I Held the Leash of a Blind Beast (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 9
Illeon opened his eyes only late in the afternoon. He reached out and tugged the bell cord.
“Did you call for me, Your Highness?”
Bernar the butler hurried in quickly.
“What time is it now?”
“It’s half past two in the afternoon.”
“It’s late. I’ll have a light meal and push dinner back by an hour.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare it.”
Suddenly, it bothered him that Bernar—not Rona—had come running.
“Where’s Rona?”
“Oh, Miss Rona went out for a short errand.”
“Again? What for?”
The butler answered while neatly straightening Illeon’s bed.
“Now that I think about it, hasn’t Miss Rona hardly gone out properly since she came to this house? She went to get fitted for clothes yesterday… Come to think of it, she’s a young lady—she must need all sorts of things. She only has her maid uniform for work and a single set of outdoor attire.”
“Rona only has one outfit for going out?”
“Yes.”
The butler affirmed.
“Since Miss Rona’s duty is attending to Your Highness, and you haven’t gone outside until now, she only has the winter outdoor coat she wore when she first arrived at this house.”
“What about yesterday, then?”
“She wore that same outfit yesterday.”
“Does that even make sense? A servant of a grand ducal house went on a picnic alone in winter clothes?”
Bernar jumped in surprise.
“It was Your Highness who suddenly said you wanted to go for a stroll in the park! If we’d had more time, I would’ve made preparations.”
“Couldn’t you have borrowed another maid’s clothes for her at least?”
At Illeon’s reproach, the butler’s face fell into a pout.
“Didn’t Your Highness dismiss all the other maids? Niel, the gardener’s wife, is elderly and short, and Olivie from the kitchen is too large in stature—neither could lend Miss Rona anything.”
“Still…”
Even to Illeon, yesterday’s sunlight on his skin had stung as sharply as when he trained the knights on the parade ground.
‘Wow, it’s spring, but hotter than I expected.’
The sun had been strong, though the weather hadn’t been particularly warm—he’d brushed it off easily. But he’d never imagined Rona beside him had been wearing winter clothes.
“Where?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked where the dressmaker’s shop Rona went to is.”
Yesterday, when Rona hesitated and insisted on going alone, he shouldn’t have let her go like that. He should’ve accompanied her and ordered full sets of seasonal outdoor and indoor clothing for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But because Rona and the butler had conspired to send him home first, he couldn’t insist on going with her anymore.
“I don’t know the exact location—she only asked me to call a hired carriage to Luton Street, so I did.”
“Find out which dressmaker’s shop is nearby. I’ll go myself.”
Illeon clenched his fist without realizing it.
“This is a matter of the grand ducal house’s dignity. Hurry.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Bernar dashed out of Illeon’s room as if chased away.
“Is that so?”
A matter of the grand ducal house’s dignity, he said. Now that he thought about it, yesterday in the park, the young ladies from other noble families—and even their maids—had all worn light, colorful muslin dresses.
Among them, Rona had worn an ill-fitting outdoor coat, slightly loose for her frame as if borrowed, over a simple dress. And that was exactly the same outfit she’d worn when she first arrived at this house.
“To think His Highness cares so deeply…”
Bernar grew gloomy, thinking he’d failed to understand his master’s heart and brought shame upon him.
“This isn’t the time for that.”
He quickly summoned a servant and ordered the carriage prepared.
“Still, for His Highness to go outside three days in a row…”
Pleased by his master’s changed demeanor, the butler hastened his preparations for the outing.
Thirty minutes later, Illeon waited inside the carriage for Bernar.
‘Is she still choosing something?’
He wished he could pick something suitable for Rona himself. Bernar had told him the shop was rather narrow and made him wait in the carriage. Illeon, who since childhood had always summoned tailors to the house whenever he needed clothes, had never even considered such a thing.
“Your Grace.”
Bernar’s voice came from outside the carriage.
“The shop owner wishes to see you.”
“I grant permission.”
Click.
The door opened, releasing a strong wave of perfume.
“I offer my greetings to your esteemed self.”
“Where is Rona?”
“The butler also asked, but I cannot disclose customer information—it would be improper.”
“Did you come to tell me that yourself?”
“Well… technically, that would be the correct answer, but that person isn’t our customer.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is no one named Rona Harapellis among our recent clients who ordered clothes.”
His fingertips felt icy cold.
“Then, is there no other dressmaker’s shop nearby?”
“No. Luton Street isn’t a commercial district but a business district. This is the only dressmaker’s shop in the vicinity.”
The shopkeeper waited for dismissal after finishing his sentence, but Illeon’s thoughts momentarily froze.
‘So she lied?’
Rona had returned home very late yesterday. Then where did she go today?
Illeon barely managed to speak.
“Return to the mansion.”
[This is the timeline separator]The hospitality at the Harrington earl’s residence was impeccable.
Expensive imported tea and elaborate desserts were placed before Rona one after another.
“You say I once owed you a debt?”
“Yes, Miss Karina.”
“But why don’t I remember? If you came to repay a kindness, I should recall something.”
Karina set down her teacup and studied her intently.
“Do you remember the old fortune-teller woman in the square?”
At Rona’s words, Karina’s eyes widened.
“How do you know her?”
“She was my maternal grandmother.”
“Oh.”
In the original story, after her parents’ funeral, Karina met the old fortune-teller in the village square on her way home. She had only three silver coins to her name. Moved by the sick and hungry old woman, Karina gave her all her money—essentially her entire fortune—and asked for a reading of her future.
