Chapter 63

“You….”

“I plan to share a bedroom with my wife.”

At that single declaration, the old man, who could die any day now, had his eyes flare red with excitement. Watching the obsession that didn’t match his frail body, Edmund swallowed his disgust.

“Rather than sharing a bed only on set days like other nobles, it’s more reasonable to stay in the same space and increase the frequency. Some may sneer and call it commoner behavior, but for the Libert bloodline, I’m willing to endure a bit of gossip.”

A neat smile settled on Edmund’s lips.

“Will you permit me to share a bedroom with my bride?”

If something wasn’t written into the contract, then it was open to negotiation. That meant the promise he’d made verbally to Blair was nothing more than a secondary agreement that could be voided at any time depending on circumstances.

If he could seize his father’s bitter crown, if he could drag Isabelle down, then nothing else mattered. That was the decision Edmund had made.

“You….”

William closed his eyes slowly, then opened them. Soon, the duke’s voice followed, cracked and splintered like a dried branch.

“You’re making a statement that exceeds my expectations for the first time.”

“I believe it’s time I regard the continuation of the family as my responsibility and show my resolve toward succession. If Rufus can covet the title based on standing for a few seconds, then our family will become a laughingstock.”

Silence piled up in the shadowed room. Edmund waited for his father’s answer without a trace of impatience. Fine lines trembled around William’s mouth as his teeth clicked together. Edmund couldn’t tell whether it was a smile or a spasm.

“I permit the husband and wife to share quarters….”

The words, breathed out between weak gasps, fell heavily, like a curse.

“A woman is a vessel for continuing the family. Quickly use your wife’s womb and make her carry the blood of our clan.”

“I accept the order.”

Edmund bowed with a smile that perfectly concealed his contempt. On the surface, he obeyed the duke’s will, but in truth, he had merely replaced his own decision with the duke’s command.

This was his weapon. It would serve as powerful proof of his intent to succeed, and it would reach Blair wrapped in persuasion and sweet temptation.

Blair would believe it was her own will and take his hand. And Edmund would carry out his father’s command while securing his own plan.

At that moment, from beyond the door came the sound of heels, followed by Isabelle’s sharp voice. Even the timing was flawless. William raised a handkerchief to his mouth, coughed several times more, and granted permission to leave.

“That’s enough. You may go.”

“As you command.”

Edmund quietly pushed back his chair and left the bedroom. In the corridor, Isabelle looked up at him with a twisted expression. Edmund met her gaze after a brief pause, then walked on without a word. His steps toward his own bedroom felt impossibly light.

***

At last, the morning sun rose. Blair, who had stayed up all night, let out a sigh as she sat at the round table, unable even to lie down on the bed.

Watching the sky slowly grow lighter made her heart feel heavier. By now, he should have returned. Or had something unexpected happened, leaving Albert unable to pass along the message in time? It seemed unlikely that such a capable butler would make a mistake, yet the uneasy thought refused to fade.

Unable to sit still any longer, Blair decided to go to Edmund’s bedroom herself. She didn’t even know whether he’d returned, but waiting in place felt unbearable.

She pulled the door open and stepped into the corridor, then walked toward the destination that felt impossibly far away. When she reached the mahogany door, she raised her hand and knocked. This was the first time she had ever come to where Edmund stayed of her own accord.

“Edmund, are you inside?”

She listened while steadying her breath, but there was no reply. She knocked again, but only silence answered.

“I’m coming in for a moment.”

She deliberately raised her voice, then carefully turned the handle and entered the bedroom.

Edmund wasn’t in the spacious room with its sitting area and bathroom. However, faint sounds of running water came from the direction of the bathroom, letting Blair know he was washing.

‘…What should I do?’

She should wait. But where? She stood awkwardly to one side of the room, lost in thought. Edmund might be displeased to learn that she’d entered his private space without permission. It seemed best to let him know she was there and say she would wait outside once he came out of the bathroom. She could apologize for barging in later.

