Chapter 111: Wheel of Fate
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 111: Wheel of Fate
"Goodbye, Teacher!"
"See you next week, Harriet."
Once she sent the last child home, the school fell silent. The sudden quiet in the once-bustling room felt a little lonely, but then she felt a movement in her belly.
Blair chuckled softly and stroked her stomach.
That's right. I'm not alone anymore.
A few days ago, right after the kidnapping incident, she had immediately called a doctor, worried the immense shock might have harmed the baby. Fortunately, the baby was safe.
She felt a small wave of gratitude toward Herdin, figuring the baby had inherited its father's robust constitution.
Since that day, the baby's movements had become more frequent. Logically, it was just the baby growing and its movements becoming more distinct. Still, Blair couldn't help but find it incredibly endearing, as if the baby were trying to ease her worries.
Blair took a moment to catch her breath, gently caressing her belly as if responding to the baby's kicks. Then, she stood up and began to tidy the classroom.
Just then, a knock sounded, and a large, burly man entered. He bowed slightly in greeting, then silently began to help her clean.
He was a guard assigned by Mikhail to protect her after the kidnapping incident.
"Thank you."
The kidnapper had not been caught. Mikhail wanted her to leave immediately, but she decided to stay until the culprit's identity was revealed. Contrary to his worries, she suspected it might have been a simple burglar. After all, there had been rumors of break-ins around town recently.
It was a relief for Blair, who had grown fond of the city over the past month.
"I think we're all done here. Let's head back."
Just as Blair and the guard finished tidying up and were about to leave, hurried footsteps approached from outside.
The classroom door burst open, and a child rushed in.
"Teacher!"
"...Alissa?"
It was the child whose hair Blair had tied a few days ago. The girl started to stride into the classroom but hesitated when she saw the man standing next to Blair.
"Is he your boyfriend, Teacher...?"
Blair laughed and clarified. "No, he's a friend of a friend. He just came to help out."
"Ah."
"But why did you come back?"
"I forgot that I promised to read your cards last time!"
Only then did Blair remember the child's promise. When she glanced at the guard, he gave a small nod and took a step back.
Blair sat at a desk facing the child. Alissa skillfully shuffled the cards she had brought and asked, "Teacher, is there anything you want to ask the cards?"
"What can I ask?"
"Hmm, things like wealth or love? Or I can just do a general fortune reading."
She looked so much like a professional that Blair couldn't help but smile. With a warm grin, she readily replied, "Read whatever you'd like to read."
"Then let's go with a standard fortune reading."
With a flourish, the child fanned the well-shuffled cards out in front of Blair.
"Now, think about your fortune and choose a card carefully."
Blair looked at the cards with slightly tense eyes. Though she had only agreed to the reading to indulge the child's kindness, she found herself taking it seriously.
"I'll go with this one."
After some deliberation, Blair selected a card.
With a very serious expression, the child flipped it over. It was a card depicting what looked like a clock or a wheel.
Upon seeing it, the child's eyes narrowed. Watching her, Blair asked cautiously, "Is it a bad card?"
"Hmm... It could be, or it might not be."
"What does that mean?"
"This card is called the 'Wheel of Fate.' It signifies change, turning points, and new beginnings."
"Change..."
"That change could be good, or it could be bad."
"Then, if it's a bad thing, is there no way to change that fate?"
"You can't avoid the fate that's coming, but you can change the outcome! It all depends on you, Teacher."
"Hmm."
"But don't worry too much," the child added with a reassuring smile. "Because you definitely have the power to change your fate, Teacher."
It was a surprisingly professional word of encouragement.
* * *
October, the month of the Harvest Festival, was the busiest time of year for the people of Nerha.
The Lord of Nerha, who governed the territory, and the servants of his mansion were no exception. This year, in particular, was even more chaotic.
It was all because of the esteemed guest scheduled to visit.
"Come on, scrub it until not a single speck of dust is left."
Raymond, the Lord of Nerha, instructed the maids cleaning the hallway as he stepped out of his room, having finished preparing to welcome his guest.
A fortnight ago, Duke Delmark had responded to Raymond's invitation, expressing his desire to visit quietly so as not to ruin the festive atmosphere. In accordance with that wish, Raymond had prepared to welcome Herdin without the knowledge of the territory's residents.
Walking down the hallway, he stopped in front of a door and knocked.
"Betty, may I come in?"
His voice was entirely different from the tone he had used with the maids.
