The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 70

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

Chapter 70

 

‘He seems… more sincere than I thought.’

 

Perhaps thinking the same as me, all the retainers fell silent.

 

“The Duke’s words are correct. If Hanisha were truly a bad child, she wouldn’t have made efforts for Stukkyia.”

 

Then, Griezmann, who had been particularly fond of me, spoke up for the first time.

 

“I also agree with Lord Griezmann’s opinion. What kind of spy would charge at a blue moon, claiming to save the Duke no less?”

 

Palren quickly chimed in agreement.

 

“That’s true. The atmosphere in Paterre Castle has definitely improved since that child arrived. Not to mention the Duke’s condition.”

 

“Come to think of it, wasn’t that what we wanted most? For the Duke to come out into the outside world.”

 

As the two people favorable to the ducal family responded positively, the reaction gradually began to change.

 

This was positive evaluation I had never received before. Unable to believe it, I unconsciously clenched my fists.

 

“Ah, but since the Baron who was in charge of education has left his position… I’m not sure if it will be alright.”

 

Then suddenly someone spoke with regret.

 

The tutor.

 

I instinctively knew who they were talking about.

 

Count Karbendi.

 

He was Stukkyia’s oldest retainer and the teacher of both Enril, the previous duke, and the current duke. Though not blood-related, he was practically like the Duke’s grandfather.

 

Despite his age, his upright bearing and abundant knowledge were coveted even by other families. Even the Imperial Palace had tried to employ him as a tutor to teach the princes.

 

However, Count Karbendi suddenly disappeared when the current duke injured his eyes.

 

According to rumors, being a person with high moral standards, he couldn’t bear the current duke’s behavior.

 

But Count Karbendi reappeared.

 

As a retainer of Agnito.

 

‘In the end, Stukkyia was criticized for losing even their last remaining elder.’

 

First ignoring his own daughter, and now even someone who was like a grandfather had turned his back.

 

Then, Paterre Stukkyia spoke.

 

“What can we do? He doesn’t wish it. There are still excellent talents available, so Julian. You shall teach her.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

Julian, the retainer who had been consistently favorable toward me, looked at me.

 

“Please take care of me, Princess.”

 

Princess.

 

It was the title I had longed for so much.

 

I suppressed my rising joy and answered energetically.

 

“Yes! Please take care of me too!”

 

* * *

 

Several days later.

 

Carefully holding my breath, I cautiously glanced to the side.

 

To my right was Max, and to my left was Mister Ralt, the work foreman and Panther Leader of the blacksmith, both looking ahead with tense faces. Behind them were other thugs as well.

 

“Well then, I’ll start now.”

 

When Ashirion solemnly declared, the three of us nodded in unison.

 

Ashirion, who had been cupping his hands as if protecting a candle flame, finally slowly opened them.

 

Like a flower blooming, in his slowly opening hands was…

 

“Peep-”

 

A baby bird with white feathers was blinking its eyes.

 

The bird that Ashirion had treated – its egg had finally hatched.

 

“How adorable. It looks just like my granddaughter when she was born!”

 

When Ralt exclaimed in his booming voice, the baby bird began flapping its wings as if responding.

 

“Well, it is cute.”

 

Max, standing beside him, agreed.

 

“Among minerals too, these round ones combine well no matter where you put them. Is that a characteristic of cute things?”

 

Ashirion continued from Max’s muttering.

 

“Young animals are usually round and cute because it was advantageous for survival. They need to appeal to adults to increase their chances of survival.”

 

Ashirion smiled and looked at me.

 

“How’s that? It’s on a different level from such simple explanations, right?”

 

“What?! What’s wrong with my observation!”

 

Max replied indignantly.

 

“Do you know how beautiful it is when minerals with different properties mesh together to become one?”

 

“It’s still just a lump of scrap metal. Do you know how beautiful the sound of life breathing is?”

 

“Joy multiplies each time minerals move properly in their respective roles.”

 

“Even so, can it compare to when animals who’ve gained new life look at me with sparkling eyes?”

 

The person who would be called a mad scientist in the future and someone who had once wanted to give up on life were fiercely arguing.

 

‘Is this the difference between logical and emotional types?’

 

The bickering continued when suddenly Max snorted.

