Chapter 37

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Engaged to the Blind Duke
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It was better to fulfill her duties than to just sit around worrying.

As the aide's assistant, her job was to read books to the Duke well.

So, let's write a fairy tale to read to the Duke diligently!

Had she been in the library that long? Pink sunset hues were already lingering on the castle walls. Bright yellow maple leaves, signaling the end of autumn, had piled up neatly on the ground.

Crunch, crunch.

Her footsteps crunched over the sun-dried maple leaves as she unknowingly headed toward the stables.

She still regretted that if she'd been a better rider, she could have gone with him.

"Oh? Sebas Butler?"

"Miss Marin."

The stablehand was nowhere to be seen, and Sebas Chen was brushing down a horse in the stable.

"What are you doing here?"

"An old habit. I often come here when my mind is troubled."

A habit from his days as a knight, perhaps. It looked like the stablehand had deliberately stepped away for the butler.

"I see."

"Isn't she a beauty?"

Sebas Chen pointed to the horse he was brushing. Its face was black, but its body was white.

"Yes. She's pretty. The contrast between her face and body really makes her stand out."

Though smaller in build and older-looking than the others, its coat still gleamed with luster and it appeared healthy.

"This was the horse cherished by the lady—er, the Countess."

"Ah...."

"The Countess was an excellent rider, and she often begged me to teach her swordsmanship."

Sebas Chen's wrinkled lips softened as if recalling the past.

"She sounds like quite the character."

The daughter of the renowned Western Duke's house, interested in horses and swords. It was surprising.

"Yes. A real tomboy."

Marin decided to step away so he could reminisce more.

"I'll head back now."

"Ho ho. I've been going on about myself too much. What brings you to the stables?"

Sebas Chen turned toward her with a gentle question.

"Um, I just wanted to see the horses. I've been getting this itch to ride better."

"You seemed plenty skilled the other day."

He praised her, as if to boost her confidence.

"Mine's just at a hobby level. If I'd been better, I could have gone with His Grace the Duke this time...."

"Is that what you've been thinking?"

His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Yes."

Marin answered in a small voice, embarrassed to reveal her true feelings.

"We received word today that His Grace the Duke has arrived at the Count's estate."

"Good heavens. Already? It's a good thing I didn't go. If I had, it would have delayed him a lot."

Marin let out a sigh of relief. In the end, agonizing alone and giving up had been the right choice.

Watching her, Sebas Chen glanced at her wrist before cautiously asking,

"Miss Marin. Do you know how to handle a sword by any chance?"

***

"No."

It was an unexpected question.

Noble ladies in the Empire didn't learn to read or ride because it was deemed unladylike. She was already unusual for having learned those two things, and it made her unfit for other young ladies. Swordsmanship, too?

"Were you thinking of learning the sword? For self-defense."

"Do you think I could learn? I'm probably too old to start now."

"There's no such thing as too late to learn. I'll teach you riding as well. I always regretted not teaching the Countess more when she begged me. I don't want to have those regrets again."

He gazed forlornly beyond the stables.

A yellow leaf precariously hanging from a twig fell limply to the ground.

"Yes! I'll learn! Teach me everything. I'll train hard so you won't have any regrets, Butler!"

Marin spoke extra boldly, hoping to offer him some comfort.

Sebas Chen's offer was an opportunity for her. There was no harm in learning anything.

She could improve her riding, and with swordsmanship too, there would be more she could do in the future.

Sebas Chen nodded warmly, as if grateful that she'd accepted his proposal.

***

Beautiful floral decorations and luxurious dishes were exquisitely arranged around the table, but the atmosphere was silent.

The servants standing by to serve tensed up, pressing themselves flat against the walls.

The sisters sat like dolls in their chairs, pale-faced, staring at the lavish foods with disgust.

"How is it?"

Killon, seated at the head, interlaced his fingers smugly and asked the sisters.

"...What?"

Dia bit the inside of her soft cheek and barely opened her mouth. She hated responding to him, but she didn't know what threat would come if she didn't.

"These dishes. I had the head chef prepare them specially. Didn't he do a splendid job, even sprinkling gold dust?"

Dia shifted her gaze to the gold dust sprinkled over the large roast duck in the center of the table.

"...We're still in mourning."

The extravagant dishes, utterly ignoring their situation, were the kind seen only at parties.

"What?"

Killon's eyes sharpened menacingly.

"Aren't you asking for my opinion?"

Dia stared straight at Killon with indifferent eyes.

"Tsk tsk. You take after your mother—such a cold fish."

"No, she's not! Mom was the kindest, gentlest person in the world! You're the bad one, Uncle!"

Rubiana, who had been shrinking and holding her breath every time Killon spoke, clenched her fists and raised her voice.

The servants standing like decorations against the wall subtly nodded in agreement.

Garnet sniped at Killon without even looking at him.

"Ruby. Devils are good at lying, after all."

"Y-You little—!"

Killon's face flushed red as he shot to his feet, but just then, the dining room doors flew open.

"His Grace the Duke arrives."

Olive entered first, announcing the Duke's arrival.

Killon quickly switched to a friendly smile and spread his arms in welcome.

"Come in, Your Grace! Girls, stand up."

The sisters rose, their gazes converging on one spot.

A man was walking in slowly.

Was that Duke Vines?

Even from afar, the black-haired, fair-skinned Duke shone like he had a halo behind him.

It was the first time. She'd seen someone more handsome than her father or Killon.

The Duke's face overlapped with her dearly missed mother's. He resembled her mother greatly.

Dia clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her skin, hiding the surge of sorrow.

***

"Wow. He's huge."

Rubiana, hiding behind Garnet, let out a small exclamation.

As the massive Duke in his pitch-black uniform drew closer, an oppressive pressure built, making it hard to breathe. Was this the power of a ruler?

Tap. Tap.

The Duke walked without a sound from his footsteps. But the heavy clack from the cane he held echoed.

He deliberately made the cane's sound draw eyes to it.

A sudden flash of realization made Dia's lips part slightly without thinking. Looking up at the Duke again, she finally noticed he was walking with his eyes closed.

They said he was blind.

Overwhelmed by his natural gait and intimidating presence, she'd forgotten.

The Duke headed straight for the head seat where Killon stood, as if he could see perfectly.

Killon stared in bewilderment, but the Duke stopped right in front of him without a twitch.

Killon twisted his handsome face, then quickly schooled his expression and yielded the seat.

"Please, sit here."