Moving away from Ivan, Haldin quickly scanned the inside of the banquet hall. Blair’s figure was nowhere to be seen inside the hall.

“Perhaps she went to the garden to get some fresh air.”

As Haldin was about to exit the hall, Ruth, wearing a somewhat serious expression, approached him.

“Your Grace, pardon my audacity, but there is something I wish to inquire about.”

“What is it?”

“The incident from ten years ago, why haven’t you mentioned it publicly yet?”

Haldin hesitated at Ruth’s question.

“You already have both evidence and testimony, don’t you?”

“…”

“Of course, I understand it’s a difficult reality for the mistress. However, denying and avoiding it will eventually have to be faced.”

“…”

“Now that things have come to this, it would be better in the long run to quickly conclude matters and detach the mistress from the royal family.”

Standing on one side of the banquet, Ruth had observed Blair’s complexion throughout the event. Even from a distance, her expression towards Katrina and Ivan didn’t seem pleasant.

Although Ruth didn’t have close interactions with Blair, she could sense the emotions of a mother who had an attempt on her life and kidnapping plotted against her daughter.

Understanding the severity of the situation and the potential danger it posed, Haldin couldn’t comprehend why he was delaying the resolution.

“And although the elders may not favor the mistress, there will be many divine beings willing to support her once the truth is revealed. The public opinion criticizing the mistress will also likely diminish.”

“…Maybe.”

“Is there another reason for postponing when you know all this?”

“I negotiated with the Emperor.”

Ruth’s gaze wavered at Haldin’s response. In the midst of an impending confrontation with Ivan, negotiating was quite a predicament.

“Negotiations… you say?”

Certainly, Haldin didn’t think he would give up the truth he had pursued for ten years. However, he couldn’t fathom what kind of negotiation could be carried out in this matter, where there was no room for compromise.

“It’s negotiations for a greater benefit. So, for now, let Blair be undisturbed in front of others.”

Haldin wondered if the benefit he mentioned was truly worth enduring Blair’s mental anguish.

For a moment, Ruth had the question in her mind, but she decided not to ask further.

No matter how pitiable Blair’s situation might be, in the end, her true lord was Haldin.

“If you find only Blair, prepare the carriage to return to the mansion.”

After concluding the conversation with Ruth, Haldin exited the banquet hall and went to the garden. It was a slightly cool early summer night, and there were many couples or lovers outside.

“Earlier, her complexion didn’t look good.”

Haldin, recalling Blair leaving the banquet hall, hastened his steps.

Not long after entering the garden, Haldin spotted Blair not too far away. She was sitting alone near the fountain, gazing at the water jets. Haldin approached her.

“Is your health not good?”
The usual immediate response didn’t come as Haldin expected.

Blair simply remained silent, gazing at the fountain with eyes that revealed no discernible emotions, as always.

“Blair?”

When Haldin approached her, feeling perplexed, Blair stood up from her seat.

“Let’s go home.”

Observing Blair’s retreating figure as she passed by, Haldin narrowed his eyes.

A cool night breeze passed between them.

Blair remained silent throughout the carriage ride back to the mansion. Her gaze stayed fixed outside the window, and she didn’t glance at him once.

Though she wasn’t talkative by nature, her current demeanor differed from the usual Blair that Haldin knew, even considering her reserved personality.

Something was noticeably amiss, a discrepancy Haldin was unaware of.

The lingering unease felt by Haldin, who had noticed this, began to creep up gradually.

Like the time he watched her, who seemed about to vanish into the light.

Upon reaching the mansion, Haldin, still observing Blair’s back as she didn’t turn around once during their journey, grabbed her hand as soon as they entered the room.

“Blair.”

Only then could he finally meet her face. Resentment was vividly displayed in her eyes that had been hidden in the darkness of the night.

Blair attempted to pull her hand away, but Haldin held on even tighter.

Suppressing his emotions with a sigh, he spoke.

“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t act like a child.”

After staring at him with resentful eyes for a long while, Blair finally spoke.

“Why did you deceive me?”

“…”

“You said you found all the evidence.”

Haldin’s eyes wavered at Blair’s words.

In the end, she found out, perhaps from what she heard at the banquet. That’s why she’s expressing her anger like this.

“You promised to divorce once the truth of the incident ten years ago is revealed.”

If he had remained ignorant until the end, he might have felt less resentment, but now that she knew, there was no turning back.

“Oh, right.”

“Now fulfill that contract. According to the contract, our agreement is over. You’re just delaying it.”