114 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
I got engaged to a blind peacock Chapter 114
The Crown Prince's palace was clean and bright, but simple without any expensive decorations. It was so modest that it was hard to believe it was the Crown Prince's palace.
I was waiting in the drawing room when the door soon opened and the Crown Prince appeared with a gentle smile.
Perhaps because he had just met the Empress, I could see that he resembled the Empress more than the Emperor.
"Welcome."
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince smiled brightly at their greetings.
The servant who had led them to the Crown Prince's palace came in and set refreshments on the table.
Finally, he poured the tea and stood against the wall.
"Did you have a good time with Empress?"
"Yes."
At that answer, the Crown Prince smiled as if relieved.
Dia, who had been looking down at her teacup, lifted her gaze and looked at the Crown Prince with a determined expression.
"Your Highness, does your palace also have a garden?"
"Of course. Though not as beautiful as the Empress's garden."
"Would you show it to me?"
"Ah, of course."
The Crown Prince rose from his seat.
Dia subtly grasped the hem of Marin's dress. Marin understood the signal and spoke to the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness, I've walked too much today, so may I rest here for a bit?"
"Are you alright? Then we can look around later..."
"No. Dia said she's curious about Your Highness's garden, so please guide only Dia."
"I understand. Miss Adria."
The Crown Prince held out his hand to Dia.
Dia gently placed her hand on his and stood up.
Marin moistened her dry throat with tea, recalling the conversation she had with Dia on the way to the Crown Prince's palace.
"Marin, would it be possible for me to talk to His Highness the Crown Prince alone?"
"Of course. Since we're inside the palace, it should be fine for me to stay a little away."
"Then I'll ask you for a favor."
\ \ \
The Crown Prince and Dia strolled through the garden in silence.
Unlike the Empress's neat and beautiful garden, the Crown Prince's garden consisted only of a small pond and grass.
Dia raised her eyes and looked into the Crown Prince's golden eyes.
"The Emperor came to our tea time with the Empress a little while ago."
"Ah..."
A look of dismay appeared on the Crown Prince's face.
"I thought there would be time to get closer to Your Highness, but after seeing the Emperor, I don't think there will be any time."
As the Crown Prince gazed at her with a serious look, Dia also met his gaze without avoiding it.
"...Are you disappointed? No, that's not the right question. Do you still want the position of Crown Princess?"
"..."
Dia's deep green eyes trembled slightly.
"Since you're speaking honestly, Miss, I'll be honest too. I heard it that day. Your words."
"Did you? This time, I want to ask. Were you disappointed in me?"
Dia asked in a calm voice.
"No, rather, I was curious about you. And what I said when we danced was true. I've fallen for you even more."
A gentle smile played on his lips.
Dia blushed and lowered her gaze, then lifted her head with a determined look.
"Your Highness, can you promise me just one thing? Then I will trust you and follow your will."
"I don't want to promise you something I can't keep with a lie. So let me hear what the promise is and then I'll answer."
Dia smiled as if she expected that answer.
The Crown Prince's answer was rigid and even frustrating, but it was honest. That's why she liked it.
"If you take me as your Crown Princess, there will be no other consorts. I don't want to share my man with another woman. Instead, I will bear many descendants."
The prosperity of the Imperial Family comes from descendants. The reason why the Emperor takes an Empress is to have many descendants.
Of course, the current Emperor wanted to get a beautiful woman.
The Crown Prince, who had been serious throughout, burst into laughter.
Dia's eyes widened at the unexpected reaction.
Does that mean he can't promise?
A sense of disappointment washed over Dia's heart.
"Rumor has it that the Crown Prince cannot escape the Crown Princess's skirt."
"Yes?"
"If I want to see many descendants, I have to meet you often, don't I?"
He approached her and smiled brightly.
Dia, realizing the meaning of his words, blushed and was flustered.
"The succession is the duty of the Crown Princess..."
"I will prioritize that duty above all else and work hard. I swear."
Dia blushed to the tips of her ears and lowered her head. She couldn't take back the words she had spoken.
\ \ *
Following the Crown Prince's palace servant, Marin looked back at Dia, who was walking beside her.
When they left the Crown Prince's palace, both the Crown Prince and Dia had bright expressions.
It seemed the two had a good conversation.
She was curious, but there were too many ears in the palace corridor, so she was just imagining when it happened.
"Greetings, The Duke."
The servant bowed to The Duke, who was walking leisurely from the opposite side with a cane.
Olive was beside him.
The Duke nodded in response and approached Marin directly.
"What brings you here?"
Marin looked up at The Duke with a puzzled expression.
"I thought it was time to go back."
At The Duke's calm words, Marin stared at him with a dumbfounded look.
It's not like I'm a child you have to keep an eye on, does he have to go this far?
"I can go back on my own."
"Elmis can't be taken to the palace either."
"It's the palace."
"That's right. My side is the safest."
"Yes, yes."
While the two were bickering, Olive spoke to the servant standing nearby.
"I'll take over from here."
"Yes."
After the servant stepped back and turned around, Olive led the way as if guiding them.
The three of them walked along the corridor following him.
"Did you have a good visit with the Empress?"
"Yes."
As soon as Marin finished answering, Dia, who had been silent, opened her mouth in a low voice.
"Your Grace, I'm going to become the Crown Princess."
Thud, thud. The sound of the cane hitting the floor stopped abruptly.
Dia looked at The Duke with eyes that revealed her firm will.
"The Imperial Palace is a dangerous place."
"Yes. I know."
"No. You don't know. How vicious and scary the people here are."
"I will endure it."
Sparks flew between the two.
"Um, shall we go back and talk first?"
Marin quickly looked around and stopped the two.
Fortunately, the two were not speaking loudly, so they were not attracting attention.
"We'll talk later."
"Yes."
When The Duke and Dia readily accepted Marin's opinion, Marin moved her feet again with a relieved expression.
Just as they were about to pass through the arched corridor, a woman's voice was heard from the garden outside the arch.
"Duke!"
A beautiful woman with fiery red hair wearing a gorgeous purple dress and a cute-looking woman with navy blue hair wearing a soft blue dress suddenly appeared.
"Olive of the Lyon barony, greetings to the Third Princess and Fourth Princess."
As Olive greeted them first, Marin and Dia followed suit.
"Greetings to the Princesses."
Finally, The Duke nodded with a bothered expression.
"Nice to meet you, everyone. Duke, why haven't you replied to my letter?"
The Third Princess, with her fiery red hair and haughty expression, asked in a sulky voice.
"I was busy."
The Third Princess widened her eyes and glared at The Duke.
Then, the Fourth Princess with navy blue hair standing next to her tilted her innocent face.
"No matter how busy you are, you don't even have time to reply to a princess's letter?"
"Yes. So I will answer you all at once now. I have a fiancée, so I have no intention of having tea time with other women."