Just as she reached that conclusion, Blair realized that the faint sound of water had stopped. Then the bathroom door swung open. It all happened too fast. As if drawn by a magnet, her head turned that way.

“Blair?”

Edmund, who had been coming out while pushing his wet hair back, stopped short. Startled, Blair took an unconscious step backward.

His black hair, usually neatly combed back, was damp and falling across his forehead. Droplets slid down the line of his neck, over the thick muscles of his chest, past his firm abdomen, and lower still. The man who had just stepped out of the shower was completely naked.

“E-Edmund.”

“I was just about to come look for you.”

Unlike her flustered state, the man with nothing on but water droplets spoke in an even, unbothered voice.

“I heard you had something you wanted to discuss with me.”

“I didn’t know you were washing.”

“I stopped by the hotel construction site where work started today and got covered in dust. I felt it wouldn’t be right to come see you like that.”

Yet the one made uncomfortable was Blair, not Edmund. In truth, he showed no sign of embarrassment at being naked, leaving her alone to flush. Blair forced herself to look away.

“…I see. I’m sorry for coming by so suddenly. But before that… could you put some clothes on….”

“Just a moment.”

Without any hurry, Edmund picked up a towel and lightly dried his hair. Then he walked over to the wardrobe and took out a silk robe. Of all things, it was the same one he had worn on their wedding night. Blair, her face burning, waited only for him to put the robe on.

“That’s enough now.”

Having finished dressing, the man said so. Blair steadied her breathing and met Edmund’s eyes. His face was calm, as if he hadn’t been standing there stark naked just moments ago. Her racing heart refused to settle.

“Did something happen?”

“Actually, it’s about one of the maids. Milia.”

Blair hesitated briefly, then continued her explanation.

“She said that last night, after finishing work in the greenhouse, she ran into Sir Rufus. He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her back inside, and she resisted as best she could. I saw it too. I was the one who brought her away.”

Edmund looked at Blair in silence. Then, as if weary, he rubbed between his brows.

“I think I know what Rufus was trying to confirm.”

“…What?”

“Not long ago, I received a report. They said Rufus’s sexual function, which was judged to be incomplete, showed temporary improvement. Even that was brief, but Mother is already calling it a recovery.”

Blair frowned slightly.

“Then was what he tried to do to Milia related to that? Was what I saw in the library too… was that his attempt to stimulate himself somehow?”

Rufus hadn’t been satisfied with pictures alone and had tried to touch Milia. Oh my goodness. That’s a crime.”

“If you already knew, then why… why didn’t you tell me?”

“There was no need to worry you with something uncertain.”

“But you told me to inform you about even the smallest things.”

“Aren’t our positions somewhat different?”

…Different how? Wife and husband are equals. She wanted to shoot back like that, but Blair couldn’t bring herself to continue. What Edmund meant wasn’t a difference as spouses, but a difference in their positions as parties bound by a contract.

The Libert family’s secrets, the struggle over succession, Rufus’s scandals. None of that was meant to be her burden. As long as the contract held, she only needed to know what was necessary.

“Even so, I want to protect Milia. She’s terrified she’ll be thrown out even though she did nothing wrong. And there’s no guarantee this won’t happen to another maid.”

“It’s not realistic to punish Rufus or expel him from the estate right now.”

The reply was so cold it made Blair’s heart sink. Looking straight at her, Edmund spoke with firm resolve.

“But we can prevent another incident. From now on, Milia will be assigned exclusively to you and won’t be given other duties, even by my mother’s orders. And starting today, I’ll instruct the butler that all maids must work in pairs at all times.”

Blair blinked, eyes wide. Relief washed over her at the swift, practical measures. It was the most realistic way to block Rufus’s reach. Justice might not come immediately, but if the maids were safer than before, that was something.

“Thank you. I couldn’t have handled this on my own. I feel much more at ease now.”

“That’s only natural.”

Edmund looked at Blair with a softer gaze.

“Blair, since we’re on the subject, there’s something I’d like to suggest.”