The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 90

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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 90

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Stukkyia’s dining customs were peculiar.

Meals were always held in Paterre Stukkyia’s Study. The reason being that this place was the safest.

And Hanisha’s seat was always next to Paterre. Unlike other noble families who sat facing each other.

“So, Max keeps saying this. That everything he uses smells like jasmine. He kept bragging about it, so I took his handkerchief to smell it, but oh.”

Hanisha, who had been chattering away, suddenly stopped. A bell pepper was stuck on the child’s fork.

“Why? Did it really smell fragrant?”

Paterre Stukkyia continued the conversation, seeming curious about the rest of the story.

Hanisha naturally moved the bell pepper onto Paterre’s plate while shaking her head with a “mm-mm.”

“No matter how much I smelled it, there was no jasmine scent. Was his nose blocked?”

“I think I know what it was. Bell pepper smell.”

“I think that new perfume he bought was a scam. Maybe because the estate has a bad reputation. It seems like those kinds of scammers keep running rampant.”

“Papa understands perfectly. Should I tell them to reorganize the streets again?”

Paterre answered nonchalantly while eating the bell pepper that had been placed on his plate.

As soon as the meal ended, dessert was served. Most nobles would choose only one or two items from the selection, but a tray piled high with desserts was placed in front of Hanisha.

“Hmm…”

After hesitating, Hanisha said “I should eat this today” and picked up a lemon tart.

Only after the crisp sound of her biting into it without hesitation could be heard did Caron’s report begin.

“As you previously ordered, we cleaned up the town square. We stationed guards and organized the roads, so merchants seem to be returning as well.”

Caron said while pushing up his non-prescription glasses.

“The market will probably open for the first time today.”

“Really?”

Hanisha’s eyes widened at this.

“Why? Do you want to go?”

“Yes. I’m curious how it’s changed. Hmm, but would it be dangerous…”

“Wait.”

Then Caron flipped through his report and said.

“Since it’s the first day, we’ve stationed extra guards around the area, so it should probably be fine. It seems like it would be a good experience too.”

“Or should Papa go with you?”

“You too, Paterre?”

At Paterre’s question, Hanisha, who seemed to be thinking, shook her head.

“Not today. You said you wanted to make a cool appearance at an official event. Preferably somewhere like the Imperial Palace.”

“This is also a sufficiently official event. Taking our princess out for a cool outing, ta-da.”

“Hmm, then I’ll say I don’t want to go with Paterre. Actually, there’s someone else I want to go with.”

“Really? Who is this person who has stolen that glorious opportunity?”

Hanisha smiled.

“Lisa.”

Then everyone in the study looked at Lisa.

Lisa also seemed quite flustered, not expecting her name to be called.

“Princess.”

While everyone was flustered and could only move their mouths, Caron spoke with a stoic expression.

“If I may be so bold, Lisa is not suitable to accompany the Princess on an outing. We don’t know when Lisa might betray the Princess again.”

Everyone had the same thought, but Caron spoke without hesitation what they couldn’t say for fear of hurting Hanisha.

“That’s why I like Lisa.”

Hanisha said with a completely unhurt expression.

“Because Lisa would never do such a thing.”

“…”

“I’ll go buy gifts with Lisa. A first outing gift!”

Though she spoke cheerfully, her underlying meaning was clear.

If her outing ended safely, Lisa would no longer be a bad person. So please don’t speak badly of Lisa after this.

Hanisha was a child who rarely spoke up about things related to herself. She didn’t like to say what she liked or disliked.

So they couldn’t add any negative comments. It was a rare situation where the child had expressed her opinion.

“Still, it’s dangerous for just the two of you to go out…”

Hanisha, who had been thinking carefully, continued.

“I’ll take a guard with me.”

Hanisha pointed to someone again.

It was Rene, who had been silently maintaining an expressionless face the whole time.

“…The story has changed a bit? Why that particular kitty?”

Then Paterre’s voice lost just a little of its composure. Unlike his usual leisurely and languid tone, it was strangely mixed with dissatisfaction.

“Well.”

Then Hanisha said confidently.

“Because he’s handsome!”

It was a clear and irrefutable answer.

“And besides, you said so yourself, Paterre. When showing yourself to the outside world, you should be the prettiest and most handsome.”

