Deceived, Yet Drawn to You - Chapter 135

“I want to go with you.”

The decision didn’t take long. Blair smiled as she remembered what Edmund said that day at the art museum in Borsa.

“It’s an exhibition hosted by someone who values an artist’s philosophy and sincerity, isn’t it? I can’t miss something that wonderful.”

“I’m honored you still remember.”

“That day was unforgettable for me.”

“The day you fell for me?”

“Hmm… I fell for you long before that.”

When she said it without hesitation, Edmund let out a low laugh. His gaze looked as though he found her honest confession incredibly endearing. Reaching across the table, he gently clasped the back of Blair’s hand. The warmth that spread from his touch was so comforting that Blair finally felt she was safely within a protected space.

Soon, the maids moved about, refilling the table with freshly baked bread, butter, and drinks, and Blair picked up her fork again to resume eating. The man’s gaze remained fixed on her.

“There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

When she lifted her head, a trace of concern flickered in the eyes watching her closely.

“What is it?”

“The Metropolitan Police investigation has concluded, and Count Twyford’s funeral will be held soon.”

Blair didn’t respond right away. She simply reached for her glass of water and took a sip, calming the unfamiliar emotion rising from deep within her chest. Hearing about his end left her with feelings she couldn’t easily describe.

A father who sold her off again and again for the sake of greed, who even hired criminals to abduct her, and ultimately died because of it. His death brought neither joy nor sorrow. She felt no genuine desire to mourn him. It only left her unsettled, as the wounds he left behind and the shock of that final moment resurfaced together.

“The count currently has no remaining blood relatives.”

Edmund paused briefly as he studied Blair’s expression before continuing in a calm voice, “Legally, as his relative by marriage, I’m in a position to handle his affairs. If you’re alright with it, may I take charge of the funeral arrangements?”

“Please do. Still, I’d like to attend the ceremony.”

“Are you sure?”

“I want to see with my own eyes that it’s truly over.”

She knew the dead wouldn’t return. Still, she wanted to witness the moment the name that bound her for her entire life was finally laid to rest. Only then did she feel she could be certain he would never reach into her life again.

Edmund, who had always been overly protective of Blair, didn’t look entirely pleased with her decision, but fortunately, he didn’t try to persuade her otherwise. After holding her gaze for a moment, as if weighing the gravity of her choice, he nodded.

“Then we’ll attend together.”

“Thank you, Ed. For everything….”

“It’s naturally my responsibility.”

Lowering her gaze, Blair carefully brought up something that had weighed heavily on her heart.

“Actually, he showed me a letter from my mother.”

“What kind of letter?”

“It was proof that she didn’t abandon me. But he intercepted the letter a long time ago so we couldn’t meet, and after that… I don’t know what happened to her.”

The thought struck her late, piercing her heart, that her biological mother, whom she believed had run away chasing cheap love, might actually have waited endlessly for her. Where could she be now? After so much time passed, it seemed impossible that she never tried to find her even once.

She felt a bad premonition, but now that she knew the truth, she couldn’t simply bury it and move on.

“I’ll look into it.”

A calm voice came from across the table. Blair faced the man who offered neither hollow comfort nor reckless hope.

“I can’t promise we’ll uncover the truth immediately, but if any records remain, I’ll examine all of them.”

“Please.”

“You don’t need to ask anything of me. If it’s a burden you carry, then it’s already mine as well.”

The firm vow conveyed through his words eased Blair’s anxiety. Now the only remnant of the past she needed to lay to rest was Count Twyford, who would soon be sealed inside a coffin.

***

Count Twyford’s funeral was held on a small scale at a chapel located on the outskirts of Borsa. There were so few attendees that the ceremony was brief, and even the priest’s prayers felt perfunctory. With no line of mourners and no praises honoring the deceased, only a quiet funeral hymn lingered in the air.

Blair silently watched the light filtering through the stained glass spill over the coffin. Like Rufus, the count’s body was covered in pure white silk. Perhaps it was the final courtesy permitted to those who met an inglorious end.

