I Grabbed The Leash Of The Blind Beast - Chapter 35

“This makes me feel like I’m jealous.”

It wouldn’t be jealousy.

To be jealous, I must have feelings for him first. 

I swear to heaven that I had no ulterior motive towards Eleon. 

Of course, I always treated Eleon with sincerity. 

She didn’t pretentiously treat him like he wasn’t a real person in the book.

I hoped that soon he would meet Karina, his destiny partner, and cure his eyes to be happy.

Won Yun-Ji will capture that image with her eyes and happily return to the original world. 

Although Eleon was handsome, cool, and sometimes pitiful and sad, it was in the heart of the reader to see the main character. 

At least that’s what I thought until now.

“When Karina came and asked for help, I thought it was great.”

     Wasn’t I happy to help her and set up a meeting with Eleon? 

But why was I sad so suddenly. 

     Why? Why? 

Yet at the same time, I felt a sense of refusal that I should not focus on those feelings.

“It’s only natural that he and I live in different worlds.”

However, it was an uncomfortable feeling that could not be explained by that alone.

“No, stop thinking.”

That’s right. I’m just sad.

It is the kind of feeling a mother-in-law would have when her well-raised son gets married.

Elysia found a similar feeling. 

And she forced herself to think that’s what she was feeling right now.

     Is it almost time?

Elysia watched the sunset a little to the side, then stood up and brushed the dirt off her skirt. 

She returned to the garden where Karina was sitting alone, drinking tea.

“Where’s the Grand Duke?”

“He left first because he was busy.”

Seeing Karina’s fresh smile, Elysia thought something had gone wrong. 

Elysia asked, trying to hide her bitter feelings.

“Did you speak with His Highness?”

“Of course.”

Karina blushed a little.

“I can’t go into detail, though.”

     I see. That’s right, you two had a good conversation. 

Elysia swallowed a sigh and forced a smile.

* * * * *

Returning to Count Harrington’s mansion, Karina nervously took off her hat and her dress.

“Did you have a good trip, my lady? Wait, I’ll help you right away. Ouch.”

When she reach out to help, Karina slapped the maid’s hand.

“It’s okay. It’s faster to do it with my own hands.”

“Still…….”

The maid lamented for a moment that Karina’s rough touch caused the silk ribbon, which had zigzagged behind her back, to break.

However, she started to pick up the clothes and underskirt that Karina was throwing off trying to please her.

“Did you enjoy tea time today?”

“Enjoy?”

The maid fell silent when she saw that Karina looked at her with disdain.

“Stop, leave now.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The maid didn’t know what to do when Karina reacted sensitively to everything she said, so she quickly disappeared, carrying the dress.

“Huh.”

When she was alone, anger welled up. 

Karina was eager to see Eleon again after bumping into him in front of Cafe Cardinal. 

But there was no contact. 

Even after seeing his beautiful appearance, the symbol of imperial mythology, and Oder’s red eyes, she was not aware that he was the famous blind beast, Grand Duke Clevent.

When the Empress suggested the first dance at the Imperial Ball, Eleon took Elysia to the dance floor in an instant.

     I wish I could dance with him then.

Unfortunately, she missed the chance when she glared so furiously at Sabiel. 

「“Then Karina will do her first dance with the Crown Prince.”」

She made her social debut under the supervision of the Empress, for which she had to dance with Sabiel as Empress Seraphina told her to do.

It’s the ‘first dance‘.

「“Congratulations on your social debut. Karina.”」

Karina laughed when Sabiel danced and talked to her.

「“Your Highness the Crown Prince is truly a wonderful person. I thought you’d at least apologize.”」

「“Apologize? What do you mean? Did I do anything wrong to you?”」

She felt her stomach boil at his casual attitude. 

She wanted to step on his feet and shake off her hands, but she thought she should save her face while greeting the créme de la créme, as it might damage her reputation.

「“You seduced the innocent me. Your Highness’ love is really cheap. Even a hot oath cools after one night and the sun rises.”」

Sabiel laughed out loud like it was hilarious. 

The people dancing around glanced at her and Sabiel.

「“Are you naive? Wasn’t it you who asked to spend the night?”」

「“What did you say?”」

「“Didn’t you express your intention not to send you back?”」

Karina’s face flushed.

「“And my love is not cheap. It is quite the opposite. You’re the cheap one. I guess I was sick and tired of your love.”」

「……」　

Karina was speechless at the overly abusive language. 

Until then, the idea of forgiving Sabiel if he clung to her asking for forgiveness for doing something wrong, remained in the corner of her mind.

She didn’t lie even once when they were having a love affair. 

However, the insult she heard while dancing in his arms burned down even the lingering feelings she had for him.

After that, she became more obsessed with Eleon.

Elysia said she had two men, and that meant two chances. 

     I’m lucky. 

It will be difficult for others to seize this opportunity once in a lifetime. 

     But I have two choices. But I can’t be an idiot who misses both.

“I will never back down.”

Karina’s eyes were filled with poison.

Eleon was her last chance. 

* * * * *

Mrs. Oze made a fuss as soon as she entered the room.

“Oh, my lady. Something big happened. Big problem!”

