Chapter 65

10. Heartbeat

That night, Blair did not end up lying in the same bed as Edmund. A telegram arrived from the man, who had left again for Borsa to handle afternoon work, saying that matters were piling up and he would be returning once more at dawn.

As a result, Blair spent the night alone in the wide bed still carrying Edmund’s scent. It was hard to tell whether that was fortunate or unfortunate. With their heart-fluttering first night together postponed by a day, she felt relief, yet at the same time, an inexplicable emptiness crept in.

The human heart really is strange. Blair held onto feelings she couldn’t even name and let out a silent sigh. A day later, she was on her way to inspect Eldenvale City together with Edmund.

“What are you thinking about?”

The voice beside her settled against her ear. Blair, who had been lost in thought while watching the city flow past the window, flinched and turned her head. Edmund, seated next to her, was looking at her quietly.

“…Nothing in particular.”

“You look serious for someone thinking about nothing.”

“It’s just… all of this suddenly feels unfamiliar. How is today’s inspection supposed to go?”

“We’ll focus on the commercial district. We’ll stop by the department store as well to check the sales trends of the shops inside. Put simply, think of it as making it clear that I’m keeping an eye on the market.”

“Then this is an important occasion, and you brought me along.”

“Bringing one’s wife to an official schedule helps build trust.”

Edmund smiled faintly. Blair returned the smile, then turned her gaze back out the window. She didn’t show it, but a trace of disappointment lingered.

***

For once, the fog had lifted, leaving a clear day. Cars and hired carriages tangled together atop sunlit paving stones, making a great deal of noise, while vendors selling roasted almonds and fruit juice occasionally called out to passersby. Along the main road near the square, shops bearing all kinds of signs stretched on endlessly.

‘Eldenvale really is a big city.’

At first, the damp air had made it feel bleak. Now, overwhelmed by the liveliness of a large city, she kept looking around even as she stepped down from the car, holding Edmund’s hand.

As soon as they entered through the department store’s main doors, staff members lined up to welcome them. Unlike Blair, who felt tense, Edmund looked thoroughly accustomed to such occasions.

“Lord Libert, thank you for visiting. It’s a tremendous honor for us.”

The general manager stepped forward and bowed deeply, and Edmund greeted him with ease, shaking his hand.

“You’ve worked hard. Even the weather seems to be cooperating today.”

“Indeed, it does. Thanks to that, we’ll be able to show you the rooftop garden without any issues.”

“That’s good to hear. Allow me to introduce her. This is my wife, Blair Libert. She’ll be accompanying me today.”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected her presence, because the general manager’s eyes widened.

Blair offered a polite greeting, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“To have such a beautiful lady accompany you makes this an even more meaningful day. Please, this way.”

Following the general manager’s lead, the two walked across the gleaming marble floor. The first section they were shown displayed women’s hats, gloves, and fur scarves. A sales clerk stepped forward with a gentle smile.

“This hat is one of our newest arrivals. It’s been very well received among the ladies of the capital.”

“I see.”

Blair pretended to admire a vivid red hat adorned with five peacock feathers. It was a design she wouldn’t wear even if the sky fell.

“Among women’s accessories, which items have shown the most notable growth compared to last year?”

While she examined the display, Blair listened to the low voice behind her. Edmund was discussing sales trends with the general manager.

“Yes. Silk scarves imported from Rorschach are doing particularly well. This spring, many ladies in Borsa began wearing them, and the demand spread all the way to Eldenvale.”

“As expected, it’s important to watch the capital’s market trends. We need to see whether this is just a passing fad or an item that will drive sales long term.”

“Exactly, my lord. That’s our assessment as well. Now, let me guide you to the next section.”

The next place they stopped was the men’s accessories counter. Silk neckties in various colors, tie pins, fine cuff links, and leather wallets were neatly arranged. Somehow, Blair found herself looking more closely at the items than before. Just then, a gentle hand settled on her shoulder.

“Blair, I need to step away for a moment. Please look around with the attendant.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to check the ledgers. That should wrap up today’s schedule.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

“It won’t take long.”

