58 - I Got Engaged to the Blind Duke
Engaged to the Blind Duke - Episode 58
Marin, wearing high ivory-colored shoes, carefully walked while holding Yuria's hand.
One wrong step and her ankle would be gone.
Soon, they arrived at the lounge right next to the Arena Hall, the party venue.
Two men were waiting for her there.
"My dear... you look truly beautiful today."
Jeromian, dressed in a uniform of white and silver, stared blankly at her.
His long hair, woven with shimmering silver threads, was neatly combed back, and his deeply set eyes, hidden behind glasses, exuded an intellectual aura.
"You are more beautiful, Jeromian."
Marin complimented purely.
Jeromian blushed slightly at his ear and avoided her gaze.
Marin's gaze then turned to the Duke, who stood dignified with a cane.
The Duke, dressed in a uniform of black and gold, had his black hair slicked back with pomade.
A brightly exposed beautiful forehead. Dense and full long eyelashes. White skin and red lips. A high, sculpted nose and plump lips were more beautiful than those of many women.
"Gerald, you look wonderful today."
"......"
There was no response from the Duke, who could not see.
After a moment of silence, Marin quickly approached the Duke.
"Shall we go?"
When she reached out her hand first, he grabbed her wrist as if he was used to it, then slid down to her hand.
Jeromian could not hide his dissatisfied look at the two's natural appearance and opened his mouth.
"You don't have to try so hard."
"Pardon?"
"It's fake anyway, isn't it?"
Marin flinched and trembled, but tried her best not to show it.
"Still with that?"
"Then should I pretend to be fooled too?"
As Jeromian grumbled, Marin hurriedly stepped between them.
"Wait, don't fight, you two."
"I don't fight with such a tiresome guy."
"Don't worry, my dear. I don't fight with such an emotionless fellow either."
Haa, that's what fighting is.
It was tiring as if a large white dog and a black dog were growling at each other.
At that time, the Duke's head turned towards the door.
"Come in."
Sebas, the butler, opened the lounge door and entered.
"It's time for your entrance."
"Let's go."
The Duke put Marin's hand, which he was holding, into his arm. Marin, who naturally linked arms with him, opened her eyes wide and looked up at him.
He lowered his head slightly and whispered to her.
"I think the shoes are high."
How did he know that?
Let's not question it anymore. This person just knows everything.
"Butler, let's go."
"Yes."
As the butler opened the lounge door, the Duke and Marin took the lead.
Jeromian felt that he could not interfere at this moment and followed them with an uncomfortable face.
\ \ *
The Duke's Castle's Arena Hall was opened.
The massive Arena Hall, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, was famous for the ceiling painting that Serionjo, a master of the art world, left as his last work before his death.
Beautiful seas painted with ground blue coral, angels born from melted pearls, and a shining sun painted with melted gold.
People with a deep appreciation for art visited the Duke's Castle solely to see the ceiling painting of the Arena Hall.
However, the Arena Hall was only opened for weddings of the Duke's direct line or important parties.
That Arena Hall was now wide open to welcome visitors after a long time.
"Oh my, did you see? Those champagne glasses stacked like towers? They're all Ohara products."
Ohara's glass crafts were famous among the nobles as something that could not be obtained even with money. However, champagne glasses made directly by Ohara were stacked like towers in various places.
"And what about this wine? I heard it's Bullia wine."
Bullia wine, which the Emperor of the Empire cherished the most, was only produced in a hundred bottles a year. That wine was placed on every table.
"Isn't that painting on the wall also a Serionjo work?"
One nobleman exclaimed in admiration.
The party, which had progressed rapidly in just one month, was more splendid and abundant than any other party. It was enough to realize once again the wealth of the Western Duke.
The nobles, gathered in groups of three or five, kept glancing towards the entrance while talking.
"Did you hear the rumor?"
A plump noblewoman covered her mouth with a fan and whispered to the thin noblewoman standing next to her.
"That outrageous rumor, you mean?"
"Yes. Goodness, what's wrong with our Duke?"
"That's what I'm saying. If the Duke proposed, beautiful young ladies would line up."
"I heard her family is ruined, she couldn't even have her Debutante, and she's old."
"No, how did such a woman meet the Duke!"
The thin noblewoman could not contain her anger and snapped her fan shut, lightly hitting it against her palm.
"Unfortunately, the Duke is currently ill..."
The plump noblewoman took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her dry eyes.
"Didn't that capable aide know that such a woman was sticking to him?"
"He's down in the South right now."
"The story fits perfectly."
Young noble ladies who were listening to their conversation from behind subtly exchanged glances and smiled.
At that moment, a servant standing next to the entrance of the Arena Hall shouted in a loud voice.
"His Excellency Duke Gerald von Vines and his fiancée, Lady Marin Schwentz!"
As the Duke entered the Arena Hall, the noisy venue became silent in an instant.
The Duke, walking confidently with his fiancée arm in arm, did not seem like a person with injured eyes. If only he wasn't holding a cane in one hand and had his eyes closed.
As they got closer, the nobles parted to both sides and bowed their heads in greeting.
Gerald, standing in the center, slowly turned his head as if surveying his surroundings.
Even though his eyes were closed, some nobles flinched and trembled as if they had made eye contact with him.
It was the first time he had appeared in an official setting since injuring his eyes. The young nobles, who had inwardly ignored the Duke with injured eyes, were crushed by his dignity.
"Let me formally introduce her. My fiancée, Marin Schwentz. I hope everyone treats her like I do, as she is precious to me."
Each word he said to introduce her had a deep resonance.
Marin lowered her eyes shyly to hide her bewildered expression.
Precious to him. Is someone writing a script somewhere?
If Olive was here, she would have thought so. If the Duke had prepared the words himself, it would have been amazing.
Even though it was to avoid being caught in a fake engagement, he was too good at lying.
Her head turned forward at the gathering stinging gazes.
People looking at her strangely, people laughing at her, people observing her. She could feel various gazes.
"I am Marin Schwentz of the Schwentz baronetcy. Thank you all for coming. I hope everyone enjoys the party."
As soon as she finished speaking, the orchestra began to play a song.
Soft music filled the Arena Hall.
Marin raised the corners of her mouth while receiving the burdensome gazes from around her.
She had to overcome this moment somehow, thinking about the gold coins she would receive.
"Your Excellency Duke. Congratulations on being so healthy and even engaged."
An old nobleman with a splendid mustache approached and bowed to the Duke.
"Count Mandrea, thank you."
Count Mandrea, pleased that the Duke remembered him, beamed, but soon said with a dark expression.
"And I am sure you are deeply saddened by the matter of Countess Adria."
"It's a good day, so let's only say good things."
"Ah, I'm sorry."
Count Mandrea stepped back with an expression that he had made a mistake.
After that, countless nobles lined up in front of the Duke, vying to greet him.
Marin stood next to the Duke, receiving their congratulatory greetings together, and her face was on the verge of cramping from constantly smiling.
"Let's quench our thirst for a moment."
At the Duke's words, the nobles scattered with regretful expressions.
The Duke led Marin to the food table.
"Stay here."
"What about you, Gerald?"
"I'll go and receive the rest of the greetings. Because there will be people who will follow me to the end if I don't receive all the greetings."
"Then I'll go with you..."
As Marin tried to follow him again, the Duke whispered in her ear.
"That's an order."
"Yes."
If it's an order, I have to follow it.
Really, it's also a talent to say caring words so awkwardly.
Marin smiled helplessly as she watched the Duke's back as he left with a blunt word.
