171 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
Engaged to the Blind Duke Episode 171
Gerald immediately recognized that the ring was made of Mithril.
That precious mineral, said to be unbreakable, was possessed only by Surenne in the Duke's Castle. It was the mineral she had demanded as a condition when luring her to the Duke's Castle.
"Actually, I also brought a ring I made today to propose to you, Lord Gerald. But I was flustered thinking you might beat me to it. How is it that we think so alike?"
Marin explained with sparkling eyes as if she found it truly amusing.
"Sigh. You really......"
She had saved him. The breath that had been completely blocked was finally functioning properly.
"Why?"
"Does a woman ever propose?"
"What does it matter who does it between lovers? But let's be clear about this. Technically, I proposed first."
Marin spoke boastfully, and she looked so adorable he thought he might go mad. He wanted to crush her in an embrace right then and there.
"And your answer?"
"Marin, I accept your proposal. And, will you marry me?"
Gerald gazed intently into her spring-bud-like light green eyes and spoke earnestly.
"Yes, Lord Gerald!"
Gerald first slipped the diamond ring he had prepared onto her finger, then also put on the ring she had made.
Marin slipped the ring she had made, set with a Black Opal Jewel, onto Gerald's finger.
"You made this?" he marveled, stroking the ring on his finger.
"Yes. Although Surenne helped a great deal."
"So that's why you went to Surenne's forge."
"You didn't secretly spy on me, did you?"
"Absolutely not. I'm not that clueless of a man."
Internally praising his past self for heeding Olive's earnest advice, Gerald quickly changed the subject.
"Surenne must like you very much. This is a very expensive mineral."
"Surenne said it was okay to use it?"
Marin's light green eyes filled with panic.
"Don't worry, I'll manage to procure the same mineral for you somehow."
"Yes!"
Marin nodded as if trusting him, then suddenly stood up.
"Just a moment."
Then she abruptly opened the balcony door and went out.
"Marin?"
- Can you hear me?
Suddenly, her voice flowed from the ring.
The shock was brief, as suddenly all the lights went out at once, plunging the mansion into darkness.
Gerald hurried out to the balcony. The opening and closing of the balcony door had been the signal.
Bang, bang, bang!
A beautiful fireworks display, glowing in multicolored lights, embroidered the starless, black curtain-like night sky.
Startled by the loud noise, Marin turned to look at him with a dazed expression.
"Don't tell me you prepared this, Lord Gerald?"
"Yes. Because you enjoyed watching the fireworks last time."
"No wonder I kept feeling like someone was watching me then."
Gerald pretended not to hear her mention of his past deception and hugged her small body from behind.
"Thank you for accepting my marriage proposal. I'll treasure this ring as a family heirloom forever."
"Thank you for accepting mine. The ring is so beautiful."
"Does only your voice come from the ring?"
"They said making it bidirectional for voices was difficult. Instead, they said it can be heard even from a kilometer away."
"Jeromian?"
"Yes."
Fweee. Fweee.
White fireworks shot up high into the sky one after another, then painted a book-shaped firework using the black night sky as a canvas.
"Wow!"
Marin, surprised, opened her mouth wide and her eyes grew round.
"It worked."
Watching her face light up with joy at the fireworks, Gerald felt immensely pleased.
"Did Jeromian make these?"
"Correct."
"He must have worked hard just on the ring, he's such a kind person."
"I'll reward him."
This time, a yellow firework bloomed into a familiar flower shape and vanished.
"It looks like a Mandelesong."
Marin's eyes sparkled as she looked up at the sky with wonder.
Just as everything grew quiet, as if the fireworks had ended, a final firework shot high into the void.
Gerald looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression.
Hadn't all the ones he ordered been launched?
The final firework was a large hand shape. A beautiful ring was placed on the middle finger, which was raised stiffly, before it shattered and scattered into pieces.
Seeing that, the two of them were momentarily speechless.
"No wonder I thought he let it go too easily."
"Pfft. We were a bit much, weren't we? But it was so beautiful. More importantly, I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
Marin tightly grabbed his hand. A pair of rings adorned their clasped hands.
Gerald gazed at the sight as if imprinting it in his eyes for a long time before they went inside.
\ \ \
The Duke's office.
"So the Western trade merchants are departing soon?"
"Yes. I think you need to clean things up once."
It was necessary to reduce the population of the Desert monsters for trade purposes.
"Very well."
"But Your Grace, is something bothering you?"
Olive asked worriedly.
"Why?"
Olive's gaze fell upon the Duke's arm.
The Duke had one arm resting on the desk, stiff and unmoving as if frozen, while he read the report using only his other hand.
Noticing Olive's gaze, the Duke very slowly brushed his bangs aside with the hand that hadn't moved at all.
Ah, so he's fine.
Olive lowered his gaze back to the report.
"Olive."
"Yes?"
"Don't people often say you're tactless?"
"Me? No. I often hear that I'm very perceptive."
The curtain swayed slightly even though there was no wind.
"Enough. Send a letter to the Emperor stating my intent to marry. Tch, why does my marriage require Imperial Sanction?"
The Duke clicked his tongue discontentedly and issued the cold command.
"Yes, Your Grace— Gasp! Don't tell me your proposal was successful?"
Olive, who had been answering promptly, understood the meaning of the words and opened his eyes wide.
"Yes."
"Congratulations!"
The Duke, with a composed expression, slowly swept his hair back again.
Olive's gaze instinctively fell upon the Duke's hand.
"That ring!"
Only then did Olive discover the ring glowing faintly on the Duke's finger.
He deserved to be called tactless.
Once he noticed it, he could only see the ring. The ring had a dark grayish band with a black jewel set in it. It was rugged but suited the Duke's large hand very well.
"Can you see it now?"
"The ring is very impressive."
"Marin made it herself."
"Pardon? Lady Marin? How truly remarkable. Lady Marin is so talented. To think she reads well and possesses such outstanding aesthetic sense..."
Olive continued praising Marin as if to atone for his lack of tact.
The corners of the Duke's mouth crept upwards stealthily.
"Marin proposed first too."
"Pardon?"
This time, Olive, who had been flattering him, asked again in genuine surprise.
"It was the first time I've felt that way."
"What kind of feeling was it?"
"A feeling that I could die right then and be happy?"
At the words he never expected to hear from the Duke's mouth, Olive's jaw dropped involuntarily. Truly, the power of love was great.
Looking at the Duke, who had changed like everyone else, Olive strengthened his resolve.
He would definitely succeed too. But how should he do it?
"Your Grace, the Duke. Could you perhaps tell me the method?"
"What method?"
"That, something like the method to win love..."
"The Butler said it last time. You confess your love the moment you see them."
"Ah, as expected. But my mouth just won't open whenever I see the other person."
Olive revealed his circumstances with a gloomy face.
"Try harder."
At the Duke's firm words, Olive dejectedly let his shoulders slump.
"Yes. I understand."
\ \ \
The Emperor's office.
The Emperor picked up the letter placed on his desk and twisted his lips.
"Chamberlain."
"Yes."
"The Duke of the West wants to marry. The Empire's laws are so good. I can wield power as I please, you see."
In response to the Emperor's sarcasm, the Chamberlain answered by bowing his waist even lower.
The Emperor crumpled the letter and picked up another report.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor. How shall we reply?"
"Ignore it."
