10 - I Got Engaged to the Blind Duke
"I got engaged to a blind duke, Episode 10"”
I don't know how much time had passed.
Marin, who had been buried in documents, raised her head with a gaunt face.
“Yes.”
Olive placed a plate with warm black tea and a slice of yellow cheesecake on the desk.
“Why this…”
Marin opened her eyes wide and looked up at Olive.
“I think we should start now.”
“Start what?”
“His Grace's orders.”
Following Olive's gaze, she saw her own wrist.
It was unfair.
The round circle made by the Duke's fingers was purely because his hands were large. Her wrist was just a little thin.
“I'm not that skinny…”
Marin tried to protest, but she noticed Olive's pitiful gaze.
Ah, I've lost a lot of weight. Enough to be looked at with such pitiful eyes.
Marin had a moment of reflection with a solemn expression.
“Come on, eat quickly. There's more prepared when you're done.”
“I can't eat that much.”
“Try to eat a lot from now on.”
Olive's affectionate gaze turned into a strict superior mode.
Suddenly, the setting in the novel came to mind.
Olive was a staunch follower of the Duke. She was a character who would readily jump into a pit of fire if the Duke ordered it.
I thought she was just a good boss, but I needed to be careful. Once she received an order from the Duke, she wouldn't stop until she fattened her up.
“Yes.”
What can an 'eul' do? If the 'gap' superior tells you to do it, you have to do it.
Marin cut the cheesecake into bite-sized pieces and put it in her mouth. The rich cheese and sweet aroma blended together and tasted delicious. She followed it with warm black tea to cleanse her palate.
Eating it after a long time, the memories of the past when she could always eat it vaguely came to mind.
Meanwhile, Olive, who had been carefully watching Marin holding the teacup, widened her eyes slightly before returning to normal.
“Um, Olive. I know it's a shameless request, but could you pack a little of this cake for me? I'm sorry to ask for this again when you packed it for me last time.”
Eating the cheesecake that melted softly in her mouth reminded her of her mother. She would definitely like it.
“I'll tell the kitchen.”
Olive nodded and smiled gently.
“Thank you.”
Marin smiled brightly and focused on the cheesecake again.
It was then that Olive was watching her with sharp eyes.
Knock knock.
A voice that echoed through the hallway along with the knock was heard from beyond the office door.
“It's the butler.”
“Yes, come in.”
A white-haired old gentleman in a neat uniform with broad shoulders entered. His hair and beard were white, but his physique was so sturdy that the buttons looked like they would burst, making it difficult to guess his age.
“Aide.”
The butler, who came inside and bowed slightly, raised his head.
“Welcome. Butler Sebas.”
Olive greeted the butler with a bright smile on her face.
Marin's eyes widened.
That must be Butler Sebas. He was a butler with a unique background as the former vice-captain of the Knights, and he was a character who appeared several times in the novel.
Marin felt an inner sense of familiarity on her own and smiled slightly.
“Did you have a good wedding? I'm sure it's a new feeling that your grandson is already getting married.”
Olive spoke to him in a friendly manner.
“Yes. That's right. Time really flies.”
Marin quietly listened to their conversation while drinking tea.
Ah, he went to the wedding and I didn't see him for a few days.
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to thank His Grace, and I came here to ask if it would be possible.”
Butler Sebas glanced at her before turning his gaze to Olive.
“Ah, I see. I'm sorry. Today is not a good day.”
Olive shook her head slightly with a pitiful look.
At that, Butler Sebas nodded with a disappointed face and took a deep breath, composing his expression.
“I understand.”
Meanwhile, Marin, who was listening to their conversation, was surprised inside.
The Duke's condition can only be known through the aide.
I think I know why the old butler treats the young aide so politely.
“Marin, this is Butler Sebas Chen.”
Marin got up from her chair and bowed her head.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Marin.”
“Marin is an employee who will be my assistant and report to His Grace in the future.”
“Nice to meet you. You can call me Butler Sebas from now on.”
Olive continued to talk about her as if she were proud.
“Marin reports better than I do. His Grace also acknowledged it.”
Butler Sebas' surprised gaze briefly stayed on Marin before turning to Olive.
“His Grace?”
That picky person accepted a new person so quickly? The unspoken words continued, but she was speaking with her eyes.
“Yes. He listened to Marin's report comfortably.”
Olive nodded with a satisfied smile.
Butler Sebas looked at Marin with admiration.
“Marin, if you need anything in the future, please feel free to tell me anything. Since you are helping His Grace, I want to help you with anything.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Please ask me for even the smallest things.”
Butler Sebas sent a very intense look as if he were receiving a pledge.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Marin nodded with an awkward expression.
In the novel, Butler Sebas was also one of the Duke's ardent followers.
I had to be careful among the followers so that the lie wouldn't be exposed.
\ \ \
Olive waited in front of the office door with a trolley containing warm wine and cheese next to her. The candle on the trolley illuminated the surroundings.
“Come in.”
The moment a drop of candle wax fell, permission was given from inside.
Olive pushed the trolley inside.
The Duke had not been going out of his office well since his eye injury. He only went to the bedroom once or twice a month.
“Your Grace. You must sleep today. You haven't slept for days.”
“Do you think drinking wine will help me sleep?”
Weariness was felt in the Duke's voice, who recognized the wine just by its scent.
No vassal pities their lord. However, seeing him unable to sleep for more than a week made her feel sorry for him.
“I brought it because Marin said it might help.”
“Imsi?”
“Yes. Her mother drank it and fell asleep.”
“Imsi?”
“She's off work.”
Olive poured the wine and placed the glass on the desk as quietly as possible.
The Duke picked up the glass willingly for once.
“About Marin.”
“……”
The Duke's silence usually meant to continue speaking.
“I don't think she's a commoner.”
“……”
“She knows how to read, her mother drank expensive wine that commoners don't have, and the way she picked up the teacup was exactly like a noble lady.”
“So she's a spy?”
A subtle pleasure was evident in the Duke's voice.
Does he want Marin to be a spy? She's definitely someone who can help His Grace.
Olive spoke honestly with a complicated heart.
“I don't know if she's a spy, but it seems necessary to investigate.”
“Already did.”
“I understand.”
Olive placed the cheese plate and wine on the desk and took a step back.
“Aren't you going to ask more?”
“If there's anything I need to know, Your Grace will tell me.”
Olive waited quietly with a soft smile.
“Tsk.”
The Duke clicked his tongue low as if he was dissatisfied.
“Not a spy, but a young lady of a baronet family that has gone bankrupt.”
Olive hardened her lips.
“I see. Is her goal money, or Your Grace?”
“Me?”
“Yes. Even if she's bankrupt, she's still a noble lady, so she might be aiming for Your Grace.”
“I don't think she's talking about my life…”
“Marriage. It's the first time a noble lady has approached in this way.”
“Is Imsi that tempting?”
Olive pondered for a while before opening her mouth.
“Um… she's more on the cute side.”
“Olive.”
The Duke called him in a low voice.
“Yes.”
“Stop talking nonsense and get out.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
After Olive disappeared like the wind, Gerald took a sip of wine.
The suppressed taste buds exploded in his mouth.
Sour. Sweet. Astringent. Refreshing. Earthy. Even the faint taste of water hidden deep in the wine.
“It's not bad after drinking it for a long time.”
She's such a strange woman.
Olive, who always has a kind smile, was actually more wary than anyone else. But even though he suspected her, he didn't seem to be wary of her.
A woman who is liked by everyone…
Isn't that the virtue of a true spy?
His enemies missed a very good spy.
