Chapter 68

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Engaged to the Blind Duke
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“Ah…….”

Aphasia caused by shock was indeed a mental affliction, but could poor appetite count as one too?

“Apart from the youngest nephew, your sisters all looked quite thin as well.”

“The young ladies must have been deeply shocked too.”

“You’re right.”

A mental affliction.

She knew all too well there was no scarier illness.

Roanna had suffered from one for a long time, and Marin herself still hadn’t overcome her carriage trauma.

The siblings had felt betrayed by their uncle the Duke right after their parents’ death, when he became their guardian.

Their emotional wounds would only have deepened, never lessened.

* * *

Marin headed to the library to sort out her tangled thoughts. Party preparations and attempts at chance encounters with the nieces and nephews had kept her away for a while.

The library was as serene as ever.

She made straight for the shelf with the fairy tale books, only to spot a sweet honey-blonde crown of hair peeking out from behind it.

Marin crept closer on tiptoe, muffling her footsteps.

Rubiana, who looked like a cute forest sprite, was leaning against the bookshelf, absorbed in a fairy tale.

Marin plucked a random book from the shelf and settled down gently beside her.

Winter though it was, the sunlight streaming through the window made it cozy and warm.

Rubiana looked up from her book and spotted Marin. Her eyes went wide with surprise.

“Huh? Oh!”

“Hello. Sorry—I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Marin met her gaze warmly and apologized.

Rubiana shook her head so hard her sweet blonde locks whipped around.

She glanced about, saw no one else, then cupped her hands and whispered.

“It’s fine.”

As Rubiana closed the fairy tale she’d been reading, the title came into view.

 

 

It was Marin’s own adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Olive had once come to her asking if he could turn the story he’d told the Duke into a book. This must be the result, now in Rubiana’s hands.

“Is that fairy tale fun?”

“Yes! It’s so much fun! Have you read it?”

Rubiana’s face lit up as she held out the book in her hands.

“Yes. What part did you like?”

“I love how spunky the princess is. And all the elves are so kind.”

Her cheeks faintly flushed with excitement, Rubiana chattered happily about the story.

Marin gazed at her with a pleased smile, warmed by how much she enjoyed the tale Marin had reworked.

“Do you like books?”

“Yes! No…….”

Rubiana’s face fell as she gave a small shake of her head.

Marin saw echoes of her younger self in the girl.

***

Noble ladies viewed other pursuits as far more refined than reading books. This girl had clearly been taught to keep her love of them hidden.

“I absolutely adore books.”

Marin said it with deliberate boldness.

“Really? Is it okay to say out loud that you like books?”

Rubiana leaned in and whispered, her light green eyes brimming with anxiety.

“Of course. It’s nothing wrong.”

“My old tutor told me never to say that in front of others.”

Rubiana whispered, eyes downcast and hesitant.

“I’ve heard the same. How about this instead?”

The girl looked up, staring intently.

“You can tell me all about the fun books you read, as much as you want. And I’ll share mine with you.”

Rubiana’s light green eyes sparkled like they were studded with stars.

“Really?”

“Absolutely. I’m Marin Schwenz.”

Marin dipped her head slightly in introduction.

Rubiana’s cheeks pinked as she shyly returned the greeting.

“I’m Rubiana Adria. Just call me Ruby. And use casual speech with me, please.”

Ah, so cute.

Unlike her sisters, at least Ruby didn’t seem to hate her. What a relief.

“Is that okay?”

“Sure.”

Ruby nodded eagerly, dimples blooming in her lovely smile. The pretty child was utterly endearing.

“Then will you call me by my name too?”

“I couldn’t.”

Ruby’s eyes flew wide, as if Marin had said something outrageous.

“Why not?”

“You’ll be my au… aunt soon.”

“Ah, right.”

Marin flashed a quick smile to hide her wavering gaze.

Awkward. That form of address.

“Would it be okay if I called you Aunt?”

Ruby peered up at her with hopeful eyes.

“Hmm. Gerald and I are only engaged for now, so how about Teacher Marin?”

“Huh?”

“I’m taking on the role of temporary tutor for you and your youngest sibling.”

“Really? You’ll be our teacher?”

Ruby clasped her hands, eyes shining with anticipation.

“If Ruby says yes.”

“Yes, I’d love that! But my sisters… Garnet sister said not to even talk to you if we run into you.”

Ruby’s face fell as she bowed her head.

Marin regarded her with complicated eyes.

She couldn’t tell the girl to ignore her sisters—nor should she. With their parents gone, those sisters were like parents to Ruby.

She’d have to win over the sisters first. But how?

As she pondered, Ruby went on.

“And Perido—oh, that’s my little brother’s name. Perido’s really sick right now. He can’t talk or sleep well. Teaching him would be hard for any tutor. My sisters can’t sleep much either, because of him.”

“The Adria heirs can’t sleep?”

“Yes…….”

Ruby nodded, her face etched with worry.

Found it. The way in.

 

***

* * *

Marin left Ruby—who wanted to finish her book—in the library and headed to the annex.

She climbed the central staircase slowly, then stood in the second-floor hall.

The dutiful Dia was staying in the farthest room, like a shield for her siblings.

Marin knocked on Dia’s door, fairy tale book in hand.

A moment later, a voice replied from within.

“Yes.”

It was Dia’s soft voice.

“It’s Marin Schwenz. Could I have a moment?”

Silence from inside.

Marin stood patiently before the door, ready to wait all day if needed for an invitation.

Luckily, it opened sooner than she’d thought.

Dia’s deep green eyes asked silently what this was about.

“Could we talk inside?”

Dia sighed inwardly and opened the door wider, stepping aside.

“Come in.”

“Pardon the intrusion.”

Inside the room, unpacked luggage bags cluttered one side.

Marin glanced at them before broaching carefully.

“Do you need more maids, perhaps?”

Dia’s gaze lingered stiffly on the bags before meeting Marin’s. Sadness flickered briefly in her eyes.

“They’re my parents’ things. I want to handle it myself.”

“Ah, I see.”

Marin nodded quickly, masking her pity.

“Care to sit?”

Dia gestured to a small table and chairs in the room.

“Thank you.”

Marin sat first; Dia took the seat across.

Marin studied Dia’s face quietly.

Still beautiful, but her skin was dull, dark shadows under her eyes. Clear signs of exhaustion.

The sleeplessness because of the youngest sibling, she’d said.

That must be why the sisters weren’t eating either.

Grief over their parents aside, lack of sleep naturally killed the appetite.

An awkward quiet settled over the room.

Marin spoke cautiously.

“Is the room comfortable? Anything inconvenient?”

“Everything’s fine. Thank you for asking.”

Dia replied calmly, without excess words. Polite, but with clear distance.

Marin stared straight at Dia’s face.

Soon to make her debut, she was no longer a girl but a young woman. Marin had lost her father and brother around the same age.

She tried not to dwell on the carriage accident, but seeing the Duke’s nieces brought the memories flooding back unbidden.

Marin gave a subtle shake of her head. This wasn’t the time for her own past.

Lifting her eyes, she met Dia’s indifferent gaze.

“I came because I have something to say.”