196 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
Blinded Duke, Engaged 196
Having lost her parents, her family was the most important thing to her. She couldn't forgive anyone who touched her family.
And Marin was already her family.
Dia took Marin's hand and gently patted it.
"Marin, you're family to me now. Who doesn't go to their family's wedding? I'm definitely going."
"But something bad might happen to you, Teacher. His Imperial Majesty wouldn't be calling you just to see your face. So I'll go alone. His Imperial Majesty won't invade the Duke of the West's Castle."
Marin slowly shook her head.
The Royal marriage was decided unbelievably quickly. That alone would cause talk in aristocratic society.
But on top of that, a wedding where none of the relatives attend.
She couldn't let her beloved Dia suffer such humiliation.
"No, I'm definitely going."
"Teacher."
Dia called out to Marin as if telling her not to.
"Lord Gerald will probably oppose it too."
"I'll persuade my cousin."
"I'm against it too. I'm going to watch Dia become the most beautiful bride in the world in place of Dia's mother. So please don't take that opportunity away from me?"
Dia's face welled up at Marin's affectionate words. She didn't know that Marin would think so much about her wedding.
"...Teacher. I'm sorry and thank you."
"I'm sorry too, and thank you for thinking of me. Let's overcome this hardship together."
"Yes."
The two, looking into each other's eyes, firmly clasped hands.
"First, the wedding dress!"
\ \ \
Thud.
Idre dropped the catalog she was holding onto the floor. Her surprised eyes widened as much as possible.
"D, d, did you just say? I, I have to make Crown Princess's wedding dress that will be in three months?"
"Were you very surprised?"
Marin handed Idre water to calm her down. She always felt sorry for asking her so urgently.
"Oh my gosh!"
Idre took the glass of water and drank it all at once.
She had abandoned all her busy work and rushed to the Duke's Castle at the call of the future Duchess.
She had come hoping to be in charge of Marin's wedding dress, but the Crown Princess's dress.
And even the wedding dress!
Moving her creaking head, she turned her gaze to Dia.
When Dia pointed to the dress hanging on one side, Idre's gaze shifted.
The white satin dress with a subtle pearl was elegant and classic. Of course, it was classic in a good way, but it was an outdated style.
"It's my mother's wedding dress. Could you possibly repair this and make it my wedding dress?"
Idre's blocked breath burst out at Dia's cautious request.
"It would be an honor if you entrusted it to me, Lady Adria."
The wedding was said to be in three months.
If it were a new dress, there wouldn't be enough time even if she stayed up all night from now on, but if such a beautiful dress was the foundation, she could save a lot of time.
Marin, relieved by her answer, continued.
"So, would the designer be able to go up to the capital with us?"
"Of course. I will follow you even if I have to postpone everything."
"Thank you."
"I thank you both for entrusting me with such an honorable task."
Idre bowed her head with sincerity.
Marin and Dia made eye contact and smiled brightly. They had overcome one mountain for now.
\ \ \
Late at night, when the beautiful moonlight settled softly.
Marin headed to BaniBani's treehouse.
Tomorrow she would be leaving for the capital. Then she would have to be separated from BaniBani again for a while.
As if he knew she was coming, BaniBani was out in front of the treehouse.
"Rabbit."
Thump, thump, thump. BaniBani's silver eyes, which had run up happily, sparkled, reflecting the moonlight.
"Sister will be away from home for a while. I wish I could take you with me, but I can't."
Marin gently stroked BaniBani's head and whispered softly.
BaniBani's head tilted to one side with a puzzled look.
"I won't be able to see you for a while, but I'll come back as soon as possible. In the meantime, play well with the knights."
BaniBani lowered his head with a sullen expression.
It seemed he understood that she was leaving him behind.
Marin hugged and patted BaniBani, who was bigger than her.
BaniBani leaned his big head quietly on her shoulder.
It's warm. Such a lovely being.
What kind of scary words will fly at me when I go to the capital?
What is the Emperor planning?
Marin continued to stroke BaniBani as if to empty her complicated mind.
Meanwhile, Gerald quietly watched the scene from behind so as not to disturb Marin and the Rabbit's time.
