Chapter 75

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Engaged to the Blind Duke
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Perrydo tilted his head with an expression that said, *Is this flower pretty?* and squatted down in front of it.

Marin plucked a flower stem, bent it into a circle, and tied it.

"Ta-da! Now it's a flower ring."

When she slipped the ring onto Perrydo's little finger, the child's eyes finally sparkled.

*Wow! It's pretty.*

Seeing how much Perrydo liked it, Marin broke off more stems and wrapped them around the child's small wrist, even making a flower bracelet.

Perrydo then jumped up from his spot and scampered over to Garnet, who was standing off in the distance, proudly showing off his flower bracelet and ring.

"Well, it's pretty cute."

Garnet's effort to avoid crushing the child's innocence, even if he clearly disliked the maker, was admirable.

At that moment, Perrydo took off the flower ring and slipped it onto Garnet's finger.

"Perrydo..."

Garnet, who had been ignored by Perrydo time and again, gazed at the child with a moved expression.

Perrydo grinned and tugged Garnet by the hand, pulling him over to stand in front of Marin.

"Huh?"

*You should say thank you. The teacher made it for you.*

"He says since I made it, you should thank me."

Garnet's感動 shattered in an instant, and he shot Marin a sullen look before whispering softly.

"Thank you."

His face screamed that he wanted to yank off the ring right then and there, but he was holding back for Perrydo's sake, as expected.

A wary, gentle kitten.

"You're welcome."

Marin replied with a bright smile.

"Perrydo, should we make more and give them to all the young ladies?"

*Yes!*

"Then go pick only the flowers with long stems. You can do that, right?"

*Yes!*

Perrydo nodded vigorously and began observing the flowers on the ground.

He carefully skipped over the ones with short stems, plucking just the right ones bit by bit.

Marin, who had been squatting and examining the flowers, glanced up at Garnet.

"Would the young lady like to make one too?"

"Why would I?"

Just as expected, a sharp retort came flying back.

"If you don't want to, you don't have to."

Marin giggled because Garnet was so cute.

When Marin didn't get upset and laughed instead, the corners of Garnet's eyes flicked upward.

"Yes, I don't want to. Not this worthless flower, nor you, Lady Fiancée."

"Oh my, worthless? Mandelsong is so helpful. The flower might get hurt. Don't worry, I'm not hurt at all."

"Who's worried! Hmph!"

Garnet crossed his arms and snorted loudly.

He might end up with snot flying out at this rate.

Marin was already satisfied with just exchanging a few words with him, so she lowered her head and looked at the mandelsong.

Since they'd come all this way, she might as well gather enough to make a good batch.

As Marin quickly snapped off flowers one after another, Garnet furrowed his brow.

"Why are you picking so many flowers you won't even use? That's just cruel."

***

See? So kind-hearted.

"I'm going to use them in medicine."

Caught between his desire not to talk to his fiancée and his curiosity, Garnet ultimately gave in to the latter.

"Medicine?"

"Yes. If you make a paste and put it on your forehead, it feels cool. It's a folk remedy commoners use."

"How does a noble lady know about that sort of thing?"

"Ah, you haven't heard about how my father passed away and my family fell into ruin?"

Of course he hadn't.

Garnet's green eyes visibly trembled.

"The duke's castle maids must have sealed lips. After my family fell, we lived no differently from commoners, so that's how I learned."

She'd heard about mandelsong paste from Yuria, but explaining the whole story in detail would take too long.

"Oh... Um, that is..."

Garnet stammered, looking flustered.

"It's fine. Sir Gerald is taking good care of us now."

The moment the duke's name came up, Garnet's expression hardened.

Marin inwardly sighed at the sight. It felt entirely different from his dislike for her.

Wanting to avoid the awkward atmosphere, Garnet looked for Perrydo.

"Perrydo. What are you doing over there?"

Perrydo had wandered far off and was standing there blankly staring at the sky.

As Garnet approached, Perrydo lowered his head with a dark expression.

Marin, still holding flowers in her hand, went over to him too.

"Perrydo?"

