Deceived 39

Chapter 39

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Sponsored by LC. Thank you ❤️ (2/7)

***

“Staying in the master bedroom?”

Blair’s guard shot up. Edmund had clearly stated he’d have no obligation to share a bed or sleep with him. But this contradicted that promise entirely.

“Isn’t this different from what you promised before?”

“It’s only customary for the first night. Our family is sensitive about succession, so if there’s an heir to the title, that ritual cannot be broken.”

“…….”

“To ease your concerns, I assure you I will never lay a hand on Miss Blair. Sharing a bedroom at Eldenvale is limited to that one night. After that, we will each have our own rooms.”

Edmund looked down at her face and asked back, his voice clearly tinged with amusement.

"Did you perhaps have other expectations?"

"Ah, no... Of course not...!"

"Then there's no need to blush, since what Miss Blair imagines won't become reality. I admit my oversight."

His expression acknowledged her point, yet his apology carried not a trace of remorse. Facing that familiar, rock-solid composure, Blair felt a slight warmth in her chest.

“…Is that all your apology consists of?”

“Is there anything else you wish to hear?”

“Given our contractual relationship, wouldn’t it have been better to give me advance notice? When you suddenly inform me just days before the wedding night, the burden of handling the embarrassment falls entirely on me.”

"So Miss Blair could prepare herself mentally?"

"Yes."

Edmund lowered his gaze, then met Blair's eyes again.

"If we were going to be intimate, I would naturally have warned you before the contract was signed. Though we spend the night in the same bed, not a finger would touch the other. I assumed you were prepared for that much."

Blair couldn't find the words. She stared wide-eyed at the man towering over her, then finally looked away. She realized there was no room for argument.

Beyond the window, the mist shrouding the Liberte estate made it impossible to gauge the time. But since they'd left early in the morning, it was clearly not yet noon.

That fact weighed heavily on Blair's mind. Today was her first day at this man's family home, the wedding hadn't even taken place yet, and it was still morning—yet things were already creaking. The thought of the year ahead felt vaguely daunting.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding, Miss Blair."

After a moment, Edmund broke the silence in a noticeably softer tone.

"When I said to share any difficulties at Eldenvale, I meant it sincerely."

"I never doubted you."

"Because your expression shows you haven't accepted it at all. For the next year, I will be your husband, at least in name. I believe your discomfort and fears are things I must address. As your husband, I think I have that right."

"Ah, are you trying to say you respect me enough?"

"Precisely."

Seeing Edmund's expression, unchanged in the slightest, he seemed utterly sincere, without a shred of falsehood. Yet why did it still feel like a contradiction?

"I understand. And I have something I wish to ask, Lord Liberte. It's been weighing on my mind."

"Go ahead."

"The article that was published the day after the gallery party. The one with that vulgar headline about some ambitious young lady snagging two men."

Edmund remained silent, as if urging her to continue. Staring at his characteristically impassive face, Blair asked,

"Did you know about it?"

She hadn't phrased it precisely, but the implication was clear. Did he know before the article was published, or was even that part of his plan?

"Does it matter?"

The reply sent a chill through Blair.

"We discussed how 'rumors' are used a few days before the party. I thought I explained it thoroughly then."

"......"

"When explaining things to you in the future, Miss Blair, would you prefer I detail not just the outcome, but every single step of the process?"

He wasn't being sarcastic; he was genuinely asking. If Blair nodded, he could picture himself taking the time to explain everything thoroughly, as if teaching a child.

But in this situation, who could possibly ask him to do that? Was it even reasonable to ask a man who casually announced sharing a bed on their wedding night and meticulously planned for the knight to appear to show a little consideration?

“…No. Do as Lord Liberte wishes.”

In the end, Blair sighed and shook her head.

“If there’s anything else I should know beforehand, I’d appreciate it if you could tell me now.”

She demanded it defiantly, as if asserting her pride, but immediately regretted it. The contractual clause requiring them to fulfill the superficial duties of a married couple was so vague that, in the end, wouldn't she have to act according to this man's demands?

"You must attend the banquet held at Borsa with me at least once a week. You can keep weekends in mind. Since the Regent Bank also mentioned this condition, it shouldn't be too difficult."

"Not difficult at all."

"Miss Blair will end up waiting for that day too."

A faint, wry smile escaped Edmund's lips as he turned his head toward the window. It seemed almost self-mocking.

"Eldenvale is so vast, yet it feels like a place that chokes the breath out of you."

His eyes held an emotion deeper than the fog surrounding this sprawling estate. Before she could fully grasp it, Edmund had already returned to his usual composed expression and was staring at Blair.

"And the name."

"Huh?"

"You've been making the mistake of drawing a line between us since earlier. I'll say it again: as a couple preparing for marriage, we need to appear close. Call me by my first name. Otherwise, I'll misunderstand that you want to keep your distance."

Had she? It seemed she had been calling him Lord Liberte again, without even realizing it.

It wasn't that Edmund's name felt unfamiliar on her lips. It was because she still lacked the warmth or trust to bridge the gap, and habitually resorted to his surname. She'd never affectionately called anyone by name before, making it all the more awkward. Unfortunately, this man had undoubtedly chosen a woman who was hopelessly inept at such dealings.

"...I will. I never intended to cause any misunderstanding."

She answered obediently, quietly lowering her eyes. Watching the woman avoid his gaze, Edmund turned and grasped the doorknob.

"The entire family will gather for dinner in the banquet hall this evening. When the time comes, I'll send a maid to your bedroom. Be ready and come down."

With that, he promptly exited the bedroom. Blair stared at the spot where Edmund had stood before collapsing onto the wide bed. She would soon meet William Liberte, the Duke of Liberte, Edmund's biological father and the imposing master of this land—a man she had only heard about through rumors.

***

As evening approached, Blair had her hair styled and changed into her dinner gown with the maid's help. Since this was her formal introduction to Edmund's family, she wore understated accessories and ensured her appearance was immaculate. The woman in the mirror looked much the same as usual, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of unfamiliarity.

Following the guidance of old butler Albert, who had come to her bedroom door, she headed toward the dining room. 

Edmund was waiting for her at the door, guarded by two footmen, dressed as impeccably as ever in a dark suit, his black hair slicked back with pomade, not a wrinkle in sight. 

He looked the same as always, yet he too felt unfamiliar—perhaps because this was Eldenvale. As someone once said, it was a place where time stood still.

"You look beautiful, Blair."

Edmund, taking her in, lifted the corners of his mouth.

"You'll be a credit to me when I introduce you to my father."

“…Thank you.”

He extended his arm and asked softly.

“Are you ready?”

Blair took a deep breath. Then, she nodded once and placed her hand on his forearm. Soon, the banquet hall doors slid open on both sides, and brilliant light spilled through the gap.