Translator: Nox

Chapter 23

Episode 23. Secret Meeting

2023.09.23.

“Madam, may I come in?”

It was Mason’s voice.

“Come in.”

Blair handed Ppippi’s milk bottle to Melly and went to the table. On the table were documents she had organized in advance.

Blair handed the documents to the approaching Mason.

“This is a budget plan I made based on the budget plans from the past five years. Please take a look.”

Mason was inwardly surprised. Blair had asked for past budget plan materials, but he hadn’t expected her to actually create a budget herself.

He thought she’d glance at the headache-inducing numbers a few times and soon set them aside.

Thinking her persistence alone worthy of high praise, Mason began examining the budget plan Blair had made.

Blair fidgeted with her fingers, unable to hide her anxiety as she awaited Mason’s evaluation.

It felt just like when she was a child, having her homework checked by her teacher.

Mason’s brows furrowed seriously as he reviewed the budget plan with his usual solemn expression.

As his review dragged on, the increasingly anxious Blair spoke first.

“I made this as practice, so if there’s anything I missed, please tell me freely.”

“No, it’s excellent. I can hardly believe this is truly your first time making one alone.”

At the unexpected response, Blair’s eyes widened as she looked at him. Mason’s voice carried undeniable admiration.

Mason wasn’t one to overstep as a servant, nor did he fabricate flattery.

Thus, this praise came straight from the heart.

“We can implement this year’s budget based on this plan.”

Blair’s heart pounded at the praise.

It had been since Esmeralda’s death that she last heard praise from anyone. Throughout her life, praise had always been reserved for her brother Ivan.

Katrina hadn’t wanted Blair to outshine Ivan. If Blair ever received something better from their father emperor, Katrina would envy and resent her as if it had been taken from Ivan.

The best and most precious things always had to go to her son Ivan. If Blair had something Ivan didn’t, Katrina would seize it to give to her son.

Thirsting for even a shred of that maternal affection, Blair had hidden her talents. Always staying one step below Ivan. She couldn’t outshine her brother or become someone greater.

She had lived that way for twenty years.

Eventually, she even lost faith in her own worth. It felt natural to be inferior to Ivan.

Thus, hearing praise now... it made her throat ache with sudden joy.

Ah, I can do something well too.

I can be acknowledged too.

That forgotten truth finally felt real.

“Of course, there are a few regrettable parts……”

Mason politely pointed out exactly what needed fixing.

Blair became the model student, attentively listening to her teacher and committing his advice to memory.

As the budget plan feedback wrapped up, Rina entered with a knock.

“Madam, just now―”

About to dive straight into the main topic, Rina belatedly noticed Mason and shut her mouth. Mason tactfully excused himself.

After Mason left, only Rina, Blair, and Melly tending to Ppippi remained in the room.

Rina glanced sideways at Melly, distracted by Ppippi, then whispered so only Blair could hear.

“The guild contacted us, Madam.”

* * *

“The mana stone mine recently discovered in the northwest is being mined smoothly. The estimated reserves are……”

Herdin gazed indifferently at the scenery passing by the carriage window. Russ’s voice reporting on business status flowed past his ears like that scenery.

Everything was going smoothly. Business, and recovering Blair’s memories.

A few days ago, Agnes had come for an interim report. Exactly one month since starting counseling.

Agnes said she was recalling happy memories first rather than dragging out painful ones from the start.

Many clients distrusted counselors, but Blair had opened up quickly, so things were progressing well, she added.

‘The late Empress appears very frequently in Madam’s happy memories. That’s probably why she’s avoided seeking those memories. The fear that someone she trusted and relied on so deeply might have truly tried to kill her.’

‘Even knowing such a precious person might have been wrongly accused?’

‘She suffered severe injuries in an accident, wakes up with no memory of what happened, and those around her say that person tried to kill you…’

‘…….’

‘It’s natural to speculate that way under the circumstances. That the person tried to kill me, and the shock caused me to lose my memories.’