*Teacher, over there...*

Perrydo lifted his head and pointed at the sky.

Turning in the direction his little finger indicated, Marin saw a tall spire rising high.

She'd seen it every time she came here but hadn't paid it much mind.

"What's with that place?"

*Is that where the duke lives?*

"No. That's not it."

It was the first time those words about the duke had come from the child's mouth.

Why so suddenly?

As Marin looked down at Perrydo's round head, the child turned away with a dejected face.

"Do you miss the duke?"

Marin knelt down to meet the child's eye level and asked carefully.

Perrydo shook his head with empty eyes.

*I want to go back to my room.*

"Alright, let's head back."

She had no idea why Perrydo had suddenly soured, but a deep sadness settled on the child's face. Perrydo tightly grabbed Garnet's hand and walked ahead.

Following behind them, Marin noticed Perrydo turning back to look at the spire again and followed his gaze.

She couldn't tell if something about that place had piqued the child's curiosity or filled him with fear.

***

Marin sent Perrydo back to his room and headed to the guest reception room.

Idre greeted her with a warm smile.

"Miss Marin."

"Designer, what brings you here?"

"What do you mean? I'm here for work."

"Work?"

"Yes. I brought the dress you ordered before."

***

"It's still around?"

"Of course. I still have over twenty more to make, ma'am."

Yuria set out tea and refreshments on the table.

"Thank you, Yuria."

"Not at all. I'll take my leave then."

After Yuria bowed and left, Marin picked up her teacup and asked about everyday matters.

"Have you been busy lately?"

Idre waved her hand dismissively, picking up her teacup only to set it back down.

"You have no idea. I need to hire more assistants."

"That's wonderful news. Congratulations!"

Marin meant it sincerely.

"Heh heh heh. It's all thanks to you, Miss Marin. Everyone's clamoring to wear dresses by me, the exclusive designer for the future duchess."

Idre let out a hearty laugh.

"I-is that so."

Oh dear, but I'm not the future duchess.

Marin hid her awkward glance by lifting her teacup again.

"Oh, and some young ladies about to make their debuts want dresses too, so it's chaos."

"You're going to be rich soon."

"Just thinking about it makes me happy. Oh, right—House Aire is hosting a small dessert party for young ladies preparing for their debuts."

Marin quietly set down her teacup and asked.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. They do it every year. This time, the eldest young lady of House Aire is organizing it. Since her younger sister is debuting this season."

Marin gave a wry smile.

If it was annual, then it must have happened the year she was set to debut too.

But she hadn't received an invitation.

The eldest daughter of House Aire—Susan, was it? Marin recalled the chilling glare she'd given her.

"His Grace's eldest niece is debuting too, isn't she?"

"Yes."

Dia didn't want to, of course, but there was no need to stir up unnecessary rumors.

"Then an invitation should come soon. Will you go?"

"Do I have to?"

"Well, all the young ladies from the west will be there. Wouldn't it be good for the debuting ones to get friendly in advance?"

"I haven't received an invitation yet. I'll think about it if one comes."

"Oh, have you gotten a dress for your debut?"

Marin shook her head slightly.

"The young lady is still in mourning."

"Then please contact me whenever. I'll prioritize it over everything else."

Idre said firmly, like a promise.

"Yes, thank you."

***

Thud thud thud.

Startled awake by the sudden noise, Marin sat up in bed.

She instinctively checked the window—it was still the dark of night.

Thud thud thud.

The door shook again.

Marin slipped out of bed and cracked the door open.

Dia stood there in a thin nightgown, her face drained of color.

Surprised by the unexpected visitor, Marin flung the door wide.

***

"Young lady, what's wrong in the middle of the night?"

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't just show up like this..."

Dia's face was exceptionally pale. Her fingers trembled visibly.

Marin grabbed her hand worriedly and asked.

"It's okay. What happened?"

"Help me..."

Dia's frail voice was desperate. Tears instantly welled up in her large eyes.

Shocked, Marin hurriedly asked.

"What is it?"

"Pe-Perrydo is gone. Perrydo has disappeared."