Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Engaged to the Blind Duke
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Rumble, crash.

A bolt of lightning struck from a clear sky, and white light flashed beyond the heavy curtains.

The duke parted the curtains of his study window for the first time in ages and lifted his head toward the sky.

“It’s going to rain.”

A faint scent of water lingered in the air.

“They told me not to come?”

“Yes. They plan to hold the funeral quickly, so they fully understand if Your Grace, who has trouble getting around, cannot attend. It’s a letter from Vice Baron Killon.”

“That trash is still alive?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Olive agreed with a blank expression.

Vice Baron Killon, the younger brother of Count Adria, was a disgrace to his family. He was always causing trouble with alcohol, gambling, and women.

The diligent and kind Count Adria had helped his brother out every time he got into trouble.

“When’s the funeral?”

“In seven days.”

Olive swallowed his anger and answered quickly.

Even rushing from here to the count’s estate in the south would take ten days.

Vice Baron Killon must have deliberately delayed sending the letter.

“We leave immediately.”

“Yes. Shall I have Miss Marin prepare as well?”

“No.”

Gerald refused firmly.

“Miss Marin could be a big help.”

Olive pleaded again with a regretful look.

After Gerald sat in his chair, he turned his head toward Olive.

“Olive, do we have time?”

“No, we don’t. I’m sorry.”

As Olive bowed his head in apology, Gerald’s gaze shifted toward the study door.

Zero burst through the door, his nightgown flapping, and marched straight to the desk. He set down a heavy wooden box with a thud.

Zero stared at Gerald’s face in silence for a long moment before bowing his head slightly.

“My condolences.”

“Yeah.”

Without another word, he turned and left.

“Shall we open it?”

Olive, standing beside him, asked cautiously.

Gerald nodded without a word.

Inside the box was a heavy ebony cane.

The black, glossy cane gleamed faintly, as if expertly polished.

“It’s a cane.”

Olive gazed at it with admiring eyes. It was something he should have thought of sooner.

It was the last thing the duke needed, but outwardly, it was necessary.

Olive took out the cane and offered it to Gerald.

Gerald stroked the heavy cane with one hand, then pressed a protruding spot near the handle.

***

A sharp blade sprang from the tip of the cane.

The corner of Gerald’s mouth curved up fiercely.

“Nice.”

* * *

Thud, thud, thud.

Marin was pounding away at the mandelsong when her gaze drifted blankly out the window.

Rain poured down relentlessly, as if a hole had opened in the dusky predawn sky.

“Haa.”

Her pink lips parted, and a deep sigh escaped on its own.

In the novel, there had only been a brief mention that the count couple died in an accident. Not even the exact timing was given.

She already knew about the duke’s eyesight and the count couple’s accident, but she hadn’t been able to help.

Even if she had known the precise time, she couldn’t have told the duke.

A commoner girl from the west predicting a southern count couple’s accident?

She’d be branded a spy—or worse, a witch—and burned at the stake.

They wouldn’t have believed her anyway.

“Haa.”

But that didn’t stop her heart from aching with regret.

Yuria, who was helping grind the mandelsong beside her, glanced over and called softly.

“Miss Marin.”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you sighing so much?”

Marin forced a smile at Yuria’s worried face and gently stroked her red hair.

“It’s nothing. Thanks for helping without even sleeping, Yuria.”

“No, I’m happy to help you, Miss Marin. But why do we need so much mandelsong paste? Is your head still hurting? Shouldn’t you tell the aide and see the court physician?”

Marin had been making mandelsong paste every day, using headaches as an excuse.

But she couldn’t tell anyone about it.

Mandelsong was a genuine poisonous weed.

If something went wrong, Yuria, who was helping her make it, could get falsely accused too.

She had to handle it as her own doing.

“It’s a mild headache, and this paste is perfect for it.”

“Okay, then I’ll work hard on it.”

“Thanks.”

They might leave for the south as early as morning. She’d need a lot of mandelsong paste if she was going with the duke.

The common weed was easy to find in flower form. But making the paste while avoiding people’s eyes would be tricky, so she planned to make as much as possible to take along.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“It’s Olive.”

Marin quickly glanced out the window. Warm yellow light was peeking through the dusky sky.

“Yes.”

Yuria started to rise after answering, but Marin patted her shoulder and stood first.

“I’ll get it.”

“Okay.”

Marin checked her dress with her eyes. She was ready to leave at any moment.

She opened the door to find Olive standing there, dark circles under his eyes.

His always-smiling face was shadowed with sorrow.

Having grown up like brothers with the duke, Olive must have known the duke’s sister well.

“Olive.”

“Miss Marin.”

Olive’s eyes widened slightly when he saw she was still dressed for travel.

***

“I’m ready. We can leave anytime.”

Olive looked at her with approving eyes.

“You prepared in advance. That’s actually why I came.”

“Shall we go now?”

“No. It’s His Grace’s order. You’re to stay here, Miss Marin.”

“What? Why?”

Marin’s light green eyes wavered with disappointment.

“He didn’t explain. Rest well in the meantime.”

As Olive turned to leave, Marin hurriedly grabbed his sleeve.

“Wait! His Grace needs me.”

Olive turned back, giving her a wry smile.

“Yes. He does.”

“Then why?”

Marin stared at him in confusion.

Olive gently removed his sleeve from her grasp and hesitated, lips parting and closing.

“Olive.”

“Sigh. I have my suspicions about the reason…”

“What is it?”

“Can you ride in a carriage?”

“Ah…”

Marin’s pink lips trembled.

How did he know? How much did he know?

As her light green eyes shook with anxiety, Olive continued.

“I don’t know why, but I noticed you can’t ride in carriages when we moved here last time.”

Marin breathed a quiet sigh of relief inside. He seemed to think she was vaguely scared of them.

“Then if I ride a horse…”

Olive slowly shook his head.

“It’ll be a forced march. The riders won’t even sleep; we have to cover ten days’ distance in a week. If you could ride in a carriage, you could at least sleep inside.”

“Ah…”

Marin trailed off and lowered her head.

She couldn’t bring herself to say she could ride in one.

Just thinking about it made her dizzy and nauseous.

Olive watched her with pitying eyes for a moment before speaking.

“Then I’ll be off.”

Marin’s head snapped up, her eyes pleading.

“Can I at least see you off?”

Olive smiled softly and nodded.

“Of course. Will you come now?”

“Yes. Give me a moment.”

“I’ll wait downstairs.”

“Okay.”

Marin rushed back into the room. Yuria was still making the mandelsong paste.

“Yuria, could I ask a favor?”

“Yes.”

“I’m hungry after staying up all night. Could you bring some warm tea and heated bread?”

Marin rubbed her stomach awkwardly, acting her part.

“Yes. I’ll bring it right away.”

Yuria smiled kindly and stood.

“Thanks.”

***

She left the room.

Marin had told Yuria she’d use the mandelsong paste herself, so leaving with it while Yuria was there would look suspicious.

Marin hurriedly packed a cloth, dry towels, and the mandelsong paste into a picnic basket.

She had to get out before Yuria returned.