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Chapter 24
At the Theater
Unlike when he was met at the guild, he was dressed in a suit that looked quite expensive at first glance.
Moreover, he wasn’t wearing the round glasses he had worn at the guild.
Those glasses had given him a gentle impression, but without them, his appearance seemed sharper, contrasting with the soft first impression he had made.
“I hope your journey here wasn’t too tiring.”
“Thanks to you, it was fine.”
Convincing the knights to let them come quietly, without attracting attention, had been a bit of a struggle.
After arriving at the theater, they entered through the back to avoid drawing eyes, and the manager guided them, so there was no real difficulty.
He had once thought of causing a scandal, but now was far too soon for that. Some inconvenience had to be tolerated.
Mikhail extended his hand to Blair. As a princess, she naturally accepted his escort and took her seat.
He handed her a filled wine glass—a posture that showed he was highly experienced in hospitality.
“Thank you,” Blair said, taking the glass.
“So, has the purchase of the kingdom’s mansion been completed?”
Mikhail had intended to introduce the wine first, but Blair went straight to the point, prompting him to let out a small laugh.
“Oh my, you don’t even give me a moment to catch my breath. I find that a bit disappointing.”
Blair blinked, clearly puzzled. Weren’t they meeting for a commission? What else was there to talk about?
Still smiling, Mikhail pulled a small coin from his pocket and handed it to her.
“To get straight to the point, the mansion purchase has been successfully completed. Take this coin to Agenda and visit the place marked on it, and they’ll hand you the property documents.”
Blair examined the coin held out before her.
Something was inscribed on its front in Clanian. Having learned foreign languages as a princess, she could read it easily: The Last Chalice of Clania. It was likely a metaphorical expression.
Mikhail then handed her a wooden token and added an explanation.
“And this is the ID you requested.”
“You’ve worked hard. I’ll send your fee to the guild via my maid tomorrow.”
“I’m glad I could be of help,” Mikhail replied with a bright smile. Seeing him smile, the gentle impression given by his glasses seemed to resurface.
Just as Blair was about to ask him about the glasses, a black curtain was drawn across the theater stage.
“It seems the play is about to begin.”
After a short wait, the curtain rose and actors appeared on stage.
Soon, a narrator stood to the side, reading lines as the play began:
*”Long ago, there were sacred creatures who protected this world. Humans called them divine beasts.
From another world, they possessed strength far beyond humans or demons. Yet they neither sought greater power nor ruled over the weak, instead using their strength for balance and peace.”*
The play was about the divine beasts, a story Blair had known from childhood through plays and books—well-known to anyone born and raised in the Western Continent.
After marriage, as the lady of the Delmarc household, she had studied the family’s history and encountered the story again.
The play’s protagonist, Helios, had lent his power to the first Duke of Delmarc, making this story especially memorable.
Seeing it again in this way brought a fresh sense of nostalgia.
Noticing Blair’s focus, Mikhail added an explanation:
“This is the story of the last divine beast, Helios, and his human knight lover, Arwen. Quite an entertaining play.”
The early story showed Helios, unlike other divine beasts, initially hostile to humans, slowly opening his heart as Arwen approached.
The young pair became friends through Arwen’s affinity, and then set off on adventures together. Majestic, floating music accompanied their journey.
Then, faint noises crept in beneath the music—sounding like a woman’s cry.
Blair looked around, puzzled. The sound came from the adjacent room.
Blinking in surprise, she realized what the sound was.
Could it be…?
Mikhail’s voice came from behind her.
“This theater is like that.”
He calmly sipped his wine as though accustomed to such situations and continued:
“It’s a place where secret lovers meet and share affection—perfect for the commission you requested. That’s why the play contains so many battle scenes.
The more chaotic the stage, the more the noises from the lounge are masked.”
Blair blushed at his words. She averted her gaze, embarrassed even to meet his eyes, but she couldn’t hide her reaction entirely.
My goodness… how could someone do such a thing…
It was oddly endearing that someone who would be shocked at this would also be thinking of causing multiple scandals as grounds for divorce.
But, as if to tease her, the sounds from the next room grew louder.
Blair couldn’t focus on the play and only rolled her eyes nervously.
Seeing her struggle, Mikhail chuckled and shifted the conversation.
“Do you have other plans after the divorce?”
“For now, I’m thinking of starting a business. Still deciding what kind.”
Mikhail had casually brought up a topic to distract her from the next room’s noises, but he was surprised by her answer.
It was remarkable that someone who had lived a life of comfort would now want to engage directly in business.
“Have you arranged the capital?”
“I will soon. I’ll need your help to gather it.”
Blair had already entrusted her jewels and valuables to Mikhail for the mansion commission, nearly exhausting her resources.
So she had planned another way to raise capital for the business, using her memory of the future.
But she had no intention of stealing others’ business ideas. Returning to the past by chance was miraculous, but she wouldn’t use it solely for personal gain.
Instead, she aimed for something else…
If my memory is correct, my brother’s steward will buy a few paintings at an auction soon.
During a family meal, Ivan had complained that his steward brought cheap paintings.
Yet two years later, the artist caught the attention of the Piace Marquis family, famous for sponsoring artists, and the paintings’ value skyrocketed.
Ivan only then retrieved the previously discarded works to showcase his artistic taste.
Blair planned to claim a small portion of what would eventually belong to Ivan.
Having spent her life being taken advantage of, she thought it fair to claim a little for herself, rationalizing it as such.
It will take two years for the paintings’ value to rise, but I intended to rest until giving birth to Asiel anyway.
After the business topic, Mikhail skillfully guided the conversation, keeping Blair from focusing on the noises next door.
Having traveled extensively as a guild master, he recounted stories that naturally captivated her, and he quietly enjoyed watching her eyes sparkle more than usual.
After a while, the adjacent room fell silent. Mikhail naturally concluded the conversation, allowing Blair to finally enjoy the rest of the play she had seen as a child.
Eventually, the play ended.
“Shall we?”
Mikhail extended his hand. Blair took it and rose.
But after a few steps, Mikhail stopped at the door.
“Regrettably, my escort ends here. The time isn’t right yet.”
Blair, watching him, suddenly asked:
“Are you a noble?”
Even in the future Blair knew, Mikhail’s identity had never been revealed. She had assumed he was a commoner, yet he moved with the finesse of a noble.
Mikhail smiled at her question.
“I’m glad I appear that way.”
He answered gently, skillfully avoiding the question. Blair didn’t press further.
Mikhail lightly kissed the back of her hand and let go.
“Until we meet again, my lady.”
“Welcome back, my lady.”
Upon arriving at the Duke’s estate, Mason and the lined-up servants greeted her.
Blair asked as she entered:
“And the Duke?”
“His afternoon appointments ended early; he returned just now.”
Her heart sank at the news that Herdin was home.
Nothing had happened with Mikhail at the theater, and her marriage to Herdin was currently a show driven strictly by their contract, yet her heart felt uneasy—as if someone who had committed infidelity had returned home.
In reality, all of this was part of his plan, ensuring a safe divorce.
As usual, Blair hoped she wouldn’t run into Herdin while ascending the stairs.
But fortune was not on her side.
By her door, Herdin waited.
Her husband, unseen for the past fortnight, now stood there with cold eyes.