 

“Hani-sha probably thinks similarly to me, right?”

 

“Nonsense. Hani-sha is smart enough to use insects to clear her name. She’ll sympathize more with my thoughts than yours.”

 

…Why are they suddenly bringing up my name in their fight?

 

Just as anxiety was creeping in, both of them looked at me simultaneously. Then-

 

“Hani-sha, what do you think?”

 

“Will you tell us your thoughts, Hani-sha?”

 

They asked simultaneously as if they’d been waiting.

 

With eyes that said, you’re on my side, right?

 

‘I knew this would happen.’

 

I looked at them with slightly tired eyes.

 

Their bickering had long become familiar, and I knew that unless I made a judgment, it would continue.

 

“Well, I…”

 

So I answered lightly.

 

“I’ll agree with Ashirion’s thinking.”

 

“…!”

 

“…!”

 

Max’s face darkened while Ashirion’s face instantly brightened.

 

Max approached with a shocked expression and whispered.

 

“Have you forgotten all the socks I’ve been washing for you…? Was our friendship as thin and worthless as sock threads?”

 

“…Max. Aren’t you bringing up too trivial a memory? And I never made you run sock errands.”

 

“It’s because of that guy’s future research funding, isn’t it? Huh? Abandoning friendship for money!”

 

As if he couldn’t hear my words, Max accused me with an incredulous expression.

 

A few days ago, the Duke had indeed given all the money under Medena Count’s name to Ashirion.

 

That amount was approximately 200 gold.

 

It was an amount that even wealthy merchant guilds couldn’t easily handle.

 

“Th-that’s impossible.”

 

Max’s jaw dropped.

 

“A mere 13-year-old receiving 200 gold in sponsorship? That’s impossible. Isn’t this too excessive?”

 

“Just honestly say you’re jealous if you’re jealous, Max.”

 

“I’m actually so jealous. Damn! How many loaves of bread could that buy!”

 

Despite his words, Max only grumbled but didn’t sneer. He was envious, but it wasn’t that he coveted the money.

 

“…I’ll be able to do it soon too. I’m getting special training from the misters.”

 

Max’s determination to study minerals first seemed sincere. Indeed, he had even mustered the courage to enter that dangerous mine he had been so afraid of.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“I’ll use all the money for research purposes.”

 

Ashirion, who had been watching us, suddenly spoke up.

 

“If I had continued to follow Count Medena’s will, I wouldn’t have even known about the existence of the sponsorship funds. A terrible vicious cycle would have repeated.”

 

“….”

 

“So to pay for the sins I’ve committed, it’s right to use it for these children.”

 

Saying this, Ashirion lowered his gaze toward the bird.

 

“Come to think of it, that means I don’t have a single penny either.”

 

“…What are you saying again? Such a boring guy.”

 

Max clicked his tongue and grumbled, but I understood.

 

Ashirion’s words were said in a roundabout way so that Max and I wouldn’t feel bad.

 

Max must have scolded him, albeit gently, because he noticed this too.

 

‘They really are good children. They’ll be blessed later.’

 

I was smiling contentedly when Ashirion looked back at me.

 

“How about you, Hanisha?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“The lessons, are they manageable?”

 

“Oh, yes. Everyone treats me kindly and well. Especially Julian. But why do you ask?”

 

“No, it’s nothing much…. As you know, Count Karbendi, who was the education director, has been away for a long time. Julian, who teaches you, was also Count Karbendi’s disciple.”

 

Ashirion hesitated as he continued speaking.

 

“So… I was wondering if you might have heard any other talk.”

 

Though he ended his words vaguely, I thought I knew what he meant.

 

In fact, Count Karbendi hadn’t left the Paterre family without reason.

 

The Count was a person of deep faith. Even when the Paterre family became a pile of trash, he maintained his position as an elder until the very end.

 

What he advocated was only one thing.

 

‘Trisha Klain.’

 

The Princess of the Principality and the fiancée of the late Paterre Stukkyia, Enril Stukkyia.

 

And to take back as wife the woman who was pregnant with the current Paterre Stukkyia’s child.

 

However, Paterre Stukkyia refused this, and the Count left Paterre Castle after that. It was from this time that Stukkyia became a hopeless pile of trash.

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