‘…….’

‘Moreover, with her mother empress saying the same, she’d believe it even more. She wouldn’t want to call a living mother a liar, nor dig into the possibility that the late Empress truly tried to kill her.’

‘Selfish thinking.’

‘Your Excellency. She was only eleven years old then.’

Agnes defended Blair, saying an eleven-year-old child wouldn’t have the leeway to think beyond herself.

‘And Your Excellency appears frequently in her happy memories too.’

‘……Me?’

‘It means she trusted, relied on, and loved you that much. So sometimes, it might be good for Your Excellency to talk directly to Madam about that time.’

Herdin dismissed Agnes’s words with a scoff.

Love... What a ridiculous notion.

It was simply because he was Esmeralda’s nephew, often seen with her, that he appeared frequently.

He didn’t know what feelings the current Blair held for him, but it surely wasn’t the kind Agnes meant.

Judging from Blair’s recent behavior.

Since the day she was spotted going to the guild, Blair hadn’t gone out alone for personal reasons.

‘She’s probably waiting for contact from the guild.’

Either sneaking off to contact the guild behind his back, or spouting nonsense about seeing the future.

But seeing that innocent face, he sometimes thought her suspicious actions might be his misunderstanding. Even wondering if demonic beasts truly hadn’t appeared as she said.

No, perhaps he just wanted to believe that.

That must be why his mood was so foul.

‘Foolishly complacent thinking.’

Herdin mocked himself. It was also why, since New Year’s Festival, he’d been busy to minimize encounters with Blair.

He had no intention of falling for that naive face again and being deceived. Once was enough for such an experience.

The carriage had now left the Capital’s center, passing the back of the theater.

Herdin’s gaze, absently turned to the window, fixed on one spot in the scenery. Just then, someone alighted from a carriage. The figure’s back was familiar.

Petite build, platinum blonde peeking slightly from under a deep green robe, a glimpse of small, pale white hand.

Herdin instantly recognized the woman stepping from the hired carriage as Blair, his brows narrowing.

No escort knight was visible around her. Of course, on his orders, they’d be shadowing her discreetly from nearby.

Blair entered the theater’s back door with her ever-present maid.

“……Your Excellency. You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

Russ, reporting on business, noticed and looked at Herdin. Far from denying it, Herdin nodded toward the theater.

“Do you know what play is currently being performed at that theater?”

Russ swallowed a sigh at Herdin’s blatant disregard but, knowing his recent sensitivity, answered obediently.

“From what I know, it’s a heroic tale set in ancient times with Divine Beasts, adapted into a play.”

“…….”

“But well, plays are just for show. Ostensibly a theater, but in truth, a public spot for nobles’ clandestine meetings.”

Loveless arranged marriages were common in noble society, and both men and women commonly keeping lovers was equally prevalent.

But commonality didn’t make it honorable. Face-conscious nobles avoided openly flaunting their affairs, even if widely known.

“……Clandestine meetings?”

“Yes. You didn’t know?”

Clandestine meetings. Clandestine meetings.

Suddenly, a name once slipped from his wife’s lips surfaced in Herdin’s mind.

‘Asiel…….’

Herdin’s gaze toward the theater’s back door where Blair had entered turned chillingly cold.

* * *

The theater manager, as if already expecting Blair, greeted her at the back door. Once inside, he handed a ticket to Rina.

“Miss, please follow that usher.”

“M-me?”

Rina’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected offer. Blair saw through the intent to separate them and smiled.

“Yes, go enjoy it comfortably, Rina. I have someone to meet.”

“I-is that okay?”

“Yes. It’s more comfortable for me too.”

Rina, ticket in hand, vanished excitedly following the usher.

The theater manager escorted Blair to the top-floor lounge. A private room for VIPs only.

Entering the room he guided her to, Mikhail, who had been sipping wine by the front glass window overlooking the stage, turned around.