Deceived 57

Chapter 57

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***

Blair woke up at dawn to the sound of rain pounding against the window. Opening her bleary eyes, the room was bathed in a blue glow. Rain was falling, leaving streaks on the transparent glass as raindrops kept hitting it.

Watching this, she tossed and turned, drifting back to sleep, but the sound of heavy rain she'd heard in her half-sleep echoed again. Listening closely, she realized it wasn't the rain on the glass at all, but someone knocking on the door.

Rising, Blair slipped on her slippers and cautiously pulled the door handle. Light from the hallway, slightly brighter than the bedroom, seeped through the crack. Standing with his back to the light, casting a shadow over Blair, was Edmund.

"It's early to be waking you. I'm sorry."

"...Hmm... Don't apologize. May I ask what brings you here?"

"I came to say goodbye before heading to work."

Blair rubbed her eyes and lifted her head. He was already dressed for going out—tie, shirt, vest, and coat. She had wondered what was up, but he'd just stopped by the bedroom to say goodbye.

"Oh... I see. Be careful on your way there. Don't overdo it."

"I'll be back before evening. You take care too. Don't go anywhere dark, and don't wander around alone."

"What could possibly be dangerous for me? There's a thunderstorm coming. You be the one to watch out."

"The Duke's estate is vast and crowded; it's always dangerous. It's wise to be vigilant. Benjamin also mentioned he’ll be away from the estate on business. If you need anything, seek out Albert, the butler.”

It felt less like a morning greeting and more like bidding farewell to a husband heading off to war. Blair blinked her heavy eyelids and let out a small laugh.

“Edmund, if I must see you off every morning from now on, shall I get ready in time for your commute and wait in the foyer?”

"No need. Remember what I said about not needing a model wife. Today, it's just..."

Uncharacteristically, his voice trailed off. Edmund, gazing over Blair's shoulder at the unusually damp and gloomy Eldenvale garden, continued.

"I'd feel bad if I didn't say goodbye."

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing."

His voice was flat and decisive. Blair shrugged without much suspicion.

"I'll be fine. You worry more than you look."

"I shouldn't have shown you that rabbit-like trembling as you clung to me."

"You won't let me get a word in edgewise..."

"I'll be home before dinner. See you later."

"Be careful."

Edmund nodded once, turned, and walked away from her bedroom. With just the two of them, there were no affectionate gestures like a kiss or a hug. Even knowing this, Blair flinched. She realized she had been subconsciously expecting contact.

Had she grown accustomed to his warmth already? Seeing him walk away without hesitation, though unbelievable, made her feel a little sad. But he was the one who had come all the way to her bedroom and shown concern even amidst his busy schedule. She couldn't be sad about just this little thing, could she? Shaking her head at her own childishness, which she hadn't even known she possessed, Blair quietly closed the door.

Returning to the bed, she pulled the covers up over her head. Outside the window, the downpour continued unabated.

***

"It's been raining all day. I was thinking of suggesting a stroll in the garden if the weather had been better."

Millia, who always helped Blair with her dressing, remarked while looking out the window. Blair, who had been reading a book seated at the round table, glanced over and smiled.

"It has its own charm and is quite pleasant."

"I'm glad you feel that way."

The maid, who had seemed reserved, appeared to have opened up a bit over the past few days, perhaps realizing Blair wasn't the fussy noble she'd expected.

"How long have you been at the Duke's residence?"

"Hmm... nearly ten years now. I became a maid here when I should have been attending elementary school." 

"You came when you were very young."

Having lived here so long meant she must have seen Edmund for a long time. Blair closed the book, lost in thought for a moment, then looked at Millia.

"So, what kind of person was my husband when he was young?"

Millia hesitated slightly before answering.

"Truthfully, I never exchanged a single word with His Lordship..."

The maid's cautious expression didn't last long.

"I never had the chance to learn to read. Even though there was such a large library within the mansion, I thought it belonged to a world completely separate from mine. Only senior staff like the steward were allowed in the Duke's library."

A warm smile flickered in Millia's eyes as she glanced at Blair.

"But the Master often brought me books. Thanks to that, I was able to learn a little reading."

"...I see. I'm glad you learned to read because of that."

It wasn't hard to imagine Edmund handing books to the young maid. She, too, had received his thoughtful care.

Perhaps he wasn't an indifferent or calculating man after all. Blair thought it might be quite the opposite. Enduring Isabelle's undoubtedly unkind glances while showing kindness to the weak, he must actually possess a very warm heart. The touch that had soothed her until she fell asleep last night, stroking her gently, had been nothing short of tender.

"...Ah! Since it's raining, would you like to see the library?"

Millia brightened, suggesting it with a look of delight at her good idea. A place where Edmund, who loved reading, must have spent a great deal of time. Blair didn't hesitate long before lifting the corners of her mouth.

***

To reach the mansion's library, one had to descend to the first floor, pass through the outdoor colonnade, and cross over to the annex. Unlike the main building, the annex bore little trace of daily life, perhaps because it wasn't where the owners resided. Instead, it was a space that felt even more quiet and practical.

The library was located not far from the first-floor entrance. Since Millia, not being a senior staff member, couldn't accompany her, Blair entered the library alone.

A librarian organizing books recognized her, approached startled, and asked if she needed help. Blair simply replied she wished to look around quietly, dismissing the librarian. She then surveyed the library, which stretched an astonishing five floors, with curious eyes.

‘Where would Edmund have spent the most time?’

Standing in the center of the wide-open hall, gazing up at the stacked bookshelves, Blair soon moved toward the stairs. She quickly found a shelf in a secluded corner where art books were gathered.

She walked between the shelves, running her hand along the spines. Countless books, imbued with the passage of time, filled the space, leaving her unsure where to look. 

Had Edmund read every single art book here? Considering his obsession, which transcended the bounds of normalcy, it was entirely possible…

Blair let out a small laugh, but stopped abruptly as soon as she rounded the corner. She had spotted someone leaning against the bookshelf.

He, too, noticed Blair's presence and looked up. Their eyes met, and instinctively, Blair’s guard shot up. It was Rufus Liberte.

“…Good day, Master Liberte.”

Blair offered a calm greeting while scrutinizing Rufus. What the hell was he doing hiding in this corner? It was incredibly suspicious.

“What the… I didn’t expect to run into my new bride here.”

Rufus muttered under his breath, frowned, then placed the book he held onto a nearby table. His eyes, now fixed on Blair, glinted with an unpleasant gleam.

"Meeting like this, what a strange coincidence, isn't it? What are you doing here alone?"

"I came to look at some art books my husband finds interesting."

Blair, displeased at being linked to him, deliberately brought Edmund into the conversation and responded calmly. Rufus raised his eyebrows, then twisted one corner of his mouth into a smile.

"That’s a strange coincidence too. I was just looking at some art pieces myself a little while ago."

“…I see. Then I shan’t commit the rudeness of interrupting your reading. I’ll take my leave…”

“What rudeness from a future Duchess! The book I was looking at might appeal to a bride-to-be. Care to take a look?”

“No, I…”

Before she could finish, Rufus picked up the book. He strode right up to her, opened it to a random page, and thrust it in front of Blair's eyes. She flinched, her eyes widening.

Filling the entire page was a nude portrait of a woman. The exaggerated expression and curves of the completely unclothed female form made it seem less like an artistic piece and more like an image designed to arouse desire.