The Softest And Cutest Of The Dukes - Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

The golden eyes of an elderly person who entered the silent space looked around. His lips trembled slightly as he saw a place that was clean and free of even a speck of dust.

“You damn fool… leaving your father behind, do you feel relieved?”

The old man, seeing a painting depicting a father embracing his daughter, spoke with a voice filled with regret and longing.

“I’m sorry. It’s too late to apologize now…”

When he saw a painting of the siblings with an age difference, a sigh mixed with a bright smile escaped him. The old man, seeing a picture devoid of any worries or concerns, shook his head.

One son met his end in a carriage accident, and the youngest one left before his parents due to the war.

The eyes of the old man, who had buried his two children in his heart, trembled, and soon transparent liquid clung to them. He could vividly imagine his children walking towards him, calling him “Father.”

Thinking of them, who couldn’t be separated like beans once they were stuck together, the old man’s eyes were filled with deep remorse.

“I was too busy to take care of you properly…”

Although he had his second child late, he was too busy to take care of her. It was her brother, who raised her well. Not as a magician, but as a knight.

He couldn’t blame his daughter for her natural talent as a knight, even though they’re from a family of magicians.

For a while, the old man looked at the sofa that had lost its owner and sank into his thoughts.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Grandfather, I know you’re here. May I come in?”

“Do not come in.”

In a familiar voice, the old man spoke firmly. But the person outside did not give up and spoke again.

“I have something important to report, and I came to find you, grandfather.”

“If it’s not important, your behind will catch fire. Come in and report.”

The door opened menacingly before the words of the old man, who wanted to finish things quickly. 

Through the crack in the door, the person seen resembled the protagonist of the painting.

Whenever he saw that figure, his heart ached, but the old man did not show any particular expression. He considered it fortunate that his son left behind a grandson who resembled him, and he could see how his son would age until his death.

“Grandfather, there is news that a young child has fallen from the sky in the Eastern region.”

“Daniel, what nonsense are you talking about? The child fell from the sky?”

As someone from a family of magicians, the old man frowned at the idea of a child falling from the sky as a magic mistake. 

He thought of how his grandson had unnecessarily disrupted his meeting with his son and daughter after a long time, and he wanted to set his grandson’s behind on fire.

“I heard that it might be the child of destruction, not just any child.”

“People who blindly believe the words of the Prophecy still exist, huh? So, what did that guy do to the child?”

“That person… hmph, Duke Panteur registered the child as his daughter in the family registry.”

“He must have had the child outside and registered her as his own! Otherwise, there is no way he would register someone else’s child…”

“But Lady Aquila also agreed.”

“What? I heard that Lady Aquila… had no contact with Duke Panteur for three years.”

The fact that the relationship between the two was not good was known to everyone in the Empire. Therefore, the old man believed that Lady Aquila would never allow the registration of a child she did not know as her little sister.

“There is another report here, and it says the child is a girl, about three years old, with silver hair and golden eyes.”

At the mention of silver hair and golden eyes, the old man trembled. All the direct descendants of his family had silver hair and golden eyes.

“And is there any other report?”

“Yes. They named the child Seraphina…”

Clang-

As soon as the old man heard the name, he slammed his cane into the ground. Daniel shook his head at the loud noise.

“That guy, I never liked him from the beginning. Huh, why isn’t Eugene here?”

The only grandson who had never visited his grandfather’s house since he was born. So occasionally, he would go to the academy where his grandson attended as a visitor just to see his face.

“That’s because Grandfather doesn’t like Duke Panteur… Ah! But there’s another report…”

Seeing his grandfather’s frown, Daniel tries to change the subject but was taken aback when he saw the attached paper that he hadn’t seen yet. Then, he turned his head like an unoiled hinge and looked at the painting hanging on the wall.

“What’s got you so lost in thought?”

“There’s a painting of a child who fell from the sky…”

Instead of hearing a proper answer from Daniel, the old man was quick to act. The old man’s eyes trembled slightly as he snatched the paper with the drawing. Seeing the picture of a child with silver hair and golden eyes, the old man closed his lips.

“What could be the identity of this child?”

“…It’s a rice cake.”

“What?”

“Just by looking at it, it’s a soft and squishy soybean powder-coated rice cake..”

Soybean powder-coated rice cake was a term referring to Daniel’s young aunt. Daniel, who had lent a hand in taking care of his young aunt, who was younger than him, did not object to his grandfather’s words when he saw the resemblance between the child in the picture and his young aunt.

“Summon Count Cellis immediately. I think I should go to that place and prepare things quickly. Let’s keep it a secret from Sofia.”

“What? But Duke Panteur probably won’t be pleased.”

“When have I ever cared about that guy? I am going to the place where my daughter used to live and I’m going to my grandson’s house, and who’s to stop me!”

The impulsive old man stood up from his seat. Then, he looked at the painting once more and started walking. He was in a hurry. 

If the prophecy was true, the palace and the temple would not just sit idly by.

Just as he was about to leave, Count Cellis and several attendants entered his room.

“I heard from Daniel. You’re going to see Duke Panteur.”

“Yes. They say a child fell from the sky, and she looks just like our little Seraphina.”

“I see. Then we shall accompany you as well. Duke Tigris!”

Seeing everyone solemnly gathering mana, a slight smile appeared on the lips of Duke Tigris, the ruler of the North.

