GLBB 02

Chapter – 02

“They told me I should get married now that I’m of age.”

Ileon’s words struck Rona like a bolt from the blue.

Marriage? Marriage?! That’s ridiculous!

The female lead hadn’t even appeared yet, and Ileon still hadn’t regained his sight. What kind of nonsense timing was this?

“You mean… you’re getting married, Master?”

“Yes. His Majesty said I’m getting old.”

By the customs of this world, that was true. Nobles were usually engaged from childhood according to family interests and married once they reached adulthood. Ileon’s father, the former Grand Duke, had died early, and before Ileon even came of age, he had already gone to war. After his coming-of-age ceremony, he inherited the family seal and territory, then returned to the border without participating in social life.

Two years ago, he lost his sight on the battlefield and stayed at his mansion in the capital for treatment instead of returning to his domain. During that time, he had turned twenty-five.

In Rona’s world, that would be the prime age of a job seeker, but here it was an age where one could already be raising heirs. Moreover, Ileon was the son of Princess Lev and the emperor’s only nephew.

“He even mentioned the succession of the Grand Ducal house.”

Even though he was blind, his family remained powerful. His blindness was caused by an accident, so it wouldn’t be passed down genetically. If he married a noble lady and had children, the House of Clement would continue its prestigious lineage.

That was all well and good, but why now of all times?

“Then… who are you marrying?”

Despite her shock, Rona managed to ask a proper question.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

Ileon calmly inhaled the aroma of his coffee.

“Wouldn’t His Majesty choose a suitable noble lady for me?”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Rona practically jumped out of her seat.

“And why is that?”

Couldn’t you just wait three days? The heroine will come and cure your eyes! You’ll regain your sight and find love—two birds with one stone. No, three birds, if I include returning to my world.

Unable to say such a simple answer, Rona clenched her fists.

“Do you know how long life is, my lord? Shouldn’t your heart be involved? Your heart! You’ll be spending your whole life with that person!”

“You speak as if you know how long life is.”

“Well, that’s because…”

Because she watched a lot of dramas.

“Anyway, I object!”

Of course she had no right to oppose his marriage. She knew that very well. But she believed that if she could just hold things off for a few days, everything would resolve itself.

“Marriage should be with someone you love.”

“You think so too?”

“Of course.”

In her excitement, Rona had unknowingly slipped into an overly dramatic historical speech style.

“But who would accept someone like me as their partner?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Because I cannot see. Even if His Majesty commands it, I would only be a burden.”

Where could you find such a handsome burden? Rona felt sorry seeing Ileon looking slightly discouraged.

“That’s not true, my lord. You will definitely meet someone wonderful.”

Her name is Karina Drefein. She exists. So stop worrying about dying alone.

Rona strengthened her resolve. Within the three days remaining, she would definitely bring the heroine to Ileon.

“By the way, everyone seems to be looking this way.”

People in the café were glancing at Ileon. Even blind, he was the empire’s greatest knight—a Swordmaster. He was always sensitive to people’s presence.

“Is it because I cannot see?”

How could he think that? This typical male lead didn’t even consider that it might be because of his dazzling appearance. Ileon gave a bitter smile.

“Was it too much to try drinking tea in a place like this?”

Seeing him worry about his blindness again, Rona quickly answered.

“It’s because I stand out.”

“You stand out?”

“Yes.”

Rona took a sip of hot coffee. It was her first outing in the capital too, and she had been exhausted, but the caffeine revived her.

“Come to think of it, what do you look like? I don’t recall hearing a description.”

Because it wasn’t important.

How should she describe herself so people would believe they were staring because of her?

“Well… I have red hair and blue eyes. My skin is dark. And I have a distinctive face.”

She basically described herself like a human version of a tricolor flag. Meanwhile she kept scanning around for Karina.

“So quite unusual. Those aren’t common colors.”

“That’s right.”

She answered absentmindedly.

“May I touch your face?”

Rona was startled.

“Mine?”

“Yes. You. You said you look unusual, so I’m curious.”

