Agnes defended Blair, saying an eleven-year-old child wouldn't have had the capacity to think of anything beyond herself.
'And Your Excellency also appears frequently in her happy memories.'
'...Me?'
'It means she trusts, relies on, and loves Your Excellency that much. So it might be good for Your Excellency to talk directly with her about that period sometimes.'
Herdin dismissed Agnes' words with a wry smile.
Love... What a ridiculous notion.
She probably just appeared often because he was Esmeralda's nephew and had many occasions to be with her.
He didn't know what feelings the current Blair had for him, but it certainly wasn't the kind Agnes was talking about.
Judging by Blair's recent actions.
Since that day she was first spotted going to the guild, Blair hadn't gone out for personal reasons.
'She's probably waiting for contact from the guild.'
Contacting the guild behind his back, spouting nonsense about being able to see the future.
But when he saw that innocent face, he wondered if her suspicious actions might actually be his misunderstanding. What if the demons really hadn't appeared as she said?
No, perhaps he wanted to believe that.
That must be why he felt so awful.
'What a foolishly naive thought.'
Herdin berated himself. It was also why he'd been busy since the New Year's Festival, minimizing opportunities to encounter Blair.
He had no intention of being deceived again by that innocent face. One such experience was enough.
The carriage had already left the center of the capital and was passing behind the theater.
Herdin's gaze, absently looking out the window, caught on one spot in the scenery. Just then, someone alighted from a carriage. That back view was familiar.
A small frame, platinum blonde hair peeking out from a dark green robe, glimpses of small, snow-white hands.
Herdin's brow furrowed as he instantly recognized Blair getting out of the hired carriage.
There were no escort knights visible around her. Of course, on Herdin's orders, they would be secretly guarding her from nearby.
Blair entered through the theater's back door with the maid she always kept with her.
"...Your Excellency. You haven't been listening to a word I've said, have you?"
Luth, who had been reporting on business affairs, noticed and looked at Herdin. Far from denying it, Herdin nodded towards the theater.
"Do you know what play is showing at that theater these days?"
Luth swallowed a sigh at Herdin's attitude of not even pretending to listen, but knowing how sensitive he'd been lately, answered compliantly.
"From what I know, they're putting on a heroic tale set in ancient times when divine beasts existed."
"..."
"But well, theater is just a front. It's actually a well-known rendezvous spot for noble gentlemen."
Loveless political marriages were common in noble society, and it was very common for both men and women to keep lovers.
But just because it was common didn't make it proper. Though it was an open secret that they had lovers, nobles who valued appearances didn't flaunt it openly.
"...Rendezvous?"
"Yes. Didn't you know?"
Rendezvous. Rendezvous.
Suddenly, a name that had once slipped from his wife's lips came to Herdin's mind.
'Asiel...'
Herdin's gaze grew cold as he stared at the back door of the theater Blair had entered.
* * *
The theater manager seemed to have been expecting Blair, welcoming her at the back door. Entering the theater, he handed a ticket to Lina.
"Miss, please follow that usher."
"M-me?"
Lina's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected offer. Blair noticed the intent to separate Lina and said with a smile:
"Yes, go enjoy it comfortably, Lina. I have someone to meet."
"Is, is that alright?"
"Yes. I prefer it that way too."
Lina, having received the ticket, followed the usher with an excited face.
The theater manager guided Blair to the top floor lounge of the theater. It was a private room used only by VIPs.
As Blair entered the room the manager led her to, Mikhail, who had been drinking wine in front of the glass wall overlooking the stage, turned around.
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