Chapter 44
Episode 44. Tripartite Meeting
2023.10.14.
Blair raised her gaze along that hand with surprised eyes. Mikhail stood before her.
Blair naturally placed her hand atop his and asked,
“How did you know it was me?”
“People who usually come to places like this are desperate to flaunt their status. Unless they're trying to make their family crest look bigger, hardly anyone arrives in a hired carriage.”
“Still, there must be one or two who come by hired carriage.”
“Well, let's call it the power of magic.”
Mikhail deftly brushed it off with a smiling face and escorted Blair into the art gallery.
This private art gallery held an auction of artworks once per season.
Today was the day of the spring welcome auction.
Among the pieces up for auction today, there was a painting that Ivan's attendant planned to purchase.
Blair had come to secure that painting first and also to acquire a few pieces to fill the empty spaces in the ducal residence.
“This way.”
Following Mikhail down to the basement revealed a spacious hall resembling a theater. Unlike a theater, however, it was brightly lit.
The two sat in a spot with few people around. Looking at the stage, the auction seemed still in preparation.
Blair kept glancing around restlessly. On the table in front of them were several cards numbered, an oak board, and a paddle with a circle drawn on it.
Mikhail gazed at Blair, who was surveying the surroundings like a child full of curiosity, finding her endearing.
“This must be your first time at an auction house.”
Only then did Blair realize her behavior wasn't befitting a noble lady and set down the paddle she had been examining.
“I never had occasions to leave the Imperial Palace. Father forbade outings for safety reasons, and my health was frail too……”
In truth, there was a more decisive reason.
Blair disliked drawing people's attention.
She hated how a single word or glance from her, simply because she was a princess, sparked all sorts of speculation.
How people judged her based on fragmentary glimpses in fleeting moments.
And…….
‘Blair, act like a princess. Please, don't embarrass your mother!’
How Katrina obsessively fixated on her every mistake.
That was why she still shied away from drawing eyes.
After becoming the Duchess, somewhat freed from those gazes, Blair wanted to see the outside world she had never properly explored as a princess. With Herdin.
With him, others' stares wouldn't matter.
‘Herdin, if you have time, could you go see the clock tower in the square with me?’
‘I'll instruct the knights. It's cold, so dress warmly.’
But he was busy, and when he had time, it was hard for her to leave the bedroom.
Back then, she believed that was love. He worried for her so tenderly, after all.
She desperately wanted to sightsee outside, but being held in his arms was good too.
‘That man always put his own desires first.’
Perhaps she had known but desperately rationalized it, pretending to understand him to avoid her own misery.
Caught in a sudden memory of the past, Blair let out a self-deprecating smile. Seeing the bitter curve on her lips, Mikhail grinned and spoke.
“I'll have to escort you around a lot under the pretext of commissions. I know many good spots in the capital. Suddenly, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility.”
At Mikhail's words, Blair blinked. She couldn't understand his ready offer of kindness.
After pondering briefly, Blair easily reached a conclusion.
‘Money really does solve everything.’
His goodwill was merely capitalist courtesy toward a client.
His frank and ready smile made it hard to suspect any ulterior motives.
By then, the auction preparations were nearly complete. Watching it, Mikhail spoke.
“Before the auction properly begins, there's something I'd like to ask you, Madam.”
Blair instinctively sensed it would be about Kalligo. And as expected, he mentioned that name.
“Kalligo Elphrinde, a knight of the del Mark Duke family. May I ask why you're investigating him?”
At his question, Blair hesitated.
One purpose of meeting Mikhail today was to hear news about Kalligo. But she couldn't explain in detail.
‘……I can't say he's the man who will kill me in the future.’
As Blair faltered without answering readily, Mikhail asked again, as if he had anticipated her reaction.
“If it's difficult to say, could you at least tell me if you're seeking him for a good reason or a bad one?”
“It's a personal…… unseemly matter.”
Mikhail's brow furrowed at Blair's response. His vague ominous premonition grew stronger.
Of course, it was still just a 'premonition.'
Speaking of unconfirmed matters could put her in danger. He needed to dig deeper.
“I'll investigate a bit more for now. He might be more dangerous than expected, so keep your distance if possible.”
The moment Mikhail finished speaking, the auctioneer appeared on the platform.
Soon, the auction began.
* * *
The art gallery director clasped her hands demurely and looked up at the man standing beside her.
Tall stature ramrod straight, a refined face suited to the adjective 'beautiful.'
Merely standing and appreciating a painting, he became a work of art alongside it.
It was Herdin del Mark, the gallery's largest investor.
His mother, the late Duchess Eloise of del Mark, had come from the Piache Marquisate, famous for sponsoring artists.
Perhaps due to that family tradition, she too had deep knowledge of art and sponsored many impoverished artists during her lifetime.
Her son Herdin continued that legacy by investing in the gallery.
But the director was always intimidated by him.
Partly due to his excessively unrealistic appearance, but more so because he exuded an indescribable chilling pressure. Even setting aside his status as the largest investor.
Especially today.
‘He seems strangely sharper today…….’
She hadn't felt this scared when his aide was with him.
Glancing cautiously at Herdin, the director timidly asked,
“Uh, did your aide not come with you today?”
“He had other business.”
Russ had been volunteering for outside errands for days now.
Though the person involved was oblivious that it stemmed from gauging the highly sensitive Herdin after the contractual marriage revelation days ago.
“Aha…… I see.”
The director's expression darkened rapidly, but Herdin, focused on the painting, didn't notice.
“Looking around briefly, there are many good pieces. I'll visit again soon.”
The private gallery periodically rotated its exhibits. To attract visitors with fresh displays and discover new artists.
After exhibitions ended, the artworks went to nobles via auction or sale.
“Planning to purchase paintings? If there's anything you want, let me know now. I'll reserve it in advance.”
“No, my wife will choose the paintings.”
Days ago, Russ had relayed what happened while preparing the banquet with Blair. She had said it might be good to hang more paintings on the walls.
It coincidentally came to mind upon visiting the gallery, so he impulsively arranged to meet the director.
The director looked at Herdin with puzzlement.
‘Their relationship with his wife is better than I thought?’
When news of Herdin and Blair's marriage spread, people thought he would neglect her. The enmity between the imperial family and del Mark was well-known.
But the current Herdin seemed to cherish his wife at a glance. Of course, it could be theater for public image.
Whatever the truth, matching his tune appropriately was all that mattered.
“Haha, indeed, decorating the home requires the lady of the house's eye. Then give notice the day before, and I'll be waiting.”
Herdin left the viewing room with the gallery director. Just then, a crowd was exiting from the basement.
As Herdin looked at the scene, the director quickly explained.
“Ah, today is the spring welcome auction. It must have just ended. If you're interested……”
While the director explained, the crowd passed, and belatedly, two men and women ascended.
Herdin, about to pass indifferently, stopped upon seeing them. Though the veil on her hat obscured part of her face, he recognized her at once.
That she was his wife.
Blair, talking with the unfamiliar man, was smiling brightly as if enjoying herself.
That sight felt unfamiliar. Laughably so.
The gallery director was saying something beside him, but it didn't even graze his ears.
“Your Excellency?”
As the director called him, Mikhail, who had been gazing at Blair with a soft eye smile, raised his eyes.
Meeting Herdin's gaze, the smile faded from his face.
Only then did Blair, sensing the unusual atmosphere, follow Mikhail's line of sight.
Spotting Herdin at its end, Blair's eyes widened in surprise.
“……Herdin?”
Her blinking eyes held only shock at the unexpected encounter, with no trace of panic at her secret being discovered.
Reading that emotion, the corners of Herdin's mouth twisted.
