Blair looked up with surprised eyes, following his hand. There stood Mikhail.
Blair naturally placed her hand on top of his and asked, “How did you know it was me?”
“People who come to places like this usually can’t help but show off their status. Except for those trying to emphasize their family crest, not many people come here by carriage.”
“Still, there must be at least a few who come by carriage.”
“Well, let’s just say it’s the magic’s doing.”
Mikhail playfully muttered with a smiling face and guided Blair into the art museum.
In this private art museum, an art auction is held once a season.
Today was the day for the spring auction.
Among the works to be auctioned today, there was a painting that Ivan was planning to purchase as a collector’s item.
Blair came here to secure that painting and to find a few more to fill the empty Blair residence.
“Here it is.”
Following Mikhail downstairs, they entered a spacious hall that looked like a theater. Unlike a regular theater, it was brightly lit.
The two found a sparsely populated area and took their seats. Looking at the stage, it seemed like the auction was still in preparation.
Blair looked around continuously. On the front table, there were several cards with numbers, an oak board, and a signboard with a circle drawn on it.
Mikhail looked at Blair, who was exploring her surroundings with curiosity, as if she were a cute child.
“It seems like it’s your first time at the auction house.”
Blair finally realized that her behavior didn’t seem ladylike and lowered the sign she had been examining.
“I’ve never been outside the palace. It was dangerous, and the Grand Duke even prohibited me from going out. Also, my health wasn’t good…”
In reality, there was a decisive reason.
Blair didn’t like attracting people’s attention.
Just because she was the Imperial Princess, every word and glance of hers would be followed by various speculations.
Being judged by many based on a brief momentary appearance.
And…
“Blair, if you’re an imperial princess, act like one. Please don’t embarrass this mother!”
Katarina’s pathological obsession after that one mistake.
So, Blair still hesitated to draw attention.
Since becoming a duchess, she felt a bit freer from those gazes. She wanted to go out into the outside world that she hadn’t properly explored when she was the Imperial Princess. With Herdin.
With him, it seemed that the gazes of others wouldn’t matter much.
“Herdin, if you have time, can we go see the clock tower in the square together?”
“I’ll inform the knights. Dress warmly since the weather is getting colder.”
But he was busy, and it was difficult for him to come out of the bedroom when he had time.
At that time, she believed it was love. After all, he showed concern for her in a tender way.
The desire to explore outside was like a chimney, but still, being embraced in his arms was also delightful.
“That person always prioritized his desires.”
Perhaps she understood him, even knowing it, in order not to become pitiful. She desperately rationalized.
Blair reflected on the memories of the past that suddenly came to mind. Seeing the bitter smile on her lips, Mihail smiled and spoke.
“I’ll have to attend many gatherings under the pretext of commissions. I know many good places in the capital. Suddenly, the burden of responsibility feels heavy.”
Blair blinked at Mihail’s words. His willingness to help was not easily understood.
After thinking for a while, Blair easily reached a conclusion.
“As expected, with money, anything is possible.”
His kindness was simply a capitalist kindness for the client.
It was hard to think that there were hidden ulterior motives behind his pure and genuine smile and kindness.
Before they knew it, the auction preparations were almost finished. Watching it, Mihail opened his mouth.
“Before the auction officially begins, there’s something I’d like to ask the madam.”
Blair intuitively sensed that the story he was about to bring up was related to Kallio. And, as expected, he mentioned that name.
“That man, Kalligo Elparindan, is a knight of the Delmarc Duchy. May I ask why you are investigating him?”
Blair hesitated at his question.
One of the purposes of meeting Mihail today was to hear news about Kalligo. However, she couldn’t reveal much about him.
“…I can’t say that he is the one who will kill me in the future.”
Unable to answer promptly, when Blair hesitated, Mihail asked again as if expecting such a reaction.
“If it’s difficult to talk about, can you at least let me know if you are looking for him for a good reason or a bad one?”
“Personally… I’m investigating him due to an unpleasant issue.”
Mihail’s brow twisted upon hearing Blair’s response. His vague ominous premonition grew stronger.
Of course, it was still just a ‘premonition.’
Talking about something uncertain might put her in danger instead. More investigation was needed.
“I will look into it further for now. Since he may be more dangerous than expected, please keep your distance if possible.”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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