I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke - Chapter 237

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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

Side Story Episode 7

* * *

“…Zombie?”

Marine looked with surprised eyes at Oliver’s retreating figure as he staggered away with a darkened face.

The word zombie came out unconsciously at the sight that looked like a corpse walking away.

“What’s that?”

Gerald, who was taking a walk with her, asked with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, I just thought of that word when I saw Oliver. Why is Oliver acting like that?”

“It seems his proposal failed.”

“Oh my! He proposed to Surenne? But if it failed, then it failed – what do you mean it seems like it failed?”

“Looking at that miserable state, I couldn’t bring myself to ask.”

“Ah….”

Marine nodded as if she understood.

Oliver’s zombie-like appearance was already the answer, so there was no need to deliver a finishing blow on top of that.

“Marine, could you find out why Surenne rejected him?”

When Marine opened her eyes wide and looked up at him, Gerald awkwardly avoided her gaze.

“If my aide can’t work properly, it reduces the time I can spend with you.”

At his excuse, Marine burst into laughter.

He was worried about Oliver but just couldn’t be honest about it.

Seeing how even that side of him was lovable, the rose-colored glasses she wore were definitely invincible.

Marine made eye contact with him and grinned.

“Just trust me! I’ll go meet Surenne.”

“I’m counting on you.”

* * *

“…Zombie 2?”

Clang clang. Surenne, who had been mechanically pounding with her hammer, turned around with a soul-drained face.

She must have hammered the sword quite a bit, as it was already spread thin on the floor. Though she wasn’t sure if that could still be called a sword anymore.

“Surenne, are you okay?”

“What would I have to not be okay about? Hahaha.”

When Surenne burst into hearty laughter, Marine silently lowered her gaze.

Following her gaze downward, Surenne discovered something that was no longer a sword and was startled.

“What is this?”

“How about taking a break from work for a moment? I brought the chocolate cake that Surenne likes.”

Marine proudly showed off the basket containing the chocolate cake that Surenne usually enjoyed.

“Ah, chocolate cake. That’s good.”

Surenne drew a bitter smile on her lips, then threw off her gloves and approached. After briefly looking at the basket with wistful eyes, she raised her head.

“Is there no liquor?”

“Hehehe, who do you think I am?”

Marine’s eyes sparkled as she confidently placed her hands on her hips.

When she opened the basket wide, a liquor bottle and grape juice were placed side by side next to the chocolate cake.

Surenne finally brightened up and smiled.

“As expected, the Duchess’s friend is the best!”

After quickly emptying one bottle of liquor, Surenne opened a new liquor bottle.

Marine watched Surenne’s mood while receiving the grape juice that she poured generously.

Even though she was drinking grape juice instead of liquor, it was difficult to keep up with Surenne’s drinking pace.

“I don’t think I’ve ever asked this before, but what do you think about marriage, Surenne?”

Surenne paused while tilting her glass.

“What does Oliver say?”

Marine hurriedly waved both hands.

“No, no. Oliver is just a walking corpse.”

“Ah…”

Marine could see Surenne’s purple eyes clouding with worry.

Seeing that she still worried about him, it seemed like Surenne still liked him.

“I’m just purely curious. Surenne might want to only date without marriage.”

“No, I do want to try marriage someday. I’d like to have about five children too.”

Marine watched Surenne’s expression while moving her lips as if she wanted to say something.

Seeing that, Surenne chuckled.

“Then why did I refuse?”

Marine nodded her head so vigorously with a relieved expression that it made a whooshing sound.

“He’s too good a person.”

Marine asked back with a puzzled face.

“If he’s a good person, shouldn’t you marry him even more?”

“A noble lady would suit him better than me. I’m just an ordinary commoner.”

Marine’s lips gaped at words she never thought she’d hear from the always confident Surenne.

“Surprising?”

Marine slowly nodded her head.

“Actually, yes.”

“Honestly, I surprise myself too. I guess when you really like someone, you have these crazy thoughts.”

“No. I understand your feelings, Surenne.”

“On the day I received the proposal, some lady approached us, and Oliver confidently introduced me as his lover to that lady. But that lady looked back and forth between me and Oliver with a disgusted gaze. That’s when I realized. This man will continue to receive such looks if he stays with me. He’s not a man who deserves such treatment.”

“…”

Marine quietly listened so her friend could pour out all her inner thoughts.

“If Oliver had been just a slightly inferior man, I might have been greedy without thinking. Tch. But he’s such a kind and good man. Someone like that shouldn’t be with a foreign commoner like me, but should meet a pretty noble lady from the Empire and live happily. That would be good for his family house too…”

Surenne spoke bitterly and downed her drink all at once.

“Let’s drink together! Cheers!”

Marine lifted up the entire bottle of grape juice to comfort her heartbroken friend.

* * *

Gerald looked down with an incredulous expression at the two women collapsed asleep on the workbench and the empty bottles rolling around everywhere.

He had sent her to listen to Surenne’s story, but it seemed like quite a commotion had ensued.

As expected, these two women were dangerous when put together.

Then he turned his head at the dark and gloomy aura he felt from behind. He saw Oliver standing between the open doors of the workshop, unable to enter.

“What are you doing there?”

“Surenne dislikes me.”

“So?”

“So I’m watching from afar.”

“Tsk, figure it out yourself. I’m leaving.”

Gerald carefully lifted Marine into his arms.

“My personal pilloooow.”

Marine rubbed her face against his chest, making cute sleepy complaints.

“Yes, yes.”

Gerald adjusted his hold on Marine and passed by Oliver.

Oliver, who had been standing outside for a long time even after the Duke left, hesitated before going inside.

“It’s getting chilly, Surenne.”

He brought a blanket and gently covered her shoulders with it.

Her cheeks flushed red from alcohol, her red lips breathing softly – everything about her was so lovely.

“I love you forever, Surenne.”

Oliver whispered softly in her ear, then silently closed the door and disappeared.

Teardrops rolled down from between Surenne’s closed eyes.

* * *

Stagger. Marine, who had been worriedly watching Oliver grow thinner by the day, approached him.

“Oliver.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Marine hesitated as she looked at Oliver, who answered with a weak smile.

She understood both of their hearts, which made her want to support them even more.

Should she step in? If it was because of social status, wasn’t there some way around it?

“Are you eating properly these days?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll pull myself together more.”

Oliver tried to speak with forced energy, but he had no strength at all.

“…She says Oliver is such a good person.”

After much deliberation, Marine shared Surenne’s true feelings that she had heard a few days ago.

“Pardon?”

“Surenne says Oliver is too good a person, so she wants to let him go. Since she’s just an ordinary commoner.”

Oliver’s warm brown eyes, full of warmth, swayed like reed leaves.

“Wasn’t it that she didn’t want to marry me?”

“No, that wasn’t it. She even said she wanted to have many children.”

“Then why on earth!”

Oliver clenched his fists tightly. A firm strength began to return to his voice.

“She’s worried that if a commoner woman from a foreign country marries an Empire noble, Oliver might become the subject of gossip.”

“Why would she worry about such a thing…”

Oliver trailed off as if he couldn’t understand.

“I could understand Surenne’s feelings though. I never thought Gerald would be with a ruined noble lady like me either.”

Oliver nodded as if he understood. Life returned to his nearly lifeless eyes.

“I will find a way.”

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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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