I Held the Leash of a Blind Beast (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 10
“Two men?”
The words the old fortune-teller had spoken that day, slipping through her deeply wrinkled lips, remained vivid in her memory.
“You’ll soon begin a new life. A powerful fate awaits you. You’ll experience a passionate, fated love. That man will be tall, with black hair. His eyes are… cough, cough.”
On the day her parents passed away—miserable and drowned in sorrow—those words had sounded utterly absurd to her, who had no one to lean on. After pressing a silver coin into the old woman’s hand and returning home, Karina fell asleep without even eating, having given away the last of her money—the very coins meant to buy bread.
Yet the next day, servants sent by the Earl and Countess of Harrington from the capital arrived at her house. The Harringtons were dignified and admirable people.
They expressed their condolences for Karina’s parents and suggested she join them as their adopted daughter. Thus, Karina became Karina Drepein Harrington, not merely Karina Drepein. The baronial surname her parents had left her remained only as a middle name.
She no longer needed to worry about hunger. She quickly forgot the old mansion where rain leaked through the roof because she couldn’t afford repairs.
And then came the day she first entered the palace, accompanying Countess Harrington to pay respects to the Empress.
That was when she met her destiny.
“How strange. I don’t know your name.”
“Hm?”
“There’s no way I could forget the name of someone so beautiful.”
Having grown up in the countryside seeing only rough, coarse men, Karina had never encountered a man as breathtakingly handsome and elegant as Sabiel. It took him little time to claim not just a vivid first impression in her mind, but her heart as well.
Moreover, the old woman’s prophecy hadn’t ended there.
“A fruit of love will blossom between you two—an infant who arrives before the blessings of others. There’s no shame in it, nor any reason to feel unworthy. That boy will be born to command the world and ascend to the most exalted position.”
She would have a child with her fated partner, and that child would rise to the highest seat.
Until she met Sabiel, Karina had forgotten the old woman’s words. But after imprinting him onto her heart like a brand, the fortune-teller’s voice returned to her with startling clarity, as if whispering right beside her.
Just then, Sabiel gently swept a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Karina. Have you forgotten what I said yesterday?”
“What do you mean?”
“I was sincere.”
Seeing Karina’s expression as if she truly had no idea what he meant, Sabiel lowered his voice and whispered,
“Didn’t I say I’d punish you each time you called me ‘Your Highness’ instead of by name today?”
“Did you really intend to punish me?”
Sabiel plunged roughly between her lips—a kiss utterly unlike their gentle first one the day before.
“Hmph… Haah…”
When he finally released her chin, Karina’s face flushed crimson, and she didn’t know what to do.
“I was thinking of exactly this kind of punishment. Shall we continue?”
The old woman’s words kept echoing in her mind.
“Follow your heart. Fate rushes in without giving you time to hesitate. If you overthink it, you might miss the future already set for you. Never weigh your choices—only by following where your heart pulls can you grasp that destiny.”
She’d always thought princes existed only in fairy tales. But Sabiel stood alive before her eyes.
Betraying a crown prince she could reach out and touch was unthinkable. Karina stretched out her pale hand and cupped Sabiel’s cheek. He looked slightly surprised by her gesture.
“Sabiel. I want to stay by your side.”
“Are you serious?”
Karina nodded. As Sabiel gazed at her with eyes clouded by desire, she felt something bubbling hotly inside her.
“Your fate stands at a crossroads. Two men will greatly influence your life—both noble. If something doesn’t go as you wish, be sure to look around you. You’ll have everything you desire.”
Today, Rona had said something different: two men would greatly shape her destiny. If one was Sabiel, then who was the other?
Should she have met the person Rona urged her to see? She truly was troubled by Rona’s words, just as much as she’d once believed the old fortune-teller.
‘I can’t tell if this is a good omen or a bad one.’
Before meeting Sabiel, she might have been curious about these two noble men. But now, wholly devoted to Sabiel, she wasn’t.
