Deceived 94

Chapter 94

***

This man from Brucken, who had no idea how stifled Blair felt, kept crinkling the corners of his eyes. Blair forced a smile as she met Marcel’s gaze, then quickly looked away. 

She needed the tea and pastries she’d ordered to arrive so she could take her mind off things, but in this quiet café on a weekday morning, she had no idea what they were doing—even the tea wasn’t coming quickly.

“It’s truly beautiful.”

As if he’d been waiting for the moment, Marcel blurted out a compliment. Just as Blair froze in surprise, Josephine—who had seemed so demure—snapped at him sharply.

“Marcel, you!”

“…I was talking about the scenery.”

“Don’t try to be clever like you did when you were a child. If you’re rude to Madame Liberte one more time, I’ll have you thrown out of here.”

“If I was rude, I’ll apologize.”

Despite the rather sharp scolding, Marcel didn’t lose his nerve and played dumb.

“But the scenery in Genoa is beautiful… isn’t that true?”

Then, he smiled innocently again and looked at Blair.

“I’m studying the common language.”

“That’s wonderful news. I’ll be rooting for you, Marcel.”

“It’s difficult, but I’m studying hard. The common language is useful in Bruken, and also… I’ve met someone I want to talk to.”

“Marcel!”

Marcel, who had begun to brush off his sister’s scolding, rubbed the back of his neck with an “Ah” and whispered something to Josephine in extremely rapid Brucken. Josephine listened intently with a serious expression, then burst out laughing.

“Tell her that for me, sister.”

“…Oh, really.”

The Countess shrugged and continued.

“Marcel is learning the common language while he’s staying in Genoa. He’s taking lessons from a private tutor at this late stage in life, and he specifically chose a woman. He says that if you learn a language from a man, you become coarse, but if you learn from a woman, you can speak with intelligence and gentleness. Marcel says he wants to choose the latter without a doubt.”

Blair couldn’t help but chuckle. Having never studied a foreign language herself, she didn’t know if that was true or not, but that simple logic somehow made her laugh. The belief that learning a language from a woman would soften one’s speech was also rather endearing.

Just then, the black tea, sandwiches, fluffy sweet chestnut castella, and egg pudding they had ordered arrived, neatly arranged on an elegant three-tiered stand. Fragrant steam rose, and the air at the table turned sweet. Her hunger was pleasantly stimulated for once.

“How have you been lately?”

Josephine asked affectionately. Meanwhile, Marcel, holding the teapot, busily poured fragrant black tea into the ladies’ cups.

“I’m doing well. Sitting here facing each other and drinking tea makes me feel much more at ease.”

“I agree. I thought Blair would be busy. Has anything changed since you became a duchess?”

“Well… it doesn’t quite feel real yet.”

“I can imagine. I suppose your husband is just as busy as ever. I heard he used to see my husband quite often regarding the charity parties and new exhibitions my husband was organizing, but since he became a duke, it’s become nearly impossible to coordinate our schedules.”

“…I see.”

“Anyway, I hear everything is going smoothly thanks to that. I suppose we’ll all be able to meet at this charity party as well.”

Even after his father’s funeral, Edmund had been avoiding social engagements for a while, using the excuse of continuing his period of mourning to devote himself entirely to his business. If he were to attend an event now, it would serve as a grand announcement of his return to society as a duke.

‘So, I’ll have to play the part of a happily married couple once again.’

When she was alone with Edmund, they could scratch at each other’s throats, but in front of others, she had to thoroughly hide her true feelings and calculate even the slightest glance.

For his sake. For his honor, which had risen even higher now that he was a duke.

Moreover, since it was an event organized with Marcel’s help, that naive Brucken man would surely be there, and she had no idea how that might upset Edmund. He wouldn’t openly explode with displeasure either, so she’d have to wear a mask just the same.

How tense the atmosphere would be there. The tension was already weighing heavily on her chest. They were like people who knew each other’s true feelings yet continued to play along, pretending not to know.

Just as she was about to give up, Blair suddenly locked eyes with Marcel. Their gazes collided in midair. She didn’t know how long he’d been watching her, but he was scrutinizing her face intently.

