Translator: Nox

Chapter 24

Episode 24. At the Theater

2023.09.24.

Unlike when they had met at the guild, he was dressed in what appeared at a glance to be quite expensive formal attire.

Moreover, he wasn’t wearing the round glasses she had seen at the guild.

Whether the glasses had softened his impression, his appearance without them seemed sharper than the gentle first impression he had given.

“I hope your journey here wasn’t too arduous.”

“Thanks to you, it was fine.”

Convincing the knights by saying she wanted to come and go quietly without drawing attention had taken some effort.

After arriving at the theater, entering through the back door to avoid notice and being guided by the manager had made things easy.

She did plan to cause a scandal someday, but it was too early now. Thus, she had no choice but to endure some inconvenience.

Mikhail extended his hand to Blair. Having lived as an imperial princess, Blair naturally accepted his escort and sat down.

Mikhail offered her a glass of wine with a posture very accustomed to hosting.

“Thank you.”

Blair accepted the glass he handed her and asked,

“So, does that mean the estate purchase in the kingdom is complete now?”

Mikhail, who had been about to introduce the wine, burst into a chuckle at Blair jumping straight to the point.

“My, you’re not even giving me a moment to breathe. I’m a bit hurt.”

Blair blinked as if she couldn’t comprehend. Wasn’t the whole purpose of meeting him the commission? What else was there to talk about between them?

Mikhail, still smiling, pulled a small coin from his inner pocket and offered it.

“To get straight to the point, the estate purchase was successfully completed. Take this to Agenza and go to the place engraved on the coin, and they’ll give you the estate sale documents.”

Blair picked up the coin placed before her and examined it.

On the front of the coin, something was written in Clanian. Blair, who had learned foreign languages as a princess, easily read “Clania’s Last Drink.” It seemed like a metaphorical expression.

Mikhail followed by handing over the Wooden Plaque and adding an explanation.

“And this is the ID you requested.”

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll send the fee through my maid to the guild tomorrow.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

Mikhail replied with a grin. Seeing his smile, it almost brought back the gentle impression from when he wore glasses.

As Blair was about to ask him about the glasses, a black curtain fell over the theater stage.

“It seems the play is about to start soon.”

After a short wait, the curtain rose, and actors appeared on stage.

Soon, a narrator standing on one side of the stage began reading the narration, and the play started.

<Long ago, there were sacred animals protecting this world. People called them Divine Beasts.

Coming from another world, they possessed power far superior to humans or demons. Yet they did not covet even greater power or dominate the weak; they worked for the balance and peace of this world.>

The play’s story was about the Divine Beasts, something Blair had encountered many times through plays and books since childhood. Anyone born and raised on the western continent would have heard it.

And after marriage, as the lady of the house, she had studied the history of the Delmark Duke family and encountered it once more.

Because the protagonist Helios of this play was the Divine Beast who had lent power to the first Delmark Duke.

Seeing that story again like this brought fresh emotions.

Noticing Blair focusing on the play, Mikhail added an explanation.

“It’s the story of the last Divine Beast Helios and his lover, the human knight Arwen. Quite an interesting play.”

The early part of the play differed from other Divine Beasts, showing Helios, who was hostile toward humans, gradually opening his heart and growing close to Arwen.

The two young ones built friendship through Arwen’s affinity and set off on an adventure. Accordingly, grand, swelling music began to echo.

At that moment, faint noises mixed into the music. It sounded like a woman’s cries.

Blair turned puzzled toward the source of the sound. It was coming from the next room.

Blair, blinking in surprise while staring at the wall, soon realized what the sound was.

‘This sound, don’t tell me…….’

From behind Blair came Mikhail’s voice.

“This is what this theater is like.”

As if accustomed to such situations, he calmly sipped his wine and added,

“A place where secret lovers meet and share love, fitting perfectly for the content of your commission. That’s why the play has many battle scenes.”

So the stage would be noisy, masking all sorts of sounds from the lounges.

