64 - I Got Engaged to the Blind Duke
Blinded Duke and His Fiancee - Episode 64
Only the two of them existed on the empty dance floor.
Marin gazed at The Duke's closed eyes and gently placed her hand in his. He softly wrapped his arm around her waist.
As Marin took the first step, The Duke naturally followed.
He danced well, without needing her to lead.
"Thank you."
"......"
"I wanted to see that bastard kneeling before me."
"Anything else you desire?"
"I've already taken my revenge."
Marin chuckled, as if unable to contain her laughter.
"I admit, you did it perfectly."
A faint smile appeared on his lips as well.
The sight of the two smiling and dancing together was like that of a perfectly ideal couple.
Following them, the nobles gathered on the dance floor and began to dance.
Marin subtly rolled her eyes, watching the nobles dance and enjoy themselves. Thankfully, it seemed she had succeeded in changing the atmosphere.
The Duke skillfully spun her around and led her once more.
"How can you dance so well?"
Marin asked, her eyes wide.
"I tend to be good at anything physical."
He whispered slowly in her ear. Her earlobe instantly flushed.
"Ah, yes. You are, uh, excellent."
He laughed at her awkward compliment.
The surrounding nobles couldn't hide their surprised expressions at The Duke's laughter.
It was clear that The Duke was deeply smitten with his fiancee.
It was then.
"Olive Lyon, aide to The Duke, and the children of Count Adria have arrived."
The unexpected appearance of these individuals caused everyone's gaze to turn towards the entrance.
As The Duke and Marin stopped dancing, the orchestra also ceased playing.
Marin looked up at The Duke with worried eyes. The Duke's face was, as always, indifferent.
As The Duke took a step, the nobles parted like the Red Sea.
The closer they got to the entrance of the arena hall, the closer the whispering voices of the nobles became.
"Oh my, look at them. How pitiful."
"They're still wearing Mourning clothes."
"It hasn't been long since the Count and Countess passed away."
"And yet, to blatantly throw such a lavish party. No matter how bad the relationship between The Duke and his siblings was, this is a bit much."
"It seems that rumor was true. That they were enemies."
Marin's hand, resting on The Duke's arm, instinctively tightened. She had expected it, but hearing the misunderstandings so directly upset her, even though she wasn't the one involved.
She wanted to step forward and say something, but she couldn't, which made her feel even worse.
Lost in thought, she must have been gripping his arm too tightly, as The Duke lowered his head as if looking down at her hand.
"Don't mind them."
The Duke whispered softly in her ear.
"......Yes."
Marin tried her best to calm herself. She felt sorry for making The Duke worry even more.
Upon reaching the entrance, they were finally able to face The Duke's nieces and nephews.
Marin inwardly exclaimed in admiration as she looked at the children.
The eldest, Dia, was graceful and beautiful, with black hair that shimmered under the lights and deep forest-green eyes.
Next to her, the second, Garnet, had flamboyant blonde hair like molten gold and refreshing green eyes that resembled a vibrant rose.
The third, Rubiana, had sweet blonde hair and light green eyes, like a doll meticulously crafted by an artisan.
Finally, the youngest, Peridot, had black hair and black eyes, making him the most similar in appearance to The Duke.
Even though they were wearing black Mourning clothes, they couldn't hide their radiant beauty.
Olive, standing a short distance away from the children, approached The Duke.
"The Duke, I have returned."
"Good work."
Olive's gaze turned to Marin, whose hand was resting on The Duke's arm.
Marin gave Olive an awkward smile and a nod.
Olive quickly returned the nod with a smile, but then.
"May I ask what kind of party this is?"
Dia swept her gaze over the lavish party hall before turning her eyes to The Duke.
"It is a party to celebrate my engagement."
"......Engagement?"
Dia stared at The Duke with a stiff expression.
"Ha, insane. Engagement?"
Garnet spat out a sharp mutter, as if wanting others to hear.