Blair smiled naturally, but Marcel didn’t return it. There was a meaning in his gaze entirely different from the genuine affection or curiosity he usually showed, and for some reason, the moment made her feel uneasy.

Avoiding his eyes, Blair turned her head toward the window.

It was a café with a great view, and the scenery outside was incredibly beautiful. The river, bathed in warm sunlight, sparkled dazzlingly, and the trees lining the riverbank, tinged red with autumn hues, stretched out along the shore.

The world, flowing with the seasons, looked infinitely peaceful. And she felt as though she alone was someone who could not touch that serene flow at all.

“I really enjoyed today.”

“Me too. It was such short notice, but thank you for coming out to see me, Josephine.”

“Don’t mention it. If Blair asks, I’m always happy to oblige.”

When the Countess of Gillingham opened her arms, Blair embraced her with a warm smile. As soon as she stepped away from the Countess, she looked up at Marcel, who was standing beside her. She felt strangely uneasy. She had always thought of him as nothing more than a boy because of his clumsy language, but for some reason, the moment their eyes met, she felt as though he had seen right through the soot-stained depths of her own ugly heart.

“Marcel, it was lovely to meet you.”

“I should be the one saying that. I’ll do better with the common language next time.”

“I was actually surprised at how much you’ve improved since last time.”

 “Someday, we’ll be able to have a long conversation.”

“Of course.”

Marcel took Blair’s hand, bowed slightly, and kissed the top of her gloved hand. Biting her lip, Blair accepted the gesture in silence.

“…I’m going now.”

“Take care.”

“See you next time, Blair! ”

After saying goodbye to them, Blair left the riverside café first. She got into the car where the duke’s chauffeur was waiting and looked out the window. After a moment, she realized the car hadn’t moved.

Looking at the driver’s seat with a puzzled expression, the chauffeur said in a businesslike tone.

“His Excellency is currently in Borsa as well.”

“…My husband?”

“It would be best if you stopped by Regent Bank and returned home together.”

Before she could even reply, the car shifted smoothly into gear and began moving forward without hesitation. Dazed, Blair blinked, then sank deep into the seat and sighed. She didn’t even need to ask whose orders they were following.

Regent Bank was located in the financial heart of Borsa, a place Edmund frequently visited on business. She, too, had been there before.

Around the time she had begun to develop strong feelings for Edmund, he had summoned her there and broached the subject of a sham marriage. He had told her that since he wanted to become a duke, she must be his wife for one year, and in return, he would grant her the freedom she desired.

The moment she recalled the contract, a sharp pang of pain gripped her heart. In her current situation, it was a place that could not possibly evoke any pleasant thoughts.

The luxury sedan, moving at a brisk pace, reached its destination before long. As Blair remained seated in the car, silently staring at the driver, Edmund’s seasoned aide paid her no mind and instructed her on what she needed to do.

“His Excellency is inside the bank.”

“…Should I go in?”

“Yes, Duchess.”

At the formal title, Blair let out a silent, wry laugh, then got out of the car and walked toward Regent Bank. As she entered the lobby, which was unusually quiet since business hours were winding down, an employee approached and led the way, offering to show her inside.

Nothing had changed since a few months ago. Trying not to read too much into it, she followed the employee through the VIP corridor. Then she stepped into the conference room.

Just as before, Edmund was seated at the head of the massive mahogany table. If anything had changed, it was that there were no papers on the table other than an ashtray, and his posture in the chair was slumped at an angle that looked downright sinister; his half-closed eyes were fixed on nothing in particular as he puffed away on his cigarette.

As if he had been waiting only for Blair. According to the Countess, this was the man who was supposedly so busy.

Even when their eyes met, Edmund did not smile. Now she noticed that several cigarette butts were rolling around inside the crystal ashtray.

“Edmund.”

Blair called his name while standing.

“I heard you were still in Borsa, so the butler guided me here.”

“It was my order.”

“…….”

“Since you’re here after going out on your own, I thought it would be best if we returned to Eldenvale together.”

Blair said nothing. Edmund, who had exhaled his last puff of smoke and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, glanced up at her.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”