at the distant darkness behind us, then followed us without resistance.

 

* * *

 

After arriving at Paterre Castle, things became even more hectic.

 

“Miss!”

 

“Lady Hanisha, are you alright?”

 

“Our little icicle! Let me see if anything got chipped! Huh?”

 

The people of Paterre Castle swarmed over, competing to check my condition.

 

I feel a bit sorry for this expression toward people who like me, but they looked like zombies, so I didn’t let go of Paterre’s clothes.

 

However, Paterre pulled me out of his arms with a pop.

 

Then he coldly set me down on the ground!

 

When I looked up with a betrayed expression, Paterre grinned.

 

“You have to receive punishment for worrying people, our daughter.”

 

“Ah…?”

 

“Daddy wants our daughter to grow up to be a good person. Sincerely.”

 

His dimples deepened even more.

 

After that, the servants pounced on me as if they had been waiting…

 

Just like Paterre had done, after being subjected to the ‘face-checking punishment,’ I received the ‘head-patting punishment,’ and then the ‘eat-lots-and-get-full punishment.’

 

By the time I came out after washing so thoroughly that not a speck of dust could be seen, as Paterre had ordered, it was already deep into the night.

 

“Really, do you know how worried we were? I thought my insides were burning black.”

 

“Sorry… I was wrong…”

 

It was while I was drying my hair, comforting Hati who was so shocked that her heart still hadn’t calmed down.

 

“By the way, where is Rene?”

 

“Are you referring to the young boy you brought with you?”

 

I nodded.

 

Before being swept away by the servants, I had definitely seen Paterre pointing somewhere and saying something to Rene.

 

Since that direction was inside the castle, it seemed he wasn’t kicked out, but I couldn’t help but worry.

 

“We brought him inside as His Grace ordered. But…”

 

Hati’s face clouded with difficulty.

 

It meant something troublesome had happened.

 

I jumped up from my seat.

 

“Where is Rene now?”

 

* * *

 

Contrary to my expectations, nothing had happened at all.

 

Rene’s room was warm and nice like mine, and the food on the table was good quality food not much different from what I had eaten.

 

The only problem was that Rene hadn’t touched the food at all.

 

“We tried to persuade him somehow…”

 

“He’s too wary…”

 

“Miss…”

 

The servants said with tearful faces. Even then, when Rene glanced at them, they flinched and stiffened.

 

They looked exactly like novice butlers who had brought home a hissing stray kitten.

 

‘I thought it would be okay since he followed obediently, but he still hasn’t let down his guard around people.’

 

It’s not that I don’t understand. But…

 

I looked back at the servants and said.

 

“I’ll try to handle this alone from here.”

 

“What? But we can’t leave you alone. We don’t know what might happen.”

 

“Nothing will happen. Rene got hurt trying to protect me in the first place.”

 

“But…”

 

The hesitating servants eventually reluctantly gave way.

 

The room with just the two of us left.

 

I turned toward Rene. Though he was much more relaxed than when the servants were there, Rene’s eyes were still full of wariness.

 

I picked up a plate of food and asked.

 

“Want to eat this? It’s really delicious.”

 

“…”

 

“Or do you want to wash up? The warm water comes out really well here.”

 

Even when I said various things as if trying to coax him, Rene didn’t budge.

 

He just looked at me with quiet, wary eyes.

 

I let out a soft sigh.

 

“Right, you don’t like any of it.”

 

Then I raised my head again.

 

“Then excuse me for a moment.”

 

I approached Rene with determined steps.

 

“…!”

 

He crouched down as if ready to spring up at any moment. But I was faster. I grabbed his wrist and rolled up his shirt.

 

And, as expected.

 

On Rene’s flat stomach, a dark red mark was carved.

 

It looked like it had just bloomed and settled in place. I could tell for certain. This was poison.

 

Among the Grave Robbers, there were those who carried poison on their swords. It seemed the poison had gotten on him when he was scratched by the dagger.

 

‘It must be quite a strong poison, so how did he endure it until now?’

 

“I’ll treat you. If I just pour this medicine on it, you’ll get better quickly…”

 

I didn’t even have time to finish my sentence. Because Rene forcefully pushed my arm away.

 

Sharp eyes, a body crouched as if on high alert. It was a clear sign of suspicion.

 

“Alright, then.”

 

I stepped back from Rene.

 

Then I took out the hairpin that Esther’s Maids had put in for me. They had said that since the pin’s tip was sharp, I must get someone else’s help when removing it.

 

After removing the pin, I rolled up my sleeve. My arm revealed beyond the abundant frills.

 

I drew the pin across it without hesitation.

 

After a stinging sensation passed, a red line was drawn across my white arm.

 

“…!”

 

Rene hesitated and looked at me.

 

However, I didn’t stop and poured the medicine I had brought over it.

 

After leaving just enough to glisten, I showed Rene my arm as if for inspection.

 

“Look. If this medicine were poison, something would happen to me too.”

 

“…”

 

And after a moment, the wound disappeared as if it had never been there.

 

“This should be trustworthy enough, right?”

 

“…”

 

Rene was still frowning. His wariness had softened, but he still seemed unable to understand my actions.

 

However, instead of explaining, I didn’t miss this opportunity and lifted Rene’s clothes again. Then I quickly poured the medicine on the affected area before he could pull away.

 

Rene groaned softly, seemingly in pain.

 

“It’s okay. Just endure a little more…”

 

It was when I had finally poured the last of the medicine.

 

Very faintly, I could see the dark red stain slowly disappearing.

 

“…It’s done.”

 

“…”

 

“Thank goodness. It won’t hurt anymore.”

 

Unlike me who was relieved, Rene quickly pulled down his clothes and stared at me intently.

 

His clear golden eyes seemed to be asking exactly how I knew he had been poisoned.

 

So I silently rolled up my left sleeve.

 

At the sight that was revealed, Rene faintly furrowed his brow.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————