83 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
I got engaged to the blind peacock Chapter 83
Jeromian's laboratory was on the top floor of the castle.
I kept climbing the stairs, and the staircase leading to the top floor was blocked by a large door.
How do I get through this?
As Marin was pondering, the door opened on its own.
Jeromian was an alchemist, but he seemed like a wizard.
"What brings you here, my dear?"
Jeromian greeted me happily with a carrot in his hand.
"Aren't you done with your carrot research yet?"
"The more I dig into carrots, the more interesting they become."
Jeromian's face looked haggard as he said that. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since I had seen him after the party.
"How have you been?"
"I've been engrossed in research because of a troublesome task the Duke gave me. 'Make it so you can't see inside from the outside, but you can see outside from the inside.' A few days ago, he also told me to make a Refrigeration device that can maintain freshness continuously."
Jeromian grumbled and flipped his silver hair back.
His eyes were dark from fatigue, but it couldn't hide his radiant beauty. Rather, it added a touch of sickly beauty?
"You've been through a lot."
I didn't know what Jeromian was researching, but I offered my comfort.
His eyes sparkled at her sincere gaze.
"Then, why don't you quit that engagement and become my disciple?"
Marin awkwardly avoided his gaze and showed him the invitation she was holding.
"What's this?"
Jeromian glanced at the invitation.
"I received an invitation from the Schwentz Young Lady, and Olive said that if I met Jeromian, I would be able to prepare myself."
At her words, Jeromian smiled mischievously.
"Are you going to fight?"
"No. It's just a gathering of Young Ladies?"
"Isn't that going to fight?"
"Well, sometimes things like that happen."
I couldn't deny it.
Jeromian went to the corner and fiddled with something.
Soon, he came up to her and put a silver bracelet on her arm. It was similar to the one he was wearing on his hand.
"Why this?"
"I'll give it to you. If you press this red gem, a transparent barrier will appear like last time and repel water or wine, and if you press this blue gem, you'll see something very interesting. Like this."
Marin's eyes widened.
CCTV?
\ \ \
Marin rode a horse near the Count Adria's estate, and Dia took a carriage. They got off at a distance on purpose and walked arm in arm.
"Dia, I have something to confess."
Dia looked at me with a curious face.
"I'm Dia's Chaperone, but I'm not familiar with this type of party."
"Marin, you seem like you can do anything well."
Dia smiled slightly, as if surprised.
"Thank you for thinking that way. I feel a little more confident. Just trust me."
Marin deliberately put on a haughty expression.
"Yes!"
Dia smiled with her eyes turning into crescents.
When we arrived at the entrance of the Count Adria's estate, a butler came out.
"Welcome."
Marin handed him the invitation. The butler, who received the invitation, widened his eyes and bowed more politely.
"I have confirmed your invitation. I will guide you."
Following the butler's guidance, we entered the mansion. The inside of the mansion was lavishly decorated with a diamond chandelier hanging in the center of the hall, paintings by famous artists, and expensive pottery.
Following the butler, we arrived at the greenhouse in the backyard, and he opened the greenhouse door.
"This is the place."
"Did we arrive early?"
Marin asked in a calm voice, looking at the empty greenhouse.
A long table covered with a white tablecloth was set with various colored finger foods, fruits, and champagne.
The butler shook his head with a flustered face.
"No. The other Young Ladies have already arrived."
"Where is everyone?"
Marin's expression hardened coldly.
"That's, I don't know..."
"I see."
"I will go find Susan right away."
"Okay."
As the butler disappeared at a quick pace, Marin turned to Dia with an apologetic face.
"Dia, I'm sorry."
"It's not Marin's fault."
Dia's deep green eyes looked around the empty surroundings.
No one in Southern society ignored the Count Adria family. But these Western society Young Ladies openly ostracized the Duke's fiancée and niece.
The Young Ladies who came to the Duke's party had seen how the Duke treated his nephews, so they could understand this treatment. But how could they ignore even the Duke's fiancée?
"This is the first time I've been in this situation, so it's kind of fun."
Dia's face, who chuckled, turned as cold as ice.
Marin couldn't help but be dumbfounded as well.
Since her past was revealed at the last party, she expected them to subtly ostracize her.
But to ignore her so openly?
I didn't know whether to be surprised at the stupidity of the woman named Susan or to be surprised at her boldness.
Marin sighed and said to Dia.
"Let's just go. I can't stand Dia being treated like this."
But then.
"Welcome, Dia Adria Young Lady. I'm Susan from the Count Adria family. Please feel free to call me Susan. It's nice to see you again, Marin Schwentz Young Lady."
The greenhouse door opened wide, and Susan, beautifully dressed in a white dress, appeared. Anyone would think she was going to a wedding.
"Thank you for the invitation, Young Lady."
Marin barely suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out and greeted her politely. The way she was trying so hard to ignore her was rather pitiful.
In terms of aristocratic status, it was right to greet Dia first, but she was the Duke's fiancée. It was right to greet her before all the Young Ladies here.
Following Susan, Young Ladies around Dia's age and Young Ladies she had seen at the party came out in a row and greeted her.
"Hello."
"Hello."
A Young Lady with a round face wearing a red dress approached with a worried face and whispered.
"Have you been here long?"
"No. I just arrived."
"I told them to go down quickly because Schwentz Young Lady might come, but Susan kept showing us her dress... I'm sorry for making you wait."
The Young Lady with the round face apologized with an innocent face. At least this Young Lady doesn't seem to be an accomplice.
Marin smiled as if to say it was okay.
"Adria Young Lady, are you over your travel fatigue?"
Susan spoke to Dia kindly.
"Yes."
Dia replied briefly.
"Are you looking forward to the Debutante? You will be the most beautiful at this Debutante. I think this jewel would suit your luscious black hair, what do you think?"
Susan opened a red velvet box with a voice full of favor.
A leaf-shaped pin studded with diamonds appeared. It also went well with Dia's deep green eyes.
The Young Ladies who saw the jewel exclaimed.
"It's so beautiful. It would suit Adria Young Lady well."
Susan smiled proudly at the Young Ladies' reactions.
Dia glanced at the jewel with indifferent eyes and raised her head.
"I only exchange gifts with close friends."
Susan's bright smile faltered slightly, as if she hadn't expected Dia to refuse.
"We can become close from now on. Can I call you Dia?"
"No."
Dia said coldly with a haughty look.
"I see. You must still be unfamiliar with the West, so please call me anytime. I know more about society than anyone else."
At her words, some of the Young Ladies lowered their eyes and glanced at Marin.
That other person, Marin, was quenching her thirst with the champagne on the table.
This house's champagne is delicious.
"Rather than such a gift, it seems that the West treats guests like this? It's new."
Marin swallowed the champagne and looked at Dia with interest.
Perhaps because she was the Duke's niece, she was worth a hundred men.