“We are only going to confirm, not fight. Unless that guy has a sword in his head, he has no right to register someone else’s child.”

As he looked at the attendants who were by no means inferior in combat readiness, he spoke in a resolute voice.

“Let’s go then, to see our soft soybean powder-coated rice cake.”

* * *

Duke Panteur, or rather, my father, had called for my sister and brother-in-law when I arrived, as he heard the news that Duke Draco and the priest Alex were coming.

“It seems like he was desperate to catch her. How dare he try to take our sister away.”

My brother-in-law’s words, filled with disdain for the royal family and the temple, seemed to please my father as his head nodded up and down.

“He probably thought he should prepare in advance so he just announced that he was coming.”

Upon hearing my sister’s words, my father hugged me tightly. He wouldn’t let them take me away. 

He looked at me with a warm gaze.

“They have arrived.”

As someone shouted, the Warp Gate flashed, revealing several people.

“I apologize for coming here like this. Duke Panteur.”

“If you had thought it was regrettable, you shouldn’t have done something regretful. Duke Draco.”

A confrontation between my father and the bandit-like Duke Draco unfolded.

“I didn’t expect Lady Aquila to be here as well.”

“Alex, the priest, is also coming. There’s no reason for me not to come. This is my family’s house.”

The confrontation between Alex, the priest, and my brother-in-law was also fierce.

“Is that child the Child of Destruction?”

“No, she’s my daughter.”

“Adopting the Child of Destruction as your daughter, are you out of your mind?”

“If I were in my right mind, the Emperor wouldn’t be comfortably sitting in the palace, enjoying the food served by others.”

Wow, Father is bold.

Duke Draco frowned, his dark eyes piercing me as he looked at me. Politely, I greeted him.

“Hello. My name is Rafi. I’m three years old.”

I smiled and spoke, and Duke Draco furrowed his brow. It seemed like he was deeply contemplating something. Although I greeted him, he didn’t respond.

“Why are you not answering when I greet you? Moreover… Why didn’t you bring anything as a guest?”

“Hmph! Well done, Rafi. Indeed, if even children can see it, then it’s clear that the man lacks manners.”

I snapped at Duke Draco, who came to someone’s house empty-handed after not even accepting my greeting. My sister patted my head and spoke.

“Wow, Duke Draco’s face turned red. He’s blushing.”

“I never thought you’d show so much emotion over a child’s words. The leaves of autumn are changing colors. I see. And yet you don’t accept my daughter’s greeting. Don’t tell me you’re an honored guest.”

“Nonsense. Enough of this, hand over the child. After all, she’s not even your blood.”

“I clearly said she’s my daughter.”

“She’s my sister-in-law.”

“She’s my younger sister.”

The three of them taunted Duke Draco one after another as if they were tearing him apart. In response, Duke Draco gritted his teeth.

“According to the prophecy of the High Priest…”

“You seem fond of prophecies. When there’s a holy war, don’t mobilize the nobles, but bring the paladins and go behind them. In a holy war, it’s only natural to take the lead from the temple.”

My brother-in-law crossed his arms and smirked at Alex’s words. Then, a smile vanished from Alex’s face.

“I realize that you hold a grudge against me for the death of the previous Lord Aquila. But this time, you must not do that. This child is undoubtedly the Child of Destruction.”

“Do you have any proof?”

“The proof will come with the heretic trial.”

“If you undergo that heretic trial, you can also transform into a demon. So why don’t you just

shut up.”

As if to say that it was enough, my brother-in-law waved his hand as if he was annoyed. But the knights who had accompanied us did not step back.

“This is my territory, so get lost. You’ve come here empty-handed, yet you have a lot to say. His Majesty must have been in a hurry when he sent you away.”

“Duke Panteur, I didn’t come here to play.”

“Then, are we going to fight? Just so you know, it will be your loss. Even if I have to resort to drastic measures that will live on for generations, I can still take your life here.”

When Father threatened him, Duke Draco’s brow furrowed. The knights who had accompanied him also had their hands on their swords. But they didn’t dare draw them. It was because the knights of Duke Panteur surrounded them and glared at them.

Tension filled the air when someone rushed over breathlessly. A man dressed in shabby clothes caught his breath and spoke to Father.

“D-Duke! Something big has happened. I received a message that someone else is coming.”

“Who is it?”

“From the north…”

With those words, Father’s brow narrowed.

“Step aside if you don’t want to die. It seems we will have another guest at our house.”

It seemed that someone else was scheduled to arrive at the warp gate. 

Then, Duke Draco’s group moved aside. 

At the same time, people I had never seen before revealed themselves. Among the people exuding immense pressure, Father bowed his head to the person in front of him.

Then, everyone around also bowed. It was a completely different sight from when they faced Duke Draco.

“So, everyone was here. But why did you all come here?”

In response to the unknown person’s question, Duke Draco clenched his fists and spoke.

“We came under His Majesty’s orders to take the Child of Destruction. So, Duke Tigris, please assist in carrying out His Majesty’s orders.”

Huh? Is that person also a duke?

Wide-eyed, I looked at Duke Tigris. Next to the man with silver hair and pumpkin-colored eyes, someone was whispering. Upon hearing his whisper, Duke Tigris turned to Duke Draco and spoke.

“The child is mine.”

“What?”

Surprised by Duke Tigris’ words, Duke Draco asked, but he didn’t answer and instead looked at me.

“I am your grandfather.”

Wait, he’s my grandfather?