Blair headed to the conservatory greenhouse where Agnes was waiting.
Agnes, who had been reading, spotted Blair entering the greenhouse and rose to greet her.
"You look healthy today, Madam."
Although Agnes's words seemed to carry no particular meaning, Blair felt a pang of guilt for no reason.
A month ago, when she was held captive by Herdin and found it difficult to leave the bedroom, Blair had not seen Agnes for ten days. This was
because she was either trapped in the bedroom by Herdin or, even on days when she was free, she would fall asleep, unable to overcome her fatigue.
When she finally met Agnes after ten days, Agnes had expressed concern, noting that she seemed to have lost some weight. Mason likely hadn't told the truth about the masters' situation to others, but Blair still felt uneasy.
That is why she couldn't help but look healthy today. The one who had been tormenting her sleep all night was gone.
Blair asked back, feigning nonchalance.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Is it because the weather has warmed up? Anyway, it is a relief to see that your health seems to be improving."
After exchanging greetings, the two began a conversation over light, everyday topics.
Agnes mostly spoke of minor incidents involving her family, while Blair spoke about Pippi's growth and her feelings regarding it.
"Shall we talk about memories related to fire today? Memories from before the accident are fine, and memories from after are fine too. It would be even better if it were a memory you could talk about with joy."
Just as Agnes was about to begin the counseling session as usual, Blair interrupted her.
"Um, Madam."
"Yes."
"When would we be able to attempt hypnosis?"
At the sudden outburst, Agnes's gaze deepened as she looked at Blair.
"Something must have happened to you?"
Instead of answering, Blair's eyes wavered.
The Blair Agnes had observed was someone who could not lie.
"May I ask what happened? Of course, only if telling me puts your mind at ease."
As Blair hesitated, Agnes added, as if reading her mind,
"I will not tell His Excellency what is about to be told. Let us keep it our secret."
It was a matter already agreed upon with Blair that Agnes would report the contents of the consultation to Herdin. After all, this consultation was part of the process of approaching the truth of the incident from ten years ago.
After a moment of hesitation, Blair spoke.
"You said you have served the Duke of Delmark for a long time, didn't you?"
"Yes. Both my husband and I have been vassals of Delmark since birth."
Blair, who had remained silent for a long time even after hearing her answer, asked cautiously,
"What kind of person is the Duke that you know?"
She had returned to the past to become his wife again. They had spent many nights together and had come to know each other's most intimate secrets.
Yet, she still did not know him.
What on earth was he thinking? Was he really a bad person, bad enough to try to kill her?
She had heard that Agnes was the one who had counseled Herdin ten years ago, when he lost both his parents in an unfortunate accident.
Someone like her might know Herdin better. At least better than herself, his wife in name only.
"I… still don't know him well."
Blair lowered her gaze as she looked at her own eyes reflected in the teacup.
At this moment, she wished no one knew the emotion revealed in her eyes—not even herself.
***
"Your Excellency, I'm home—"
Ruth frowned just as she entered the office. It was because of the cigar smoke that wafted out the moment she opened the door.
The entire office was filled with smoke.
'I thought he might cut back after the marriage.'
Herdin was a heavy smoker. He seemed to be restraining himself for a while after the wedding, but he couldn't last even a few months and returned to his old ways. It seemed that was about fifteen days ago.
'It didn't seem like he was sleeping with the Madam around that time… … Is it just a coincidence that the timing overlapped?' It couldn't be a
coincidence, considering His Excellency's nerves seemed to have become frayed around that time as well.
After a moment of thought, Ruth dismissed the question that had arisen. She should not try to know the circumstances of her lord and his wife, nor did she need to.
Herdin, having set down his cigar, asked,
"How did it go?"
"It was resolved just as you wished. The price was negotiated well, and the deal has commenced."
"Good job. You may go now."
Ruth, gazing at the cigar smoke filling the office, was about to add a word of nagging but closed her mouth.
Herdin was a master who was quite generous to his subordinates, but that did not mean he was not intimidating.
For whatever reason, Herdin was in a bad mood right now, so it was best not to do anything that would upset him.
"Then I will see you tomorrow."
Ruth bowed her head after gathering her documents. Herdin nodded in response.
After Ruth left the office, only a silence deep enough to be heard—the ticking of the clock's second hand—remained in the room.
Herdin, who had been smoking a cigar, looked down at his desk. Over the neatly organized surface, the image of Blair came to mind.
The woman who had been sprawled all over his desk.
The mere thought of it stirred a desire akin to pain. Irritation surged.
It had already been fifteen days since he had gone to see Blair. Just because she didn't resist didn't mean it wasn't coercion. Knowing that she was desperately holding out through that night made him feel disgusted.