‘There’s no way I’d turn my eyes to someone else.’
Karina smiled at Sabiel, whose gaze seemed to drip honey.
Sabiel drew her waist closer.
“Today… I might not be able to send you back to the count’s mansion.”
His words made Karina’s heart flutter. Wasn’t it said the child would come first? That was her fate.
“Don’t send me back.”
“You truly please me.”
Inside the swaying carriage, Karina closed her eyes nestled in Sabiel’s arms, determined never to let go of the destiny she now held.
[This is the timeline separator]Rona trudged along again today.
She’d thought everything would be resolved as soon as she met Karina. Yet here she was, returning after hearing Karina declare she could never meet Illeon. She was utterly disappointed. She couldn’t possibly go to Illeon in this emotionally transparent state. He wasn’t a fool—just blind, not senseless. He’d surely ask her what had upset her.
“Why is Illeon staying true to the original plot, but Karina met Sabiel first?”
She had no idea where things had gone wrong. In the original story, she was certain Karina first met Illeon, healed his eyes, fell in love—and only then encountered Sabiel.
Rona’s head ached.
“Fine, let’s accept Karina’s situation. But what about Illeon?”
That was the biggest problem. Today was the ninth day. Tomorrow, the herb that could heal Illeon’s eyes would wither.
“I don’t know the first thing about herbs.”
What was she supposed to do with it once she found it? Cold water, hot water, saltwater, sugar water—was plain water enough? Should she steep it like tea, or boil it together in a pot?
She really should’ve learned to cook when her mom suggested it.
She didn’t even know if cooking skills would help brew medicinal tea in this world, but right now, Rona was deeply distressed.
“What will become of Illeon’s future without Karina?”
Especially now that Karina was apparently engaged to the crown prince.
“Will he end up living alone, never loving anyone?”
In a romance fantasy world crafted by an author, would he really live without romance?
Perhaps because Illeon relied on her so much, Rona’s heart softened. Suddenly, Illeon—who might live without Karina and never regain his sight—seemed far more pitiful than herself, who’d abruptly been transmigrated here.
Plop. Pitter-patter.
Raindrops began falling from the sky.
“What a completely hopeless day.”
At least she was nearly at the Grand Duke’s estate.
The coat she wore was a thick winter one, entirely unsuited to the season. At first, its heavy fabric repelled the rain, but soon it soaked through, quickly stealing her body heat.
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
After standing in the spring rain for so long, a chill ran down her spine.
Spotting the large building brightly lit ahead, Rona quickened her pace.
‘I need to hurry, soak in a hot bath, and drink a warm cup of soup.’
Just as she hunched her shivering shoulders and passed through the main gate—
“Illeon?”
Illeon stood in the middle of the wide garden between the gate and the entrance. Rona approached him with a stunned expression.
“Why are you out here? Why aren’t you using an umbrella?”
He was drenched as well. Where on earth was his butler? Bernar wouldn’t have allowed Illeon to get into such a state. Countless questions filled her mind.
Instead of answering, Illeon reached out both hands. When his hands moved toward her chest, Rona froze in shock. Fortunately, his fingers, aiming for her chest, instead brushed the air and grasped both sides of her coat collar.
‘What’s he doing?’
Suddenly seized by the collar, Rona didn’t know what to do.
“Is this a winter coat?”
“Huh? Yes, yes.”
Illeon growled.
“Take it off. Now.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he pulled the coat apart with both hands.
Pop. Thud.
Buttons flew off instantly under the immense strength of the Empire’s greatest knight.
Rona was speechless.
She’d planned to take it off herself the moment she arrived at the mansion—gently, with her own hands. Had she done so, the coat might have lasted much longer. How had it turned to rags in an instant?
“If you wanted me to take it off, why tear it?”
She’d been wearing it carefully all this time because she couldn’t afford to buy new clothes. Rona was dumbfounded.
“And… hah—achoo!”
After sneezing hard, she momentarily forgot what she’d meant to say after “and.” Hearing her cough, Illeon gently lifted her and carried her into the Grand Duke’s mansion.