The old woman then foretold Karina’s destiny:
‘You’ll soon begin a new life. A powerful fate awaits you. You’ll experience a passionate, fated love. The man will be tall with black hair. His eyes are… cough, cough…’
Remembering this, Karina smiled brightly.
“Yes, that did happen. I’ve often thought of her lately—everything she predicted came true.”
Karina’s cheeks flushed a soft peachy pink.
“How is she doing now?”
“She’s passed away.”
“Oh dear.”
Rona lowered her head slightly. She felt uneasy about using a stranger’s story, but she had no choice.
In the original novel, after Karina gave the coins and left, the old woman smiled happily and seemingly fell asleep, passing away peacefully—but only the readers knew that. Karina, as a character within the story, couldn’t possibly know.
“Grandmother had dementia and often wandered off. People found her unsettling and unpleasant. Bringing her home didn’t help—she’d disappear again in the blink of an eye.”
Karina’s father had suffered from dementia. Her mother had gone out looking for him and died in a carriage accident, leaving Karina orphaned. Recalling this familiar tale, her expression darkened briefly.
“Thanks to your kindness, Miss Karina, she passed away peacefully with a joyful face, clutching tightly the three silver coins you gave her. That’s why I’ve come to read your future once more—as a token of gratitude.”
Rona had hoped Karina would meet Illeon smoothly. Though she was a fake fortune-teller, she intended to deliver the original story’s prophecy in proper seer fashion—that Illeon and Karina would find happiness together. She’d planned to shower her with blessings so beautiful they’d be unforgettable!
“Really?”
“But I have one request.”
“What is it?”
Rona felt her mouth go dry.
“Please meet the person I’ll introduce—just once. It’s very important. Someone’s entire life depends on it.”
Rona pleaded earnestly.
“You have the power to change another’s life—just as you showed kindness to my grandmother.”
At that moment, Karina hesitated instead of answering immediately.
“Is the person you want me to meet… a man?”
“Yes.”
What could possibly be wrong with that? Rona was bewildered.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t meet him.”
Rona was startled—she hadn’t expected outright refusal.
“Why not?”
Karina’s expression was gentle but firm.
“There’s someone who wouldn’t be pleased if I met another man. He’s quite jealous.”
Rona couldn’t hide her shock and gaped.
“Do you mean…?”
Karina, as if waiting precisely for that hesitant “do you mean,” quickly replied. Her beautiful green eyes sparkled brightly.
“Yes. I’m currently seeing someone. And… our families are already discussing marriage arrangements.”
Rona nearly jumped out of her seat.
‘What? Engaged to Sabiel?’
That was absurd.
Sabiel was merely a background schemer, a character meant only to provoke Illeon’s jealousy.
How could Karina, the heroine, already be in such a serious relationship with Sabiel before even meeting Illeon?
“Are you truly engaged?”
If it was Crown Prince Sabiel, this would be a royal marriage! At Rona’s question, Karina smiled softly and began to explain.
“Yes. Though I haven’t yet made my debut, I’m of marriageable age. I’d even worried I might miss my chance to meet a good match—yet somehow, I met such a wonderful man.”
Karina wore a dreamy expression, as if merely recalling him brought her joy. She then turned to Rona with a kind smile.
“Grandmother said a good fate awaited me. Thanks to her words, I’ve come to be loved by such a precious person. She even described my destined one’s appearance—‘a handsome man with black hair.’ And he truly is exactly that, so lately I’ve often thought of what she told me.”
Karina looked troubled.
“I truly wish I could grant your request. But marriage isn’t something I can decide alone—it wouldn’t be right to act on my own. I’m sorry I can’t help with what you’ve asked, Miss Rona. When it concerns possibly entering the royal household, nothing can be taken lightly.”
Rona stared at Karina.
“The royal household?”
It felt like confirmation that the original story had veered completely off track.
“Oh dear—I wasn’t supposed to say that yet! Yes, the person I’m seeing is none other than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
Rona felt as if the world had gone dark before her eyes—yet strangely, another feeling stirred within her.
If the original story collapsed, she might never return to her original world. But more than her own fate, she worried about Illeon—who might end up living blind for the rest of his life.
“Um… do you… love him?”
At that question, Karina blushed and nodded.
“Yes. With all my heart.”
It was unmistakably clear this wasn’t just a political arrangement. Karina was genuinely in love—and Rona could see it so vividly that words failed her.
“I didn’t understand the situation—I shouldn’t have made such an unreasonable request.”
Rona closed her eyes with a solemn expression.
“I’ll read your fortune once more, Miss Karina.”
Karina watched Rona’s lips with eager anticipation.
[This is the timeline separator]A carriage adorned with an embossed golden lion emblem stopped before the Harrington earl’s residence.
It was an elegant royal carriage, reserved for conveying guests to the palace. Karina, about to step in after adjusting her dress hem, let out a surprised cry.
“Oh! Your Royal Highness! What brings you all the way here?”
Sabiel offered her his hand with a sweet, knowing smile.
“Waiting for you to arrive was proving rather difficult, my dear.”
At his words, Karina’s heart fluttered. She took Sabiel’s hand and stepped into the carriage; the door closed, and soon the rhythmic, cheerful sound of hooves filled the air.
Yet even with her splendid lover beside her, Karina couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d just heard.
‘Two men?’
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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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 😂