94 - I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke
Eyed Duke and Engaged 94
However, contrary to expectations, the dagger grazed past the Cave Monster's eye and plunged into the ground.
"Krrr."
The sound changed from squeaks to krrr. It seemed to have only provoked it further.
Marin groped for the tree behind her, sidestepping little by little. She had to turn around and run away immediately.
Just as she turned her shoulder to flee, she crashed into something hard.
She avoided the tree, so why was there another tree?
Marin was startled and froze, then lifted her head.
It was the Duke.
"The male lead appears..."
The Duke embraced her tightly.
Thump, thump, thump. She didn't know whose heartbeat it was, but the violent pounding assaulted her ears.
"Ha, why is it that there's always a fight happening around you?"
She was alive.
"Lord Gerald."
She tried to speak while looking at his face, but he hugged her even tighter.
"Just stay like this for a moment."
The sound of his heartbeat grew louder. Marin's face flushed.
Whose heartbeat was it?
No, that wasn't the issue right now.
"Uvis is hurt. El..."
"The knights have gone. The Shadows aren't that weak, so don't worry."
"Haa, that's a relief."
Only after hearing his words did the tension completely dissipate. Once she thought that the two would be alright, her startled heart finally calmed down.
"...It wasn't me."
"What?"
"This time, I didn't start the fight."
Marin sniffled and mumbled.
When she raised her head, she saw the Duke's eyes were open. Did his silver eyes look darker because it was night?
"Don't cry."
Was it her imagination, or did she detect a sense of relief in the Duke's whispering voice?
"I'm not crying."
"Liar."
"I'm really not crying."
This little woman was lying through her nose until the very end.
Gerald pulled her back into his arms so that he couldn't see her tears.
"Why?"
"Because I hate seeing you cry all the time."
"Hic. I'm not cry... I'm not crying, but if you keep saying I am, I'll really start crying. Sniff."
Marin buried her face in his chest and cried openly.
Gerald held her soft body tightly. She fit perfectly in his arms, as if she had found her missing piece.
As soon as he heard from a servant that Marin had asked about the location of the mine, he sharpened his senses to the maximum and set out to find her.
His heart pounded madly with anxiety. He felt Marin's presence in the distance.
As soon as he confirmed her existence, his heart pounded madly again with relief.
"Lord Gerald, come save me. You're the male lead. You have to appear with a bang at times like this."
She was talking about the male lead again. Had she read too many books?
As he approached her, he felt the ferocious energy of the Monster in front of her.
How dare it. A mere Monster.
The Duke threw a fist-sized stone he felt under his feet directly at the Monster.
The stone became a sharp weapon and pierced its head. The Monster fell without even screaming.
The Duke immediately hugged her. Only after holding her did he feel relieved and able to breathe. Only then did he realize that he had been holding his breath. Her heartbeat and his heartbeat were mixed together.
He wanted to check every detail to see if she was really okay.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a dark surroundings. Marin, whom he was holding, also looked black, but it was a slightly lighter shade of black.
From some point on, his vision, which had been so dazzlingly white, looked black. It was the same as not being able to see, but something was different.
He didn't have hope. He shouldn't expect anything so he wouldn't be disappointed.
But now, he desperately wanted to see her even a little bit.
Marin, with her hand held tightly by the Duke, returned to the mansion with him.
Dia and Yuria, who had been waiting with worried hearts, burst into tears as soon as they saw her.
"Are you alright, Teacher?"
"Ah, Miss..."
Yuria lowered her head with a guilty expression.
"I'm fine. Yuria, how's Uvis?"
"H-He's fine. H-He's g-getting treatment now."
Yuria stuttered again, probably because she was so surprised.
"That's a relief."
Suddenly, Yuria knelt in front of her and lowered her head deeply.
Startled, Marin hurriedly grabbed her and pulled her up.
"Yuria."
Yuria gently pushed Marin's hand away and spoke. Her red eyes were filled with guilt.
"I heard about it from Uvis. I'm sorry, Miss. Because of my brother. I'm really sorry."
"Get up, Yuria. It's not Uvis's fault. Uvis just lost his way."
"Even so..."
"I want to take another bath, can you draw some water in the tub?"
"Yes. I'll prepare it right away."
Yuria bit her lip as if holding back tears, then stood up and turned around.
"Dia, go in and rest too. I'm going to rest as well."
"Yes, Teacher. Get some rest."
Marin was also about to return to her room, but her hand was still held by the Duke.
"Lord Gerald, please let go of my hand."
The Duke lowered his head as if he hadn't realized he had been holding her hand all this time.
But he didn't let go.
"I'll take you to your room."
"Not that far... Alright."
Marin didn't have the strength to argue with the Duke, so she went up to her room holding hands with him.
Marin stood in front of the door and looked at the Duke again, saying,
"You have to let go now."
Only then did the Duke slowly release her hand. The Duke's large fingers brushed against her small pinky finger.
Marin's face flushed at the lingering feeling full of regret. It was fortunate that the Duke couldn't see at times like this.
"I'm going in."
"Okay."
She turned her back on the Duke and went into the room.
It hadn't been long since Yuria went up, but the water was already prepared in the tub.
"Yuria, how did you do it?"
"I prepared it in advance so you could wash as soon as you came. The water cooled down a bit, so I just added hot water."
Yuria said, helping her take off her dress.
She really did her job well.
She sank into the tub again. The muscles that had been strained from running seemed to be screaming.
"Ugh, this is nice. Yuria is the best."
A faint smile appeared on Yuria's lips as she washed Marin's hair.
"Thank you, Miss."
"For what?"
"For protecting my brother. I heard you saved his life."
Yuria's voice, washing Marin's hair, was moist.
"Anyone would have done the same."
Marin smiled and put her face in the water.
Yuria gently washed Marin's hair, shaking her head to herself.
The Miss's words were wrong. Not just anyone would have done that.
Especially orphans like themselves were manpower that could be replaced at any time. She was truly grateful to the Miss, who had done something that anyone couldn't do and spoke of it so casually.
Yuria wished. That one day she could repay this kindness to the Miss.
Marin, who woke up late in the afternoon the next day, rolled around in bed. Her legs, which had been running last night, throbbed, making her reluctant to do anything.
Yuria, who knocked and entered, brought food on a tray.
"The aide said he'll be staying here for another day."
"Is there no disruption to the schedule?"
"Yes. He told you to rest well since you have plenty of time."
"Okay, I understand."
Marin got out of bed, sat down in a chair at the table, picked up a croissant, and tore it apart to eat.
Oh, this is a good bakery.
"This bread is delicious. Did you eat, Yuria?"
"Yes."
Yuria brought the bread plate a little closer to Marin.
Knock, knock.
At the sound of the knock, Yuria answered.
"Yes."
