Chapter 64: The Clock Tower on a Spring Day
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: The Clock Tower on a Spring Day
“…Your Holiness?”
Gerard was alone, without his usual entourage of clerics. He approached them, a pleased expression lighting up his face.
“I had a moment to spare and decided to visit. It’s a fortunate coincidence to run into you both.”
“Did Your Holiness come to pay your respects as well?”
“Yes. The late Duchess was an old friend of mine.”
“Thank you for always being so thoughtful. Mother would have been delighted by your visit.”
Gerard gazed toward the Hall of Spirits, his eyes full of deep longing, then spoke with a smile.
“Seeing that you’ve found a companion, Your Grace, the two of them in heaven can finally rest easy.”
“I can only hope so.”
A pang of guilt struck Blair, who couldn’t reveal their contract marriage, but Herdin simply offered a calm, formal reply.
“We shall take our leave now.”
“Of course. Travel safely.”
Herdin and Blair gave a slight bow and walked away.
Gerard watched their retreating figures for a long moment before stepping into the Hall of Spirits. Quietly closing the door behind him, he looked at the portraits of Casion and Eloise and spoke.
“It gladdens my heart to see your son has grown so splendidly, safe and sound.”
“…”
“He resembles you so much, Your Grace. When I saw him return from the war, I was startled for a moment, thinking you had come back to life.”
“…”
“Though, of course, that could never happen.”
His next whispered words were scattered and lost to the wind.
In stark contrast to the tender words he offered his friends, his green eyes sank into a bleak, cold depth as he stared at the two people in the portrait.
* * *
Leaving the temple, the two boarded the carriage bound for the mansion.
An exhausted silence settled between them. Blair gazed at the scenery passing outside the window, while Herdin quietly watched his wife. Her eyes, fixed on the view, sparkled in the sunlight.
From beyond the window, the faint sound of music and a sweet fragrance drifted in. Seeing that Blair couldn't seem to tear her eyes away, Herdin turned to follow her gaze.
At the end of a road lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom stood the plaza’s clock tower. Dozens of stalls were set up before it, the entire area buzzing like a festival.
As he watched the scene with indifference, a dull ache pulsed behind his eyes, and a memory surfaced unexpectedly.
In the memory, Blair was looking out at a courtyard filled with cherry blossoms, her half-naked body draped in a blanket. Staring quietly at the view, she had turned to him and asked:
‘Herdin. If you have some time, could you go with me to see the clock tower in the plaza?’
She had tried to hide her anticipation, but it was written all over her face.
Just as Herdin was about to answer, the memory scattered like mist and vanished.
In its place was the real Blair, still silently watching the scenery outside.
Herdin furrowed his brow at the sudden intrusion of a memory that wasn't his.
‘And here I thought it had finally quieted down.’
What on earth was this memory? It felt like his own, yet he had never experienced it.
‘I looked into the phenomenon Your Grace mentioned, but there were no cases identical to yours.’
‘Were there any similar cases?’
‘They say there was a type of black magic that could read memories by absorbing the target’s mana.’
‘Reading memories by absorbing mana?’
‘Yes. Apparently, mana is like another organ, so it holds a portion of our memories… The text was rather complicated. But it’s not as if Your Grace used black magic, right?’
This was certainly different from the cases Ruth had found. In his case, even though it was a memory of something he’d never experienced, it was undeniably his memory. Besides, far from using black magic, he didn’t even know any. It was a forbidden art that had vanished long ago.
Then, he recalled a certain book in his private study and paused.
‘…No, perhaps I do know of one.’
Of course, knowing of it and using it were two different things. It had nothing to do with him.
Herdin closed his eyes, brushing the irritating thoughts away. Yet, when he looked at his wife again, the image of her from the memory overlapped with her current self.
Watching her, Herdin spoke.
“Blair.”
Blair, who had been unable to take her eyes off the window, finally turned to look at him.
Herdin gestured toward the window with his chin.
“Shall we go take a look?”
It was a completely impulsive suggestion, born from a memory of unknown origin.
