I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke - Chapter 40
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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 40
“Oliver.”
Oliver, who had been standing quietly to one side, stepped forward.
“Young Lady. House Vines possesses the largest territory and wealth in the Empire. The late Countess also inherited a great fortune from long ago, and that wealth will now be passed down to the four of you.”
Dia looked at Oliver with a surprised expression.
She had never heard such words from Mother before.
Come to think of it, while Mother never indulged in luxury, she always seemed comfortable.
Dia looked at the Duke with an even more confused expression.
“If you don’t want our family’s wealth, then why do you want to become our guardian?”
Gerald silently turned his head toward the window again.
Oliver watched this with a sigh and spoke on his behalf.
What an dishonest person he is.
“The mastermind behind all these events has not yet been revealed. He wants to become your guardian because there’s no telling what dangers might befall you nephews again.”
“Ah…”
Dia lost her words with a pale, ashen face. She hadn’t thought of that. Dealing with Kilon wouldn’t be the end of it.
As her thin fingers trembled slightly, she clasped both hands tightly together.
“Then, until when?”
“Until all the danger disappears.”
Firm words fell from the Duke’s lips after a long silence. That cold tone felt more trustworthy than Kilon’s constant sweet talk.
“I understand what you mean. Then if you could just stay until we find Peridot…”
Just then, a well-fed crow flew up in the distance and landed somewhere with a flutter.
“Is there something like a tower here?”
The Duke suddenly cut off her words urgently.
Though his eyes were closed, she felt as if an intense gaze was upon her, so Dia hurriedly answered.
“There’s no tower.”
“Oliver. Come here.”
Oliver approached the window side and stuck his head out to look outside.
“I don’t see a tower.”
“A high place like a tower where birds can perch and rest. Anything will do.”
“If it’s such a place, there is an old temple bell tower hidden by the small forest behind the manor…”
“Go there immediately.”
“Yes. Young Lady, please guide us.”
Oliver quickly opened the door and looked at Dia.
“Yes.”
She couldn’t understand why he suddenly wanted to go to the crumbling bell tower in the middle of an important conversation, but she hurriedly took the lead, moved by the Duke’s determination.
Gerald followed behind them while lamenting inwardly.
Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
[Little One, have you been well? You’re not getting upset again because I called you Little One, are you? Still, you’ll always be my Little One!
Unlike the Western Region, it’s always warm here. It’s a peaceful place where not a single Demon Beast appears. At least one Demon Beast should pop out while I’m walking so I can show off my swordsmanship skills.
I came here trusting my husband, and a whole year has already passed. A few days ago, while taking a walk alone, I discovered a space similar to where you live. Seeing that place made me miss you even more.
So what do you think I did?
I went there alone without any servants and cleaned and decorated everything myself.
And I started filling that space with toys you used to love. Though they’re probably things you don’t need now.
That’s how I got a space where I can miss you. I miss you, Little One.]
[The youngest was born a few days ago. It’s a baby boy. His black hair resembles you. No, to be precise, he resembles me.
Our Dia, Garnet, Rubiana, Peridot.
Every time each child is born, I make a vow in my heart. That I’ll protect them for life.
You protect the Western Region, and I’ll protect our children. Because I’m also a Vines.]
[Our kids asked why you never come visit.
You said it. That Vines is busy protecting the Western Region.
It’s the truth, but not the whole truth, right? I know. You don’t come because you’re protecting me.
A sister who’s close to the Western Duke who has many enemies. My goodness! What a perfect card to use or threaten with.
Vines protects. You must be having a hard time protecting even this distant sister. Little One, I miss you.]
[My goodness! A new guest came to the space where I used to play alone after coming here. Our youngest baby secretly followed me.
You don’t know how much our youngest baby loves this place. He says it’s so wonderful! I got scolded by our youngest for playing here alone.
Mom knows how to scold too, and our youngest has grown up, hasn’t he?
I hope our youngest grows up like you. I’m worried because the child is too tender. He’s only brave with Mom.
Oh, you don’t know how much the Young Ladies talk about you. When I go to High Society, I can hear all the news about you.
When are you going to get married? Ah, I must be getting old now. To think I’m nagging you like this.
Little One, when you get married. You absolutely must show this sister.
When that time comes, I’ll throw away all worries about political enemies and definitely meet you. Got it?
Our youngest keeps stealing peeks at the letters I write to you. Even though he doesn’t know how to read yet.
Why do little ones love secrets so much?
He’s excited all by himself that he has a secret room that only Mom and he know about.
I might have to pass this place down to our youngest baby now.]
* * *
Sparkling sunlight gently entered through the gaps in the wardrobe wood.
Dirty, grimy fingers touched the glittering particles of light as if caressing them. It’s warm.
Black curly hair lifted slightly then fell down weakly.
Peridot, who was hiding inside the wardrobe, curled his body into a ball and breathed heavily.
Soon it would become dark again, so dark that nothing could be seen.
He remembered the snacks he had eaten when he first hid here because he was hungry. I should have saved them. I should have hidden more snacks.
He hadn’t eaten anything for a long time. His stomach no longer even made rumbling sounds.
When he was hungry or thirsty, he drank the rainwater he had collected on rainy days. But even the rainwater was now running out.
He missed his sisters. He missed Father too.
As he thought of his family, tears formed in his black eyes. Even though his throat was dry, his tears didn’t dry up.
Peridot covered his mouth with his small hands and cried silently to avoid making noise.
Mom…
He missed Mom the most.
* * *
To escape the Scary Men who were chasing them, they hid in a dark cave. This cave, hidden by bushes, was a place he had discovered while playing forest exploration games with Mom before.
In the cave without a single ray of light, his trembling body calmed down as he was held tightly in Mom’s arms.
Would Father be okay?
Mom’s shoulder had been stained red long ago, but Mom seemed fine.
Mom, who gently separated him from her embrace, brought her face close to his. Mom’s beautiful black bead-like eyes that shone even in the darkness looked straight at him.
“I smell rain coming. When it rains, as soon as we go to the Secret Room, collect rainwater in all the cups and bowls. Got it?”
“Yes…”
When he answered weakly, Mom repeated the story she had told several times already.
“What did Mom tell you earlier?”
“After Mom leaves this cave, I have to count to five hundred. Then I have to go to the Secret Room by myself.”
“Our baby is so smart. You can go by yourself, right? You’ve found your way from this cave before.”
“Yes, I can go but… Mom, come with me. Let’s just go together.”
“Mom will follow you soon. But not right now. I have to protect our baby from the bad man. Mom needs to go somewhere else until you safely reach the Secret Room.”
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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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