GLBB 04

Chapter – 04

‘If we’re talking about looks, Ireon is definitely the best.’

He was the most handsome man in this world’s setting. Whether he could see or not didn’t matter. After all, even the famous statue David, the very symbol of sculptural beauty, didn’t need to blink to be considered handsome. When she worked at the Grand Duke’s residence she had thought he was good-looking, but seeing him sitting among other people outside made the difference overwhelmingly obvious.

‘But I probably shouldn’t say he’s the most handsome here, right?’

It would be a compliment, but also technically judging his appearance. Seeing Ireon looking a little downcast made her want to say something that might lift his mood. But she wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for a mere employee to comment on her employer’s looks. She still hadn’t fully grasped the etiquette of this place.

‘If I make a mistake and get fired, that would be a problem.’

While working at the Grand Duke’s estate, Rona had saved quite a lot of money. The butler Bernard, who worried constantly that she might quit, had given her generous incentives every time Ireon’s condition improved. If she could just complete about one year, she would have enough to buy a small house on the outskirts of the capital and open a bakery on the first floor.

But finishing that full year would probably be difficult.

‘Because Ireon will open his eyes within three days.’

It wasn’t as if Rona was exceptionally good at cleaning or perfectly trained in noble etiquette. She had simply been the only one who didn’t run away screaming from Ireon. Even the head maid who strictly trained the household staff had already quit, citing her age. As a result, the remaining servants had an almost undisciplined atmosphere.

Once Ireon regained his sight, there would be no reason for him to keep someone as unpolished as her as his personal maid. Of course, Rona was doing her best, but objectively she couldn’t compare to the razor-sharp, perfectly trained maids of noble households. Still, considering she had only been transmigrated here for six months, she thought she was doing fairly well.

Anyway, the well-paid job of being Ireon’s personal maid would soon disappear.

‘It would be nice if I could save just a little more.’

Still, she had enough now to avoid ending up homeless. As these thoughts complicated her mind—

“Maybe we should take a walk to help digestion.”

“You went out earlier today. Aren’t you tired?”

“This much is fine.”

At Ireon’s words, Rona hurriedly finished her meal.

Moonlight poured down brightly that night. The cool, pleasant spring air felt sweet.

“Tonight the moon is big and bright.”

Rona spoke diligently again. It was her job to describe the world he couldn’t see.

“There are yellow flowers about the size of a palm with six petals. They bloom at night.”

Ireon nodded as if he could actually see them.

“There are flowers that only bloom under moonlight. My mother liked them.”

Rona slowly walked one lap around the vast garden of the Grand Duke’s residence with him. Since it was a townhouse in the capital, the garden between the main gate and the mansion was modest. But behind the house, a gentle hill led to a fairly large rear garden. Even without leaving the estate, a proper walk was possible.

As they followed the path into the back garden and turned a corner along the mansion, Rona noticed a faint glow among the neatly trimmed bushes. She quietly put a little distance between herself and Ireon and approached it, lowering her body slightly.

‘It’s still here.’

The mysterious herb that would restore Ireon’s sight. Checking on it during walks had recently become one of her main routines.

‘What is Karina doing, seriously?’

After today, only two days remained, which made her feel uneasy.

“What are you looking at?”

“O-oh, just a weed. It’s strange because it even has flowers… haha.”

Rona quickly returned to Ireon’s side. Inside the familiar estate, he could walk without a cane by sensing her presence and maintaining a consistent distance. But the moment she moved away, he noticed immediately.

Impressive, Swordmaster.

“There are so many flowers here. It’s amazing no matter how much you look.”

“That’s good. Since your master is lacking, it must be hard for you to go outside.”

“W-what are you saying, Lord Ireon!”

Rona stiffened.

“This humble servant is your loyal subordinate!”

Stop talking like you’re in a historical drama.

Whenever she became overly submissive, the world’s atmosphere seemed to collapse a little. She needed to be careful, but she meant it sincerely…

“Still, just because you went to a café, everyone made a fuss like you toured the capital. Seeing how you went while I was briefly away, you must be interested in the outside.”

“Well, yes. But it’s absolutely not because serving you is boring. It was just curiosity.”

“Is there somewhere else you want to go?”

Ireon asked gently.

“What I want doesn’t matter. You should go where you want to go.”

“I can’t see anyway. Won’t you just describe what you see?”

“Hmm… then Traffel Park!”

Rona wasn’t foolish enough to reject an opportunity. Traffel Park was a famous spot near the count’s estate where Karina lived. She answered immediately, and Ireon gave a faint smile.

“Alright. I’ll take you there tomorrow.”

“Really? No take-backs!”

Rona couldn’t hide her excitement.

You really are an excellent employer, Ireon.

As she walked energetically, unable to hide her excitement—

“Is something wrong?”

Ireon, who had been walking while sensing her presence, suddenly stopped.

“Come to think of it, I’ve never escorted a lady while walking.”

“Really?”

“If we go to the park tomorrow, won’t it be crowded and busy?”

