Chapter 111. Wheel of Fortune
2023.12.20.
"Goodbye, teacher!"
"See you next week, Heriat."
After seeing off the last child, the school grew quiet.
Just as the sudden silence that replaced the bustling noise of a moment ago began to feel a bit lonely, she felt a movement in her stomach.
Blair chuckled softly and stroked her belly.
"That's right, I'm not alone anymore."
Right after the kidnapping incident a few days ago, she worried that the severe shock might have harmed the baby and immediately called a doctor, but thankfully, the baby was safe.
It seemed the baby had inherited the sturdy constitution of its father, which made her feel a little grateful to Herdin.
Since that day, the baby's movements had become a bit more frequent.
It was probably just because the baby was growing and its movements were becoming more distinct and easier to feel, but Blair felt as though it was trying to ease her worries, making her endlessly proud and endearing.
As if answering the moving baby, Blair gently rubbed her belly, took a breath, then stood up and began tidying up the classroom.
At that moment, with a knock, a large man entered. He slightly bowed his head in greeting and silently began helping her tidy up.
He was the man Mikhail had assigned to guard her after the kidnapping incident.
"Thank you."
The kidnapper wasn't caught.
Mikhail wanted her to leave immediately, but she decided to stay here until the kidnapper's identity was revealed, at least. Contrary to his worries, it could have just been a simple home invasion robbery. There were also rumors of burglars roaming the town recently.
It was a fortunate turn of events for Blair, who had grown fond of this city during her short stay of a little over a month.
"It looks like we're done cleaning up, so let's head back."
Just as Blair, who had finished tidying up with the man, was about to step out of the classroom, urgent footsteps from outside grew closer and closer.
Soon, the classroom door swung open from the outside, and a child rushed in.
"Teacher!"
"...Alisa?"
It was the child whose hair Blair had tied up a few days ago.
The child, who was about to stride into the classroom, hesitated when she saw the man standing beside Blair.
"Teacher's boyfriend...?"
Blair laughed and explained.
"No, he's a friend of a friend. He's just here to help out for a bit."
"Aha."
"But why did you come back?"
"I forgot that I promised to read your cards last time!"
Only then did Blair remember that the child had promised to read her cards a few days ago.
When Blair glanced at the man, he gave a small nod as if to say it was okay and took a step back.
Blair sat facing the child across a desk. The child shuffled the cards she had brought with practiced ease and asked.
"Teacher, is there anything you want to ask the cards?"
"What can I ask?"
"Hmm, things like wealth fortune or romance fortune? Or I could just read your general fortune."
Her appearance was so much like an expert that it made Blair laugh. With a smile on her face, Blair readily replied.
"Read whatever you'd like to see."
"Then let's safely go with your general fortune."
The child fanned out the well-shuffled cards in front of Blair.
"Now, think about your fortune and carefully draw a card."
Blair surveyed the cards in front of her with somewhat tense eyes. She had only agreed to this card reading to reciprocate the child's kindness, but before she knew it, she was taking it seriously.
"I'll go with this card."
After some deliberation, Blair chose a card.
The child flipped the card over with a very serious expression. It was a card with a picture in the center that looked like either a clock or a wheel.
Seeing this, the child's eyes narrowed. Watching her, Blair carefully asked.
"Is it a bad card?"
"Hmm... It could be, or it could not be."
"What does that mean?"
"The name of this card is 'Wheel of Fortune'. It means change, a turning point, and a new beginning."
"Change..."
"That change could have a good meaning, or it could have a bad meaning."
"Then if it's a bad meaning, is there no way to change that fate?"
"You can't avoid approaching fate, but you can change it! That depends on you, Teacher."
"Hmm."
"But still, don't worry too much."
The child added with a smile, as if to reassure Blair.
"Because you surely have the power to change that fate, Teacher."
It was quite an expert-like cheer.
* * *
October, when the Harvest Festival was held, was the busiest month of the year for the people of Nerha.
The lord who governed Nerha and the servants residing in his mansion were no exception. Especially this year, they were even more frantic.
Thanks to the precious guest scheduled to visit at this time.
"Now, now, scrub it until not a single speck of dust can be seen."
Raymond, the lord of Nerha, who had finished preparing to welcome the guest and came out of his room, hovered over the maids cleaning the hallway.
Half a month ago, the Delmark Duchy had conveyed their intention regarding Raymond's invitation, stating, "Since it is the Harvest Festival, we wish to visit quietly so as not to ruin the festive atmosphere."
In accordance with their wishes, Raymond had just finished preparing to welcome Herdin without the territory's subjects knowing.
Walking down the hallway, he arrived at a door and knocked.
"Betty, may I come in?"
His voice was quite different from when he was bossing the maids around.
Soon, a maid opened the door. As he entered the room, he saw his daughter, Beatrice, who had just finished dressing up.
"Oh, my daughter! You look exceptionally beautiful today."
