Deceived 55

Chapter 55

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Blair received a brief examination from the doctor who had been waiting at the villa. Fortunately, it was concluded that she had no external injuries, but Edmund couldn't quite relax.

He pressed his friend, the villa's owner, to bring maids to help Blair bathe. Thanks to this, she was able to remove her mud-covered dress and soak in the bath.

With the maid's help, Blair washed herself and changed into clean clothes before returning to the bedroom. Edmund was waiting for her, seated in a chair. Once they were alone, he spoke.

"If you feel uneasy staying here, we can leave immediately."

"I'm truly fine."

Blair paused briefly before continuing her explanation.

"We were planning to return tomorrow morning anyway, so it seems reasonable to stay here one night and depart as originally planned in the morning."

Edmund didn't respond immediately, but he seemed to agree with her reasoning.

"What will happen to Isaac Doman?"

"We plan to hand him over to the police."

"He won't receive the punishment he deserves... will he?"

"Unfortunately, threatening a lady with a gun isn't a felony, so he'll likely be released on bail."

Of course. She hadn't expected otherwise. Sitting at the edge of the bed, Blair quietly lowered her gaze.

It was already afternoon, with the setting sun streaming in. The thumping music drifted in through the open window, indicating the ball was still in progress today. It felt unreal, like something happening in another world. With guests gathered from across the kingdom, the banquet inevitably had to continue, but a banquet? After having a gun barrel pressed against her forehead?

"Blair, why don't you eat something?"

"Hmm... I don't have an appetite."

"You need to eat to regain your strength. I'll have it brought to your room. Wait a moment."

Edmund left the bedroom, called someone, gave some orders, and returned shortly after. Surprisingly, a colorful meal was soon prepared inside the bedroom.

The chef’s skill was remarkable; every dish was superb. Though Blair had no appetite whatsoever, she forced herself to take one bite after another, continuing the meal. Distracted by Edmund sitting across from her, she spoke while holding a buttered roll.

“You don’t need to stay by my side. Don’t worry about me—you should go down to the ballroom…”

"The ball's in full swing. Would it be alright if I flirted with another woman?"

He caught her off guard, asking softly. Blair froze, bread still poised in her mouth. Edmund reached out and brushed a crumb from her lips.

"Why say things you don't mean?"

"......"

"Besides, everyone who knows about your misfortune will be there. How would it look if I were mingling with the ladies of high society?"

"...I suppose so."

"A husband should be by his wife's side."

His tone was utterly matter-of-fact. Blair resumed her meal in silence. She avoided meeting the gaze of the man who propped his chin on his long fingers and stared at her.

A moment later, Blair, feeling sufficiently full, pushed away her tray. Edmund rose from his seat and walked to the window, pulling out a cigarette. A spark flared, and a wisp of white smoke slowly drifted out.

Blair remained seated at the table, watching Edmund smoke. She watched his Adam's apple bob as he drew in the smoke, watched the hazy breath rise slowly…

Then it suddenly dawned on her that unless she left this bedroom, there was nothing else to do. She had no desire whatsoever to get dressed and go down to the ballroom now. She would be trapped in this bedroom with him until morning, without fail.

"Go to bed early. You must be tired."

Sitting at the table, the man who had instantly read Blair's mind spoke. It was a bit early for bed, but there was nothing else to do, so Blair nodded, pushed back her chair, and stood up. She pulled the calf-length nightgown from her bag and went behind the screen to change. 

As she went to the bed and pulled back the covers, she felt eyes moving toward her. Blair curled up, pressing her ear against the soft quilt. She was positioned with her back to where Edmund would lie. Then she drifted off.

When she woke from a light sleep, everything around her was pitch black. How much time had passed? It was definitely the middle of the night. In the pitch-black darkness, Blair blinked and turned her head.

The spot beside the bed was empty. Not even a ripple remained. Doubting her senses, she reached out and felt the bedding, but Edmund wasn't there. She was completely alone.

A strange, sudden fear gripped her, and she sat up. The ball must have ended; no noise came from beyond the window. Only the chirping of insects filled the air.

She instinctively followed the sound with her eyes and saw the shadow of a tree cast across the window. Suddenly, the image of Isaac Doman lurking in the darkness, gun barrel aimed, flashed through her mind. Sitting on the bedside, Blair shuddered and whispered, stifling her voice.

"Edmund."

There was no reply. She raised her voice slightly.

"Are you there?"

Where had he gone in the dead of night? Fear swelled within her, and she practically shouted his name.

"Edmund!"

"...Blair?"

That familiar, low voice came from a few paces away. She frantically scanned the surrounding darkness and spotted his sturdy form. Disbelief made her gasp. Blair hurriedly slipped her feet into her slippers and climbed down from the bed.

"Why are you there again?"

Edmund was reclining in the armchair. His expression suggested he found her more absurd than she found him.

"Why’s the panic...?"

His voice cut off abruptly, as if severed by scissors. Seeing her gasping for breath, he fell silent. A pointless pang of hurt welled up, making Blair's words quicken.

"I called you three times. And we agreed to sleep together in the bed. You agreed it was the sensible choice."

"I know, calm down, Blair."

Edmund stepped back coolly, then gently cupped Blair's face. Even so, she couldn't calm herself immediately.

"Why on earth were you curled up sleeping here again?"

"Last night you allowed it, but today you didn't. I couldn't just lie down beside a woman asleep against her will."

"It's fine. Come here."

"I'll come to bed."

Saying this, Edmund immediately rose and pulled her arm. She obediently followed him toward the bed. Edmund laid Blair down first, covered her with the blanket, and then lay down beside her. It was different from yesterday when they had lain with their backs turned to each other. Edmund faced forward, and Blair lay straight too, but her gaze rested on him, seeming uneasy.

"Sing me a lullaby?"

Edmund tilted his head to look down at her and let out a hollow laugh.

"Did you have a nightmare? Why are you acting so childish today?"

"I'm not acting childish."

"Your eyes are saying it. Don't leave me alone because I'm scared."

"...Then... can you stay by my side?"

He, who had been responding playfully, fell silent. Just as she swallowed dryly, unsure what answer would come, Edmund sighed and gently stroked the back of Blair's neck with a soft touch. Then he slowly reached out and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

After stiffening for a moment, Blair pressed her cheek against his broad chest and exhaled a long breath. Finally, her anxiety faded and the tension in her whole body melted away. Simultaneously, a different kind of tremor rose within her, making her heart pound. Was this beat reaching him too?

"I never got to thank you."

"It's fine. I could tell without you saying."

"Still, noticing it yourself and having someone tell you directly are different. Thank you."

Every time Edmund spoke, a low resonance traveled through her ear. She liked it and wished he'd keep talking, but silence followed instead of a reply. Blair blinked slowly, then lifted her head. The man's face, with its unusually sharp features, came into view. Noticing her direct gaze, Edmund spoke quietly.

"It's late. Why don't you get some sleep?"

"I don't want this moment to pass."

"There's nothing to regret. You need rest, so sleep comes first now."

But the confession lingered on her tongue—that this time alone together felt rare, and letting it slip away now felt like a waste.

"We'll have plenty of time together once we return to Eldenvale."

And as if reading that regret perfectly, a voice, tenderer than usual, drifted from beside her head.

"Sleep now, Blair."

Blair closed her eyes without further resistance. Only then did drowsiness come rushing over her. Even after she fell asleep, the hand caressing her slender shoulders lingered for a long time.