“That’s how much she trusted you, relied on you, and loved you. So, sometimes it might be a good idea for Your Grace to talk to her directly about those times.”

Herderin brushed off Agnes’s words with a chuckle.

Love… It was a ridiculous story.

He probably appeared frequently because he was just her cousin, and they had spent a lot of time together.

I don’t know what kind of feelings Blair has for me now, but at least it’s not what Agnes is talking about.

Based on Blair’s recent actions…

Since the day she first joined the guild and was witnessed, Blair hasn’t gone out for personal reasons.

“She’s probably waiting for the guild’s contact.”

She might be avoiding eye contact with the guild and might be telling ridiculous stories about being able to see the future.

But when I look at her face when she says those things, I can’t help but think that her suspicious actions might actually be a misunderstanding on her part. And maybe the mare didn’t appear as she said.

No, maybe she didn’t even know that she wanted to believe it so badly.

That’s probably why I feel so disgusted.

“It’s a foolishly careless thought.”

Herderin reproached himself. That’s why he had been keeping his distance from Blair and trying to minimize any encounters with her after the New Year’s festival.

He had no intention of being deceived again by that innocent face. One such experience was enough.

The carriage had already left the center of the capital behind and was passing by the back of the theater.

Herderin’s gaze, which had been absentmindedly looking out the window, landed on a specific spot in the scenery. Someone had gotten off the carriage at just the right moment. The back view was familiar.

A small build, platinum blonde hair slightly peeking out from the dark green robe, and a pair of small, fair hands visible.

Herderin’s eyebrows narrowed as he recognized that the woman who had gotten off the carriage was Blair.

There were no knights accompanying her. Of course, he had given orders, so they were probably secretly guarding her nearby.

Blair entered the back entrance of the theater with the maid who had always been with her.

“…Your Grace. You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said, have you?”
Here is the English translation of the Korean paragraph:

While reporting on the business situation, Ruth noticed something and glanced at Herderin. Herderin, without denying it, gestured towards the theater.

“Do you know what play has been performed at that theater recently?”

Ruth swallowed a sigh at Herderin’s attitude, which seemed not to have heard him, but knowing that he had become more sensitive recently, he answered calmly.

“As far as I know, they’ve made a play based on the ancient times with mythical creatures as the background.”

“…….”

“But, well, a play is a deception. On the surface, it’s a theater, but in reality, it’s a public gathering place for the nobles.”

In the noble society, loveless arranged marriages were common, and affairs between men and women were also very common.

However, just because it was common didn’t mean it was honorable. Nobles who valued their reputation didn’t openly reveal the fact that they had affairs, even though it was widely known.

“…Gathering place?”

“Yes. Don’t you know?”

A gathering place. A gathering place.

Suddenly, a name that used to come up as a substitute for his wife in Herderin’s mind surfaced.

‘Asiel…’

Herderin’s gaze, looking at the back entrance of the theater where Blair had entered, became cold.

The theater’s manager seemed to have known that Blair was coming and was waiting for her at the back entrance. As she entered the theater, he handed her a ticket.

“Miss, you can follow the usher over there.”

“M-Me?”

Lena was surprised by the unexpected suggestion, her eyes widening. Blair noticed Lena’s intention to stay and smiled as she spoke.

“Yes, go ahead and enjoy the show, Lena. I have someone to meet.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Yeah, it’s easier for me too.”

Lena, who received the ticket, disappeared following the usher with an excited expression.

The theater manager escorted Blair to the lounge on the top floor of the theater. It was a private room reserved for VIPs.

As they entered the room guided by the manager, Mikhail, who had been drinking wine in front of a large glass window with a clear view of the stage, turned around.