37 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
Engaged to the Blind Duke Episode 37
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Rather than sitting around worrying, it was better to fulfill one's duties.
Since she was the aide's assistant, her duty was to read books well to the Duke.
So let's try hard to write a fairy tale to read to the Duke!
Perhaps because she had been in the library for so long, the pink sunset was already lingering at the castle's edge. Bright yellow autumn leaves, signaling the end of fall, were piled softly on the ground.
Crunch, crunch.
As she walked, stepping on the sun-dried leaves, her footsteps unconsciously headed toward the stables.
She felt a lingering regret, thinking she could have followed if only she had been better at riding.
"Huh? Butler Sebas?"
"Miss Marin."
The stable keeper was nowhere to be seen, and Butler Sebas was brushing a horse in the stables.
"What are you doing here?"
"It's an old habit of mine. I often stop by here when my mind is troubled."
Was it a habit from his days as a knight? It seemed the stable keeper had deliberately made way for the butler.
"I see."
"Pretty horse, isn't it?"
Butler Sebas pointed to the horse he was brushing. Its face was black, but its body was white.
"Yes. It's pretty. The different colors on its face and body make it stand out."
It looked smaller and older than the other horses, but its coat still gleamed with health, appearing robust.
"This was the horse the young lady—no, the Countess cherished."
"Ah……."
"The Countess was an excellent rider and often pestered me to teach her swordsmanship."
Butler Sebas's wrinkled lips relaxed as if recalling the past.
"She sounds like a fun person."
It was surprising that the renowned daughter of the Western Ducal family of the Empire was interested in horses and swords.
"Yes. She was quite a tomboy."
Marin decided to give him space to reminisce further.
"I'll be going now."
"Hoho. I've been talking too much about myself. What brings you to the stables?"
Butler Sebas turned to her and asked kindly.
"Well, I just wanted to see the horses. I've developed a desire to ride a bit better."
"You seemed quite skilled when I saw you last time?"
He praised her as if encouraging her to have confidence.
"That was just at a recreational level. If I had been better, I could have accompanied His Grace this time……."
"You thought that?"
He widened his eyes slightly in surprise.
"Yes."
Marin answered in a small voice, feeling shy about revealing her inner thoughts.
"We received word today that His Grace has arrived at the Count's estate."
"Oh my. That quickly? It's a good thing I didn't go along. If I had followed, it would have delayed them a lot."
Marin let out a sigh of relief. Her agonizing alone and giving up had turned out to be the right decision.
Observing her, Butler Sebas glanced at her wrist and cautiously asked.
"Miss Marin. Do you happen to know how to handle a sword?"
"No."
It was an unexpected question.
Noblewomen in the Empire didn't learn letters or ride horses because they were considered unfeminine. Learning those two things made her unusual, which was why she didn't fit in well with other young ladies. But swordsmanship too?
"Would you be interested in learning swordsmanship? For self-defense."
"Could I learn? I feel like I'm too old to start learning now."
"It's never too late to learn. I'll also teach you more about riding. I regretted not teaching the Countess more when she pestered me. I don't want to have such regrets again."
He gazed beyond the stables with a lonely expression.
A yellow leaf, precariously hanging from a branch tip, fell powerlessly to the ground.
"Yes! I'll try learning! Please teach me everything. I'll study hard so you won't regret it!"
Marin spoke more spiritedly on purpose, hoping to offer Butler Sebas some comfort.
Butler Sebas's proposal was an opportunity for her. Learning anything new couldn't be bad.
If she could ride better and even learn swordsmanship, she would be able to do more in the future.
Butler Sebas nodded with warm eyes, as if grateful she accepted his offer.
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The area around the table, beautifully adorned with floral decorations and lavishly prepared food, was quiet.
The servants standing by to attend to the meal were pressed tightly against the wall with tense faces.
The sisters sat in their chairs like dolls, their faces pale, staring at the splendid food with distaste.
"How is it?"
Killon, sitting at the head of the table, clasped his hands with a proud expression and asked the sisters.
"……What?"
Dia bit her tender inner lip and barely opened her mouth. She didn't want to answer him, but if she didn't speak, she didn't know what threat might come next.
"These dishes. I told the chef to prepare them specially. Didn't the chef even sprinkle gold dust beautifully?"
Dia shifted her gaze to the large roasted duck at the center of the table, dusted with gold.
"……We are still in mourning."
The extravagant foods, completely disregarding the current situation, were things usually seen at parties.
"What?"
Killon sharply raised his eyes.
"Didn't you ask for my opinion?"
Dia looked directly at Killon with indifferent eyes.
"Tsk tsk. Just like your mother, you're blunt."
"That's not true. Our mom was the kindest and gentlest in the world! You're mean, Uncle!"
Rubiana, who had been shrinking back and busy hiding every time Killon spoke, clenched her fists and raised her voice.
The servants standing like decorations against the wall nodded their heads slightly in agreement.
Garnet sniped without even looking at Killon.
"Ruby. Devils are naturally good at lying."
"You, these brats!"
Killon stood up abruptly, his face flushed red, just as the dining room doors swung wide open.
"His Grace the Duke has arrived."
Olive, who entered the dining room first, announced the Duke's arrival.
Killon hurriedly changed his expression to a friendly smile and spread his hands as if welcoming.
"Welcome, Your Grace! Kids, you should stand up."
The sisters rose from their seats, their eyes converging on one spot.
A man was seen walking slowly toward them.
Is that Duke Vines?
With his black hair and pale skin, the Duke seemed to glow as if backlit by a halo, even from a distance.
It was the first time she had seen someone more handsome than her father or Killon.
The Duke's face overlapped with her mother's, whom she missed dearly. The Duke resembled her mother a lot.
Dia clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug in, trying to suppress the surging sadness.
"Wow. He's huge."
Rubiana, hiding behind Garnet, let out a small exclamation.
As the massive Duke, dressed in jet-black formal wear, drew closer, an overwhelming pressure made it hard to breathe. Is this the power of one who rules?
Thud. Thud.
The Duke walked without making a sound with his footsteps. But a heavy sound emanated from the cane he held.
He deliberately made the cane sound, drawing attention to it.
Dia unconsciously parted her lips slightly at a sudden, fleeting thought. Looking up at the Duke again, she realized he was walking with his eyes closed.
They said he couldn't see.
Pressed by the Duke's natural gait and intimidating presence, she had forgotten he was blind.
The Duke headed straight for the head seat where Killon stood, as if he could see.
When a flustered Killon looked at him, the Duke stood motionless before him.
Killon, his handsome face contorted, quickly changed his expression and yielded the head seat.
"Please sit here."