After politely explaining, Edmund left a female attendant by Blair’s side and disappeared somewhere with the general manager. Blair watched the direction he went, then turned her attention back to the counter. Lately, he seemed unusually kind. Was it because he was mindful of those around them, or was it just her imagination?

Either way, she wanted to offer some small token in return to the man who was trying to maintain a good relationship with her.

“Is there something you like?”

“I’d like to buy a gift for my husband.”

At the clerk’s prompt, Blair pointed to a neatly colored necktie. It was a clean, neutral design that had caught her eye earlier and would suit a man with a cool impression.

“Please wrap this one.”

“Certainly, ma’am.”

After asking that it be sent to the Libert ducal residence, Blair completed the account entry. It would ultimately be paid under Edmund’s name, but she intended to repay it without fail. After all, it was a gift for him. He couldn’t very well pay for it himself.

Blair strolled through the department store at an unhurried pace. She examined imported fabrics and cosmetics, perfumes that seemed to capture the scent of fresh flowers, and foreign sweets, until she suddenly stopped.

The display that caught her eye held chemises so sheer that skin showed through. To think such indecent underwear was being openly displayed for sale in a place with so many people passing by. Muttering to herself, Blair turned her head, then widened her eyes. Beside it stood a wooden mannequin wearing nothing but string underwear that exposed both breasts and its most intimate parts, making its purpose unmistakable.

“Welcome. Is there something you’re looking for?”

“…No.”

“Oh! The items you’re looking at are especially popular with newlyweds. They’re very light and soft. When they touch the skin, it feels as if you’re wearing nothing at all.”

A female clerk, clearly trained to be unfailingly polite, stepped forward to assist Blair. Blair almost replied that wearing something so minimal would of course feel like wearing nothing, but instead she gave an awkward smile. Heat rushed up to her face.

“…I’m just looking.”

“Are you single?”

“No.”

“Then why are you so shy? These kinds of designs are very popular these days.”

As she spoke, the clerk began carefully removing the underwear from the mannequin, clearly intending to show it to Blair more closely.

“Please feel how soft this silk is.”

“….”

“Isn’t it very soft?”

“Yes….”

“If bold underwear feels like too much, a chemise style is best for a first try.”

The clerk picked up a chemise that, in Blair’s eyes, didn’t look much less bold. It was so thin it seemed pointless to wear at all.

“…It’s pretty. I’ll look around elsewhere.”

“Oh, don’t be like that….”

“Blair?”

At the familiar voice coming from behind her, Blair’s heart dropped. She quickly stepped aside as if she weren’t a customer at the lingerie counter, but it was already too late. The revealing chemise and the clerk holding it up with both hands toward her were impossible to deny.

Seeing the clear amusement on Edmund’s face, Blair hurriedly turned away. She didn’t even make it a few steps before he naturally caught up to her.

“If you want to keep looking, you can. Sorry if I interrupted.”

“It’s fine. I was just passing by.”

“For someone just passing by, you seemed to be looking quite intently. Did you like how see-through it was?”

Instead of answering, Blair focused desperately on walking faster, but a man much taller than most had no trouble keeping pace. Edmund walked with his upper body brushing lightly against one side of her shoulder and continued speaking.

“Just as I thought, you have a bold taste. I could tell from the moment you pretended to loosen my tie and almost strangled me.”

“…Those kinds of clothes aren’t my taste.”

“Why not? They were pretty. You should buy one.”

“So that’s your taste?”

“More than that, I want to see Blair dressed that way.”

“The schedule is over, isn’t it? Let’s go home now….”

“Not yet.”

Smiling as he answered, Edmund reached out and blocked Blair’s path. They had just stepped outside the department store. Blair, still unable to cool her flushed cheeks, asked again.

“You checked the ledgers, so isn’t today’s work finished?”

“The official schedule is over. Now we move on to the unofficial one.”

He added quietly, as if making a mischievous suggestion, “It’s an inspection that won’t go into the report. Care to join me?”