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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

Tillian's calm voice instructed the person waiting outside the room to enter. As the door swung open, Bella was the first to step inside.

Smiling awkwardly, and with a hint of cunningness, she offered her lord a polite bow, struggling to contain her unusual excitement.

"I apologize, Your Grace, but I've just finished something, and I thought you should see it too. It's quite amusing!"

Upon finishing her words, the maid gracefully stepped aside, making way for the Duke's Dobermans. The dogs happily bounded towards the Duke, jumping around him and licking his outstretched hands in a friendly greeting.

Contrary to the dogs' excitement, Tillian didn't share their joy; rather, he was taken aback by their unexpected appearance. And the reason for his surprise lay in the peculiar attire the dogs were wearing.

"What in the world is this, Bella?!"

A Loose Thread