Ireon held out his hand.

“Shall we practice?”

Rona stared blankly at his large outstretched hand.

“You’re going to escort me?”

“Yes. When walking through crowds, I don’t want to attract attention. It would be better if it looked natural.”

“O-okay.”

Rona gently placed her hand on his. But after only a few steps, their height difference and humiliating difference in leg length made matching their strides difficult. Honestly, it had been easier when she just walked freely and he followed by sensing her presence.

Escort, huh…

Since Ireon rarely left the estate, she had never seen proper social escort etiquette.

Wouldn’t this be better for walking naturally in the park?

Rona withdrew her hand from his and, so he wouldn’t be startled, tapped his arm lightly with her fingers as a signal before sliding up to his elbow and linking arms with him.

He flinched.

Even though she had signaled her movement, she could feel his body tense. Without thinking, she spoke as if making an excuse.

“I think this looks more natural. You’re taller and your stride is longer than mine.”

“I see.”

“Is it uncomfortable? Was the earlier way better?”

Ireon didn’t answer right away. Just as Rona was about to remove her hand from his arm, he carefully placed his other hand over the back of hers resting on his arm.

“This is better.”

Rona smiled triumphantly.

“Then let’s try matching our pace again. I think stride matching is the hard part.”

After standing still for a while, their steps slowly began to match as they walked along the flower path under the night sky. Rona felt pleased.

We’re really going to Traffel Park.

Just days ago, it would have been unimaginable. Ireon was going out. It felt like a completely new world had opened.

I should finish this walk quickly and make a plan.

She would probably need to send Ireon back first and then go find Karina alone. Thinking that made her want to end the walk quickly. But today, with their arms linked, Ireon walked more slowly than usual, which made her impatient.

From early morning, the Grand Duke’s residence was in an uproar. Ireon had suddenly declared he was going on a picnic to Traffel Park.

Butler Bernard woke early and put his heart and soul into preparing the picnic. The completed basket was so enormous that Rona was astonished.

“Wow… I don’t even know what to say.”

Simply put, it was well balanced. Honestly speaking, it looked like they had dismantled an entire buffet.

Taking her amazement as praise, Bernard puffed up proudly.

“This is the minimum. It has to be enough for me, Miss Rona, and the guard knights as well.”

“Oh, right.”

At that moment—

“Only Rona and I are going.”

Ireon said quietly.

“Pardon?”

“Butler, I’ll leave the estate in your hands. You’re the only one I trust.”

At his cold words, Bernard looked like he might cry.

“I refuse. I also want to see Your Grace enjoying this lunch under the brilliant sunlight!”

“Stop it.”

From Rona’s perspective, Bernard seemed more like Ireon’s biggest fan.

“You should come too, Butler.”

That way, if she slipped away briefly, Ireon could still get home safely. But surprisingly, Ireon remained firm.

“I don’t want to drag attendants and guards around just because I can’t see.”

That was also reasonable. It would only attract more attention.

“Then how about coming but staying at a distance?”

Ireon stubbornly stayed silent.

“You can just let us eat the picnic lunch alone.”

At Rona’s compromise, he reluctantly nodded. Bernard, now able to accompany them, grabbed Rona’s hands gratefully. Seeing his joy made her feel she had done something good.

When they arrived at Traffel Park, the sunlight blazed down over the greenery. It was a familiar sensation for Ireon. During knight training, he had often stood under harsh sunlight like this.

“Wow, it’s spring but hotter than I expected.”

The wide green lawn was filled with people enjoying the season on blankets in every patch of shade.

“And there are so many people.”

Rona quickly found an empty shaded spot and laid out their mat. Walking on paths had been manageable, but crossing open grass like this was new. Without a defined “path,” even walking arm-in-arm like they practiced, Ireon seemed slightly uncertain.

“Sit here.”

“Thank you.”

As Ireon sat down, the butler and guards placed the large picnic basket beside them.

“Then we’ll withdraw to a distance.”

Seeing Ireon out for the first time in a while, Bernard pretended to wipe sweat but was clearly dabbing tears.

“Shall I fan you?”

“I’m fine.”

The shade was cool and the weather was excellent. It was the dry season, so it didn’t rain. The air felt pleasantly similar to autumn in Korea.

Bzzzz.

Then came an ominous buzzing sound.

Rona turned toward it and froze in shock.

Are you kidding me?!

A huge hornet, longer than her index finger and colored as vividly as if spray-painted, was trying to land on Ireon’s head.

“Watch out, Lord Ireon!”

It felt like a level-one danger alarm was ringing in her ears. Rona swung her neatly folded fan at the giant bee.

Smack!

With a satisfying impact, the bee flew in a perfect home-run arc toward a group of young ladies having a picnic nearby.

“Aaah!”

There was a commotion on that side, but Rona’s attention was fixed on Ireon.

“Are you alright?”

As she leaned toward him to check, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her own skirt.

“Uh—!”

Her body tilted straight toward him.

Thud.

Falling onto his body happened in an instant.