Chapter 35

After leaving the Twyford family townhouse, Blair’s residence naturally became the townhouse where Edmund lived. Having come under Edmund’s protection, the place where he stayed became her home as well.

So, late at night, Blair gathered her modest belongings and left the house, got into Edmund’s car, and headed for Chails. The only thing that weighed on her mind was that she hadn’t been able to properly say goodbye to anyone in the household, Mrs. Norris or the coachman included, even though she’d grown fond of them in such a short time. Since the father and daughter had caused such an uproar, it looked no different from her being driven out, which was why no one had been able to offer her a farewell.

“Are you tired?”

When they finally arrived at the Chails townhouse, Edmund asked as he stepped down from the car.

“It’s quite late.”

“I’m fine.”

Blair shook her head without much hesitation. As he walked beside her, matching her pace while carrying her travel bag, he asked again.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“….”

“It’s past midnight. You must be feeling hungry.”

“Then… would it be all right to have a light meal?”

When she asked carefully, the man, his hand resting on the doorknob, turned back to look at her. Then, with a faint smile, he readily agreed.

“Of course. Come in.”

***

Despite the very late hour, a meal was prepared in the first-floor dining room. Sitting at the table, Blair was quite hungry, but she took a moment to look around the room.

Though it was a massive townhouse with large glass windows that even looked out onto a private garden, it didn’t seem like many people worked there. Perhaps it was because of Edmund’s independent disposition, his reluctance to have even servants intrude on his space. Or perhaps there were many servants, but they’d been instructed to move about like ghosts. Either way, it was likely the influence of a master who valued his personal domain.

In any case, to be alone with a man in such a vast, silent space. Blair suddenly realized that she’d completely stepped into his house, wholly into his territory. She also felt keenly that her marriage to him wasn’t far off. Even though this was the path she’d chosen herself, it made her tense, as if her breath were catching.

Holding her fork, Blair looked across the long table at Edmund. He was pouring wine into a smooth crystal glass. His hand turning the glass seemed casual, but the glances he cast at her from time to time were anything but.

Edmund must have thought it discourteous to leave her alone at the table and head up to his bedroom after bringing her to Chails. That was likely why he kept her company during this late-night meal. Still, Blair wanted to be alone. She didn’t want to eat in front of a man whose gaze carried weight even in small measure. But since she couldn’t say that outright, she quietly lifted her fork and focused on easing her hunger.

“I’m not sure if it will suit your taste, since the chef prepared it in a hurry.”

“It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. From now on, everything I have will be yours as well, Lady Twyford.”

Blair smiled as she cut the tender cod into bite-sized pieces. Since it was a forced smile, a faint twitch appeared at the corner of her lips. Watching her, Edmund stroked the slender stem of his wine glass and spoke again.

“Before long, we’ll be going to Eldenvale.”

“Eldenvale…?”

“It’s where the Libert family estate is, and my hometown. By custom, the wedding will be held there, and even after we marry, until I inherit the dukedom, we’ll have no choice but to live in Eldenvale.”

His voice was calm. The tone was exactly like someone explaining a fact that had been decided long ago, purely out of custom. Blair slowly chewed and swallowed the fruit dish, then asked carefully.

“What kind of place is Eldenvale?”

“A quiet place. Probably broader than you imagine, Lady Twyford, and a place where everything moves slowly. Even time always flowed at a slower pace there. But people’s gazes cling much more persistently.”

“So the ducal household’s attention will be focused on me.”

Lowering her eyes, Blair spoke cautiously. The cutlery lightly brushed against the plate, making a clear sound.

“That’s right. As you might have guessed from my earlier explanation, it won’t be a particularly welcome sort of attention.”

By now, Edmund had emptied his glass of wine and leaned his upper body back against the chair. Perhaps because it was night, his voice carried even lower than usual as he continued.

“If you run into any difficulties there, make sure I know. Even something trivial is fine. I want you to tell me everything.”

“There may be a one-year contract period, but… I don’t think a wife who runs to her husband with every inconvenience would be viewed favorably.”

“I never said I needed a model wife, Lady Twyford. So don’t try too hard in Eldenvale. I want you to share everything with me, without hiding anything.”

At first glance, it sounded like kind consideration, as if he were offering to be her shield within his family. In reality, it was just as much an order not to keep secrets. Instead of adding anything, Blair nodded.

“I will.”

“And the wedding will be held next Wednesday.”

Blair snapped her head up from where it had been lowered. She’d heard they would proceed as soon as preparations were complete, but this soon?

“Then that means I only have a few days left to stay at Chails.”

“It seems you’ve grown fond of this place.”

“It’s only my second visit, but… I suppose I have.”

The Chails townhouse was a very large, multi-story building that thoroughly guaranteed personal independence. Because everyone inside moved so quietly, it almost felt as though no servants existed at all. Perhaps because of that, despite being an unfamiliar space, it didn’t feel especially uncomfortable or unpleasant. She thought that if she spent the contracted year here, she might be able to let her guard down.

Why was that? It was because she felt this place resembled Edmund. Staying at an appropriate distance from people, keeping space, and moving only when necessary. She’d sensed for a long time that he and she were similar, but only now did she understand it clearly.

“May I ask why?”

Blair closed her mouth just as she was about to answer. How could she say that she liked it because this quiet place reminded her of him? She was also a little tired after everything she’d been through in a single day. And besides, even if she didn’t say it, that man would probably know.

“Does there need to be a reason to like a place? It’s just quiet… it feels like my thoughts get less tangled.”

“I see. Eldenvale will be even quieter than this.”

“….”

“Though it’s a different kind of stillness.”

Avoiding his eyes, Blair set her cutlery down. When she finished her meal and wiped her lips with a napkin, the man who’d been waiting without refilling his glass naturally asked, “Was the meal sufficient?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“It’s late, so I’ll see you to your room.”

He could have called for someone, but it seemed he intended to escort her to the bedroom himself. Blair rose quietly and followed him as he led the way. Walking behind him, looking up at his broad shoulders, set her heart pounding a little more than when they’d been sitting across from each other. The corridors of the townhouse lay steeped in silence, and aside from the two of them, not even a shadow revealed itself.

Edmund led Blair up to the second floor and into a bedroom right beside the staircase. While he lit the candle meant for sleeping, Blair looked around the room. It was somewhat spacious for a guest room, and seeing a bed large enough for three grown men to lie on made her swallow dryly.

“Um.”

Blair stepped toward the center of the carpeted bedroom and turned to look at him. Edmund, who’d been lighting the candle, flicked his gaze up.

“Are we… going to share this bedroom together?”

A brief silence passed. He slipped the lighter into his pocket and let out a small laugh. Straightening his posture, he looked directly at Blair, a hint of playfulness rising to his face. It was an expression she was a little more familiar with.

“Of course not. My bedroom is downstairs. To be precise, it’s directly below this room.”

“…Ah.”

“The bathroom is attached inside, and if you need anything, ring the bell to call a maid. You must be tired, so it’d be best to get some rest.”

“Thank you.”

“Good night.”

“Good night to you as well, Lord Libert.”

Edmund gave a light nod and left, closing the door behind him. Even after he disappeared from sight, Blair stood there for a moment. Realizing she’d been thinking something foolish, her face grew hot and her heart began to race on its own. The thought that his bedroom was directly below made her nerves stretch taut, as if she might hear even the smallest rustle of him turning over in bed.

But what could she do? Trembling was the first step toward adaptation. Blair moved quietly to the wardrobe and reached behind her waist, undoing the buttons of her dress one by one.