57 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
“What brings you here, really?”
“I told you, this used to be my training ground.”
“So, you came out to train?”
“No, a walk.”
Marin tilted her head.
Am I imagining things, or is there a subtle disconnect in this conversation?
“You came to the training ground for a walk? Why?”
“Do I have to explain everything to Imsi?”
Wow, it’s been a while. Grumpy Duke.
“No, you don’t have to. Then, enjoy your walk. I’ll be going now.”
His chilly tone pierced her back as she turned.
“Where are you going?”
“To my room.”
Judging by the Duke’s thoroughly twisted mood, something must have happened. The best thing to do in times like this was to escape.
“Why are you running away when I come?”
“It’s not running away, it’s just that my instructor isn’t here…”
Stung to the quick, Marin mumbled excuses, careful not to offend the Duke.
“I’ll watch you. Get in stance.”
Wait, how can he watch me when he can’t see?
Marin wanted to ask the fundamental question. But to avoid upsetting the Duke, who seemed to be in a foul mood, she grabbed her sword and assumed a stance.
Then, his cane subtly lifted the back of her hand. She could put more strength into her hand.
The cane pressed firmly against her heel, causing her foot to move slightly inward. Her thigh muscles tightened.
“Do it.”
“Yes.”
As she swung her sword in that stance, it felt like her legs were supporting her more firmly.
The sword also came down with more force when she swung it.
Marin looked at the Duke with admiration.
“How are you doing this?”
And you can’t even see, she swallowed the unspoken words.
At her excited voice, the corners of his lips slightly relaxed.
“You just have to use a sword your whole life.”
“Wow, so if I do that for the rest of my life…”
“Of course, talent has to back it up.”
Tch, figures. How is someone without talent supposed to live?
“From now on, when the butler can’t teach you, I’ll teach you.”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t it better to learn from the Commander-in-Chief of the West than from a Squire Knight?”
It’s more burdensome to learn from someone so great, she swallowed the words.
For some reason, if she said she didn’t want to learn, his prickly personality, which was already sharp today, would become even sharper.
“Yes, it’s an honor.”
Whether her words were the right answer, a satisfied smile spread across his lips.
\ \ *
“Lady, please wake up.”
Yuria gently shook Marin’s shoulder as she slept.
Marin forced her sleepy eyes open and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Where am I? Ah, I came to the main residence because of the party.
“Lady.”
“Ugh, I’m awake. Just a moment.”
“A moment is not enough.”
From early dawn, Marin was forcibly sat up on the bed by Yuria while still half-asleep.
Her younger brother had talent in swordsmanship, and Yuria was also incredibly strong.
“Yuria, weren’t you originally not this kind of character…”
“Yes?”
“No, no. I’m awake.”
“I’ve warmed up the bathwater with rose petals.”
“Rose petals?”
“Would you like a different flower, perhaps?”
“No, no. Just use that.”
A rose petal bath from dawn. What luxury is this?
It made her realize even more that today was the day of the party.
“I’ll check the water temperature, so please get out of bed quickly.”
“Okay, okay.”
Hearing Yuria leave the room, Marin immediately lay back down on the bed.
“An engagement…”
It was a fake engagement, but it was the start of a big event that would never happen again in her life.
“Lady!”
Marin was dragged out of bed by Yuria, who had quickly returned.
Washed and scrubbed by Yuria and the other maids, she was then coated in fragrant oils.
The scent of flowers bloomed all over her body.
As soon as she re-entered the room, Idre and Juri burst in as if they had been waiting.
“Good morning, Miss Marin. Let’s begin.”
Idre, wearing white gloves like a surgeon, shone with enthusiasm.
Juri, standing behind, carefully took out an ivory silk dress that was wrapped.
The dress was covered in delicate lace from the neck to the upper chest line. The gently rippling, subtly shimmering skirt was luxurious while perfectly complementing her delicate figure.
“Lady, you look so beautiful!”
Yuria, clasping her hands together, exclaimed as she looked at Marin in the dress.
Marin nodded, looking at herself in the mirror that took up an entire wall.
Clothes make the woman, and it suited her well.
“Let’s start the makeup.”
As Idre took out the makeup from her bag, Juri draped a white silk cloth around Marin. This was to prevent makeup from getting on the dress.
Unable to sit down for fear of wrinkling the dress, Marin simply closed her eyes while standing.
She just waited for all of this to end quickly.
Her hair was pulled this way and that, and a lot of things were applied to her face.
“Okay, we’re done.”
At Idre’s satisfied voice, Marin, who had been dozing off while standing, slowly opened her eyes.
She naturally raised her hand to rub her eyes, but Idre grabbed her wrist.
“Madam, you can’t do that.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
She had momentarily forgotten what she had been doing.
Marin quickly lowered her hand and smiled apologetically.
“Now, please check it out in the mirror.”
“Yes.”
After Idre stepped aside, Marin looked in the mirror and was startled.
Snow-white, milky skin. Eyes that looked innocent with subtle makeup. Green eyes that looked deeper and clearer. Plump, full pink lips.
Her abundant platinum blonde hair, braided and draped naturally to one side, sparkled as if sprinkled with silver powder.
“Who…?”
The woman who had looked thin and shabby was gone, and a brightly shining woman stood before her.
“Pfft, you’re joking.”
Idre burst into laughter as if amused and opened a jewelry box.
A sparkling teardrop-shaped aquamarine necklace was placed around Marin’s neck. With the addition of earrings with long silver threads dangling from the aquamarine gems, all preparations were complete.
“Lady, you’re so beautiful.”
Yuria clasped her hands tightly and was on the verge of tears.
“Thank you.”
Marin turned to look at Idre, who was standing there as if admiring a work of art.
“Designer. Thank you so much for the dress and the makeup.”
“Am I not going to be the Duchess’s exclusive designer in the future?”
Idre subtly revealed her wish.
Marin smiled gently.
Idre was indeed the exclusive designer of the real Duchess. She would become a good friend and exclusive designer to the female lead she would meet in the future.
As Marin nodded in agreement, Idre grabbed Marin’s hands with a moved expression.
“Really?”
“Yes, that’s what you’ll become in the future.”
“Miss Marin, I look forward to working with you.”
Marin couldn’t bring herself to answer those words and instead responded with a smile.
“Lady. Shall we go downstairs now?”
As Yuria gently urged from behind, Marin nodded.
“Okay. Designer, thank you. I’ll see you at the party.”
“Yes.”
Taking Yuria’s hand and leaving the room together, Marin asked worriedly after walking a little.
“How is Mother’s cold?”
“I don’t think she’ll be able to come to the party. She’s very disappointed.”
“She must have overdone it helping with the party preparations.”
Marin regretted asking Loanna to help with the party. She had been busy with the party preparations herself, but Loanna had enthusiastically taken on the party work.
Her health had improved a lot since coming to the Duke's Castle, but her mother had always been weak. She had overdone it to the point where she would have caught a cold a long time ago, and she had a fever and couldn’t get up the day before the party.
“The Lady was so happy to help with your party preparations, Lady.”
Yuria was young but very thoughtful.
“Thank you, Yuria.”
“Please take back your thanks. I haven’t done anything.”
As Yuria waved her hands and blushed, Marin gently stroked Yuria’s hair.
What a kind child.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
