PBAOM ★ CH 02

Chapter 2

The Half-Blind Girl (Part 1)

“Come in.”

When I called out, a small maid named Lily stepped in, carrying a tray that had been left in front of the door. She looked used to this routine.

On the tray were a dish of herring with lemon and a fig tart.

As Lily helped me eat, I asked softly,

“Is it you again today, Lily?”

“Yes, Lady Natania. The other maids are busy working in the annex.”

“I see…”

The maids who were assigned to take care of Natania often delayed their work until the head maid visited once a week.

I pretended not to notice their laziness. I understood how tiring work could be—and honestly, having fewer people around made my life easier.

Acting blind in front of others took more energy than most would think.

“Mmm, this is good. Tell the chef I’d like pork stew tomorrow—with herbs, the one that’s simmered for a long time.”

“Yes, my lady.”

As Lily wiped a bit of sauce from the corner of my lips with her handkerchief, she hesitated.

“Um… it’s strange, Lady Natania. You eat well, but you never seem to gain weight. You don’t really do much besides short walks either…”

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

How could I tell her that I secretly wandered outside by myself at night?

When I fell silent, Lily waved her hands quickly.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to say something rude…”

She bowed deeply and hurried to clear the dishes.

After I’d been poisoned, I used to drink medicine constantly. But at some point, it stopped appearing on the table.

Even the best doctors couldn’t restore my sight, and eventually, the Duke—my father—stopped visiting the annex altogether.

“People think our lady has gone away to the countryside.”

“The Duke must have given up on her.”

“No way… and without a marriage, what’s to become of her?”

“Poor Lady Natania…”

The maids who used to serve me probably thought I had gone deaf as well.

So since I was ten years old, I’d grown up in this quiet kind of neglect. It was lonely, but it gave me freedom too.

Even though my second brother Nicholas was still alive, the story of The Tyrant’s Flower continued on its set path.

The kingdom was at war with barbarians, and when the male lead Chris returned victorious, he would become Crown Prince.

That was the turning point I needed to prepare for.

Before my father sent the heroine to Chris as a spy, I had to meet her and stop it.

Only then could I prevent the growing hatred between the male lead and our family.

The heroine, Anna, had recently joined the Duke’s household as part of my third brother Zenn’s salon.

Every time I watched her dance, I could understand why Chris fell for her.

Every evening, once everyone thought I was asleep, I would change into a maid’s uniform to sneak out—hoping for a chance to approach Anna.

***

Lily’s gray maid uniform fit me just fine.
With a white coif and apron on, I let my hair fall over my eyes to look more convincing.

After making sure the moon was up, I slipped out of my room.

This time of night, there were only a few guards at the main gate, so it was perfect for sneaking around.

Passing through the servant passageways, I reached the Great Hall.

I picked up a broom and pretended to be cleaning the corridor.

Inside the hall, women in pastel silk dresses spun gracefully in circles. Soft piano music played as the dancers practiced.

Anna was among them. Her golden hair shimmered like sunlight as she moved, her blue eyes sparkling like the sea.

Even though I’d seen her before, I still found myself staring, mesmerized.

Suddenly, Anna turned her head toward me, sensing my gaze.

“Oh no… she saw me!”

Panicking, I tried to look away—but a stern voice came from behind me.

“Hey, you there.”

“…!”

“I don’t recognize you. Why are you cleaning here at this hour? Where’s your partner?”

It was a new butler, a rough-looking man with a square nose and stubble. He crossed his arms, eyeing me suspiciously.

I quickly pulled my coif lower to hide my face and bowed.

Then I remembered something the real maids used to say.

“I—I’m Sophie, sir. Lynette asked me to clean this area since she didn’t get the chance earlier.”

I prayed he didn’t actually know what Sophie looked like.

He stared at me for what felt like an eternity.

Then, Anna gracefully approached us, smiling.

“Oh, Mr. Baker! I didn’t realize how late it’s gotten—we were just finishing our practice. We’ll clean up and leave soon. Is that alright?”

Her voice was gentle, her movements elegant. Even the butler seemed caught off guard.

“Ah… well, yes, that’s fine,” he muttered.

Anna’s eyes curved into lovely crescents as she smiled at me.

It was easy to see why men fell for her.

The butler sighed and motioned for me to leave.

“Go on, Sophie. Next time, make sure Lynette cleans during her assigned shift.”

“Yes, sir!”

I answered loudly on purpose and began sweeping again.

But I kept glancing toward Anna and the others chatting with the butler.

‘She’s still here… good.’

Anna’s reputation in the Duke’s house was growing fast. It wouldn’t be long before she met Prince Chris.

In the original story, their first meeting was at the Royal Victory Festival.

My father and Zenn had already planned for Anna to perform there.

Though she’d been here for some time, I hadn’t yet found a chance to talk to her.

‘I can’t tell her I’m the Duke’s daughter… how do I get close to her?’

I decided I had to attend the upcoming training exhibition in the mansion somehow.

If I didn’t, she would soon meet Chris—and everything would spiral out of control.

***

Instead of returning to my room, I went to the study near the library—Nicholas’s private chamber.

Only the butler had the key, and it was usually locked.

I glanced around and reached into the window frame.

‘There it is… good.’

According to the novel, Nicholas hid a spare key there.

After confirming he’d gone back to his room, I unlocked the door and slipped inside.

‘Let’s see if there’s any new information…’

I searched quietly, careful not to leave traces. Then, on the desk, I found an unfinished letter—apparently addressed to the Duke.

“As long as the First Prince holds the upper hand, our future looks grim.
…Proceed with the marriage to …, but if it fails, we should remain with the noble faction.”

The ink had smudged, but from the initials, it looked like my name.

‘What?! Who are they trying to marry me off to?’

I froze in place, staring at the letter in shock.

Then I heard footsteps outside.

Quickly, I put everything back where it was and slipped out.

I hurried back to the annex, unaware that disaster was already on its way.

After changing into my nightgown and lying in bed, I heard something outside.

A short scream.

But it vanished so quickly, I wondered if I’d imagined it.

‘What was that…?’

Unable to sleep, I slipped on my slippers, grabbed my white cane, and stepped out of the room—pretending to be blind, as always.

The closer I got to the main gate, the colder the air felt.

Something was wrong.

When I turned the last corner, I froze.

Swords were scattered across the marble floor.

That’s when I realized—something terrible had happened.

Tap. Tap.

My cane struck the floor twice before I stopped dead.

Through my blurry vision, I saw a man kneeling over a fallen knight.

The man wore a dark mask shaped like a snake’s tongue flicking out.

With one swift motion, blood splattered across the floor.

I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand to stop myself from screaming.

Sensing movement, the tall man stood and turned toward me.

Even through the mask, I could feel his sharp gaze.

Then, with a crooked smile, he said in a low, raspy voice—

“Ah… so you came out to greet me?”

That voice. Cold, deep, almost amused.

I didn’t need to think.

That killing intent—those bloodstains—this man was here to kill me.

My instincts screamed it.

I threw my cane aside and ran toward my room.

‘The bell! I have to ring the bell by the bed!’

As I sprinted down the corridor, my own panicked breaths filled the air—and behind me, I could hear the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps following.