Blair’s face flushed red upon hearing Mikhail’s explanation. She turned her head away, as if even meeting his eyes was embarrassing, but her flustered expression seemed to convey her voice.

How in the world could they do such indecent things…….

For someone shocked by something like this to plan scandals with multiple people as divorce grounds. That gap somehow felt endearing.

But as if teasing her further, the sounds from the next room grew even more intense.

Blair couldn’t focus on the play at all, her eyes darting about.

Mikhail chuckled at her, then brought up another topic.

“After the divorce, do you have other plans?”

“I’m thinking of trying business first. Still pondering what kind.”

Mikhail, who had tossed out the topic merely to divert Blair’s attention from next door, was inwardly surprised by her answer.

It was intriguing that she, who had lived without want her whole life, would jump into business herself.

“Have you prepared the capital?”

“Planning to soon. I’ll need your help for that capital.”

The jewels and valuables Blair had owned as a princess had mostly been depleted when commissioning Mikhail.

Thus, Blair had devised another plan to raise business capital. Using what she had—her memories of the future.

However, she had no intention of stealing someone else’s business ideas. Though she had miraculously returned to the past by chance, she felt it shouldn’t be used solely for personal gain.

Instead, what she aimed for was…….

‘If my memory is correct, soon my brother’s chamberlain will buy a few paintings at an auction house.’

At a family dinner, Ivan had cursed his chamberlain for buying cheap paintings.

However, the painter of those paintings would catch the eye of the Piache Marquisate two years later, a family famous for sponsoring artists for generations, make a name, and the prices of his works would soar accordingly.

Only then did Ivan dig out the paintings carelessly stored in the warehouse and boast about his artistic eye.

Blair planned to take a little of what would become Ivan’s share.

After living her whole life having things taken by him, couldn’t she claim this much as her due?

Rationalizing it so as she pleased.

‘It’ll take two years for the paintings’ value to rise, but I planned to rest until giving birth to Asiel anyway.’

After the business topic, Mikhail skillfully led the conversation, steering Blair away from focusing on the sounds next door.

Having traveled many countries as a guild master, he shared stories she couldn’t help but be captivated by, quietly watching her eyes sparkle more than usual.

Once the next room quieted down, Mikhail naturally wrapped up the conversation. Thanks to him, Blair could finish watching the play she had seen in childhood.

Soon, the play ended.

“Allow me to escort you.”

Mikhail extended his hand to Blair. Blair took it and stood.

But after a few steps, Mikhail stopped at the door.

“Regrettably, my escort ends here. It’s not time yet.”

Blair, watching his demeanor quietly, suddenly asked,

“Are you a noble?”

Even in the future Blair knew, Mikhail’s identity remained unrevealed. She had naturally assumed he was a commoner, but meeting him in person, he was very adept at noble etiquette.

At Blair’s sudden question, Mikhail smiled.

“If I seem so, then I’m fortunate.”

He responded smoothly, naturally evading the answer. Realizing it, Blair didn’t pry further.

Mikhail lightly kissed the back of Blair’s hand and released it.

“Then, I’ll see you again soon, Madam.”

* * *

“Welcome back, Madam.”

Upon arriving at the duke’s residence, Mason and the lined-up servants greeted her.

Blair entered the mansion and asked him,

“And the Duke?”

“His afternoon schedule ended early, so he returned a short while ago.”

At the news that Herdin was in the mansion, Blair’s heart sank.

Nothing had happened with Mikhail at the theater, and with Herdin, they were still strictly a contractual show marriage, but her mind felt uneasy. Like someone who had truly cheated and returned home.

In truth, all of this was just part of the plan to give him the safe divorce he wanted.

As she had lately, Blair climbed the stairs hoping not to run into Herdin.

But the gods were not on her side.

Next to her door stood Herdin, waiting for her.

Her husband, who hadn’t shown his face in a fortnight, with chilling eyes.