Raymond was highly satisfied with his daughter's adorned appearance.
For the gift he was going to offer to the precious guest visiting today was none other than his beautifully raised daughter.
'I heard the Duchess ran away in the middle of the night after having an affair with another man.'
Whether he loved the Duchess or not, he must be deeply heartbroken. At times like this, if you dig into that loneliness, it's easy to win his heart.
The Duke of Delmark possessed wealth surpassing even the Ardel Imperial Family, and was a war hero who held formidable military power on top of that.
If Beatrice caught his fancy and took the vacant Duchess seat, it would mean gaining influence not only in the neighboring Libren territory but also across the northern part of the Empire.
However, Beatrice was displeased with his plan.
"Dad. Do I really have to impress him? Even if he's a Duke of the Empire, he's a married man, isn't he?"
"He'll be getting a divorce from the Duchess soon, so he's practically single again."
"What does it matter if he divorces? Then I'll just be his second wife."
Beatrice grumbled.
Her father, who seemed to love her more than anyone in the world, had only sought a second wife position for her marriage. And to a man whose wife ran off with another man, no less.
She couldn't help but feel disappointed by her father's decision to push her onto such a man just to reap some benefits.
Raymond gently coaxed Beatrice.
"Still, they say the Duke is a rare handsome man. Since a hundred out of a hundred people who've seen his face say that, it doesn't seem like an empty rumor."
Beatrice didn't argue with his words anymore, but she didn't seem to fully believe Raymond either.
She had heard the rumors that the Duke of Delmark was handsome. However, Beatrice found those rumors untrustworthy.
'Since he's a war hero, couldn't it just be a false rumor created out of fear to flatter him?'
If he was as handsome as the rumors, why would the Duchess run away after falling for another man?
Just as Beatrice was doubting those rumors, the butler hurried in with news.
"My Lord, My Lady. The Duke of Delmark has arrived."
Upon hearing the news, Raymond and Beatrice hurried down to the entrance hall to welcome Herdin.
Soon, the carriage that passed through the mansion's front gates drove up to the entrance and stopped, and the one they had been waiting for stepped down.
The moment she saw that face, the eyes of Beatrice, who until then hadn't been able to hide her indifferent expression, sparkled with interest.
The man walking up to stand before her was more outstanding than any man she had ever met in her life. No, he was beautiful. He was a man to whom that word perfectly applied.
She corrected her earlier thoughts.
'Is the Duchess of Delmark blind? To run away with another man while leaving a man like this behind.'
The rumor she had found so unpleasant now felt like a blessing for her.
Beatrice, who had been staring blankly at Herdin's face, suddenly snapped out of it when she heard Raymond's greeting.
"You must have had a hard time traveling such a long way, Your Grace. I am Raymond, the lord of Nerha. It is an honor to host you."
"A pleasure, Lord."
"Ah, this is my daughter."
Beatrice also followed suit and offered her greeting.
"Thank you for making the precious journey here. I am Beatrice."
Herdin looked at Beatrice with his usual indifferent eyes, gave a slight nod, and turned his gaze away.
However, Beatrice's eyes couldn't easily tear themselves away from him.
"You must be tired from your journey, so I will guide you to your quarters first."
Raymond guided Herdin to the annex. It was originally the butler's job, but him doing it personally meant he was treating Herdin with that much respect.
As they entered the annex, a large window overlooking a beautiful seaside village and the blue sea came into view. It was a suitable place for a VIP guest to stay.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Herdin sat on the windowsill overlooking the sea and took out a cigar to light it. However, Raymond was still standing there and hadn't withdrawn.
"Do you have something else to say?"
At his words, Raymond quickly presented Beatrice, who had followed them in.
"My daughter will guide you around Nerha during your stay. Since she was born and raised here, I believe she will be as good as any escort."
Ah. So that was the reason.
Herdin sneered coldly at Raymond's intentions, which he had tried so hard to package but were so blatantly obvious.
"I didn't come all the way here just to buy your daughter."
It was a remark treating Beatrice like an object. At the same time, it was a remark that pointed out Raymond's intention of offering his daughter like a commodity.
At the insulting yet direct words, the faces of both Beatrice and Raymond flushed red.
"S-sell my daughter?! It's a misunderstanding! I merely wanted to introduce a noble of suitable status to keep you company and share pleasant conversations during your stay here."
Despite Raymond's explanation, Herdin acted as if he hadn't heard him and turned his gaze back out the window.
Feeling awkward, Raymond cleared his throat and bowed his head.
"Ahem, I will take my leave now."
Raymond took Beatrice and disappeared as if fleeing. Soon, the sound of the door closing was heard, and Herdin was left alone in the living room of the annex.
He exhaled a puff of smoke and quietly looked down at the panoramic view of Nerha. His eyes were shining sharply, like those of a beast of prey searching for its quarry.