Deceived 36

Chapter 36

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***

Contrary to her resolve, Blair tossed and turned for a long time before finally closing her eyes. Even then, it was only a shallow sleep, and she repeatedly drifted off briefly only to wake again. Ultimately, she awoke at dawn, just as she always did.

Lying still and staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling, Blair glanced over at the table clock on the bedside table. It was just past 6:40. It was her usual wake-up time, but what was she supposed to do here? Blinking, she finally got out of bed.

"...Looks like rain."

The sky outside the large window looked unusually dark and ominous. After pacing briefly by the window, Blair went into the bathroom adjoining the bedroom, washed up, changed into a house dress, and stepped out into the hallway. While staying at Chiles, she didn't expect Edmund to ask her to do anything, but lying around doing nothing suited her temperament.

Descending the stairs, she heard movement in the first-floor entrance hall. And there she came face to face with Edmund, who was just about to go out.

He was already impeccably dressed in a suit, even at this early hour. Still poised to turn the doorknob, Edmund looked up at Blair. Beside him stood a young butler, bowing respectfully.

As Blair approached, he quietly dismissed the butler and straightened his posture. Now the two faced each other.

"Up early. You could have slept longer."

"It's a habit. Is Lord Liberte heading out now?"

"I usually have my daily meeting at the Regent Bank at this hour."

After a brief pause, he added,

"I should be back before dinner."

Then, with an expression that seemed to await a response, he looked down at Blair. She, too, fell into thought for a moment. What thoughts had she been pondering as she fell asleep last night? These days spent at Chiles were like a rehearsal for the life she was about to embrace.

What kind of conversation should married couples have? After a moment of contemplation, Blair offered a faint smile.

"...I'll wait. Be careful on your way."

"Alright. See you later."

Edmund replied with a smile, as if he'd just watched an amusing play. It wasn't a mocking tone, so it didn't feel unpleasant. Still, Blair felt awkward, lowering her eyes and fidgeting. Then something crossed her mind.

"Ah. It looks like it's raining outside. You should probably take an umbrella."

"I will. Thanks."

Given his personality, he would have checked the weather beforehand, but Edmund nodded coolly. Even after exchanging farewells, he still hadn't left the house.

"I've been thinking, Blair."

"...Yes?"

"I think we need to appear a bit closer before we go to Eldenvale."

Blair almost stupidly asked who he meant before clamping her mouth shut. Of course, he meant him and her. The low voice carrying her name tickled her ears, making her chest tingle, and she realized the reality a beat late when faced with the suggestion that they 'should appear' closer.

"Then... what should I do?"

She had never had a lover in her life. She didn't even have close friends, so she knew nothing about acting intimate. Fortunately, Edmund offered the solution.

"How about starting by calling each other by name?"

"Your name?"

"We've spent quite a bit of time together, yet you still treat me like a stranger."

Was that so? Edmund was the kind of man who’d close the distance until he seemed almost within reach, only to suddenly feel like a complete stranger again. He’d once suggested they be friends, but it hadn’t been easy. With her heart fluttering too, her discomfort toward him might have shown through subtly.

“Then until you return… I’ll practice today.”

"When I return home, a much friendlier wife will be waiting for me."

...So this was her task. Blair looked up at the man smiling playfully, feeling a strange sense of defeat. She was certain that smile, at least, was genuine, flowing from an uncalculated sincerity. Occasionally, whenever she found herself in a difficult spot, he undoubtedly took pleasure in it. Soon, Edmund swung open the door leading outside.

"I'll be back. If you need anything, tell the butler."

"Yes, see you tonight."

And the door closed. Blair remained standing in place for a moment after Edmund left. In the early morning stillness, his absence felt somewhat heavy.

***

Left alone, Blair had nothing to do to calm herself. She had only one task: to practice calling his name casually enough that it felt natural when Edmund returned. But she lacked the confidence to do it.

What should she do first to feel more familiar with him? She needed to know more about him. Thinking about it, Blair didn't really know Edmund very well. His personality, tastes, interests—she couldn't confidently claim to know any of these things. So, before heading to Eldenvale, she decided to explore this townhouse, Edmund's private space.

When she called the butler to ask for a tour, he readily agreed. Taciturn, he seemed less like a butler and more like an attendant who served Edmund at close quarters.

"The first floor contains the master's bedroom, the reception room, the dining room you visited last night, and the detached conservatory."

The detached conservatory, enclosed on all sides by floor-to-ceiling glass, resembled an indoor glass greenhouse. Blair particularly liked this beautiful retreat.

"The second floor is primarily furnished as a study and guest rooms, and the third floor houses the servants' quarters."

"I see. Might I take a look at the study?"

It wouldn't be proper to enter Edmund's bedroom, but the study, where he likely spent the next most time, seemed acceptable. The butler nodded.

"I'll show you."

Following him into the study, the heavy scent of paper mingled with the aroma of leather bindings brushed against her nostrils. Blair approached the bookshelf that filled one entire wall. Scanning the spines one by one, she noticed that besides various economics texts and law books, there were quite a few history books and art history volumes shelved there. She vaguely thought it only natural for a man so interested in art, and shifted her attention.

The large mahogany desk in the center of the study was immaculately organized. Apart from a high-end fountain pen, an inkwell, a neatly placed notebook, and some blank paper, there was nothing else. Even though it was a private space, it seemed all important documents were locked away in the drawers.

Blair's gaze returned to the solitary notebook on the desk. If it were a notebook for important notes, it wouldn't be left here. Could it be a sketchbook?

Blair owned a similar one herself, so she could guess. If so, what kind of drawings had Edmund sketched inside? Curiosity stirred—might it contain thoughts she hadn't glimpsed? Yet she didn't have the courage to open it without permission.

Blair left the study immediately. After requesting the butler to bring tea, she headed toward the courtyard she had begun to call the glass greenhouse in her mind.

Thus, she spent half a day exploring the townhouse, yet what she gleaned was practically nothing. The only thing she managed to discover was that Edmund was a very secretive man who didn't trust others easily.

'Then what kind of person am I to him?'

For the time being, Edmund was the only person Blair could trust and rely on. Though their relationship was built on a contract, she had felt affection for him even before. 

She hoped, if possible, that the bond tying them together would be one of trust. Of course, there was a clause in the contract stating they must not betray each other, but could trust bound by ink truly be the same as trust born from the heart?

"Master has returned."

Lost in such deep thought, she only belatedly registered the butler's announcement. Blair set her cup of cold tea, with a few sips remaining, on the table and rose from her seat. Through the transparent wall, she could see Edmund opening and closing the mansion's entrance door as he entered.

"Welcome back."

Blair hesitated before adding.

"Edmund."

The voice leaving her lips sounded oddly awkward. He, however, accepted the greeting with great familiarity.

"It seems I acquired a wife while away. How pleasant."

"I'm glad it sounded intimate."

"Miss Blair seems better suited to carrots than sticks."

"Who wouldn't like a compliment?"

"That wasn't a compliment, but it wasn't bad either. It rained heavily until this afternoon, but thanks to the umbrella you brought, I got back without getting wet. Thank you."

The man who wielded both carrots and sticks smiled. Blair, startled, lifted the corners of her mouth to match his, forcing the kindest smile she could manage.

"I might turn out to be a surprisingly decent wife after all."

"If you want to be an even better wife, I'll change clothes and join you for dinner. I have some important news."