I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke - Chapter 163
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke Episode 163
“I’m grateful too. That transformation potion was very helpful.”
At Gerald’s blunt greeting, Zeromian arrogantly lifted his chin.
“Of course. Who do you think made it?”
Marine escaped from the two men before their childish conversation could begin and looked at her nephews standing in the back.
Dia, whose eyes met hers, clasped both hands together with a relieved expression and nodded. Garnet couldn’t take his eyes off her while fidgeting with the sword at his waist.
Rubiana’s eyes welled up with tears, and when their gazes met, she quickly ran over and hugged her.
“Teacher! I missed you. Why did you come so late?”
“Sorry, Ruby.”
While patting Rubiana’s head, Marine turned her gaze to Peridot.
She could see Peridot hanging his head low and avoiding her eyes.
“Peridot?”
When she asked Dia with her eyes why Peridot was acting that way, Dia gently stroked Peridot’s head.
“Sister promised, didn’t she? That Teacher and Uncle would return soon.”
“….”
Peridot nodded silently.
“Peridot, you were very worried. So hurry and go to Teacher.”
“But….”
Peridot hesitated with a dark expression.
Dia gently pushed the child’s small shoulder.
Rubiana, who had been hugging Marine, approached Peridot and took the child’s hand, bringing him in front of her.
Marine knelt on one knee and met Peridot at eye level.
“Peridot, were you worried?”
Clear dewdrops instantly gathered in the child’s black eyes.
As the child nodded vigorously, transparent tears rolled down his face drop by drop.
“Teacher’s mom came, but Teacher didn’t come. Uncle suddenly disappeared too, but we had to play here. Sister didn’t explain properly and just kept saying you’d come soon. Our mom also said she’d come soon, but she didn’t come…. I was afraid Teacher and Uncle would never come back….”
Peridot sobbed pitifully while pouring out his inner feelings.
Marine hugged Peridot tightly with a sympathetic expression.
“I’m sorry, Peridot. I’ll definitely explain next time. Teacher is really sorry.”
“Peridot. I’m sorry.”
Gerald also knelt on one knee and apologized while looking at Peridot.
Peridot, who had been crying while rubbing his eyes, looked up at Gerald’s voice with a surprised expression.
Gerald and Peridot’s gazes met in the air.
“Can you see me?”
“Yes.”
“Wow! Sisters! Uncle can see!”
Peridot became excited as if he had never been crying.
Dia, Garnet, and Rubiana also looked at Gerald with wide, surprised eyes.
They had been so distracted by the two’s return that they hadn’t realized he had his eyes open.
“Lady! I’ve brought the Baroness.”
Just then, the office door opened and Yulia’s voice, trembling with joy, was heard.
No wonder Yulia was nowhere to be seen. She must have gone to Mom as soon as she heard the news.
“Marine….”
Leaving Peridot to Gerald, Marine stood up and met Roanna’s gaze.
“Mom. Are you feeling alright?”
Roanna, whose deep green eyes were filled with tears, slowly approached. Her thin hand extended toward Marine was trembling slightly.
When Marine gently took her hand, Roanna lovingly stroked it.
“Welcome home.”
Even though she must have had many questions, Mom said the words she most wanted to hear.
“Yes, I’m back.”
Marine smiled brightly.
* * *
The quiet Duke’s Castle was filled with liveliness after a long time.
“Did you see? Did you see?”
“You mean His Grace the Duke’s eyes?”
“Yes. How fortunate that he can see now.”
“Right, I saw too. He was staying close to Lady Marine.”
“They looked so happy together.”
Whenever the servants gathered in small groups, they would chat about His Grace the Duke and Lady Marine.
For a long time, His Grace the Duke had secluded himself in his office. Since His Grace often stayed indoors after injuring his eyes, it wasn’t particularly unusual.
However, Lady Marine also didn’t come out of her room at the same time.
Rumors circulated among the servants that their relationship had soured.
Changes in the master’s mood greatly affect the servants.
The servants lived cautiously, watching every move as if sitting on pins and needles.
