Chapter 216
Engaged to the Blind Duke - Episode 216
Engaged to the Blind Duke - Episode 216
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“Damn it, *pant, pant, pant*.”
His breath was shallow, rising to the very tip of his throat. The sound of his thumping heart echoed in his ears.
Smize scanned his surroundings with a face full of desperation.
Where should he go? Where could he run to escape?
His bloodshot eyes swept in every direction, but he couldn't see a single place to hide.
The Duke’s residence in the capital surely had a secret passage for the head of the family, just like the Duke’s castle in the South.
However, despite being the acting head, he knew nothing about it.
The secrets passed down through generations of family heads were kept in the family library, but that room could only be opened with the Head’s ring.
This was all because of Smith.
Even though they were born with the exact same face and the exact same physique.
Simply because he was born one minute later, everything Smize ever wanted had been snatched away by Smith.
Their parents' love. The trust of the vassals. Even the position of the head of the family.
Pushing back his rising hatred, Smize sprinted toward the garden at the back of the ducal residence.
The place he finally chose was a small cave deep within the garden.
Curling his body into the cave just as he had done as a child, Smize covered the entrance with bushes.
How did things end up like this?
His mind felt hazy, as if shrouded in fog.
“Search! Find the impostor!”
“Find the treacherous fake!”
The sharp shouts of the knights were closing in from all directions.
If he was caught by them, he would die.
Consumed by despair, Smize trembled and covered his ears.
No. I am the real one. I am not a fake.
With eyes wide and crazed, Smize bit down on his fingers—a habit he had whenever he was anxious. Blood trickled down the back of his hand, but he didn't even notice.
How much time had passed?
The voices of the knights and the sound of footsteps were gradually growing distant.
Thank goodness. I can escape like this.
As a new hope swelled within him, his frantically beating heart began to calm down.
Slowly regaining his reason, Smize stared into the void and swore an oath.
If he could just get out of here, he would reclaim the position of the head of the family.
He had stolen it once; would a second time be so difficult?
He could do it.
The moment he reaffirmed his resolve, a familiar voice drifted toward him.
“Smize.”
Hearing Smith’s voice after such a long time sent a chilling shiver down his spine.
Smize turned his creaking neck to look toward the cave entrance.
The bushes were cleared away, revealing navy-blue hair, sharp eyes, and red lips. A face identical to his own was leaning down, staring intently at him.
“You...!”
“It reminds me of the old days. Every time we came to the capital with our parents, we often played here.”
“…….”
“You were never good at hide-and-seek. I already knew that this was always the last place you’d hide.”
Smith’s voice continued slowly, as if reminiscing about the past.
Smize furrowed his brows and gnashed his teeth.
To be uttering such nonsense in this situation.
His hand fumbled for the dagger hidden at his ankle.
Confronting Smith’s face brought him back to his senses.
Right. Didn't they say crisis is opportunity?
He just needed to stab that exposed neck.
“To think you’d barge in like this. It’s unexpected.”
Smize deliberately acted relaxed as he crawled forward bit by bit.
“I learned it from you, Smize.”
Smith smiled, his eyes curving.
To think that bookworm had learned to speak so sarcastically. Smize swallowed a hollow laugh and moved even closer to him.
“You've changed.”
“That is also thanks to you. Isn't it, Smize?”
Smith’s navy-blue eyes stared straight at Smize.
Now!
Smize put all his strength into his body and lunged with the dagger.
*Clang!*
However, a projectile flying from somewhere knocked the dagger away.
He scrambled to grab the dagger fallen on the ground, but a rough hand grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dragged him out of the cave.
“Let go! Let me go!”
As Smize twisted his body, the violent hand released him.
Under the blindingly bright sunlight, he looked up at the person who had seized him.
It was Row, the guard of the Duke of South, whose one sleeve hung empty.
He was the one who had bought time alone until Smith could escape through the family passage, and had fled after his arm was severed.
“Ha, so you’ve been hiding like a dead rat for years? Have you been waiting for a chance all this time?”
At Smize’s murderous gaze, Smith gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“No. I intended to live in hiding for the rest of my life for your sake. But you... you should not have touched Priana.”
Smize brushed his hair back roughly.
He was doing all this just because that woman was kidnapped?
His navy-blue eyes glinted with fury.
“Who helped you?”
“Does that matter?”
“Yes! I got rid of everyone who would help you with my own hands, so who on earth helped you?!”
Smize had to know. If he ever reclaimed his position, he would have to eliminate them again.
“The Duke of West.”
Smith spoke in a flat voice.
“...What?”
Smize’s eyes widened in shock.
The Duke of West was this fellow's backer?
“And you still call yourself the Duke of South? How dare you accept help from the West! Do you have any idea what the West might be after in the South?!”
The Duke of West. That damnable man had finally tripped him up. He should have gotten rid of him sooner. To think he would lose everything because of that man.
It was while Smize was grinding his teeth thinking of the Duke of West.
A middle-aged man with a thick beard approached them.
It was the Commander of the Southern Knights.
Smize trembled and avoided his fierce gaze.
He had won everyone else over, but this man alone could not be deceived. That was why he had sent him far away, yet here he was.
“All the subordinates have been captured.”
“I see. Good work.”
The Commander of the Southern Knights gave Smize a chilling glare before stepping back.
Smize squeezed his eyes shut.
It really was over. All the effort he had put into imitating Smith for years had vanished like bubbles.
“Smize. Make a choice.”
Smith picked up the dagger from the ground and threw it at Smize’s feet.
*Thud.* The dagger landed at his toes.
Smize slowly lifted his eyelids and stared at the dagger by his feet.
“You’re telling me to kill myself?”
“Yes. I don't want to kill you with my own hands. So, you choose.”
“You call it a choice, but there's only one answer.”
Smize picked up the dagger slowly with a twisted smile.
“I hate you. I hated so much how you had everything and acted as if it were only natural.”
“You had the same things I did. You just didn't know how precious they were.”
“Is that so? Then give the position of the head back to me. Only then will I believe your words.”
Smize’s eyes shimmered with hatred.
Smith met that gaze with calm eyes.
Because they were twins, they possessed the same things. However, Smize always coveted what belonged to Smith. Even after forcibly taking it, he would often lose interest quickly.
He was satisfied simply by stealing from his brother.
Just as he had stolen the title of Duke of South and still hunted him down to take his life.
“I believe I’ve given you enough time.”
At Smith’s firm words, Smize’s shoulders trembled with a pathetic expression.
“I... I am your younger brother. Save me.”
For the first time, Smize called him 'brother' and pleaded with him.
However, Smith coldly bid him farewell and turned around.
“Goodbye.”
At this, Smize, who had been hanging his head as if crying, looked up. He was wearing a despicable smile.
He had already confirmed that the guard was standing slightly away from them.
“You goodbye, too!”
Gripping the dagger with both hands, Smize lunged at Smith’s back.
But Row, as if he had expected it, defended with agility and then struck Smize.
Red blood gushed from Smize’s neck.
Smith turned around slowly.
He had a bitter face, as if he had guessed that Smize would try to stab him from behind.
Smize stared at Smith with wide, resentful eyes. Smith had known he would attack, which was why he had moved the guard away and shown his back on purpose.
‘He knew everything...’
Smize died right there, unable to even close his eyes.