A maid opened the door. Stepping inside, he saw his daughter, Beatrice, who had just finished dressing.
"Oh, my daughter! You look exceptionally beautiful today."
Raymond looked at his dressed-up daughter with immense satisfaction. The gift he intended to present to his esteemed guest was none other than his precious, carefully 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, his heartbreak must be immense. A man in such a state of loneliness would be easy to win over. After all, Duke Delmark was a war hero who possessed wealth surpassing even that of the Ardel Imperial Family, not to mention formidable military power.
If Beatrice could win his favor and claim the vacant seat of the Duchess, they would gain influence over the neighboring Libren Territory, as well as the entire northern region of the Empire.
Beatrice, however, was displeased with his plan.
"Father, do I really have to try and please him? Even if he is a Duke of the Empire, he's a married man."
"He will be divorcing the Duchess soon, so he will practically be single again."
"What does it matter if he divorces? I'll still just be his second wife," Beatrice grumbled.
She couldn't believe that her father, who claimed to love her more than anyone, was pushing her to become the second wife of a man whose first wife had just run away with another lover. She was deeply hurt by her father's decision to use her to secure his own interests.
Raymond gently coaxed her. "Still, they say the Duke is a rare beauty. Everyone who has seen his face says so, so it can't be an exaggeration."
Beatrice did not argue further, but she didn't seem to fully believe him. She had heard the rumors that Duke Delmark was handsome, but she found them hard to trust.
He's a war hero. The rumors are probably just baseless flattery born out of fear.
If he were as handsome as the rumors claimed, why on earth would the Duchess have run away with another man?
Just as Beatrice was questioning the rumors, the butler rushed in.
"My Lord, My Lady. Duke Delmark has arrived."
Raymond and Beatrice hurried down to the foyer to welcome Herdin. Soon, a carriage passed through the main gates and pulled up to the entrance. The long-awaited man stepped out.
The moment she saw his face, a spark of interest flared in Beatrice's previously indifferent eyes.
The man who stood before her was more handsome than any man she had ever met. No, beautiful. That was the word that suited him perfectly.
She immediately corrected her previous thoughts.
Is Duchess Delmark blind? To think she ran away from a man like this.
The rumor she had once dismissed now felt like a stroke of good fortune meant just for her.
Beatrice was blankly admiring Herdin's face when Raymond's greeting snapped her back to reality.
"You must be weary from your long journey, Your Grace. I am Raymond, the Lord of Nerha. It is an honor to host you."
"A pleasure, Lord of Nerha."
"Ah, and this is my daughter."
Following her father's lead, Beatrice curtsied politely. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence. I am Beatrice."
Herdin glanced at Beatrice with his characteristically indifferent eyes, gave a slight nod, and looked away.
Beatrice, however, could hardly tear her eyes from him.
"You must be exhausted from your travels. I will guide you to your quarters first."
Raymond personally guided Herdin to the annex. This was normally the butler's duty, a testament to how highly he regarded his guest.
Upon entering the annex, a large window came into view, framing a beautiful coastal town and the blue sea. It was a place perfectly suited for an honored guest.
"I appreciate your hospitality."
Herdin sat on the windowsill overlooking the sea, pulled out a cigar, and lit it. Raymond, however, had not withdrawn and remained in the room.
"Do you have further business?"
At that, Raymond quickly pushed Beatrice forward. "During your stay, my daughter will show you around Nerha. Since she was born and raised here, I believe she will be as capable as any guide."
Ah. So that was his angle.
Herdin sneered at Raymond's transparent intentions. His attempts to dress them up were glaringly obvious.
"I didn't come all this way to buy your daughter."
The statement treated Beatrice like a commodity and served as a sharp jab at Raymond for offering her up like one. His insulting, blunt words made both Beatrice's and Raymond's faces flush red.
"S-Selling my daughter! You misunderstand. I only wished to introduce a noble of fitting status to keep Your Grace company during your stay, so you might have someone to converse with comfortably."
Despite Raymond's frantic explanation, Herdin turned his gaze out the window, completely ignoring him.
Feeling awkward, Raymond cleared his throat and bowed his head.
"Ahem. We shall take our leave now."
Raymond practically fled, dragging Beatrice with him. The sound of the door closing echoed through the annex, leaving Herdin alone.
Exhaling a puff of smoke, he quietly looked down at the panoramic view of Nerha. His eyes gleamed sharply, like those of a beast of prey searching for its quarry.