Deceived 93

Chapter 93

***

Blair stared at Edmund as if she couldn’t believe he’d uttered such vulgar words. She simply gazed at his face, which was twisted into a sneering grin, in utter disbelief. Anger welled up inside her, but the moment she realized she had no idea what he was thinking, a strange fear washed over her.

She had merely asked for permission before leaving the mansion out of courtesy; she never could have imagined this conversation would ensue. Did she want to get entangled with him in some sordid way? Where on earth had that vulgar remark come from? One thing was certain: cracks were slowly beginning to form in their relationship.

“You said you were my husband, not my jailer, didn’t you?”

Blair repeated the exact words Edmund had once spoken.

“Are you going back on your word? To lock your wife up in the mansion like a man suffering from paranoia?”

“Depending on who’s listening, that might sound like a compliment.”

“So this is your true self.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“…Maybe deep down, I already knew. That you were this cruel.”

“You loved me even though you knew.”

Edmund, who had been smirking, suddenly wiped the smile off his face as he spoke. Blair’s gaze wavered. A chill ran through her, and she couldn’t say a word.

“You were curious, and you wanted to see me. If you love me, you have to see the very depths of who I am.”

As always, Edmund pierced right through her heart. His words hit so painfully true that her heart raced wildly. She resented him deeply—how could he see so clearly into her heart, yet reveal not a single shred of his own?

“Are you telling me to look at the depths of your soul, which could sink even lower than this?”

The Edmund she had first met was a man who feared no rejection. Even if she shook her head, he could turn away with a look that showed he wasn’t the least bit disappointed. He seemed like the kind of person who remained unshaken in any situation and handled everything exactly as he wished. Because he was a man who exercised complete control over himself.

But what about now?

She had vaguely sensed it ever since she embraced him at Chiles. Every time Blair said she didn’t like him, Edmund reacted with an almost eerie sensitivity.

She knew that was a distorted form of love directed at her. What a terrible person. She was afraid. That’s why she can’t bring herself to confess it.

“I don’t want to.”

The voice of refusal that slipped through her lips sounded resolute, even to Blair’s own ears. Sure enough, she could clearly see the tension building in his sharp-jawed face.

“It’s just that I don’t really want to see you.”

Blair pushed her chair back sharply and stood up. Unmoved by the sharp scraping sound against the old wooden floor, Edmund simply shifted his gaze to look up at her.

“Sit down. We’re not done talking yet.”

“I’ve said all I need to say. I’m going to Borsa to meet a friend.”

Despite his cold stare, Blair took a step toward the tightly closed door. Then she suddenly stopped and turned her head. Perhaps he had been watching her intently, for their gazes met directly in midair.

“And Ed, we’re already hopelessly entangled.”

“…….”

“There’s no turning back now.”

***

That night, Blair sent a telegram to the Count of Gillingham’s townhouse. Regardless of whether Edmund gave his permission, she intended to go out to Borsa at daybreak. Since she had made her intentions clear to him, there was no need for further explanation or persuasion. If Edmund set boundaries to hold her back as she tried to walk away, Blair was determined to step outside those boundaries.

She had expected to feel a sense of relief, but she did not. A longing for him still lingered within her, and the resolve she had painted over it was merely a woman’s last shred of pride, meant to hide her wavering heart. It was nothing more than a sad resignation to deny her love.

‘…I really hate him.’

Blair hated Edmund. A man who had never once apologized, who had embraced her so desperately yet never once revealed his true feelings. A deceitful man who remained silent even though he knew about the observation ceremony.

How could she possibly trust him now? His silence, his indifferent gaze, and his heart that remained so closed up—all of it was so hateful and terrifying. Yet, even as all these negative emotions deepened, she couldn’t fathom why her longing hadn’t faded even a little.

In any case, Edmund didn’t return to their bedroom that night either. Blair tossed and turned, unable to fall into a deep sleep, and as dawn broke, she left the bedroom at the appointed time. Then she got into the car heading for Borsa.

