Translator: Nox

200 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke

I got engaged to the blind peacock, Chapter 200

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The door connecting to Gerald's room.

Marin abruptly closed the book she was reading and leaned her head against the door.

"Why?"

Gerald's low, deep voice came immediately from beyond the door.

"Why what?"

"Why are you so listless?"

Sometimes, it seemed like he not only had highly developed senses but could also read minds.

Marin was wondering what to say when the door suddenly opened. Her face, which had been leaning to the side, bumped into his upper body.

"Lord Gerald!"

Surprised, Marin immediately raised her head and looked at Gerald.

"Why?"

"No, why would you open the door like that?"

"Because I was worried since my fiancée seemed listless."

Gerald replied casually, as if it were no big deal.

"What excuse will you use next time to open it?"

Marin asked, sounding dumbfounded, and he pondered seriously before slowly opening his mouth.

"My fiancée was so full of energy that she fell over?"

"You could use that excuse for anything."

Marin shook her head, then leaned weakly against his upper body.

Gerald gently stroked her hair as he asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's just, I feel bad for Dia."

"Did you perhaps hear some nonsense?"

Gerald's expression hardened.

"Lord Gerald, you already know?"

"Yes. I investigated the noble who spread the rumors first."

Marin's head shot up at those words.

"Who is it?"

"Why?"

"I'm going to go scold them!"

Marin's eyes blazed fiercely.

"I'll do it."

Gerald said as if it were obvious.

"Lord Gerald, you can do it your way, and I'll do it my way. So, where is it?"

"Schwentz Young Lady."

"Schwentz Young Lady?"

Marin frowned and pondered, then nodded as if she had remembered something.

"I've decided."

"What?"

"Dia and I were discussing which family's invitation to accept today. We chose a family that was friendly to us, but we'll postpone that and go to the Schwentz family first."

"Did they send an invitation too?"

Gerald's voice lowered with anger.

"Yes. They spread those rumors behind our backs, and then they invite us to their party. How awful, right?"

"Indeed."

"What are you going to do, Lord Gerald?"

"The Schwentz family is doing business with desert traders."

Gerald smiled coldly.

Their business is going to go bankrupt soon. They should have been more careful about who they messed with.

Marin clicked her tongue inwardly.

"Let's both do our best."

"Alright."

Marin was about to lift her head from his upper body, but he pressed her head back down.

"Why?"

Marin raised her face and looked up at Gerald.

"I like this position."

"Aren't you going?"

"Do I have to go?"

A hint of dissatisfaction was in his voice.

"Yes. You absolutely must go, right?"

Marin lifted her head from his upper body and said firmly.

"I'm a little tired. I'll rest for a bit and-"

Marin immediately pushed his back.

He was not someone who could be pushed by her strength, but he obediently went into the next room.

"Just a little-"

"Then good night."

Marin smiled brightly and said goodbye by slamming the door shut.

\ \ \

A Diamond Carriage, dazzling enough to blind the eyes, stood in front of the Schwentz estate.

A cold-looking maid got out of the carriage, followed by two ladies.

The Young Lady of the Marquis, with reddish-orange hair and a gentle impression, greeted them happily.

"Welcome. Adria Young Lady, Schwentz Young Lady. Thank you for attending my tea party. I am Helena of the Schwentz family."

"Nice to meet you, Schwentz Young Lady."

As the two greeted her, Helena smiled, her eyes crinkling, and led them inside.

"Everyone is waiting."

"We came on time, but it seems we're late."

"Everyone is just diligent."

Helena replied with an innocent smile.

Following her guidance, they entered the garden where the tea party was being held.

The garden, where colorful roses bloomed profusely under the blue sky, was filled with a sweet fragrance.

Rose Garden Tea Party.

As the invitation stated, not only the garden but also the white tables were beautifully decorated with roses.

The curious gazes of the young ladies, scattered in groups of three or five, turned to them.

"Adria Young Lady and Schwentz Young Lady have arrived. Everyone, please welcome them."

No sooner had those words been spoken than the young ladies flocked to them all at once.

As they exchanged greetings in a daze, Marin and Dia found themselves surrounded by the young ladies and seated apart.

Watching this, Helena secretly sneered and looked at Dia with a cold gaze.

How dare she, the daughter of a Count, take the position of Crown Princess. It would have been impossible if she didn't have the Duke of the West as her backer.

How hard she had worked to seduce the Crown Prince all this time.

She had naturally expected to dance the first dance with him at the Debutante. But the Crown Prince did not leave the side of that Count's daughter. As if he had fallen in love at first sight.

Still, she did not give up hope. The Count's daughter, who had lost her parents, was soon to leave for the West.

However, her last remaining hope was torn to shreds by the news of their engagement.

She had been robbed of the position of Crown Princess.

"Adria Young Lady, is that the necklace you wore at the Debutante?"

One young lady asked, unable to take her eyes off Dia's necklace.

The eyes of the young ladies, glancing at the black Opal necklace that sparkled in iridescent colors, revealed jealousy and envy.

Since the Debutante, public interest in Opal necklaces had exploded, but only a very small amount was being sold under Marin's leadership. Above all, there was no Opal gem as large as Dia's necklace on the market yet.

It was Marin's intention to ensure that Dia remained the center of attention.

"Yes, it is."

"I've been sending letters to Schwentz Young Lady steadily, but it's not easy to get one."

"Me too. I heard that the reservations are already full for several years."

The young ladies continued to complain in voices full of regret.

Dia smiled silently and picked up the teacup in front of her.

"Adria Young Lady, could you please put in a good word with Schwentz Young Lady? I heard you two are very close. That you call her teacher?"

"Yes. I'll ask my teacher."

Dia nodded as if it were nothing.

Then the young ladies nearby began to make a fuss.

"Me too! Please put in a good word for me too."

"Please tell her for me too!"

Dia smiled kindly, made eye contact with each one, and nodded.

The atmosphere was flowing exactly as Marin Teacher had predicted.

"Dia. I want you to wear the Opal necklace you wore at the Debutante today."

"Wouldn't it be too flashy for a tea party?"

"All the young ladies gathered there will be envious. And they will remember. That they have to be nice to Dia to get that beautiful jewel."

At first, the young ladies were wary of Dia, but now they were all being friendly and talking to her.

A smile also appeared on Marin's face as she watched this from a distance.

"Did you come in the Diamond Carriage today too?"

One young lady asked affably, and Marin's gaze turned.

"Yes."

"I'm so envious. The wealth of the West is truly amazing."

"I know, right? Emperor is even building a Diamond Palace after seeing that carriage."

"Young Lady. You might need to be careful with your words."

A calm-looking young lady with green hair, white skin, and pink lips pointed out sharply.

"I, I didn't mean anything bad……!"

The young lady who mentioned the Emperor hurriedly made excuses with a flustered face.

"Emperor's people are everywhere."

Marin watched the intelligent-looking young lady with an interested gaze.

Her tone was cold, but it was actually advice for the young lady who had made a mistake.

As she said, Imperial Palace people would be everywhere, and a slip of the tongue could bring great misfortune.

Priana Malcolm, Young Lady of the Baron, was it?

Perhaps sensing Marin's gaze, Priana made eye contact and gave a nod.