“…”

“If I go with you, people will only look at you instead of me, so that won’t work.”

That was certainly true. If Paterre Stukkyia with his gorgeous appearance showed himself, all eyes would be drawn to Paterre.

“And, um… I also like Rene.”

Since she didn’t dislike him, it wasn’t a complete lie.

Still, he had once been her (past life’s) husband, so. There were plenty of reasons to have favorable feelings.

“It’s something I like…”

Hanisha’s eyes sparkled.

“Won’t you please do it for me, Papa?”

“…”

Paterre, who had kept his mouth shut for a moment, slowly opened it.

“Caron.”

“Yes.”

“…Go capture that Northern Region cleric again. I think we need to modify our daughter’s ability.”

“Ah.”

Caron nodded and said.

“Yes. I’ll order the modification to Marsu taming.”

In any case, Paterre Stukkyia permitted Hanisha’s outing.

When they rode the carriage outside, a completely different landscape unfolded from when she first set foot on this land.

The piles of snow characteristic of the Northern Region used to give off a bizarre rather than grand feeling. It was because you couldn’t tell if what was buried under that snow was really snow or things someone had abandoned. This was why people called the Northern Region a ‘living tomb.’

But now it was different. The huge snowdrifts had been completely cleared away, and neat brick roads were laid in their place.

Along the middle of those roads, lamps made of magic stones were erected at regular intervals, and because of their characteristic orange light, it looked warm and cozy instead of winter’s bleak atmosphere.

“Let’s go to the gift shop first!”

Hanisha, who had gotten off the carriage, said in a bright voice.

“Actually, I have something in mind, which is…”

“Um, Miss.”

Just as she was about to move busily, Lisa whispered in a small voice.

“It would be better not to say that. The most exciting part about gifts is when you unwrap them.”

“Ah.”

Hanisha closed her mouth. Then she glanced at Rene standing behind them and whispered quietly.

“But I have to move together with Rene. A surprise gift seems difficult…”

“Then shall we move secretly by ourselves?”

“Is it really okay? But Paterre Stukkyia will be worried…”

“We just need to go up to the front. Nothing serious will happen.”

“…”

“I should give him a good present. Right, miss?”

Hanisha, who seemed to be thinking for a moment, soon nodded her head. Then she approached Rene and whispered something to him.

“…”

The Young Boy, whose thoughts were unreadable, soon moved away from the two of them.

“There’s a pretty shop over there. Let’s go that way.”

Hanisha took Lisa’s hand and led her.

As if she really intended to buy a present, Hanisha looked around various parts of the Town Square.

Watching the Child carefully deliberate, Lisa smiled and told her to take her time, but she was gradually becoming anxious.

‘It’s almost the appointed time. Before it gets any later…’

“Hmm, this one’s not good. Right?”

Just then, Hanisha put down the item. Lisa quickly spoke up.

“I know a shop, shall we go there?”

“Wow, sounds good.”

Hanisha left the street while holding Lisa’s hand.

“You know, Lisa.”

Even while walking for quite a while, Hanisha kept chattering away.

“At the end of the year, they’re going to put up a huge tree here in Central. To make it a landmark.”

“…”

“And next to it, they’ll build a small school too. So anyone can study. Lisa and Lisa’s Siblings could attend. Right?”

“…A school?”

“You said so, Lisa. That your Siblings are incredibly smart. But they can’t study properly because they’re sick.”

“…Yes.”

“So I was wondering, how are your Siblings doing?”

Lisa didn’t answer.

Silence flowed.

Before they knew it, they had entered an Alley with few people around.

Their clasped hands became sweaty.

“Lisa.”

Perhaps sensing this, Hanisha slowly opened her mouth.

“Lisa… did you really want to come with me?”

“…”

“Did you really want to become my family?”

Lisa’s body stopped abruptly.

What should she say?

Should she tell the truth, at least here? Or should she lie, at least for this moment?

Her hesitant mouth slowly opened.

“…No.”

“…”

“I cannot become your family, miss.”

A cool wind surrounded the two of them.

Lisa’s lips trembled. It was the moment she squeezed her eyes shut, imagining the crying that would follow.

“I see.”

A quiet voice was heard.

Lisa’s eyes snapped open.

“Thank you for telling me that, Lisa.”

Hanisha was smiling. As if that answer was all she had wanted.

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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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