The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 84

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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 84

Enril’s smiling face that had been so vivid before my eyes gradually blurred like a dream from childhood.

What was revealed in the end was once again deep darkness.

Perhaps knowing that Paterre was lost in thought, the count who had been silent for a moment slowly opened his mouth.

“Then will you continue to keep it secret from Miss Hanisha?”

“I can’t tell her anyway. I made a pact with my brother.”

A pact.

It was sorcery that had been passed down since ancient times.

Making an absolutely unbreakable promise with mutual consent.

How his stomach had churned when he learned that fact.

Even when told to quickly break the pact, Paterre stubbornly refused to the end.

Saying he absolutely could not break his brother’s dying wish.

Unable to win that argument, the count eventually left Paterre Castle, leaving behind the deteriorating Paterre.

And that fact spread and spread, eventually changing to ‘the reason Count Karbendi left the castle was because Pater Stukya would not accept the child that Trisha Klain was pregnant with.’

There had been plenty of time to change public opinion.

However, the Religious War broke out as if it had been waiting, and the sorcerers were driven to the Forbidden Land.

As more time passed, the rumors became fact.

Even the few sorcerers who could break pacts were hiding their identities tightly to preserve their lives, so it would take quite some time just to find them.

Thinking of the Stukkyia brothers seemed to bring on a headache. The count pressed his forehead and asked again.

“I understand. Then setting aside the pact.”

His voice became serious once more.

“Will you continue to cover your eyes like that?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Paterre slowly tilted his head.

“My teacher, have you developed quite a sense of humor since leaving the castle?”

The corners of his mouth that lifted lightly were raised gently as if he had heard a very trivial joke.

However, the count spoke in a tone that said ‘not a chance.’

“No matter how long you’ve been away, I can tell at a glance. Your eyes have been getting better since you made contact with Hanisha, haven’t they?”

“…No? I’m in complete pain right now?”

“Then they must be gradually improving.”

“…”

“And yet you’re just living with them covered.”

At the sharp words, the corners of Paterre’s mouth gradually returned to their original position.

A chuckle leaked from his lips just as they seemed about to close tightly.

As if he couldn’t help it, he stretched both arms out on the sofa and lightly rested the back of his head against it.

“You’re still as perceptive as ever. I was planning to surprise you later.”

“Stop holding onto someone who left because they disliked you. Why are you still clinging to them?”

“Well. I guess it’s because it’s my first time being rejected.”

“…Your father was exactly the same.”

When Paterre answered playfully while placing the back of his hand on his forehead, the count frowned slightly.

“He was obsessed with his first love and didn’t know what to do with himself. How unsightly it was. I hoped you wouldn’t resemble him in that one thing, but Enril was like that, and you’re like that too. You just had to resemble him in that…”

Elder, Count Karbendi, teacher of Paterre Stukkyia.

It was a small grumble as a grandfather who shared no blood, setting aside all those titles.

“That only applies to my brother.”

Paterre, who had been listening quietly all along, suddenly spoke.

Before he knew it, Paterre had straightened his posture again and was looking this way.

The count, who had been sighing, paused.

Beyond the covered cloth, it felt as if Paterre’s eyes were clearly gazing at him.

So it felt like an illusion of returning to those spirited childhood days.

“For my brother, that was love. I think I once had similar feelings too.”

“…”

“However, the moment that person stole my memories, my emotions disappeared as well.”

Therefore, all that remained for him was hatred alone.

The reason he hadn’t treated his eyes was simply to keep holding onto the wounds that person had left.

At least this hatred couldn’t be stolen.

Paterre’s voice, ending like a declaration, was sunken like a deep swamp.

The count quietly closed his mouth.

Because he couldn’t know how much Paterre had suffered alone in the darkness, forcibly scraping together the few remaining fragments of memory.

And thus, how much he had agonized alone until he finally bound those fragments together with resentment, hatred, and rage…

‘But why is it.’

That the eyes beyond that black cloth still seemed to be waiting for someone.

As if saying the wounds you left are here, so come back.

A brief silence flowed.

“Of course, that’s not why I brought Hanisha in.”

As if trying to change the atmosphere, Paterre opened his mouth again. The appearance of a student or grandson had disappeared, and he had returned to being the original dissolute Paterre Stukkyia.

“When I’m with that child, I become a bit curious about the world. I feel like I become a little braver. It’s impossible, but the world seems a bit more livable too.”

“…”

“So I wanted to become that child’s father. I was curious what the world that child sees would be like.”

“…”

“This much counts as opening my eyes, right?”

Though he was speaking playfully, his will was firm.

It meant he had definitely not brought Hanisha in for any other purpose.

The count, who had similarly returned to his original way of speaking, said.

“…I know better than anyone that you’re sincere. To appear in such an outrageous state, it must be no ordinary resolution.”

“No way. I was completely handsome, I could hear everyone’s eyes rolling.”

“I also know well that the child is smart and clever.”

The count said decisively.

“The people of Biroche Territory sent their apologies. They said they wanted to apologize for everything so far and completely submit to Stukkyia.”

Enril had wanted to resolve the conflict with Biroche Territory that the previous generation had failed to settle.

However, he ultimately entered eternal rest without resolving it. He had thought that was how it would end.

But that small child had accomplished it.

She had opened Paterre’s heart and made the territory residents change their minds.

“If that child hadn’t stepped forward, such a thing would never have happened. She’s a good child.”

“If you knew that, you should have come a bit earlier. I almost showed an ugly sight in front of the child.”

“I hoped you’d suffer a bit as punishment for making me worry. Anyway, didn’t it all work out well in the end?”

The count who had replied lowered his voice again.

“The Royal Family and Agnito won’t stay quiet. Are you prepared?”

“Would I raise a child without that much resolve?”

Paterre grinned.

The declaration was just late; there were already several children in this castle. He had to move diligently to make up for the delay.

“I have to become the best father. To feed and raise our princess.”

* * *

Several days later.

I looked at the scene before me with a tense face.

A snow rabbit that was huge but still a baby by their standards carefully took a step.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps….

Though he staggered, he didn’t collapse.

‘Just a little more.’

Just a little bit more…!

The moment I held my breath, swallowing only dry saliva.

The clanking feet stepped on the line drawn on the floor.

Worried the little one might fall, the adult Eye Rabbits following the child’s steps from both sides looked toward us. Their eyes were seeking an answer.

“…Today makes.”

Finally, in the flowing silence, I slowly parted my lips.

“How many days does today make?”

“Ten days. There were no signs of pain during that time.”

“What about the fit?”

“Perfect. Nothing’s out of place. It’s the best I can make.”

Ashirion and Max answered in turn.

Though they looked tired from staying up several nights, their eyes shone and their lips trembled slowly.

That was… unmistakable joy.

“Suc….”

I could only mutter as if entranced.

“Success…!”

“Woooah!”

【Finally! We finally succeeded!】

At my cry, the Biroche Territory people who had been watching the situation together also exclaimed and embraced the other Eye Rabbits.

They couldn’t help it.

Because the prosthetic leg that Max and Ashirion had worked together to create had finally reached its goal without a single fall!

“Wooooh!”

“A real miracle has happened!”

After hearing Ashirion and Max’s story, the Blacksmiths who had been visiting Biroche Territory from time to time also cheered along.

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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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