Blair, who had never rebelled, had opposed Ivan's words.
And also in the presence of Herdin.
For Katrina it was intolerable.
—And besides, what do you know about affairs of state to go around chattering like that?
—Leave it, mother.
How is a woman who has not even studied the art of governing going to understand the heart of a monarch who watches over his people?
Ivan smirked and stopped Katrina, but his tone clearly despised Blair.
Herdin tilted his wine glass and watched Blair's expression.
The light in the woman's eyes, which for a moment had contained a ferocious momentum, was beginning to fade.
Herdin's gaze cooled when he saw that.
He removed the glass from his lips.
—In my opinion, the Lady has not said anything incorrect.
At Herdin's languid voice breaking the silence, the gazes of the three turned to him in unison.
—As a subject of your lord rather than a sister, expressing a frank opinion so that you can exercise good government, how could it be considered a rude intention?
Katrina, momentarily taken aback by Herdin's sudden intervention, retorted.
—Duke, this is a reprimand from a mother to correct her daughter's deficiencies.
Don't defend her.
It was a way of saying not to meddle in matters between parents and children.
Herdin chuckled and put down the wine glass he was holding.
—They say that when a daughter gets married, she leaves the family.
—What's that all of a sudden...?
—It's Blair Delmark now.
Herdin's look when he said Blair's name to Katrina was as sharp as that of a beast facing someone who has touched its property.
—Who, if not me, is going to point out my wife's deficiencies?
Before his icy impetus, Katrina shivered without realizing it and was intimidated.
But Herdin continued speaking naturally.
—As for the opinion that Your Majesty has asked of me…
He added as he took Blair's hand, which was still shaking, and helped her up.
—I'll reconsider after enjoying the honeymoon a little more.
As you said, offspring in Delmark are rare.
Bye bye.
He put his firm arm around Blair's back and stood up.
Blair blinked in bewilderment, curled up in his arms.
His chest, which wrapped around her as if protecting her, was warm.
Like that affectionate time before the regression.
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The two left the greenhouse, leaving behind the shocked exclamations of Ivan and Katrina.
—We leave.
As soon as they both got into the carriage, it started moving.
Herdin, who was staring with expressionless eyes at the passing winter landscape outside the window, suddenly felt a gaze upon him and turned his head.
Eyes reminiscent of amethysts bathed in afternoon light were staring at him.
As if they had waited a long, long time for him to turn around.
-Thank you.
—It's not something I did to receive gratitude.
As you know, my feelings towards the imperial family are not exactly good.
—Still, thank you.
And… I'm sorry.
For having caused you to be used for the ambition of my mother and my brother.
That was a regret that always remained in a corner of his heart, even when the resentment towards him grew uncontrollably.
Herdin, instead of answering, stared at her for a moment and then looked away again toward the window.
How long did he spend in that silence?
Inside the carriage, soft and regular breathing began to be heard.
Only then did Herdin's gaze return to Blair.
At that moment, the carriage lurched and Blair's body swayed sharply.
Herdin reflexively reached out to stop Blair's head from hitting the wall.
The hair like silver threads tangled in his hand and slid smoothly.
Because of this, the distance between them was shortened, but Blair, oblivious to the situation, was sleeping soundly.
Herdin let out a soft sigh and stared at the innocent face of the woman leaning on his hand.
The woman always had a blank expression, and it bothered him that she kept a calm face no matter what he said.
Like a pretty doll but without emotions.
That's why he didn't hide his hostility from her.
He purposely said hurtful things to her, distanced himself and treated her coldly.
I wanted to see how that impassive face twisted.
As much as he had hated her.
But seeing the woman's eyes losing their shine, pressed between Ivan and Katrina, he felt a pang of irritation.
It was as if a prey he had been chasing for a long time had been snatched away.
Making women cry, torment and destroy them should only be their prerogative.
—…
Herdin, who was watching the sleeping Blair, laid her on her side on the carriage seat.
Blair, who had shivered briefly, soon fell back into a deep sleep.
With a more peaceful face than before.
Herdin looked at the image in silence and then looked out the window.
The sound of breathing that echoed in the silent carriage completed the landscape of that languid afternoon.
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—Mmm…
Blair, who had fallen asleep without realizing it, felt her body floating in the air and opened her eyes.
It was completely dark before his eyes.
He started and stirred, and the covering from his face slid gently away.
It was Herdin's coat that covered her.
Before his eyes, still dazed from just waking up, he saw the servants lined up in a row saluting.
And…
A face so incredibly good-looking that she doubted if he was fully awake yet.
—…Herdin?
—Has he woken up yet?
The moment she met his eyes closely and realized she was sleeping in his arms, Blair became alarmed.
—B-Put me down.
Blair struggled to free herself from him.
She was ashamed that an adult had fallen asleep so soundly as not to notice the arrival of the carriage and had to resort to her husband's arms.
But Herdin, far from putting her down, hugged her even tighter.
Seeing the woman, always expressionless like a doll, with eyes round like a rabbit, he felt an inexplicable sadistic streak.
—It's a bother, let's keep it up.
—I must regret…
Herdin chuckled at Blair's murmur.
His wife seemed not to know what the word 'regret' meant.
Unless she was underestimating her husband's strength.
Ignoring his wife's unflattering evaluation, when he was about to climb the stairs of the mansion.
-Excellence.
Ruth, who had stayed in the mansion, approached him and informed him.
—The hypnotist has just arrived.
Upon hearing the news, a cold aura enveloped Herdin's eyes.
It was time to get closer to the 'true' objective of this contract marriage.
…To be continued