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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 unusually relaxed, Your Grace, and quite refreshed as well. I gather the first night went rather successfully?" Stanis asked, his wide grin directed at Tillian.

The Duke, taken aback by his aide's comment, tightened his grip on the reins of his black horse, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep over him. Stanis's playful demeanor only served to amplify his own discomfort.

In an effort to dispel the lingering awkwardness, Tillian coughed, slowed his horse, and finally responded,

"I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And Aideen seemed to as well, or at least I hope so. I tried to be considerate and cautious, though perhaps it came off as awkward instead. It wasn't her first time, but it was mine, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect."

Stanis, though supportive and understanding of his young lord, could not shake the cunning smirk from his face as he replied in a playful tone,

A Lazy Day