56 - I Got Engaged to the Blind Duke
Engaged to the Blind Duke Episode 56
\ \ \
Marin, who was being tormented by Idre, the head maid, and Loanna taking turns preparing for the party, hid in the training grounds.
Fortunately, since her swordsmanship training was kept a secret, no one knew of this place's existence.
"Ugh, this is tough."
After finishing her hundred sword swings, Marin plopped down onto the floor still wearing her dress.
Even amidst the party preparations, she diligently completed the daily training regimen set by the butler without fail.
Then, at the sound of someone scurrying away, Marin threw the sword she was holding.
She knew she couldn't hit the fleeing person with her skill level, but she hoped to at least trip them up.
"Ouch!"
Marin sprang up from her spot and ran towards the direction of the sound.
Her wish seemed to have been granted, as a young man was rubbing his thigh.
"Whoa, maybe I do have some talent with a sword after all."
The red-haired man, upon spotting her, flinched in surprise and then turned to flee again. However, the direction he was running towards was a dead end.
That's strange. Why is he running that way?
"Stop right there! If you don't stop...!"
What should she say?
As she trailed off, the man, seemingly curious, stopped and waited for her to finish.
"If I don't stop, then what?"
Looking closely, the red-haired man appeared to be at the age just transitioning from boyhood to youth. He had a large frame, but his voice was still high-pitched, as if he hadn't hit puberty yet.
"Haven't we met somewhere before?"
"I'm not sure."
The youth subtly averted his gaze.
His profile reminded her. He was the young red-haired knight who had been talking with a middle-aged knight at the Duke's Castle gate late at night and then ran away.
"Ah! You're that knight I met in front of the gate that time!"
"Urgh, I'm not a knight yet, I'm a Squire Knight. I'm sorry for saying I didn't know you back then."
"You just said you didn't know because you didn't, so you don't need to apologize."
At her words, the Squire Knight lifted his head slightly, scratched the back of his neck, and laughed.
"Hehe, I guess so."
His beaming smile felt strangely familiar.
"Have we met before that time? Why does your face seem so familiar?"
"I'm Uvis. Yuria's twin brother."
Marin's eyes widened in surprise.
She knew Yuria had a twin sibling, but she didn't know it was a brother.
And on top of that, he was a Squire Knight.
"So you're Yuria's brother."
"Yuria brags about you all the time, Miss. Please take good care of our Yuria."
His manner of entrusting his sister seemed quite mature.
"Yuria is so capable already, don't worry."
At her praise, Uvis gave another hehe laugh.
Perhaps because they only had each other to rely on without parents, they seemed to get along extremely well.
"But a Squire Knight, huh?"
"Yes. I'm just a Squire Knight now, but they said I'm skilled enough that I'll become an Apprentice Knight soon. I used to win all the fights against the other kids back in the day. I protected Yuria too. Grandfather- I mean, the butler saw me fighting and said he'd make me a knight, so he brought me to the Duke's Castle. I refused to come without Yuria, so she was able to come along too."
Uvis puffed out his chest and listed his boasts.
"I see. So that's the story."
Marin nodded upon hearing this story for the first time.
"Yuria didn't tell you?"
"No."
"Well. Yuria always keeps her thoughts to herself and doesn't speak much. Oh, right. Thank you for disciplining the maids last time. I only found out about that incident after it happened. If I had known earlier, I would have taken care of them myself."
Uvis bowed his head with a pained expression. He seemed to truly cherish his sister.
"It was nothing. More importantly, why were you spying on me here? You've been peeking at me every day lately, haven't you?"
"It wasn't spying, it was the butler's order. The butler has been too busy to come lately, so he just asked me to check whether you came here or not."
Uvis explained with an expression of injustice.
"I see."
He has been too busy to come lately.
Of course, the training content hadn't changed, so it was sufficient for her to do it alone.
"Well then, stop peeking secretly from now on. Watch openly and report to our teacher."
"Really, I can do that?"
"Yes. And you probably don't have enough training time either, so you can train alongside me if you want."