“Blair.”

At the low voice falling from above, Blair lifted her gaze. Edmund, who had remained by her side throughout the ceremony, continued speaking while keeping his eyes forward.

“When everything is settled,”

“….”

“Shall we go to Brücken together?”

Brücken. The country where the painter Augier was born and raised. Known as a nation of artists, it was once the destination Blair considered for her independence while imagining a future without Edmund.

“Brücken?”

“Yes.”

As the priest’s memorial prayer ended, Blair offered a brief silent prayer before turning to leave. Edmund didn’t walk ahead but naturally matched his pace to hers.

“Really?”

“Why do you look so surprised?”

“I thought you disliked Brücken.”

“Why would I?”

“…Because of Countess Gillingham’s younger brother.”

Not wanting to mention Marcel’s name directly, she spoke indirectly, and Edmund let out a soft breath of laughter as he pushed open the chapel doors.

“Someone still wet behind the ears wouldn’t even catch your eye, let alone become my rival. I’m not so narrow‑minded that I’d avoid Brücken over something like that.”

…But you were terribly jealous back then, weren’t you? Remembering the cold look he gave Marcel, Blair looked up at the man who now seemed completely at ease.

Edmund continued, utterly shameless, “I admit I didn’t like him, but that doesn’t mean I hate Brücken.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s a place you’ve always been interested in, so it holds special meaning for me as well. I think it would be a wonderful trip in many ways. What do you think?”

“I’d like that. The countess also said Brücken is a wonderful place to travel.”

Blair repeated with a smile, “I think it’ll be really nice.”

“Thank goodness.”

The realization that a place she once prepared to visit alone was now becoming a destination she would travel to with him stirred her heart anew.

The process of carving a new future atop a painful, worn past still felt unfamiliar, yet it was no longer vague or frightening as before. Just as Edmund had become a great source of strength for her, Blair hoped she could become someone he could rely on as well.

Without a trace of hesitation, Blair turned her back on the chapel and walked out with steady steps. Now, there was truly no reason to look back at Twyford’s shadow again.

***

It had been a long time since the art museum of Eldenvale was filled with such vibrant light.

Works gathered from artists across various regions adorned the walls, and figures from high society gathered beneath softly glowing chandeliers. It was the first exhibition officially hosted together by Edmund and Blair.

Facing so many people again after such a long while, Blair couldn’t help steadying her breath. But this was a place that proved Edmund’s stature, and she was the one who chose to stand beside him. Having stepped out from the shadows of her past, she now stood as the rightful lady of Eldenvale and his wife, and she refused to shrink back.

“What a splendid exhibition. One can truly see Duke Libehrt’s refined eye.”

“Perhaps culture is finally beginning to bloom in Eldenvale as well.”

The exhibition especially delighted the mayor of Eldenvale, his spouse, and members of related organizations. They spoke in unison about how the city, once regarded only as a center of commerce and distribution, had now reached a stage where art could be discussed alongside Borsa.

“Opening a cultural space within the city is such a meaningful endeavor. It will become a great source of pride for Eldenvale’s citizens.”

“It proves that Eldenvale is not merely a hub, but a city people would want to stay in. All thanks to His Grace’s insight and decisive leadership.”

The courteous praise naturally turned toward Edmund. Wearing a relaxed smile, he gently wrapped an arm around Blair’s waist.

“You flatter me. In truth, without my wife’s advice, this exhibition wouldn’t shine as brightly as it does.”

“Oh, to think there was such devoted support behind it.”

“I simply followed my wife’s discerning eye, which has stood out since our time in Borsa.”

Blair felt warm, affectionate gazes fall upon her.

“She herself is the value Eldenvale must protect above all else.”

Blair glanced up at the man who spoke such shamelessly bold words without even blinking. It was too much to dismiss as mere social courtesy, and her cheeks flushed despite herself.

Edmund leaned closer and whispered softly by her ear, “There happens to be a painting I’d like to show you.”