People who lose their sight often develop sensitive fingertips. Their hands must replace their eyes.

He probably isn’t skilled enough yet though.

Ileon had only been blind for about two years, and most of that time he had spent withdrawing from normal life.

Well, it’s not like it’ll wear off.

As his employee, she felt obliged to satisfy his curiosity.

“Sure… go ahead.”

When she leaned forward, Ileon reached out into the air. Rona gently took his hand and guided it to her face. His hand, rough from years of swordsmanship, was large and slightly cold.

His body temperature is low.

When her long eyelashes brushed his fingertips as she closed her eyes, he paused briefly before continuing slowly.

Eventually, his hand left her face.

“You were right. Your face is unusual.”

Ileon smiled brightly, clearly pleased.

Ugh, that’s dazzling.

Even blind, the protagonist was still the protagonist. Seeing his unexpected radiant smile up close made her dizzy.

“I’d pay to erase this sight from my memory,” she thought.

“Why aren’t you eating dessert?”

“You should try it first.”

She deliberately made a clinking sound as she placed the plate in front of him. He reached toward the sound and picked up a piece of chocolate. Only after watching him eat did she take her own piece.

Sweet bitterness filled her mouth.

“How is the atmosphere here? Seems crowded.”

Rona looked around again.

Honestly… I don’t think he’d like it.

Café Cardinal was famous for cheap prices and large portions. It was popular among young people without much money. The tables were old, some lace curtains were torn, and the entrance awning was patched with mismatched cloth.

We only came here because of Karina.

In the original story, Karina was a girl from a remote mountain territory. After her parents died, a wealthy relative in the capital adopted her. While preparing for her delayed debutante, she escaped briefly from her suffocating life.

Wandering the city, she followed the smell of sweets into this café and got into trouble with some thugs. Ileon, on his first outing since losing his sight, saved her. Even blind, defeating a few thugs was nothing for him.

They became friends. Later she visited his mansion and saw the sacred plant—Rona couldn’t remember the name. Karina, knowledgeable about plants, would feed it to him and restore his sight.

After today, only two days remain.

Looking at Ileon, she saw he was patiently waiting for her description.

“Well… the tables are like the garden tables in the mansion kitchen.”

Similar shape, but probably a hundred times cheaper.

“The curtains are white and hang on each window.”

She moistened her lips and lied.

“The awning is blue. Sunlight shines through it beautifully today.”

In the original story, Ileon never actually sat inside this café. It wasn’t a place fitting his status. Rona upgraded the description to match his dignity.

“I see. Sounds like a nice place.”

He nodded and drank his coffee.

“Eat quickly. The chocolate is good.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

It really was delicious.

“What does your name mean?”

“My name?”

She scratched her head. It was the name of a drama character she liked before transmigrating.

After entering this world, she wandered like a beggar until she heard Ileon’s household was hiring without background checks. Perfect for her.

At the job agency:

“Name?”

“Won Yoon—”

The western-looking clerk stared.

That won’t work!

Survival instinct kicked in.

“Ro… Rona.”

That was how Won Yoonji became Rona.

“I… don’t know. You know I don’t remember my past.”

She couldn’t exactly explain modern dramas.

“I suppose whoever named me would know. I’m curious too.”

Ileon didn’t press further. Coffee and chocolate aromas lingered.

When they returned, the butler Bernard panicked.

“Your Grace! How could you go out while I was away?”

“What does your presence matter? I was already out after visiting the palace.”

“You’re too much! After years, you finally visited the palace, yet you wouldn’t even let painters record it! And then you say it was just a short outing!”

“Stop making a fuss. Tell the kitchen we had tea late.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Bernard handed him his cane and left.

Ileon tapped the floor, locating the textured tiles that guided him to the bathroom. He washed thoroughly, adjusted his hair as if looking in a mirror, then returned to his chair and sat upright.

“Ha…”

Finally, his body relaxed.

“Perhaps it was unreasonable to hope she would see me as a man.”