* * *
The area in front of the clock tower was bustling with people.
There were vendors selling all kinds of food and goods, sightseers admiring the flowers, shoppers browsing wares, and children playing games. For Blair, who had never stepped outside the Imperial Palace except for official events, it was an entirely unfamiliar world.
Herdin watched as Blair looked around with sparkling eyes, like a child fascinated by everything, and let out a soft, disbelieving chuckle. The doll-like woman with her usual calm, detached expression was gone.
‘Perhaps I should have brought her out sooner.’
He slowed his pace to match hers, then reached out and took her hand as she began to drift away, completely captivated by the sights.
Feeling the warmth envelop her hand, Blair finally turned back to look at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
“If you keep looking around like that, you’ll get lost. Hold my hand.”
Blair obediently offered her hand. Herdin laced his fingers through hers, ensuring she wouldn’t slip away.
While Blair took in the sights of the festival, Herdin took in the sight of her.
After walking for a while, Blair stopped in front of a stall. It sold what appeared to be handmade accessories, and unlike the others, it was manned by a single girl who looked to be about six or seven years old.
“Welcome!”
Blair smiled gently at the little shopkeeper’s bright greeting.
“Did you make these?” she asked.
“No, my mommy made them.”
“Where did your mommy go?”
“She had to go do some work somewhere else. I have to watch the shop until she gets back.”
“Do you know how to count the money, too?”
“Yes, Mommy taught me.”
“How clever. And so admirable.”
Watching Blair speak so warmly to a child she’d never met, Herdin gestured toward the display with his chin.
“Is there anything you like? I’ll buy it for you as a souvenir. Go ahead and choose.”
“Oh, no. I was just worried about her being all alone.”
“I think the little shopkeeper would be much happier if you bought something, though.”
Realizing he had a point, Blair looked at the child. The girl, having understood their conversation, shook her head.
“It’s okay. You can just look.”
But the sight of such a commendable little girl only made Blair want to buy something more. She carefully scanned the display and chose a cherry blossom-shaped ring woven from thread. It was the perfect memento for the day.
“I’ll take this one.”
“That will be five silver coins.”
Herdin handed the child a gold coin.
“Keep the change. Just don’t give it to your mother.”
The child looked up at him with a dazed expression.
Blair glared at him for saying something so odd to a child, but Herdin pretended not to notice and turned away. After saying goodbye to the girl, Blair quickly caught up to him.
“Thank you for the ring, Herdin. I’ll treasure it.”
Herdin glanced quietly at the thread ring on Blair’s finger. Though the cherry blossom ornament wasn’t to his taste, it suited her fair, slender finger perfectly. It was worth every coin.
The next place Blair stopped was a stall selling cherry blossom-shaped cream puffs. The sweet aroma was too tempting to ignore, so Herdin bought some for her.
Taking a bite of the small pastry, Blair’s eyes widened. It seemed to suit her palate.
“Would you like to try one? It’s quite sweet, but…”
Blair took out a pastry and offered it to him.
Herdin took her hand and guided the pastry to his mouth. As he did, the tips of her fingers brushed against his lips before pulling away. Startled by the unfamiliar sensation, Blair flinched, but Herdin merely let out a soft chuckle.
“Not bad.”
Just as she was thinking that his blue eyes, set against the backdrop of cherry blossoms, looked like a spring lake strewn with petals, a bell began to toll nearby. It was coming from the top of the clock tower right in front of them.
Without realizing it, they had arrived at its base.
Blair craned her neck to look up at the very top. She had heard the view from up there was beautiful.
“Herdin, have you ever been up there?”
“Do you want to go up?” he asked, immediately grasping the question behind her question.
Blair nodded.
Herdin looked at her eyes, sparkling with anticipation, then lowered his gaze to her shoes.
“It might be difficult in those.”
“I can do it. I won’t be a burden.”
Seeing her speak with such determination, Herdin readily agreed.
Blair took the lead, starting up the stairs of the clock tower. Herdin followed a few steps behind, his pace unhurried.