Chapter 6

I possessed the daughter of the runaway side heroine - Chapter 6 (6/171)

Not only the Duke but also other knights were there. The Duke looked down at me with a slightly furrowed brow, just as he had when we first met, his gaze cold.

Ironically, I found myself admiring his beauty, which seemed out of place in this situation.

In the novel, the Duke's appearance was often described with phrases like "resembling a sleek and elegant black leopard" or "possessing the cruel charm of a beautiful devil." At the time, I thought these descriptions were really middle-schoolish, but now I realize they were very accurate.

His jet-black hair and finely chiseled features. Even in his attire, which was fully covered by a cloak, one could sense his well-built physique.

Now that he was thirty, he exuded a mature and seasoned aura.

Indeed, he was a man of great strength and beauty. It was a shame that he had only been used as a tool to awaken the male lead and then died.

As I stared blankly into his eyes, which were so much like mine, a voice called out from behind.

"Your Highness, Duke!"

Ryudo, who had just arrived, quickly sheathed his sword and bowed to the Duke.

"Your Highness, Duke, it is truly an honor to meet you. I am Ryudo Benlama, the son of Lord Sale..."

"Yes, Ryudo Benlama, the son of Lord Sale."

The Duke's low voice made Ryudo smile broadly.

"Yes, Your Highness, Duke!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I was practicing swordsmanship. My dream is to become a great swordsman like Your Highness!"

"Swordsmanship practice..."

The Duke murmured to himself in a peculiar tone. His gaze was fixed on my bleeding shoulder.

"With that child?"

"Yes!"

"Does that mean you were swinging a real sword at someone who was unarmed?"

"The wooden sword was too boring. I learned that to become a great swordsman, one must not fear cutting people. I was practicing that today."

Ryudo glanced at me, who was sitting on the ground.

"And that child is a villager, of lowly status, so Your Highness need not worry about her at all."

Ryudo glared at me, his eyes saying, "Stop making a fuss and get up and leave."

"A child of lowly status..."

For some reason, the Duke suddenly took off his cloak.

"If that's the case, I can be your sparring partner."

What?

I glared at him, my face filled with betrayal.

What kind of father are you!

You heard everything! That guy swung a real sword at me, who was unarmed. Now that your daughter is being chased by his sword, you can't even scold him, and you're offering to be his sparring partner?

What kind of father are you?

"Wow, it's an honor! Your Highness, Duke, to have you as my sparring partner!"

Ryudo smiled so widely it looked like his mouth would split. I had never seen him smile like that before, especially when I was trembling with betrayal.

"Go get a wooden sword quickly!"

Just as Ryudo was giving orders to a servant, the Duke said,

"A wooden sword is not necessary."

Ryudo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Not necessary?"

"If you have a sword, you have one now. I do too."

With that, the Duke slowly drew his sword. The sharp blade, which glinted with a deadly edge, made Ryudo swallow hard.

"Are you suggesting a real sword duel? But that's too dangerous..."

"Didn't you just say the wooden sword was boring?"

"But... but..."

"I'll fight you properly. Draw your sword, Ryudo Benlama."

The Duke's low, ominous voice echoed.

"If you don't, I'll repay you in the same way you treated my son."

I had momentarily forgotten that in the original story, Duke Iskars was the embodiment of revenge.

His principle was that any wrong must be repaid. In reality, he had always thoroughly crushed those who challenged his authority.

Everyone's gaze turned to me. Surprised by the sudden attention, I awkwardly stood up.

Ryudo picked up his sword again, but his confident demeanor had quickly faded. He looked confused, alternating his gaze between me and the Duke.

"Did you just say that child is... ah!"

The Duke merely took a step, and Ryudo, startled, stumbled backward.

"Aaaaaah!"

And as the Duke plunged his sword at lightning speed, Ryudo fell to the ground.

Thud!

The sword embedded itself deep into the floor, right next to Ryudo's face.

"Be grateful for your youth."

The Duke said coldly.

"The only reason I'm sparing a scoundrel who doesn't even know the basics of a duel is because of that."

"..."

The mouth that had been chattering just moments ago was now trembling.

Suddenly, the Duke frowned. The center of Ryudo's pants was starting to dampen.

As the Duke pulled out his sword and stepped back, the servants, who had been watching, finally rushed to Ryudo.

"Hhhhhhh..."

Ryudo, sobbing loudly, was carried away on a servant's back. Watching this, I clicked my tongue.

Wow, what a black history. If it were me, I would have bitten my tongue and died on the spot.

The Duke, after sheathing his sword, walked straight toward me. I flinched at his approach, but he passed by me and said,

"Follow me."

When I just stared at his back, he turned around.

"Didn't you hear me tell you to follow?"

"Ah, yes!"

I finally realized he was talking to me and hurriedly followed him.

---

The Duke led me to a room inside the castle. He closed the door and ordered me,

"Take off your clothes."

"..."

I stared at him with my mouth agape. What is this guy saying?

"What did you say?"

"Take off your clothes. I need to see your injuries."

"No, it's not necessary!"

I waved my arms frantically, almost hyperventilating.

Even though he is my biological father, and even though I am in a child's body, I cannot show him my bare skin.

Besides, I don't want to hear such lines from a father, only from a husband!

"I'm not badly hurt. I'll take care of it myself!"

But Duke Iskars, known for his stubbornness in the novel, was not about to listen to me. He approached me in a few quick steps and lifted me up.

"Ah?"

"Are you ashamed now that you're a boy?"

He held me with one arm and sat down on the sofa, then laid me over his knee and pulled my shirt up.

"Aaaaah! Let go! Let go!"

I struggled with all my might. Oh no, I shouldn't have been laughing at Ryudo. This is embarrassing!

But despite my struggles, the overwhelming difference in strength kept me pinned under his control. Eventually, I just closed my eyes tightly.

"..."

Suddenly, his voice became extremely low. I realized he was looking at the scars on my back.

"It's nothing..."

"Who did this to you?"

I swallowed hard, looking at his fierce eyes.

I really don't understand. Why is he doing this to me now? Is it because my being hurt by someone else damages his pride?

Just like how, despite being the one who hurt my mother the most, he couldn't stand to see her hurt by others.

"..."

"I asked for it."

"What?"

"I took the beating in place of that lord's son to earn money for my mother's medical treatment!"

For a moment, the strength left his hands. I seized the opportunity and struggled free from his knee. I quickly pulled my shirt down and said,

"Don't tell my mother. She'll be upset if she finds out."

His thick eyebrows twitched. His green eyes, looking at me, seemed lost in deep thought.

"And it was just a slight graze from the sword. It will heal with some medicine. If you want to help, call a doctor."

Have you heard the saying, "See a doctor for treatment, and a pharmacist for medicine"?

I don't understand why this man is doing this to me when there's a perfectly good doctor available. If he suddenly wants to act like a father now, it's out of the question.

Hmph, treating people like objects one moment and now...

"..."

"...I see. It's all because of me."

His low voice made me nod.

Yes, it's all because of you...

Huh?

I stopped nodding and looked up in surprise. To my surprise, a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.