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Aideen Ruan, though a royal princess, was always unwanted due to the circumstances of her birth. Born blind to a hostage concubine, she possessed an intriguing beauty; however, her disability rendered her utterly useless to the royal family.

Even when the struggling Count Crueder reluctantly agreed to take Aideen as his wife to secure the royal dowry, her life failed to improve. A year into their marriage, Aideen's inability to produce an heir sealed her fate. The princess was destined for exile to the Temple, consigned to spend the remainder of her days in isolation and abandonment.

Contrary to her anticipations, instead of the Temple, Aideen found herself within the cold walls of Duke Tillian Valentine's castle. Duke Valentine, the last scion of the once-revered Valentine family that ruled the Kingdom before the "Fratricide Rebellion", now presided over the desolate Northern lands.

Faced with fear and confusion, Aideen expected her life to perpetuate its cycle of misery, only to discover that Duke Valentine might hold the key to a new opportunity, a chance at a life she had never envisioned.

"You bewitched my body and soul. Put an intoxicating spell on me, shackled my heart to yours with your magic. If I could exchange my eyesight with you, I would do it just to make you see what a man dying from love looks like."

Saved By The Mad Duke

"You appear to be trembling, Your Highness. Is the cold getting to you? Mornings in the Capital are growing colder with each passing day, signaling the imminent arrival of winter."

Tillian shifted abruptly in the coach seat, edging closer to Aideen, who was indeed quivering like a leaf in the wind. The princess recoiled at this unexpected movement, then released a long, heavy exhale and shook her head.

"No, Your Grace, it's not the cold that is troubling me. I am terrified beyond belief! Aren't you nervous at all? Soon, you will face another man in the jousting arena, gripping a sword in your hands! I can't help but tremble with fear... What if you sustain severe injuries?"

The Duke responded with a loud, almost joyous chuckle.

"Ha! At least you are not entertaining thoughts of my demise today, which means you still have some faith in me, Your Highness. I'm flattered!"

The Champion