He approached with a cold, stern expression and addressed the two.

“I was on my way somewhere due to a promise with a friend, never expected to run into you like this.”

Herdin looked at Mikhail and took Blair’s hand.

Although they hadn’t discussed the plans for today, Blair, upon seeing the museum director, obediently extended her hand, portraying the image of a couple.

After all, outwardly, he was her husband.

But in reality, he meant nothing to her.

Just a fake husband according to the contract, nothing more.

There was no need for prior notice or explanations about whom she would meet or what she would do. He, as a party to the contract, knew that fact better than anyone.

Yeah, he knew everything…

“Since we’ve met like this, if you have the time, how about a brief greeting?”

Why did this make him so angry?

The three moved to a nearby cafe.

“Three coffees, please.”

Herdin placed the order with the approaching staff. Then Blair hastily revised the order.

“Change one to black tea, please.”

The staff confirmed the modified order and walked away. Blair added an explanation to Herdin.

“I can’t sleep if I drink coffee.”

It was the first time he learned this fact. Herdin felt a sense of self-deprecation.

Everything was a mess.

It had been nearly six months since their marriage, and only now was he discovering this fact and understanding her feelings.
Herdin, who was leaning back in the chair, moved his Adam’s apple and looked at the man in front of him, suppressing his emotions. The somewhat ambiguous face was displeasing.

Mikhail was wearing a friendly smile, but Herdin could see that it wasn’t a genuine one.

“First, let’s start with the introductions.”

In reality, there was no way Mikhail, a war hero and the Duke of Denmark, would not know his name. The request to reveal his name was a subtle indication for Mikhail to disclose his name.

“My name is Mikhail Kines. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Excellency.”

Herdin’s gaze turned cold upon hearing Mikhail’s name.

‘Not Asiel.’

When he had Ruth investigate a man named Asiel, there was no man with whom Blair could have any connection. Asiel wasn’t a common name, and among the nobility, there were few cases of using the name of Asiel Delmarc, the former head of the Delmarc family.

Although there were occasional instances of commoners using that name, there was no connection with Blair, the most important person.

Therefore, the assumption was made that he might be using an alias. It was merely speculation without any evidence.

For a moment, he had considered whether this man could be Asiel, but judging from Blair’s attitude, he didn’t seem to be the one she loved.

“Kines… a family name I haven’t heard of.”

“You probably wouldn’t. We’re not a noble family.”
It might be a statement that could hurt one’s pride, but the man laughed without any sign of being offended, as if his status was no flaw at all. The person involved remained composed, and Blair intervened as if explaining.

“After this, he will help us fulfill the contract.”

Blair intended not to disclose the fact that Mikhail was the Guild Master, merely notifying that he was the counterpart in the scandal.

Firstly, she thought there must be a reason why Mikhail hadn’t revealed this fact first.

Secondly, she hoped Herdin remained unaware of this fact.

After the divorce, she wanted no one, including Ivan, Katrina, and even Herdin, to know about her whereabouts except for Mikhail, who took charge of this matter.

When the irritating word came out of Blair’s mouth again, Herdin’s expression twisted.

“…Contract?”

At that moment, the staff brought coffee and black tea. Blair, who had paused for a moment, resumed speaking as she saw the staff move away.

“…Divorce. After the contract is completed, we agreed to divorce due to my fault.”

“Ah, divorce.”

Herdin finally realized why Blair hesitated before bringing up the topic. He remembered what he had said a few days ago.

“I don’t know the connection between that contract and interest.”

“This person decided to become one of the counterparts in my scandal.”

“…Scandal?”

“Scandals about the Duchess having affairs with several men.”
Herdin burst into a bitter laugh after hearing Blair’s story. It seemed quite audacious, considering it came from the mind of his innocent wife.

Initially, he hadn’t thought about how to end this contract. He wasn’t curious.

Why hadn’t he been curious sooner? There was no way to make this marriage, arranged by the Emperor himself, ordinary.

“So, I’ll reverse all those accusations and get divorced alone.”

Was he really without regrets for everything he would lose?

It was indeed a profound love, even if he didn’t know who this Asiel was, the creator of that love.

Herdin lifted his coffee cup and looked at Mikhail.

As Blair mentioned, she seemed to have no particular feelings towards Mikhail. However, Mikhail’s gaze towards Blair was different from merely dealing with a client.