It had been almost a month since he hadn’t visited Blair. Just because she didn’t resist didn’t mean it wasn’t involuntary. Knowing that she endured that night made him feel disgusted.

When he opened the gifted box, he felt as if it was empty.
Herdin extinguished the pipe he had been smoking and stood up. Beyond the window he absentmindedly glanced at, he saw Blair.

Blair was with Agnes. They seemed to be on their way back from a consultation in the greenhouse, perhaps.

Suddenly, the face that glared at me with eyes on the verge of crying came to mind. The trembling voice, too.

“I really… I dislike you….”

The words lacked force.

There was no power in the gaze.

So, it didn’t affect me in the slightest.

But those words, the gaze of my wife who used to say that it was a significant attack, seemed pitiful and absurd. That’s probably why it keeps coming back to me.

It was when Herdin turned his gaze away from that face.

“Again…”

As if something had stirred up inside, he felt dizzy, and his vision went white. At the same time, Blair’s face came to mind.

In the memory, Blair was wearing a wedding dress. However, it wasn’t the wedding Herdin remembered.

Under the lifted veil, Blair’s face showed signs of tension.

When he slightly raised his gaze to meet hers and they locked eyes, he momentarily blanked out and then quickly averted his gaze as if regaining composure.

“I had such an uninspiring look during the actual wedding.”

The moment Herdin realized that fact, memories that had randomly surfaced seemed to vanish as if erased with an eraser.

What are these memories?

Why do things that aren’t my memories keep coming to the surface?
Amidst the confusing emotions, a knocking sound was heard.

“Your Excellency. May I come in?”

It was Agnes’s voice.

“Come in.”

Herdin leaned against the window sill.

As Agnes entered the study, she began discussing today’s counseling content, leaving out the agreement to keep it a secret from Blair.

In fact, telling Herdin about it would probably be more helpful for both of them, but she had no intention of revealing it. This was their business. Unwanted interference is nothing but arrogance and rudeness.

After the report, Herdin, who had been silently listening, changed the subject.

“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Yes?”

“Is this phenomenon, this thing called déjà vu, only felt when a similar situation arises?”

Herdin asked, curious about what had come to mind unexpectedly before Agnes arrived.

Whenever memories surfaced, the first thought was that it felt like something experienced before, even though it was undoubtedly an unfamiliar event.

Similar symptoms to déjà vu were present.

“Yes. The feeling of déjà vu doesn’t come until a similar situation occurs.”

But considering the memories that surfaced so differently from the current situation each time, it seemed far from déjà vu.

Then, the words Blair had once said suddenly came to mind.

“I can… see the future.”
Perhaps, could it be that he could see the future like those words suggested? Or was it just a delusion?

However, Herdin quickly dismissed that voice with irritation, closing his eyes. Thinking seriously, even for a moment, about seeing the future was nonsense.

It couldn’t be true, and it shouldn’t be true.

Agnes, who was looking at Herdin with a puzzled expression, asked, “Is there something wrong?”

“No, I’m just a bit tired these days.”

“If you ever need my help, please feel free to let me know.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. You can leave now.”

Agnes greeted and left the study.

Herdin ran his hand through his hair and leaned his throbbing head against the cold window. As the chilly air touched him, the headache eased a bit.

Having cooled his head, Herdin stood up and headed to the library. There was much to investigate.

Agnes’s carriage arrived at the Loreleine mansion.

Servants and the butler, who had been waiting for the mistress’s return, greeted Agnes as she got off the carriage.

“Have you arrived, madam?”

However, their expressions seemed somewhat gloomy. Before Agnes could inquire about it, the butler spoke first.

“The guest is waiting.”

Usually, when visiting a noble family, it was customary to make an appointment at least two days in advance, even if they were family.
However, there was no such appointment. In this case, it could be either an impolite and unpleasant acquaintance or someone who didn’t require courtesy from oneself.

One person had a suspicion.

“Has someone come from the imperial palace?”

“Yes. Countess Magrid has arrived.”

Agnes’s expression hardened.

In this empire, there was no noble who didn’t know that Countess Magrid was Lady Katrina’s most trusted maid. Since the beginning of Blair’s counseling, Herdin had anticipated that Katrina would eventually learn about this fact. He had informed Agnes in advance.

“When someone from the imperial palace comes, say that you are conducting counseling for the Empress’s mental well-being. Say it’s for her daughter, and you won’t have to say much more.”

Herdin added, “No need to be nervous. Don’t forget that behind you is Denmark.”

Agnes, remembering those words, smiled.

A boy who lost his parents and grew up in distress had risen to a position that no one could easily challenge. And that person was her lord.

Recalling those words, Agnes headed to the reception room and instructed the butler, “Prepare the tea.”