“What’s the big deal?”

“I’m going to lose the marriage that I’ve got in the front yard of my house.”

“What do you mean?”

Mrs. Oze spoke rapidly of what she had seen and heard, taking in a gasp that seemed to take her breath away.

“The Grand Duke Clevent came to visit today, and, well, Lady Elysia and.. the Lady Karina, the Harringtons’ the adopted daughter. She told the Grand Duke to talk to her, and she left!”

“That’s great.”

“Madam!”

Mrs. Oze kicked her feet as she looked at Mariela, who answered calmly as if she was really happy.

“I should have sat down earlier. I didn’t think the Grand Duke would come because the two ladies were going to have tea. I’m sorry, Duchess.”

“You’re Elysia’s chaperone, so unless the Harrington daughter came with her own chaperone, there is no obligation to protect her as well. She’s lucky if she doesn’t do anything bad to Elysia.”

“But it is clear that the Grand Duke loves Lady Elysia.”

Mrs. Oze was completely sure that Elysia had been chosen by the Grand Duke.

“I went to see them, but when he was alone with Lady Karina, his attitude changed.”

“How?”

“It seemed like he wasn’t interested in her. He responded to her curtly.”

Mrs. Oze answered excitedly when Mariela asked her.

“Isn’t he the best groom in the Empire right now? It could be much better than the Crown Princess position which has many duties and restrictions.”

“Madame Oze.”

“Yes, yes. I know. You wish for her memories and divine power to return.”

Mrs. Oze lost strength, as Mariela said strictly without keeping up with the excitement.

“But such a strict life may not necessarily lead to happiness for your daughter. It is unclear if she will get her memories back or not. Please think again.”

Mrs. Oze left Mariela’s room with an expression of regret at the end of the day.

After a long sigh, Mariela looked at herself in the mirror.

Soon, a beautiful woman was seen who was about to turn 40 years old.

Her white, wrinkle-free skin was as clear and transparent as a fairy’s. 

Her big purple eyes and thick honey blonde hair were the same as Elysia’s. 

But her face was full of sadness and anguish.

“I can’t stay like this. There must be some other way.”

Mariela tightened her grip as if she had made a big decision.

That night, Mariela left the Duke’s residence through a small door that allowed late-hour workers to enter and exit. 

A carriage was waiting for her at the gate and took her to the outskirts of the capital.

Mariela quietly entered a small house she had on the outskirts of the capital, where she could change her clothes. 

She wore a simple, unadorned dress. 

It was the kind of clothes common people would wear when doing business in the market. 

Mariela then put on a brown hair wig after carefully braiding her hair.

Then the Duchess just disappeared and looked like an ordinary woman.

Leaving the house again, she climbed back into the carriage with her hood tightly closed and headed for Hadunsha.

“Madam.”

“Shh.”

A large forest that surrounds Hadunsha connects to the northern gate of the Imperial Palace. 

A woman in a priest’s uniform, who had been waiting impatiently in the depths of the forest, looked at Mariela with delight. 

It was Iris, the priestess, who dyed the ends of her red hair white.

“You’re late. We don’t have much time.”

“I’m sorry.”

Iris handed her an extra pair of clothes that she had secretly brought.

Mariela took off her clothes.

She began to put on the priest’s robe and lowered the hood.

She looked like a priest when she loosened the white ends of her wig.

“Go to the front gate. Roben and Esho are waiting for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Hurry up.”

Mariela took a deep breath and casually walked towards Hadunsha’s front gate.

“May the blessings of the Five Gods and Oder be with you.”

Mariela bowed her head.

The gatekeepers who were guarding the main gate raised their spears to block her.

“You are late for your return. Where you come from?”

“I went to a funeral. I arrived too late because I was consoling the family of the deceased.”

“Hmm.”

Mariela showed them a sewn black cloth bag.

It contained donations that are received when a priest goes to a funeral and prays. 

Looking down at something quite heavy, the gatekeepers raised the spears and cleared the way.

“May the night be full of glory to those who serve as the eyes of the Lord.”

After saying goodbye, Mariela entered.

When Roben and Esho saw her, they greeted her and immediately turned around.

“You’re late.”

“I’m sorry.”

She heard a voice coming and going as she walked.

“Alejandro attended the all-night prayer meeting, he won’t come out for about three hours.”

“All right.”

Mariela pressed the watch she was wearing like a necklace. 

The inside of Hadunsha was like a maze. 

After passing through the area where the outside believers came and went, there was a large space where people could get lost except for the priests who had lived for a long time.

Deep inside, there was the residence of the priests, and there was a secret space below it. 

Mariela followed Roben and Esho into the deep underground. 

She’s been here a few times, but every time she comes, she couldn’t get used to it.

“You must be out in an hour.”

     I had to take into account the time to return. 

Mariela nodded and went inside. 

Even though it was a basement, the room was bright. 

A huge altar was placed in the round stone-carved room, and a thick, large book was placed on top of it.

In order to approach the altar, she had to memorize the secret passphrase that only Hadunsha’s priests knew.

Mariela took a short deep breath and words began to come out of her mouth.

“I know this is the world from the book Flower of the Blind Beast.”