Blair followed the hand upward with surprised eyes. Mikhail stood before her.
Blair naturally placed her hand on top of his and asked,
"How did you recognize me?"
"Usually, people who come to places like this are desperate to show off their authority. Unless they want to display their family crest larger, it is rare to see someone arriving in a hired carriage."
"Still, there must be more than one person who arrives in a hired carriage."
"Well, let's just call it the power of magic."
Mikhail slyly brushed it off with a smile and guided Blair into the art museum.
This private museum holds an art auction once a season.
Today was the day of the spring auction.
Among the works up for auction today was a painting that Ivan's attendant was scheduled to purchase.
Blair had come here to secure that painting first, and also to acquire a few pieces to fill the empty Duke's mansion.
"This way."
Following Mikhail down to the basement, a spacious hall resembling a theater unfolded before them. However, unlike a theater, it was brightly lit.
The two found seats in a reasonably secluded spot. Looking up at the stage, it appeared the auction was still being prepared.
Blair kept glancing around. On the table in front of them lay several numbered cards, an oak board, and a sign with a circle drawn on it.
Mikhail looked at Blair, who was scrutinizing her surroundings like a curious child, with an amused expression.
"It seems this is your first time at an auction."
Only then did Blair realize that her behavior was unbefitting of a noblewoman, and she put down the sign she had been examining.
"I have had no reason to leave the Imperial Palace. My father forbade me from going out because it was dangerous, and I am also frail…"
In truth, there was a different, decisive reason.
Blair hated attracting people's attention. That
various inferences followed her every word and glance simply because she was an imperial princess. That
many people judged her based on a fragmented image shown in a fleeting moment.
And…
"Blair, if you are a princess, act like one. Please, don't bring shame to your mother!"
That was how Katrina became pathologically obsessed with that single mistake.
That is why she still avoided attracting attention.
Having become a Duchess and thus freed herself somewhat from those gazes, Blair wanted to venture out into the outside world—a place she had never properly explored as a princess. With Herdin.
Because with him by her side, the stares of others seemed insignificant.
"Herdin, if you have time, could you come see the clock tower in the square with me?"
"I will inform the knights. It is cold, so please dress warmly."
But he was busy, and whenever he had a spare moment, it was difficult for him to leave the bedroom.
Back then, she believed it was love. After all, he was affectionately worried about her.
Although she desperately wanted to see the outside world, she also loved being held in his arms.
"He always put his own desires first."
Perhaps, knowing full well what was happening, she had desperately rationalized it, pretending to understand him to avoid feeling miserable herself.
Blair scoffed at a memory from the past that suddenly surfaced. Seeing the bitter smile lingering on her lips, Mikhail grinned and spoke.
"I suppose I'll have to take you around quite a bit under the pretext of this commission. I know many good places in the city. I suddenly feel a heavy sense of responsibility."
Blair blinked at Mikhail's words. She could not understand the kindness he was so readily offering.
After thinking deeply for a moment, Blair easily reached a conclusion.
"As expected, money can buy anything."
He believed his kindness was merely a capitalist gesture for the client.
It was difficult to imagine any ulterior motives hidden behind his simple and unpretentious smile and goodwill.
Before long, preparations for the auction were nearing completion. Watching this, Mikhail spoke up.
"Before the auction begins in earnest, there is something I would like to ask you, Madam."
Blair instinctively sensed that the story he was about to bring up would be about Caligo. And, as expected, he mentioned the name.
"A man named Caligo Elparind, a knight of the Duke of Delmark. May I ask why you are investigating him?"
Blair paused at his question.
One of the purposes of meeting Mikhail today was to hear news about Caligo. However, she could not speak in detail about him.
"…I cannot say that he is the one who will kill me in the future."
As Blair hesitated, unable to answer readily, Mikhail asked again, as if he had anticipated such a reaction.
"If it is difficult for you to say, could you at least let me know whether you are looking for him for a good reason or a bad one?"
"I am investigating him due to a personal… unsavory matter."
Mikhail's brow furrowed at Blair's answer. The ominous premonition he had vaguely held grew stronger.