It felt like opening a gift box only to find nothing inside.
Herdin extinguished the cigar he was smoking and stood up. Looking inadvertently through the window, he saw Blair.
Blair was with Agnes. It seemed she was on her way back from a counseling session at the greenhouse.
Suddenly, that face glaring at him with tearful eyes came to mind. And her trembling voice, too.
"I really... hate you..."
Words have no power.
A gaze holds no strength.
Therefore, such things did not hurt him in the slightest.
However, the way his wife spoke—as if those words, that look, were some kind of formidable attack—was both ridiculous and dumbfounding. That must be why he keeps thinking about it.
It was just as Herdin turned his gaze away from that face.
"Again..."
Something churned inside him as if stirring up his insides, and his vision went white. At the same time, Blair's face flashed before his eyes.
The Blair in his memory was wearing a wedding dress. However, that memory was not of the wedding he remembered.
Beneath the lifted veil, Blair's face was visibly tense.
He slightly raised his lowered gaze to meet hers, stood dazed for a moment, and then, as if snapping back to reality, hurriedly looked away.
"She had such an emotionless look in her eyes at the actual wedding."
The moment Herdin realized that fact, the memories that had surfaced unexpectedly vanished as if erased with an eraser.
What on earth were these memories?
Why did things that weren't even his own keep coming up?
As he was trying to compose his confused emotions, he heard a knock.
"Your Excellency. May I come in?"
It was Agnes's voice.
"Come in."
Herdin leaned against the windowsill and sat down.
Agnes entered the office and began to discuss the day's consultation, leaving out the part she had promised to keep secret from Blair.
In truth, sharing that story with Herdin would be more beneficial to the two of them, but she had no intention of revealing it. This was a matter between the two of them. Interfering without the other person's consent would be nothing but arrogance and rudeness.
Once the report was finished, Herdin, who had been listening silently, changed the subject.
"There is something I want to ask you."
"Yes."
"Is déjà vu something you only feel when you are faced with a similar situation?"
Herdin asked, questioning the fact that memories had surfaced unexpectedly before Agnes arrived.
In the meantime, whenever memories surfaced, the first thought that crossed his mind was that even though he had clearly never experienced it, it felt as though he had already gone through it.
A similar symptom was déjà vu.
"Yes. Because you don't get the feeling of déjà vu before that situation actually happens."
However, seeing as memories completely different from the current situation surfaced every time, it seemed far from déjà vu.
Then, how on earth should he interpret these memories that suddenly pop up?
At that moment, he recalled something Blair had said once.
"I… … can see the future."
Could it be that, just like Blair said, he, too, had come to see that future—whether it was the future or an illusion?
However, Herdin immediately closed his eyes irritably, erasing that thought from his mind.
To think he had seriously considered such nonsense as seeing the future, even for a brief moment.
It couldn't be true, and it shouldn't be.
Agnes, who had been looking at Herdin with a puzzled expression, asked,
"Is something wrong?"
"...No, I just seem to be a bit tired lately."
"Please let me know anytime if you need my help."
"Alright. You may go now."
Agnes bowed and left the office.
Herdin swept his hair back and leaned his throbbing head against the cold window. The cold air touched him and relieved the headache somewhat. Having cooled his head,
Herdin rose and headed to the study. There was much to look into.
Agnes's carriage arrived at the Laureline Manor.
The servants and butler, who had been waiting for the mistress's return, greeted Agnes as she stepped out of the carriage.
"You have arrived, Madam."
However, their expressions were somehow grim. Noticing this, Agnes spoke first before she could even ask.
"A guest is waiting."
It is customary to make an appointment at least two days in advance when visiting a noble household, even if the visitor is family.
Since no such appointment had been made, this was either an unpleasant guest lacking manners or someone who had no need to show courtesy to her.
There was one person she could guess.
"Has someone come from the Imperial House?"
"Yes. Countess Margrid has arrived."
Agnes's expression hardened.
There is no noble in this Empire who does not know that Countess Margrid is Katrina's closest lady-in-waiting.
Ever since she began counseling Blair, Herdin had anticipated that Katrina would eventually find out about this.
He had already given Agnes a heads-up about it.
"If the Grand Empress Dowager's people come to visit, tell them you are conducting counseling for your wife's psychological treatment. Since you say you are doing it for your daughter, they won't be able to say much to you,"
Herdin said, adding,
"There is no need to be nervous. Do not forget that Delmark is behind you."
Recalling those words, Agnes smiled.
She realized anew that the boy who had been on the brink of collapse after losing his parents had grown up so quickly and risen to a position where no one could treat him lightly.
And also the fact that he was her liege.
Muttering those words to herself, Agnes headed to the drawing room and ordered the butler,
"Bring out some tea."