"Wow! You're the best, Miss! So this is why Yuria is always going on about 'our Miss, our Miss'."
Uvis looked at her with sparkling eyes, making her feel a bit burdened.
Unlike the shy and reserved Yuria, Uvis had an honest and unreserved personality.
\ \ \
Gerald was leaning back in his chair with Mandresson Grass pressed against his eyes.
The Mandresson Grass definitely had an effect. Even if it was a very small effect, to him it felt like a difference as vast as heaven and earth.
What would happen if he ate it?
Since he had resistance to most poisons, the side effect of Mandresson Grass – stomach cramps – probably wouldn't harm him much.
Thinking of stomach cramps naturally brought Marin to mind.
Ever since returning to the Duke's Castle, he could faintly hear the sounds of her training from not far from his office.
He was honestly quite surprised by her steady, daily persistence. He had expected her to give up after a while.
But for the past few days, a man's voice had been mixed in with the sounds.
Gradually, that sound began to grate on his ears.
"Kay."
"……."
"Find out who it is."
"……."
Kay slightly bowed his head in lieu of a reply, vanished like the wind, and returned swiftly.
"It's Uvis. He is one of the orphan siblings the butler brought in a few years ago. The other one serves Lady Marin. They say he will become an Apprentice Knight soon."
"I remember him. Already an Apprentice candidate? That was fast."
"Yes. He is still young, but they say his skills are quite good. Currently, under the butler's orders, he is tasked with observing Lady Marin's training. It appears that, at Lady Marin's suggestion, he is now training alongside her."
"At Marin's suggestion……"
Kay bowed his head slightly and melted back into the shadows.
"I suppose I should take a walk, as she suggested."
At his muttering, Kay's breathing momentarily faltered.
\ \ \
When Gerald emerged from his office from the afternoon onwards, the attendants were so startled they pressed themselves against the wall.
Leaning on his cane and walking leisurely, Gerald headed straight for the training grounds where she was.
"Lower your legs just a bit more."
"Like this?"
"No. Like this."
As Uvis demonstrated, Marin tried to mimic his posture.
"Like this?"
"Miss, your stamina is one thing, but your observation skills are seriously lacking."
"What did you say!"
"No, no, I didn't mean it."
"Want to get hit by my sword again?"
"Whoa, I'm against violence!"
The two of them were bickering when they abruptly stopped at the sound of a cane tapping against a stone.
"Huh?"
"Y-Your Grace. Good day."
Uvis bowed stiffly, his face rigid.
Even the usually cheeky Uvis seemed to be afraid of the Duke.
The Duke stopped directly in front of Marin.
"Good day, Lord Gerald. What brings you here?"
"This is a training ground I used frequently before I injured my eyes."
At the Duke's words, Marin and Uvis looked at him with surprised expressions.
"M-my apologies. Then I shall take my leave now, Your Grace."
Stammering, Uvis made to move away quickly.
"Wait a moment."
"Yes, sir!"
"You're becoming an Apprentice Knight soon?"
"Yessir! That is correct. I am striving to become a splendid knight worthy of Your Grace's renowned name……"
As the Duke raised his hand, Uvis, looking tense, tightly pursed his lips.
Marin looked at Uvis's new demeanor with curiosity.
This must be his first time facing the Duke this closely too.
"You talk a lot."
"My apologies, Your Grace."
Uvis replied with a sullen face.
"Do well."
Upon hearing this, Uvis's face brightened instantly, as if to ask 'When was I ever disappointed?'
"Yes, Your Grace. I shall take my leave now."
It was an immense encouragement for Uvis.
How many knights had tried to impress him, hoping to hear just that one phrase?
Marin looked up at the Duke with an expression of surprise. She had always thought he was indifferent to others.
Uvis's retreating shoulders were dancing buoyantly. He might look grown, but he was still young.
Marin smiled watching him, then turned her gaze back to the Duke.
He still wore an expressionless face, but he somehow exuded a dissatisfied air.
"What are* you really doing here?"
