50.
Idre wiped the sweat from her forehead and held out the next catalog. Her passionate explanation had been going on for hours.
After looking through over ten catalogs that all seemed identical, Marin’s face had grown visibly pale.
Just as Idre grabbed the first page of the next book to continue, she noticed Marin’s vacant, glassy eyes.
“Lady Marin, shall we stop for today?”
“Please.”
Marin nodded, her expression earnest.
“Understood. I will prepare some other design books and visit The Duke’s Estate.”
*Again?*
Marin forced herself to swallow the words that rose to the tip of her tongue.
“Don’t worry. I will make the most beautiful engagement dress in the West for you.”
Idre’s blue eyes shone with confidence.
“Yes, I believe you.”
Marin offered a weak smile.
The Duke, who had remained in his seat until the end, stood up and held out his hand. Marin awkwardly took it, pulling herself to her feet.
“Goodbye.”
Idre and Juri, who had come to the door to see them off, bowed deeply.
When he offered his arm, Marin took it naturally. It was her turn to lead; the blind Duke required her guidance.
Near the shop, a crowd had gathered as if to watch a spectacle. It seemed everyone had flocked to see the rare outing of the Duke.
Nobles who made eye contact with Marin quickly looked away, suddenly finding the scenery elsewhere more interesting. Some even removed their hats to greet the Duke.
The Duke, however, kept his eyes closed, ignoring their presence entirely.
“Is there anywhere you would like to go?”
“Somewhere secluded.”
Marin widened her eyes, startled. He had insisted they spread rumors—so why choose a place of solitude?
When she hesitated, he chuckled, tilting his head toward her. To any bystander, the posture created an affectionate atmosphere, as if they were whispering intimate secrets.
“You’re struggling to walk, aren’t you?”
“Ah, yes.”
The Duke’s handsome face was far too close. Marin felt herself stiffen, as if her own body were malfunctioning. Only when he pulled back did she feel a wave of relief, allowing her to step a half-pace ahead.
“Do you realize your hands and feet are moving at the same time?”
“Ah—how on earth do you know that?”
Even though he couldn’t see.
Marin swallowed the rest of her sentence, eyeing him with curiosity.
“We are walking together. How could I not know?”
Marin tried hard to ignore the surrounding gazes, but she found that effort alone was insufficient.
“It’s just… this is my first time receiving this much attention.”
It was also her first time seeing so many nobles out on the streets. As a rule, they were far too lazy to leave their favorite cafes or restaurants. Yet, their eyes persistently traced her back.
“You will have to get used to it from now on.”
“I don’t know if I ever will. Even before my family collapsed, I preferred reading at home. I never really mingled with the other ladies.”
Marin whispered, her expression shy. Gerald turned toward her, appearing genuinely surprised.
“Everything is unfamiliar at first.”
Just like her hand resting on his arm.
Being sensitive to touch, it was her first time maintaining physical contact with someone for so long. But it wasn’t as bad as she had expected. Perhaps, if he hadn’t met this woman, it would have been an experience he would have avoided his entire life.
“Yes. I’ll try my best to adapt.”
Marin lifted her chin and walked into the park, pretending to be indifferent to her surroundings.
Hendrego Park, which embraced a vast lake, was a place where nobles often went boating or held picnics during the summer. With the weather now turning chilly, the grounds were quiet and largely empty.
“Hendrego Park, I see.”
*Let’s make this the last time I ask, “How on earth do you know when you can’t see?”* Marin promised herself inwardly.
“Have you been here often?”
“Once, when I was young.”
Marin looked up at the Duke, fascinated.
*I won’t bother asking, “How on earth do you know when you’ve only been here once?”*
Marin scanned the area, checking for onlookers. Finding no one, she let out a breath of relief and dropped her awkward grip on his arm.
The Duke was so tall that it felt less like she was guiding him and more like she was hanging off him. He turned his head toward the lake in silence.
“Who did you come here with?”
“My sister.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“For asking a pointless question.”
As Marin grew flustered, the Duke turned to face her. His long eyelashes lifted slowly, revealing his stunning, silver-shining eyes.
Marin stared at them blankly. *Will there ever come a day when I grow accustomed to these beautiful eyes?*
“Just because my sister is gone, it doesn’t mean I have no intention of talking about her.”
“Still, some find the very act of speaking about it painful.”
A gentle breeze brushed against his bangs, revealing his clear forehead and striking gaze.
“It’s a pity,” Marin muttered, squinting slightly.
“What is?”
“That your eyes are injured, and that you have to hide this beautiful color.”
In an instant, he stepped forward, closing the distance in a single stride. His face loomed dangerously close.
“Imsi, are you seducing me again?”
“Agaiiiin? When have I ever seduced you? Why do you keep going there?”
Marin grumbled, her expression one of utter disbelief.
He let out a laugh—a refreshing, clear sound that rippled through the quiet park. Marin was momentarily struck dumb. She hadn’t realized he was capable of such a comfortable laugh.
“I’ve been thinking. About why I made a fake engagement proposal to Imsi.”
“Why?”
“Because it was funny.”
*Is he saying I’m a joke? Should I be angry? Or is that a compliment?* Marin crossed her arms and pondered the question with grave seriousness.
At her reaction, he burst into laughter again.
“Why do you keep laughing?” she asked, voice sulky.
“You were busy deciding how to react, weren’t you?”
“Wow, are you truly a psychic?”
“What does that mean?”
“My apologies. That was nonsense.”
Marin bowed her head.
“It’s a compliment.”
“Pardon?”
“Because Imsi is the first person to make me laugh like this. It is a compliment.”
“Ah, yes.”
Marin replied with a sour, half-hearted look. He called it a compliment, but it certainly didn’t feel like one.
“It seems I’ve become quite comfortable.”
“Me? With Your Grace? No. It’s extremely, incredibly, hugely uncomfortable.”
Marin raised both hands and waved them dismissively.
“From now on, let’s be comfortable with our forms of address.”
“That’s a bit…”
She trailed off, her expression pained, and he took another step closer. They were so close that their breaths nearly mingled. Marin held her breath, tensing, and stepped back to maintain the space. Her face flushed instantly.
“Dangerous…”
“Who is?”
*Ugh, how did he hear that too?* Marin ignored the question and changed the subject.
“Then what should I call Your Grace?”
“Gerald?”
“Yikes, help me.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you over a form of address.”
At his chillingly calm reassurance, Marin awkwardly curled the corners of her trembling lips.
“Is there really no other option?”
“Try calling me that.”
“Ge… Gerald-nim.”
Marin closed her eyes tightly and squeaked the name.
He didn’t respond for a long time. When she peeked through half-closed eyes, she saw he was wearing a soft, languid smile.
Marin closed her eyes again.
To be that seductive with just a smile? He was, in every sense, a dangerous man.