\ \ \
A storm-like time had passed.
Since they had to arrive as quickly as possible to prepare for the wedding, the luggage for the trip to the capital was packed in a hurry.
Loanna looked at the Diamond Carriage with a fresh feeling.
"I didn't know I'd be riding this carriage again."
"It will be hard, but Mother must go with me."
Loanna nodded and smiled.
The long journey to the capital would be difficult for Loanna, who was physically weak, but after that incident, Marin no longer intended to leave Loanna alone.
Loanna also guessed her intentions and readily said she would follow.
"Yuria, Elmis. Take good care of Mother."
"Leave it to us, Milady."
"Of course, Milady."
Yuria and Elmis answered at the same time.
After Loanna, Yuria, and Elmis got into the Diamond Carriage first, Marin looked back at the second carriage.
Dia, Garnet, Rubiana, and Peridot were in it.
Garnet was sulking with a dissatisfied face, but Rubiana and Peridot were clearly excited about the long-awaited trip.
Behind them, several more carriages were lined up.
Since there were so many people going to the capital, there was also a lot of luggage.
Sebas Butler and Page Head Maid, along with dozens of employees, stood side by side in front of the main building to see them off.
"Please have a safe trip. The Duke, Miss Marin."
"Okay."
"Yes!"
As she was about to get into the Diamond Carriage holding Gerald's hand, Gerald gently pulled her.
When she turned around with a puzzled face, he turned his head to the side.
Following his gaze, she could see BaniBani watching them from afar.
Marin smiled even more brightly on purpose and waved both hands.
"Rabbit! Sister will be back!"
Next to the sullen BaniBani, Uvis waved his hand greatly instead and said hello.
"Have a safe trip!"
\ \ \
The nobles in the capital were in an uproar over the news of the Crown Prince's wedding that was announced today.
How could the wedding date be set so suddenly?
As a result, rumors began to spread rampantly among the nobles.
Is the Crown Prince perhaps ill? Did the Countess's daughter have a reason to get married right away? Perhaps she is pregnant early?
Southern Duke Smi, with a smile on his lips, stood in front of the Emperor's office door, which was engraved with splendid intaglio.
Few people knew about the Duke of the West's fiancée yet.
However, the Emperor, who would have received the news the fastest, summoned the Duke of the West and his fiancée to the capital under the pretext of the wedding.
What on earth does the Emperor want?
He had requested an audience to find out.
"Southern Duke is here."
The Chamberlain, who opened the door, stepped aside.
After Smi entered the office first, two men followed him, carrying a luxurious box that looked heavy at a glance, groaning.
Those who quietly placed the box on the floor greeted the Emperor politely and quickly disappeared.
"Patayan, I greet the Emperor of the Empire."
The Emperor's eyes, who was sitting leisurely leaning back in his chair beyond the office desk, flashed with interest.
"So, what brings the Southern Duke here?"
The Emperor's voice was filled with deep interest.
"I came to congratulate His Highness the Crown Prince on his marriage in person."
Smi smiled leisurely and bowed his head.
"Hahaha. In person? Then shouldn't you go to the Crown Prince instead of me?"
The Emperor burst into a good-natured laugh.
Smi, who raised his face, smiled with his eyes narrowed.
"I thought the suddenly decided marriage was His Majesty's intention."
"Intention, what intention. I just wanted to see my daughter-in-law quickly."
The Emperor hid his true feelings as if he didn't know anything.
"I see."
Smi answered with a cool smile.
"I'll take the congratulations, what did you bring me?"
The Emperor's gaze reached the luxurious box.
"I heard you're short on this these days."
When Smi pointed to the box to the Chamberlain standing next to the door, the Chamberlain opened the lid.
The luxurious box was filled with sparkling diamonds.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed with satisfaction.
"I'm very pleased that the South is always prosperous."
"Isn't it all thanks to His Majesty's grace?"
The Emperor chuckled and leaned back in his chair again.
"Do you have anything to say to me?"
"May I ask what your intentions are regarding the Duke of the West's fiancée?"