It was an impulsive decision to go out, but no one stopped her. Edmund must have warned them in advance. Even though she knew he had taken a step back, she felt no joy at all. Even the freedom she had been granted remained under his control, and she had no idea what that might bring. She felt as if she were crouching in the calm before the storm.

The car crossed the bridge over the Ridgeway River and entered the area where the riverside park was located. The café where she was to meet the Countess was situated right in the middle of a path lined with bright yellow autumn leaves, allowing Blair to take in the full view of Borsa, which was gradually being painted in the colorful hues of fall.

The scenery, imbued with the changing seasons, struck her as strangely fresh. It was probably because she suddenly felt the passage of time.

It had been early spring when she first met Edmund. If she had known it would turn out like this, would she have hesitated a little before taking his hand back then?

That was impossible. Even after being hurt so deeply, Blair did not regret the bond she had formed with Edmund. She simply realized how foolish she was at every moment. No matter where she looked, her thoughts always returned to that one person, just as they did now.

Only after the car came to a stop did Blair finally compose herself, and she walked toward a quiet café. As she opened the door and stepped inside, the bell hanging at the end of the glass door rang softly. The Countess of Gillingham, who was sitting at a table by the window, recognized Blair and welcomed her with open arms.

“Oh, Blair!”

It had been a long time since she’d seen her. Gazing at Josephine, who still radiated vitality and grace, Blair smiled warmly. It had been so long since she’d met someone she was genuinely happy to see.

“It’s so good to see you again! I can’t tell you how happy I was when you contacted me first.”

“Really. How have you been?”

“Good. I heard the news. I sincerely congratulate you on becoming a duchess.”

Josephine winked playfully. The news that Edmund was merely acting in the role had not yet reached society. Blair decided not to mention that fact. Nor the fact that it was a conditional title—if he had no heir within a year, everything would revert to the Crown.

“Actually, Blair, there’s something I need to ask your permission for in advance.”

Josephine smiled apologetically, furrowing her brow. Blair took her hand and walked toward the table by the window, replying cheerfully.

“What is it?”

Even before she heard the answer, Blair knew what the Countess was about to say. The door on the opposite side opened, and a man who looked quite familiar strode in.

Blair recognized him immediately. The man, with long hair tied back in a single ponytail that brushed his shoulders like an artist’s, was that striking.

“Hello?”

It was Marcel. This unforgettable man from Brucken greeted her in broken common language and smiled affectionately.

“It’s good to see you again. I’ve been wanting to see you.”

“…Marcel!”

Josephine practically jumped up to restrain her younger brother.

“What did I tell you? She’s a proper lady with a husband, so don’t even say anything that could be misinterpreted!”

Glancing back at Blair, Josephine offered a sheepish smile.

“I’m sorry, Blair. My husband is preparing for a charity party, and Marcel is helping him. But when he heard I was meeting you, he insisted on coming here as soon as he finished his work. I tried my best to stop him, but…”

“I see.”

Blair could clearly sense the Countess’s distress and forced a smile of her own. Since his sister had tried to stop him, she couldn’t very well turn him away now that he’d come to the café.

“It’s fine if we just have a cup of tea together. Don’t worry about it.”

“But please keep today’s events a secret from Duke Liberte. It seems he isn’t entirely comfortable with Marcel’s presence.”

“I will.”

Despite her cheerful reply, her mind was in turmoil. With her relationship with Edmund already on the fray, she couldn’t afford to invite any unnecessary misunderstandings.

Blair took a moment to catch her breath before moving forward. She sat down at the table, pretending everything was fine, and looked at the brother and sister. The sunlight streaming in through the window illuminated Marcel’s face, which was lit up with a bright smile.

That dazzling sight made her feel uneasy for a moment. She had the illusion that someone was watching her from somewhere out of sight.