Of course, it was still just a 'premonition.'
If he spoke of something uncertain, she might actually be put in danger. He needed to dig a little deeper.
"First, I will investigate further. He might be more dangerous than expected, so please keep your distance as much as possible."
As Mikhail finished speaking, the auctioneer stepped onto the podium.
Soon, the auction began.
***
The museum director clasped his hands together demurely and looked up at the man standing beside him.
Tall and straight, with a handsome face befitting the adjective 'beautiful.'
A man who, merely standing and admiring a painting, became a work of art alongside it.
It was Herdin Delmark, the museum's largest investor.
His mother, Eloise, the former Duchess of Delmark, came from the Marquis de Piacere family, famous for patronizing the arts.
Perhaps due to growing up under such a family tradition, she herself was deeply knowledgeable about art and had supported many impoverished artists during her lifetime.
Her son, Herdin, was continuing her legacy by investing in the art museum.
However, the director was frightened every time he saw him. It
was partly due to his excessively unrealistic appearance, but more than that, there was an indescribable, chilling aura of intimidation emanating from this man. This was true even when setting aside his background as the museum's largest investor.
Especially today.
"He looks strangely sharper than usual today..."
Still, he wasn't this scary when his aide was with him.
The director, glancing at Herdin, cautiously asked,
"Um, did the aide not come with you today?"
"He has other business."
For several days now, Ruth had voluntarily gone out on fieldwork.
The person involved had no idea that this was a choice made after carefully observing Herdin's mood a few days ago, when he was extremely sensitive due to the talk of a contract marriage.
"Ah… I see."
The director's expression darkened abruptly, but Herdin, his gaze fixed on the paintings, did not notice.
"I took a quick look, and there are quite a few fine ones. I'll stop by again soon."
The private art museum periodically rotates the paintings on display. The purpose is to attract visitors with new exhibits while simultaneously discovering new artists.
Once the exhibition ends, the artworks fall into the hands of the nobility through auctions or sales.
"Are you planning to buy a painting? If there is a piece you are interested in, please let me know right now. I will set it aside for you."
"No, my wife will choose the paintings."
Ruth had recounted the story from the day a few days ago when she and Blair prepared for the banquet. She mentioned that Blair had suggested hanging more paintings on the wall.
Coming to the museum, that remark came to mind, so he had somewhat impulsively made an appointment with the director.
The director looked at Herdin with a puzzled expression.
"Is he on better terms with his wife than expected?"
When news of Herdin and Blair's marriage spread, people assumed he would treat Blair poorly. After all, everyone was well aware of the bitter feud between the Imperial Family and Delmark.
However, Herdin now appeared to cherish his wife at first glance. Of course, it could have been an act for the sake of his public image.
Whatever the truth was, it was enough to simply play along with it.
"Haha, indeed, the lady of the house has the best eye when it comes to decorating a home. If you give me a heads-up the day before, I will be waiting."
Herdin left the exhibition room with the museum director. Just then, a large crowd was pouring out of the basement.
As Herdin looked at the scene, the director quickly explained.
"Ah, today is the day of the spring auction. It looks like the auction has just finished. If you happen to be interested..."
While the director was explaining, a group of people left, and a man and a woman arrived late.
Herdin, who was about to pass by indifferently, stopped in his tracks upon seeing them. Although the veil on her hat covered part of her face, he recognized her at a glance.
That she was his wife.
Blair, who was talking to a stranger, was smiling brightly as if she were enjoying herself.
That sight felt unfamiliar. Amusingly so.
The museum director was saying something beside him, but he didn't even register it.
"Your Excellency?"
Just as the director called out to him, Mikhail, who had been watching Blair with a gentle smile, looked up.
The smile vanished from his face as his eyes met Herdin's.
Only then did Blair notice the unusual atmosphere around them and followed Mikhail's gaze.
Blair's eyes widened in surprise upon spotting Herdin at the end.
"...Herdin?"
Her blinking eyes held only surprise at the unexpected encounter; there was no trace of embarrassment at having her secret exposed.
Reading that emotion, Herdin's lips twisted.