I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke - Chapter 204

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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 204

 

However, satisfied with his positive response, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter and nodded his head.

 

“Yes, let us meet soon with your fiancée. And to celebrate the Crown Prince’s wedding, I have prepared entertainment. I will hold a hunting festival soon, so please show the Duke’s prowess. You may withdraw now.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Gerald answered briefly and withdrew.

 

Has the Emperor truly gone mad?

 

Gerald’s gray eyes darkened deeply.

 

He leaned against a corridor pillar with complex eyes and waited for a long time.

 

He saw the Old Chamberlain emerge from the office and walk busily somewhere.

 

Gerald secretly followed behind.

 

When the chamberlain entered a secluded garden, Gerald revealed himself.

 

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

 

The chamberlain’s steps stopped abruptly. The chamberlain didn’t hide his uncomfortable expression and bowed his head slightly.

 

“Since when?”

 

“I cannot tell you.”

 

The chamberlain’s wrinkled eyes were filled with loyalty toward the Emperor as he raised his face.

 

“Who knows about this matter?”

 

“No one knows yet.”

 

“The chamberlain knows, I know, but no one knows?”

 

Gerald stared at the chamberlain with serious eyes.

 

“I trust that His Grace will also pretend not to have seen today’s events.”

 

“What does the Imperial Physician say?”

 

“No one knows.”

 

“Chamberlain. Do you really think that is the path for His Majesty’s benefit?”

 

“….”

 

Gerald left coldly without waiting for the chamberlain’s answer.

 

The chamberlain’s face was filled with worry as he remained alone.

 

What is the path for this Empire, for the Emperor?

 

* * *

 

The reception room of the Crown Prince Palace.

 

While waiting for the Crown Prince, Gerald looked around the reception room. Dissatisfaction showed in his eyes.

 

The Emperor’s palace was the height of splendor with expensive luxuries, but this place was simple without a single decoration.

 

That alone showed the Crown Prince’s frugal nature, but it also revealed the Crown Prince’s narrow standing.

 

What noble wouldn’t want to curry favor with the next Emperor?

 

If the Crown Prince had been recognized by the Emperor, this place should have been overflowing with expensive things.

 

Then, Alexpert, who had hurriedly entered the reception room, smiled brightly with sparkling eyes.

 

“Welcome, Duke.”

 

“Vines greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Gerald greeted him curtly.

 

“I am truly pleased to see the Duke in my palace. Please, sit.”

 

When Alexpert offered him a seat, the Duke sat across from him.

 

An attendant immediately approached, set out refreshments, and quietly disappeared.

 

“I’m truly relieved that your eyes have healed.”

 

Alexpert carefully examined the Duke’s gray eyes.

 

He had heard about the Duke’s condition from Dia, but seeing it directly before his eyes put him at ease.

 

“Yes.”

 

“I recently met Lady Adriana’s siblings. They were truly lovely children.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Alexpert smiled silently as he watched the Duke respond with a disinterested expression and short answers.

 

“The tea tastes good. Please, have some.”

 

Alexpert lifted his teacup first and took a sip.

 

This was the Duke’s first visit to his palace. He surely hadn’t come just to exchange pleasantries.

 

What could be so important that the Duke would come in person like this?

 

With his mind growing complicated and tension rising, he couldn’t taste the tea at all.

 

“I think that’s enough pleasantries. Don’t you have business with me?”

 

Alexpert set down his teacup and stared directly at the Duke. Rather than burning with anxiety for nothing, it was better to face it head-on.

 

“Do you love Dia?”

 

“…Is that your business here?”

 

Alexpert could barely get the words out, unable to hide his bewilderment. His previously frozen expression immediately relaxed at the Duke’s question.

 

It was a question he had never expected.

 

“Yes.”

 

The Duke nodded slightly with an indifferent expression.

 

It was an unexpected question, but not one he couldn’t answer.

 

“Of course, I love Lady Adriana.”

 

Alexpert spoke with sincerity.

