Deceived, yet still drawn to you · 01. January 2026

Deceived 60

Chapter 60

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The late spring sun ripened the banks of the Borsa River, where rapeseed flowers bloomed profusely. Golden waves shimmered in the sunlight, rippling slowly, while kingfishers splashed on the water's surface before shooting up like blue arrows.

Blair sipped her tea while gazing at the beautiful riverside park. Enjoying a leisurely cup of tea on the terrace of a quiet weekday afternoon café felt like a dream. It felt even more so now that she could enjoy it as a matter of course whenever she wished.

"Your eyes lit up when we talked about Brucken at the party that day."

She turned her head at the voice beside her. The woman sharing tea with her was the Countess of Gillingham, who had grown much closer since returning from the hunt.

"As you know, it's my hometown. I thought it would be nice to have a little conversation, even briefly, so I arranged this meeting. To have tea together, too."

"I see. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, my lady."

"Brucken always has weather as clear as today. It's an absolutely perfect place to travel with your husband. I understand you two haven't even been on your honeymoon yet."

Blair smiled silently, though her heart beat a little faster inside. Truthfully, what she had imagined that day while thinking of Brucken was her life one year from now. A life without Edmund, a life she would have to live entirely alone after their contract ended.

"Your hometown must be incredibly beautiful. Being an artist's land, there must be many opportunities to collect or appreciate art."

"Indeed. There are many renowned galleries, and you can even purchase works directly from young painters in their humble ateliers. Even Auguste built his reputation by selling paintings from such small studios at first. An art dealer with discerning taste could become a millionaire overnight."

"I see."

Blair's eyes sparkled as she listened. Sensing the sincerity in her listener's reaction, the introverted Countess spoke a little more.

" That's why Bruges' art market is the most vibrant across the entire continent. Every spring and fall, major painting auctions are held, drawing nobles and art dealers from foreign lands. Of course, many also collect paintings out of pure passion rather than investment. It's a place where you can acquire splendid works at reasonable prices."

Blair nodded, turning her gaze to the scenery beyond the railing. She gazed longingly at the Ridgeway River, dyed the color of rapeseed flowers, as it flowed by. Suddenly, she imagined herself drifting like those waves, moving ever further away.

Though the future was hazy, it was a life she would forge freely on her own, so she should have felt some anticipation and excitement. Yet, for now, a strange emptiness and an inexplicable heaviness came first. Why was that? Perhaps because the presence that must be erased first grew clearer each day.

Blair, who had been sketching a picture of the future, shook her head to dispel the thought. Yet the shadow of the man etched deep in her heart remained stubbornly resistant to erasure.

Emerging from the riverside cafe, they began walking along the riverbank. The sun was warm and the air crisp—perfect weather for a stroll. Blair, wearing a lace parasol, and Countess Gillingham walked along, continuing their unfinished conversation, when they spotted a gaunt woman in the distance carrying a paper bag filled with groceries.

Blair narrowed her eyes, the woman's red hair seeming somehow familiar. Just then, the approaching woman tripped over a rock and fell.

"Oh my!"

The fall was so hard that gentlemen and ladies strolling nearby turned in surprise. From the crumpled paper bag, rye bread and several apples tumbled out in a heap. Blair picked up an apple that had rolled to her feet and approached the red-haired woman.

"Here..."

But she couldn't finish his sentence. The sprawled woman was none other than Nicoletta Underhill, Isaac Doman's mistress.

Her once luscious red hair was now dry and tangled, her makeup-free face pale and gaunt, her skin stretched taut like a skeleton's. Her body, exposed above the neckline of her unclean dress, was emaciated to the point where her breastbone protruded.

Nicoletta, who had reached out her thin arm to take the apple, also looked quite startled. Recognizing Blair, her bloodshot eyes widened, then darted over her own starkly different attire before she bit her lip tightly. Without taking the apple Blair offered, Nicoletta scrambled to her feet. She hastily gathered the remaining dust-covered rye bread and hurried away from her.

Watching Nicoletta's retreating figure, which now even limped slightly, Blair was overcome by an indescribable emotion. She had been the mistress of a fiancé she never loved, and they hadn't been particularly close. Their relationship could be described as distant, yet seeing a woman once so radiant reduced to such wretched ruin struck her like a blow to the head.

What on earth had happened to her? Even if not from a truly grand house, wasn't Nicoletta the daughter of a viscount?

"Do you know her?"

The Countess of Gillingham approached cautiously and asked. She seemed unaware of who Nicoletta was. Blair, who had been watching Nicoletta limp away, sighed and shook her head after a moment.

"...No. I don't know her."

***

After bidding farewell to the Countess of Gillingham and promising to meet again, Blair boarded the carriage bound for Eldenvale. Upon arriving at the Duke's residence about an hour later, less than welcome news awaited her.

"A telegram has arrived from Master Liberte, my lady."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. He requested that I inform you he will be returning home late today."

Blair took the small telegram paper handed to her by the butler, Albert. Edmund's message stated that unexpected business had arisen today and he would not return until dawn.

He must be very busy. Still, it was kind of him to send word even in the midst of his busyness. She folded the paper and looked up at the butler.

"I see. He must be extremely busy these days."

"Still, with his wife here, I imagine he'll return to Eldenvale, even if late."

A kind smile spread across the elderly butler's face, which had seemed so stern.

"On days when his duties are particularly heavy, he usually stays at the townhouse in Chiles."

Hearing this, Blair had a sudden, absurd thought. If she had known this, she should have contacted him after parting with the Countess of Gillingham earlier. Then she might have had an excuse to spend the night with Edmund at Chiles.

"...Thank you for the news, Albert."

"And, um... the Duchess has invited you to dinner."

Blair, who had been walking toward the staircase, paused and turned to look at the butler. It seemed Isabelle, having heard that Edmund wouldn't be returning until late, had waited and now proposed they dine together.

An invitation extended personally by a senior member of the family was not something she could refuse at will. Before long, Blair nodded.

"I'll get ready and come down to the dining room. Thank you."

***

When Blair arrived at the dining room, the Duke of Liberte, whose illness had recently worsened, was nowhere to be seen. Only Isabelle, Rufus, and the two unwelcome guests sat before the large table.

"Come in, come in."

The Duchess greeted Blair with a cheerful smile. It was an unnervingly bright smile, much like the one she'd worn when welcoming Edmund and Blair back from the hunt.

"I hear you visited Borsa today. How was it? Who did you meet?"

"Yes, Madam. I had tea with a Countess, whom I made acquaintance with at a recent ball."

"I see. You must be hungry. Let's eat first."

Blair sat down at the uncomfortable spot facing Isabelle and Rufus and picked up his cutlery. Rufus said nothing; only Isabelle continued the conversation.