"Garnet."
Dia called Garnet's name as a warning, and Garnet pouted and turned her head away.
The Duke nonchalantly ignored his nieces' and nephews' reactions and introduced Marin.
"Allow me to introduce my fiancee, Lady Marin Schwentz."
Marin slightly frowned, looking at The Duke's profile with a dissatisfied gaze.
He could at least say something like, 'Thank you for coming all the way here.'
Even though he was supposed to pretend to be uninterested in his nieces and nephews, he was being too perfect.
Marin cursed The Duke inwardly before turning her gaze to the nieces and nephews standing before her.
Dia was looking at The Duke with an unreadable expression. Garnet was also busy glaring at The Duke sharply.
Then, her eyes met Rubiana's light green eyes.
Rubiana, who was looking at Marin with curious eyes, gave a shy smile that created dimples.
Her face was so cute that Marin couldn't help but smile as well. She was grateful that Rubiana was the only one among the nieces and nephews who showed interest in her.
Peridot, who was holding Rubiana's hand tightly, was also staring intently at The Duke's face.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Marin Schwentz. Thank you for coming all this way."
Marin spoke to the nieces and nephews with all her heart, on behalf of The Duke.
"......I am Dia Adria. Congratulations on your engagement... If you'll excuse us, we are tired from the long journey, so may we go in and rest first?"
Dia's emotionless gaze briefly lingered on Marin before moving away. The Duke's fiancee had greeted them kindly, but she couldn't bring herself to smile and greet her in return.
"Of course. Olive, take them to the detached palace."
"Yes. Young masters, young ladies, this way."
Olive's eyes softened as she spoke kindly. During their journey to the west, the titles had changed to 'young masters' and 'young ladies.'
Dia stared at The Duke, who still had his eyes closed, with a blank expression before turning away coldly.
It wasn't just a party, but an engagement celebration. Even though it hadn't been long since their parents had died.
Did Aide Olive know about this fact as well? Had she known all along and kept it a secret from them? Did the party have to be held on the day they arrived?
If the party had already been planned long ago, they should have been invited at a different time. What on earth was The Duke thinking? Was he trying to ignore them? Was he ignoring their deceased parents?
A sense of betrayal surged within her.
She couldn't tell whether this bitter feeling was directed towards The Duke, towards Aide Olive, who had kept all of this a secret during their journey here, or towards the kind fiancee who seemed to know nothing.
Garnet, standing next to her, was glaring fiercely at The Duke with an agitated expression.
"Garnet, let's go."
"No. Just a moment."
Garnet shook off Dia's hand and stepped forward.
Then, placing her hand on her hip, she sneered at The Duke.
"The Duke. You never came to see us—no, that's not right. You came after our parents... died, didn't you?"
Garnet's voice trembled slightly as she mentioned their parents. She quickly composed herself and continued.
"To hold such a grand party on the day we arrive? If you're ignoring us like this, can we assume that you don't consider us family?"
"......You can think whatever you want."
Dia stared at The Duke blankly, her face filled with shock.
She would have preferred it if The Duke had ignored Garnet's words.
To say such a thing in such a public place meant that he would not accept them as his nieces and nephews.
"......Thank you for being so honest!"
Garnet raised her voice, as if trying to hide her trembling.
Turning her body sharply, she tightly grabbed Dia's hand, which she had shaken off earlier, and whispered softly.
"Sorry, Sister. I got worked up again."
"It's okay. Let's go."
"Yeah."
Olive bowed to The Duke and quickly led the way.
Dia walked at the very back, as if protecting her younger siblings. She kept her back straight and endured the piercing gazes of the nobles.
Just as Dia was about to leave the hall, the orchestra began to play again inside the party venue.
Her tightly clenched fist trembled as she looked at the small backs of her siblings, who were walking away dejectedly.
She couldn't trust anyone anymore. Only she could protect them.