 

Though the Duke stared at him with piercing eyes as if trying to discern his true intentions, Alexpert didn’t avoid his gaze and met it boldly.

 

“The Imperial Palace is a difficult place.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

The Duke, who had been silent for a while, asked again.

 

“Can Your Highness protect Dia?”

 

Alexpert realized this was the question the Duke truly wanted to ask.

 

“…I will do my best.”

 

“Your best alone isn’t enough. To protect someone, sometimes you must stake everything.”

 

Everything.

 

Vines protects.

 

The advice from Vines, who protects more admirably than anyone, struck his heart with great resonance.

 

Alexpert lowered his gaze to the floor.

 

“I know that I am lacking.”

 

“Do you truly think so? How disappointing. Enough to want to make Dia’s marriage never happen.”

 

The Duke’s cold words became ice picks that stabbed into his chest.

 

What exactly did the Duke want? What should he do?

 

Though he was powerless, he wanted to protect Dia alone.

 

Would giving her up truly be protecting her?

 

“Are you saying that my giving up would be protecting her?”

 

Alexpert raised his gaze again and met the Duke’s eyes with difficulty.

 

Seeing the Duke’s cold face made his breath catch.

 

“Can you give up?”

 

“….”

 

Alexpert couldn’t say anything and moved his lips slightly before closing them.

 

The Duke’s gray eyes were persistently demanding an answer. Under that silent pressure, his chest felt like it would burn up.

 

Endless despair was dragging him down to the floor.

 

Alexpert squeezed his eyes shut and forced himself to speak.

 

“Duke. I’m sorry, but that alone I cannot do. I cannot give her up. So please say something else. I will do anything to protect her.”

 

It was the first time. The first time he had wanted something with all his heart.

 

Having already tasted that sweetness, how could he let it go?

 

Even if they cursed him for being selfish, he couldn’t let go. No, he didn’t want to let go.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

At the Duke’s call, Alexpert slowly lifted his eyelids, feeling powerless. The Duke’s indifferent expression came into view.

 

“Speak. I will listen to anything except words telling her to give up.”

 

Alexpert whispered desperately.

 

“Your Highness is not alone.”

 

The Duke’s words struck his chest with a thud. For a moment, Alexpert thought he had misheard.

 

He had always felt alone.

 

Father who had turned away from him since birth. Mother who was too weak to even take care of herself. Grandfather who was wary of the Imperial Family and never crossed a certain line.

 

But….

 

“I will trust your promise to do anything to protect Dia. When you need help, reach out your hand.”

 

The Duke’s unexpected proposal left him breathless in a different way.

 

“Ah….”

 

Alexpert’s golden eyes, representing the Imperial Family, shook endlessly.

 

“The time when Your Highness must make a choice will come soon. I will protect you. I came to see you to tell you this. I will take my leave now.”

 

When the Duke rose from his seat, Alexpert quickly followed suit.

 

What did ‘soon’ mean? What must he choose? Could he make a choice that would protect Dia?

 

Countless questions arose in his mind and then quietly settled.

 

Wouldn’t just one word be enough for Vines?

 

“Duke, thank you.”

 

The Duke silently bowed his head and left.

 

* * *

 

The golden main gate of the Imperial Palace opened, and a black four-horse carriage bearing the large crest of House Vines emerged.

 

Oliver sensed the Duke’s unusual mood sitting across from him and remained silent.

 

Had something unpleasant happened with the Emperor?

 

Oliver soon shook his head slightly.

 

When had there ever been a time when an audience with the Emperor went well?

 

Perhaps something had happened with the Crown Prince?

 

“Oliver.”

 

Only after the carriage had moved sufficiently far from the Imperial Palace did the Duke’s lips part.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Camellia?”

 

“She has safely entered the palace.”

 

Oliver answered quickly.

 

After finishing her long leave, Camellia had set aside the name Jenny that she used when caring for the Eastern Archduke, and entered the palace with a new identity.

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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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