I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke - Chapter 21

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke Episode 21

“May I decide the punishment in place of the Head Maid?”

The Head Maid slowly nodded her head.

“These are maids who run their mouths carelessly. If they work mixed with people, they’ll speak lightly again. It would be good for them to work in a place where they don’t encounter people.”

As soon as Marine’s words ended, the maids burst into tears.

“No, please.”

“Sob.”

A place where they wouldn’t encounter people meant only the work of cleaning up after the cows, pigs, and chickens raised in the castle. It was a place where even the servants complained because it was so difficult.

“I wonder if that alone will be sufficient.”

The Page Head Maid’s expression darkened.

Whatever Marine’s true identity was, the maids had spoken about matters related to their master’s honor.

It was a serious enough matter that the maids could have their tongues cut and be expelled from the Duke’s Castle.

The maids were crying and wailing in the corner, but Marine’s decision was rather merciful.

“If you think that’s insufficient, may I mention one more thing?”

“Yes.”

“Have you heard of Mental Education?”

The Head Maid frowned and once again gave the group of maids a sharp look.

“It’s a relic of the past.”

Marine looked straight into the Head Maid’s brown eyes.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a thing of the past yet. I have no intention of infringing on your authority, Head Maid. However, since I’ve already heard about it, if I don’t stop the abuse of young maids under the name of education, I would merely be an accomplice.”

Marine turned her gaze to Yulia, who was standing dejectedly beside her.

Yulia hung her head low with tears welling in her red eyes.

The Head Maid nodded slightly as if she understood.

“I will ensure such things never happen again.”

“Thank you, Head Maid.”

Only then did Marine shed her resolute demeanor and smile brightly.

The Head Maid quietly observed Marine as if that appearance was unexpected.

“Since things seem to be roughly settled, Miss Marine. First, let’s go to the personal physician…”

It was just when Sebastian, who had been watching Marine with a proud expression, was about to speak.

“My goodness, Miss Marine! Your face?”

Oliver appeared from somewhere and interjected with a shocked face.

“Lord Oliver.”

Marine looked at Oliver with a flustered expression. It was embarrassing enough with just Sebastian, but to be caught by Oliver too.

“Let’s go for now. Duke is calling for you.”

At Oliver’s words, everyone present froze.

* * *

“My goodness, my goodness.”

Oliver, who was walking ahead, noisily repeated the same words.

“Are you alright?”

Marine, who was following behind him like a chick, cautiously watched his reaction.

At her question, he stopped abruptly and turned to look at her.

“Is that really what you should be saying to me right now?”

“You seemed very shocked…”

“Yes, I am very shocked. How can a young… I mean, how can a lady get into a brawl with maids?”

Oliver swallowed the word ‘lady’ and changed his words.

No matter how much she was pretending to be a commoner, she had lived as a Noble Lady, so how could she roll on the ground fighting with maids?

It felt like all his common sense about Noble Ladies was being shattered.

“They’re women too, you know.”

Marine shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“Yes, that’s right. They’re women too.”

Oliver had nothing more to say and weakly agreed.

“But why is Duke calling for me? He’s been avoiding me for a while.”

“I don’t know.”

Oliver pressed his temples with his fingers as his head was throbbing.

“Lord Oliver, do you have a headache?”

“Yes. Very much so. Because of someone.”

“I’m sorry.”

Marine hung her head with a dejected face.

Oliver sighed and looked her over.

Her neat hair was disheveled like it had been gnawed by mice, her face had scratched wounds, and both sleeves of her only dress were torn. Even in the midst of all this, she was firmly holding her hardcover fairy tale book in her arms.

The more he looked, the more ridiculous it was.

“You don’t need to apologize to me. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The two arrived in front of the office in silence.

“Come in.”

Oliver, holding a candle and lighting it, entered first.

Marine quietly followed behind him, using his back as a shield.

“I smell blood from somewhere.”

Wow, what a nose.

Marine peeked out from behind Oliver’s back and was impressed.

“Temporary.”

“Yes?”

“Come here.”

“…Yes.”

Marine approached him with the face of a dejected puppy, forcing strength into her reluctant feet.

“What happened?”

“Well, it wasn’t really a big deal.”

Marine made excuses, pretending it wasn’t important while acting evasive.

“Not a big deal, yet there’s a smell of blood?”

“Just some trivial conversation between women, you know…”

The Duke ignored her words and called Oliver to get an accurate answer.

“Oliver.”

“The maids insulted Miss Marine.”

“Insulted?”

“They said Miss Marine was Duke’s courtesan…”

Oliver trailed off as if he was too embarrassed to say it.

“So you hit them again?”

The Duke’s head turned toward her again.

“Again?”

Marine’s head shot up from where she had been hanging it low in shame when Oliver revealed the truth.

“You came back after hitting someone last time too. Didn’t you say that sometimes people become violent when unavoidable situations arise? So what kind of unavoidable situation was it this time?”

“Ah…”

Marine couldn’t continue her words and hesitated awkwardly.

“Answer.”

“They threw the first punch.”

Pfft. Oliver, who was standing behind, was seen hastily covering his mouth.

The black curtain also swayed slightly.

There’s no wind, so why is the curtain swaying?

“You were a fighter.”

At the Duke’s leisurely remark, Oliver completely covered his mouth and snickered.

“I’m not.”

Marine, pretending not to hear Oliver’s laughter, pouted her lips.

“Come closer.”

“Yes.”

Marine forced strength into her reluctant legs and moved closer to the Duke’s side.

When he extended his hand, this time she held out only her wrist to touch precisely.

The Duke made a circle with his fingers and examined her wrist.

“Still the same. Why won’t you grow?”

“I’m already fully grown.”

“Look at the trees. Even tree branches can grow more.”

“I’m not a tree branch.”

There was defiance mixed in her irritated voice.

One corner of the Duke’s mouth lifted slightly. Marine found herself unconsciously drawn to his lips.

Did he just smile? Or is that a mocking expression?

As she turned her body to look more closely, her torn sleeve brushed against the back of his hand.

Deep wrinkles formed between his brows as if he had touched something hot.

“Did you tear up your dress too?”

Flustered, Marine quickly pulled at her torn sleeve.

“No.”

“Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean you can lie… Who does Temporary trust to be so brave?”

His leisurely tone felt even more chilling.

“I’m sorry. It’s a lie. The dress is completely tattered.”

Marine quickly lowered her tail and confessed honestly.

“Your only dress will disappear.”

Marine was startled and quickly turned to look at Oliver standing behind her.

Oliver, meeting her eyes, shook his head slightly as if to say he wasn’t the one who told.

Marine narrowed her eyes and stared intently at the Duke again.

Can he really not see?

“I really can’t see.”

“Huh.”

Marine quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

He can even read thoughts.

“Oliver, cut off all those maids’ tongues.”

“Yes.”

Marine listened to their conversation and cautiously raised her hand to interrupt.

“Um…”

“I told you ‘um’ is forbidden.”

Marine realized her mistake and hurriedly bowed her head.

“I’m sorry, Duke. I already punished the maids myself. I’m sorry.”

Marine’s anxious voice spread gently through the office.

“What kind of punishment?”

“I punished them to work in the livestock yard.”

“…How merciful.”

“No, it’s a terrible punishment. If they keep working there, they’ll want to cut off their noses because of the smell. No one will want to approach the maids. They might live alone and lonely for the rest of their lives until they die…”

As Marine spoke, she wondered for a moment if she had given too harsh a punishment.

“So did you win?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————