Chapter 25

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Engaged to the Blind Duke
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“Shall we take some measurements? Who would like to go first?”

“Mom, you first.”

Roanna whispered to Idre while glancing at her sideways.

“You really want to get dresses made?”

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

Roanna stood up as if to say she understood.

“Could you come this way? And miss, feel free to browse the catalog at your leisure.”

Roanna shifted positions each time Idre took a measurement, making it easier for her to work.

Idre swallowed her surprise inwardly. She’d assumed they were commoners since they hadn’t mentioned a house, but their posture during measurements was incredibly natural.

The measurements wrapped up sooner than expected, and Marin stepped forward next.

Marin, too, moved with effortless grace as her measurements were taken.

“You’ve lost a lot of weight, haven’t you?”

Marin spoke first, breaking the awkward silence of the wordless process.

“Pardon? Not at all. You have the kind of figure noble ladies would envy.”

Idre’s eyes widened in an expression that said what are you talking about, as she lavished praise.

It was true—plenty of noble young ladies ate only one meal a day on purpose just to slim down.

In her own case, it had been an involuntary diet forced by dire poverty.

Marin regarded Idre with newly appraising eyes as she diligently took measurements.

She could see why the heroine followed Idre around.

They seemed about the same age, but Idre felt far more like a mature older sister.

“There, all done. Shall we look at the catalog now?”

“Yes.”

Marin sat back down on the sofa and leafed through the catalog of dresses Idre had designed herself. It had been ages since she’d seen a dress shop catalog, and she quickly lost herself in it.

“Lady Roanna, you mentioned wanting a winter dress, so something with a high neckline made of thick wool would suit you well. I’d recommend burgundy for the color.”

“Sounds good.”

Roanna smiled faintly, clearly pleased.

“For Miss Marin, pastels would suit you overall. I’d recommend this design in a soft sky blue.”

The dress Idre confidently suggested had pearls densely encrusted along the neckline, mimicking a necklace, with a skirt that flared out wide like a bell.

“It’s pretty. But I’d prefer something with more freedom of movement.”

“Oh! You can get this one too, and pick out an active dress as well.”

Idre’s blue eyes sparkled as she switched into full sales mode.

“I think one active dress would be enough for me. Could you show me one more for my mother instead?”

“Oh, oh my. The aide was right after all.”

Idre closed the catalog, her lips twitching as if barely holding back a laugh.

“What do you mean?”

“You two said that if you didn’t pick many outfits, you’d buy all the dresses I brought and everything in this catalog—plus shoes and accessories.”

“Pardon?”

Marin blinked in disbelief, and beside her, Roanna, who had overheard, sharply sucked in a breath.

“I’d love to sell more, of course. Puhuhu.”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Idre burst into hearty laughter.

“I-I’ll look at the catalog again.”

Marin hurriedly flipped it back open.

“Oh, will you?”

Idre smacked her lips regretfully before launching into a lengthy explanation of the catalog.

***

* * *

She’d received far more dresses than she’d ever imagined. A heavy weight pressed down on her shoulders.

In the library, Marin slumped listlessly as she flipped through books.

The duke lavished her with far more than she deserved.

A warm home, nutritious meals, ample money, and now dresses.

Somehow, she’d ended up receiving all the basics needed to live: food, clothing, and shelter.

Unfortunately, it also meant she’d spent her life without even those fundamentals until now.

She was grateful to the duke for enabling her to live a life with those basics.

But constantly accepting his kindness without giving back felt overwhelming.

It was like stabbing a sick person in the back.

Her conscience stung so badly it ached.

All she could do for the duke was read him fairy tales to help him sleep. A sharp letter opener on the desk kept floating in her mind.

“You don’t look well.”

A child’s clear voice came from about waist height.

Looking down, she saw Zero gazing up at her today too, his adorable face full of worry.

“Zero.”

“Why do you seem so drained? Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“What should I be happy about?”

Marin snapped out of her reverie and asked back.

“I heard you spent all day buying dresses.”

“That’s already made the rounds?”

Marin glanced around nervously, her face tense.

“No. I heard it from Olive. Women seem to love buying dresses, so why do you look so down?”

Zero’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked.

“I like dresses too.”

Marin forced the corners of her mouth up weakly.

“But why the long face?”

Zero narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her intently.

Marin hesitated, then confessed honestly.

“It’s just… too much.”

“Why worry about that? The duke has so much money. Probably more than the emperor.”

“That much?”

Marin’s eyes went wide in shock.

“The desert trade is monopolized by his house.”

“Oh, right.”

Marin nodded, realization dawning.

Hearing he was richer than the emperor somehow diluted her guilt a bit.

No, no.

Marin shook her head vigorously.

It was shameless to gobble up everything just because the duke had money.

She had to repay him somehow.

Gazing at Zero staring up at her, Marin’s thoughts turned back to the Mandelsong she’d consciously tried to ignore.

“Um, Zero.”

“Yes.”

“About Mandelsong’s poison. How bad is the stomach pain?”

“It varies by person’s constitution.”

“Right...”

“Why are you so interested in Mandelsong?”

***

Zero tilted his head curiously.

“Well… I heard from commoners that it’s good for the body.”

Marin made an awkward excuse.

Zero nodded in agreement.

“Commoners can’t easily see doctors, so some get effects from flowers or herbs.”

“Do you know of a remedy for the stomach pain it causes?”

“You know, I’m not a doctor.”

Zero looked up at her primly.

“Oh, sorry. You just seem like you know everything.”

At her words, Zero puffed up proudly and nodded.

“That’s true. There is medicine to stop stomach pain, though it’s not specifically for Mandelsong. Do you need it?”

“Yes!”

Marin nodded so eagerly her hair fluttered.

“Alright. I’ll get it for you.”

“Thank you.”

Watching Zero’s small back as he walked away, Marin steeled her resolve.

Yes, I’ll test it on myself.

She couldn’t risk rumors of poisoning the duke, so she decided to try it herself and gauge the danger.

* * *

Back in her room, Marin set the borrowed fairy tale book and the medicine from Zero on the table.

The navy dress she’d debated wearing that morning still lay on the bed.

“This should be perfect for work.”

Marin changed into the navy dress and picked up a picnic basket.

As she stepped out the door, she ran straight into Yuria entering the hallway.

“Miss Marin, where are you off to?”

Yuria scanned her dress, then asked with a startled look.

“To work.”

“Work? You’re going to His Grace the Duke in that dress?”

Yuria stared at her in alarm.

“No, no. Something else.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

Marin nodded glumly at Yuria’s relieved expression, realizing once more how shabby her dress was.

“I’ll be back.”

Leaving Yuria behind, Marin slipped out of the annex.