66 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
The Blind Duke and the Engagement Chapter 66
Suddenly, The Duke's face hardened.
"Come in."
"Hello. Prince- Gerald."
Marin, who entered the office, expected only The Duke to be there, so she called out as usual, but upon discovering Olive and Sebas Butler, she quickly changed her title.
"Prince, it's been a while since I've heard that."
It was The Duke who never missed her mistakes.
Marin pouted, then gave an awkward smile, glancing at Olive and Sebas Butler.
Kind fiancée mode!
"Gerald, you look so young to me that my words slipped out. Hohoho."
"Pfft."
"Ahem."
She could see the two of them trying to hold back their laughter, their shoulders shaking.
This isn't it either? Ugh. It's hard to play the role of someone in love.
I would know if I had ever been in a relationship.
Marin wanted to tear her hair out, so she clenched her tingling fingers tightly with both hands.
One corner of The Duke's lips quirked up slightly.
"So, what brings you to see me, who looks so young?"
He's teasing me again.
"I came to work."
Marin grumbled inwardly and revealed the purpose of her visit to the office.
"Work?"
"Yes. I may be Gerald's fiancée, but I'm also the aide's assistant."
Marin glanced at Olive, who was standing near The Duke, and continued.
"I was on my way back from stopping by the aide's office first."
"Is that so? You don't have to do that anymore."
Olive looked at her with a surprised expression.
"Am I getting fired?"
Marin stared at Olive with a face full of regret.
In fact, since The Duke was no longer sensitive to sound, there was no need for her to read reports to him.
The money she received from the contract engagement was enormous.
However, the money she earned from assisting was another source of income. Wouldn't it be better to earn money from both sides if possible?
Olive looked back at her with a troubled expression, but the answer came from elsewhere.
"Do as you wish."
"Thank you."
Marin smiled brightly and looked at the documents in Olive's hand.
"Shall I read that first?"
"Ah, this is fine."
Olive hid the documents behind her back with an awkward expression. Sebas Butler, who was standing next to her, also suddenly hardened his expression.
Is it a top-secret document or something?
Marin quickly lost interest.
"Leave."
The Duke turned to the two of them and ordered.
"Yes."
"I'll see you again later."
As the two left, the office became quiet.
"The Duke."
"Just use one title so you don't make mistakes like before."
"Yes, I understand."
"It seems like you have something else to say?"
"Um, do you know that your nephews are staying in the annex where I'm staying?"
"Yes. They wanted to stay in the annex."
"Ah..."
Marin trailed off with a hesitant expression. The nephews probably didn't think there were other people living in that annex either.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"No. I'm fine, but I thought your nephews might be uncomfortable."
Marin honestly revealed her thoughts.
"It's their choice. Don't worry about it."
I'm incredibly worried.
Marin swallowed her inner thoughts and changed the subject.
"Then when should I start tutoring? Should I take care of the third nephew and the youngest nephew?"
"...It seems like I'm making you do too much."
What is it, that apologetic expression?
She had reached the point where she could read the expression on The Duke's expressionless face.
Good job, me!
"Well, I guess so. Olive's assistant in the morning, tutor in the afternoon, reading books in the evening, and playing the role of fiancée in between. Oh, I'll get paid separately for being a tutor. It's different from the role of fiancée."
His lips slightly relaxed at her confident tone.
"Are you going to make a lot of money this time?"
"That's right. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
When Marin replied with a proud voice, The Duke raised his head as if he were looking at her.
If he could see, he would probably be staring intently, right? Won't he open his eyes a little?
I wanted to see those pretty eyes again.
Open your eyes. Open your eyes.
"What are you thinking about again?"
"Ah! Did I say it out loud?"
"You did. Imsi is always like that when she's quiet."
"No, I didn't."
Marin sighed inwardly and quickly denied it. Fortunately, she didn't say it out loud, so she didn't get caught.
"There's something I haven't told you yet."
"Yes. Please tell me."
"The youngest, Peridot, has aphasia. It seems like he was greatly shocked by being with my sister almost until the end."
"Ah..."
Marin recalled Peridot, whom she had seen at the party last night.
The child's face, who kept trying to hide behind his sister's skirt with a frightened expression, was haggard.
"So it might be difficult to start tutoring right away."
"Then I'll approach him slowly."
"Do as you wish."
"Yes."
"...Anything else to say?"
The Duke hesitated and asked.
Marin tilted her head and thought. Was there anything else to say?
"No, there isn't."
"That's a relief."
"Is it a relief that I have nothing to say?"
"Yes."
Gerald relaxed his stiff shoulders at the fact that that trashy bastard didn't exist in her mind.
It felt like the tie that had been tightening his neck was loosening. A sense of relief washed over his entire body.
And the moment he felt his own emotions, his body stiffened again.
Why? What is she to him that he feels so relieved?
Gerald's head turned towards her. Although he couldn't see, her presence was felt even more vividly.
Her fresh scent, her sweet voice, the soft beating of her heart.
"Gerald, am I talking too much?"
She asked in a sulky voice, after worrying about it alone.
His stiff body gradually relaxed, and a smile naturally appeared on his lips.
Right. Is there any need to worry about what she is to him? She'll always be by his side like this.
"Did you just realize that?"
"Wow, I just realized it now. Was I that talkative..."
Her voice, muttering to herself, was as clear as a small bird chirping.
Gerald leaned back deeply in his chair and listened to her voice.
\ \ \
Peridot took a spoonful of soup and put it back down.
"Peridot, eat a little more. You didn't eat anything yesterday either."
The child shook his head and stared blankly out the window.
"The food in the West isn't very good."
Garnet, who was nibbling on some bread, put it down with a grumble.
"I think it's delicious?"
Rubiana cut a piece of soft bread, spread plenty of butter on it, and put it in her mouth.
"Then you can eat a lot."
Garnet moved the steak from her plate to Rubiana's plate.
Dia, who was forcibly eating soup, also felt like there was sand in her mouth, so she soon put down her spoon.
"Why is everyone eating so little?"
Rubiana looked at Dia, Garnet, and Peridot, who had become noticeably thinner, with a worried look.
"Yawn. I'm just not used to Western food."
Garnet yawned widely, grumbling. There were dark Shadows under her eyes.
"Garnet, are you sleepy? Go get some sleep."
Garnet rolled her eyes and glanced at Dia, then shook her head.
"No. I'm okay."
"It's okay, Garnet. I'll be with Peridot, so go and sleep."
"You haven't been able to sleep either. I'll be with Peridot, so you should sleep first."
Even though the sisters were putting each other off to sleep first, Peridot was just staring out the window with empty eyes.
"Just go to sleep, both of you. I'll be with Peridot."
Rubiana said confidently, but her sisters ignored her words. Hmph.
\ \ \
Marin, who came out of The Duke's office, ran into The Duke's nephews, who were taking a walk, at the entrance to the annex.
They were still dressed in black Mourning clothes.
"Hello."
Marin, who didn't expect to run into them like this, quickly bowed her head slightly in greeting.