But suddenly His Grace the Duke broke his seclusion and came outside. And with his eyes open, no less.
And Lady Marine was always by his side.
The previous rumors quickly died down, and only rumors about how incredibly good their relationship was spread more and more.
* * *
At the back of Duke’s Castle, in a sunny, secluded spot, there was a cemetery for knights who died for the Vines family.
Marine walked quietly, carrying an armful of white flowers. Elmis also followed silently behind.
Arriving at a familiar gravestone, Marine removed yesterday’s flowers and placed new ones.
Marine closed her eyes and observed a moment of silence before raising her head.
“Lady, you don’t need to come here anymore.”
Elmis, who had been standing behind, carefully spoke up.
Marine looked back at Elmis with a puzzled expression.
“M’s death is not your fault, Lady.”
Marine smiled sadly and slowly shook her head.
“No, it’s because of me.”
“I was the one who told M to protect you, Lady. Before that, there was His Grace the Duke’s order. If I die protecting you in the future, that also won’t be your fault, Lady.”
Elmis poured out words quickly, unlike herself, as if somewhat frustrated.
Marine’s light green eyes seemed to widen slightly in surprise.
“Lady, would you never take a single step outside and only stay in Duke’s Castle because you fear my death while protecting you?”
“That’s….”
As Marine hesitated and trailed off, Elmis continued speaking gently.
“Danger lurks everywhere. M received orders and fulfilled them admirably.”
“….”
“I think it’s inevitable that you feel sad, Lady. But I keep saying this because your guilt seems too great. I’ve spoken too long. I apologize, Lady.”
Elmis bowed her head in apology.
Even knowing she had crossed the line, she didn’t want to see her kind master continue to suffer.
“…Yes. I understand what you mean. I don’t regret my actions to protect Mom. It was the best I could do at that time. But, Elmis.”
Elmis raised her head and met her eyes.
“I’m someone who makes frequent mistakes and is clumsy, but now I’m in a position where I’m responsible for many people. Of course, I’m not a perfect person and I might make mistakes again, but I want to remember this guilt for a long time so I can strive to make better choices next time.”
“….”
Elmis could feel once again that she was truly serving a good master.
Marine linked arms with Elmis to shake off the heavy atmosphere.
“Since it’s a nice day, shall we take a walk in the garden before going in?”
“Yes.”
The cemetery where the two had disappeared was quiet.
Gerald slowly emerged from behind the tree where he had been hiding.
“Kay.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think of their conversation?”
“El is right. Dying for one’s Lord is the most honorable death of all.”
Kay calmly expressed his conviction.
Shadow is darkness. Who would care about their own shadow? Is there anyone who would be sad if their shadow disappeared?
The Shadow Guard exists solely for their Lord.
Even if they face death, no one misses the shadows.
From darkness to earth. That was the fate of shadows.
That’s why shadows were originally buried without tombstones.
Tombstones that left traces were a luxury.
Kay’s calm gaze moved to Emros’s tombstone.
When Marine returned to the Duke’s Castle, the first thing she asked him about was M’s grave.
Unable to tell Marine, who felt guilty about M’s death, that there was no tombstone, he hurriedly had M’s tombstone made.
M was the first shadow to have a tombstone erected.
“But Marine’s words are also right.”
“My Lord. No one considers shadows. And if the Ducal House hadn’t taken us in, we would have all died on the streets. Don’t you know this?”
Abandoned orphans. Lives stained with hunger and abuse on streets so harsh they couldn’t even beg.
The Shadow Guard was a gathering of such people.
As tragic as their past was, their loyalty to the Ducal House that pulled them from that hell was blind.
At Kay’s words, Gerald smiled bitterly.
“Yes. And I also know that shadows are part of me too.”
Marine’s words reminded him once again of the responsibility of being a leader.
At that answer, Kay closed his mouth.
His Grace the Duke was already an excellent Lord. He was someone who didn’t recklessly send shadows or even regular soldiers to their deaths.
However, the words that shadows were also part of himself became a warm resonance that was deeply carved into Kay’s heart.
Kay bowed his head to contain his surging emotions.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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