“Ugh, uh!”
Tall Illeon had long legs. Clutched stiffly in his arms like a log, Rona’s head bobbed up and down with each of his strides. Seeing him head straight for the second floor without hesitation, she was startled.
“Illeon. Could it be your eyes—ow! Sss…”
Trying to speak while jostling, she bit her tongue and fell silent. Illeon set her down in the bathroom attached to the Grand Duke’s bedroom.
“Wash.”
Thud.
The door closed right before her eyes.
Click.
Huh? Was that the sound of the door locking?
Rona tugged the bathroom doorknob. It rattled but wouldn’t open—clearly locked from outside. She was exasperated.
“I could’ve just washed on the third floor.”
There were no maids left in the mansion, so the bathroom was hers alone. Other female staff like gardeners or kitchen workers were all married, either living with their husbands in separate quarters or commuting daily.
Now suddenly imprisoned in the luxurious Grand Duke’s bathroom, Rona hesitated briefly before quickly starting to undress.
“Oh! I just remembered what I was going to say.”
What she’d forgotten after “and” was: “And instead of standing here, we should’ve gone inside right away. I’m freezing to death.”
If Illeon hadn’t stood there arguing, she’d have been soaking in the tub by now.
“But more importantly, he wants me to bathe in his tub?”
He needed to bathe too, yet he’d given up his own tub—and she had no idea where he’d gone.
She recalled Illeon, soaked through by the rain. His expensive tailored clothes clung completely to his body. When he’d held her, she’d felt washboard abs against her side.
“Ugh. Whatever.”
Rona sank into the tub filled with hot water.
“Ahh… Feels good.”
The Grand Duke’s bathtub was enormous—big enough for five or six nieces to splash around together. Rona playfully kicked some water, but quickly remembered she’d be the one cleaning the bathroom and obediently tucked her feet back under the water.
“Hmm.”
Thump.
Resting her head against the ergonomically curved tub, sleep overwhelmed her irresistibly.
[This is the timeline separator]Illeon was reflecting on his actions.
“You told me to take it off—why tear my clothes?”
Rona’s words were reasonable. He hadn’t intended to ruin her clothes.
But theory and practice were different.
When he realized Rona’s coat was winter wear—thick, rough, cheap wool fabric soaked through with rain—anger surged in him without his noticing.
‘There are plenty of better clothes available.’
Why was she wearing something like this? Something welled up inside him, and his hands moved on their own.
“I’ll just apologize.”
And as a gesture of apology, he’d buy her a new coat—two birds with one stone. After this self-justification, Illeon washed slowly and left Bernar’s room.
“Why are you bathing here?”
The butler, whose room had been briefly commandeered, looked utterly bewildered, but Illeon hurried on.
Truthfully, until the butler mentioned there were no female staff to lend clothes, Illeon hadn’t given a thought to the estate’s gender imbalance.
But imagining the mansion filled with nothing but wolfish men—except for Rona—made him unbearably anxious. Hence his decision to lock Rona in the safety of his own bathroom.
“I can be trusted.”
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Intro:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
***
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
***
Yan Jiyue was consumed with jealousy. He spread rumors that Xie Yi had once been branded with the mark of a “harlot” on his chest.
But on the night Xie Yi cut off the flesh bearing that mark, Su Mu suddenly realized something was amiss.
“How did you know the exact moment I was poisoned? And why did you show up a month early?”
Xie Yi remained silent, blood from his wound soaking through his robes. His sapphire eyes brimmed with anguish – or was it just a flawless act?
Between a once-arrogant husband now seeking redemption, and a gentle soul willing to die for her – who truly held the darkest secrets? And could it be that Su Mu and Yan Jiyue weren’t the only ones given a second chance at life…?
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
_____
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Haha, just picturing this is so hilarious. Imagine Duke Illeon fan girling.
The real blind guy is here; calling someone else’s woman his 😂