yoojee

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

"I am truly sorry for interrupting your conversation, Your Majesty, but you asked me to let you know as soon as the witch leaves the inn."

Yuraon's scout fell into step with him as they walked through a narrow alley behind the long line of various shops, and the king acknowledged his arrival with a brief nod.

His surprisingly pleasant time with the unknown noble lady was indeed cut short the moment Yuraon noticed his scout outside the flower shop, and although he was rather reluctant to leave, he had no choice as the matter was most likely important.

"So she finally left? Where was she headed?"

"Actually... She was heading here, Your Majesty."

Yuraon paused for a moment and arched his eyebrows.

"Here? This is hardly a place for secretive meetings. I doubt anyone important would agree to meet a witch in broad daylight surrounded by all these people."

His scout shrugged nonchalantly and gestured for the King to move again.

Getting Hands Dirty