Mikhail was internally surprised to hear Blair.
The Imperial Princess said she would abandon her name.
That meant that he would also leave the Ducal House.
I was curious about the reason, but I had no right to ask further.
—Secondly, I need men with whom I can be linked in a scandal.
About four or five.
To guarantee secrecy, it would be good if they were trusted people.
—In that case, it would be convenient for me to participate as one of them myself.
With the excuse of periodically informing you of the progress.
Is that okay with you?
—If it's okay with you.
Blair nodded appreciatively.
If the Guild Master himself got involved, it would be more reliable.
Mikhail smiled.
—So, when do you want the scandal to break out?
Mikhail understood her plan immediately upon hearing one word.
It was comfortable to talk to a professional who was quick to the point.
—I would like it to be within half a year.
—We will have to prepare as quickly as possible.
And what is the last order?
Blair took a folded paper from the inside pocket of her dress and handed it to him.
An emblem was drawn on the paper.
It was the drawing of the emblem that she had seen engraved on the dagger of the assailant who killed her before her regression.
—I want you to find the person who owns a dagger with this emblem engraved on it.
Mikhail carefully examined the emblem drawn on the paper and put it in his own inside pocket.
—I will do everything possible to get the answer you want as soon as possible.
After finishing the conversation, Blair went down to the first floor.
The subordinates, who from Mikhail's treatment of Blair had already gotten an idea of his status, bowed their heads deeply.
Leaving behind her farewell bows, Blair left the guild.
At the same time, the shadow that was watching her disappeared.
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—They say that His Honor went to the guild.
It was the first thing Ruth said when, late at night, she returned to the residence and introduced herself to Herdin, who was reviewing documents in his office.
Herdin, who was smoking a cigarette without paying attention to who was entering or leaving and without taking his eyes off the papers, looked up at Ruth at this unexpected news.
—What are you talking about suddenly?
—Sir Jerome, who was on the rounds of the mansion, saw His Lordship and his maid sneaking out about an hour ago.
So he followed them and says they entered Guild Street.
Herdin put down the cigar he was holding and asked:
—At this time?
-Yeah.
They say they just returned to the mansion.
A dry laugh escaped Herdin's lips.
Who would have thought that his modest-looking wife would have a penchant for such enchanting escapades.
The unexpected blow to the back of the head was quite forceful.
—Shall we inquire about the content of the order?
-So that?
—He could be plotting something in collusion with the Imperial House.
Maybe a plan to absorb the Delmarks.
—If that were the goal, they wouldn't risk moving the Imperial Princess.
The Emperor has plenty of people to move.
—True, that's true.
—And although I may have those plans in the long term, it won't be now.
The Emperor will need my strength.
The powerful horse that will bring you victory in the war of conquest.
Ivan's purpose in pushing for this marriage could be vaguely sensed from the conversation at lunch at the Imperial Palace.
—So, why did you go to the guild?
At Ruth's question, Herdin ran his fingers through his not yet completely dry black hair with an irritable gesture and pressed his temples, which were throbbing with a headache.
That was precisely what he wanted to ask.
What the hell was that little head thinking, what was it up to?
But in the guild they would not reveal a client's purpose so easily, and forcibly forcing them to confess would make the matter bigger.
And if Blair ever found out, he would hide his goal completely.
Herdin, who remained silent for a while smoking his cigar and lost in thought, ordered in a low voice:
—For now, just escort her.
In a discreet way.
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Without realizing it, he was already one day away from the New Year Festival.
It was also the last day of the year.
Blair went down to the dining room as usual for breakfast.
Herdin's place was also empty today.
—His Excellency left the mansion early in the morning on business.
Mason said, bringing the chair closer to him, apologetically.
And with good reason, since since the incident with the maids, they had not eaten together again.
But for Blair, it was already commonplace.
I didn't want to continue owing emotional debts to him.
Blair finished eating thinking that if she had the chance to meet him, she should thank him before it was too late.
Afterwards, she tried on the New Year's Festival dress that Baroness Sionel had brought and rested for a while.
—Madam, Lady Lorelaine has arrived.
She had fallen asleep for a moment and woke up when she heard Lina's voice.
It was tea time agreed upon with Agnes.
She went to the greenhouse where Agnes was waiting for her, who greeted her affectionately.
—Good afternoon, Madam.
It was very cold, how has it been this last week?
-Yeah.
And you, Lady Lorelaine?
—Of course, thanks to you.
They had agreed to the appointment at first tea last week, so today, the second time, was the first proper consultation.
Blair, somewhat tense, caressed the rim of her teacup.
It was strange for her to talk about herself to anyone.
Since Esmeralda's death, he had never told anyone about his things.
Although by nature she didn't really like meeting new people, she didn't tend to get nervous either.
She had been born an Imperial Princess and, even if she didn't want to, she had had to meet many strangers out of obligation.
However, exceptionally, before his regression, he found dealing with the people of the Ducal House of Delmark difficult and tense.
The gazes she constantly felt seemed to judge whether she was a person worthy of being the Lady Duchess, whether she was suitable for Herdin.
After returning to the past, those gazes no longer intimidated her, but strangely, facing Agnes made her nervous.
Like he could see through everything she was.
Agnes took a sip of hot tea to warm her cold body and began the conversation.
—By the way, it seems like yesterday that we welcomed the new year, and in the blink of an eye it is already the last day of the year.
How time flies quickly.
-It's true.
Blair didn't want to respond in monosyllables, but she couldn't think of anything else to say.
Accustomed to a life in which there was always someone who carried the conversation without her having to make an effort to think of what to say, it was even more difficult for her.
Fortunately, Agnes didn't seem to care.
—We had agreed that from today we would talk about stories from the past, right?
-Yeah.
Where do we start?
—Mmm, if you just try to remember, it will be difficult...
How about today we talk about a memory related to the New Year Festival?
—The New Year Festival?
—From the New Year's Festival of the year the accident occurred.
Do you remember any anecdotes?
Anything, no matter how small.
Blair had no difficulty remembering what had happened that day.
Because that was the day he met Herdin for the first time.
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The day before Blair turned eleven.
Today, the last day of the year, was the day to meet up with relatives you didn't see often and wish each other the New Year in advance.
Blair got ready more carefully than ever and headed to the Empress's Palace.
He didn't really know why, but lately Esmeralda was very busy and it was difficult for him to see her.
Today I will win for sure.>With an excited heart, he entered the Empress's Palace.
But a visitor had already arrived before her.
-Oh.
You're at a good time, Blair.
A boy with delicate features, with the same beautiful black hair as Esmeralda, a pale face and piercing blue eyes.
Blair immediately recognized who it was.
The young lord of the current Ducal House of Delmark and Esmeralda's only nephew: Herdin Delmark.
Esmeralda had often spoken to him about Herdin.
I wish he also had a good friend like our Blair.>Faced with Esmeralda's worried words, Blair, wanting to reassure her, had promised her that she would become his friend when she met him.
But when she came face to face with Herdin, Blair looked at him with eyes full of suspicion.
He didn't like that intruder who was disturbing his time alone with Esmeralda.
—Say hello, Herdin.
It is Her Highness the Imperial Princess.
Esmeralda gently put her arms around Herdin's shoulders and introduced him to Blair.
The cold-faced boy stood up and paid his respects.
—Herdin of Delmark greets the shining star of the Empire, Her Highness the Imperial Princess.
The boy's attitude when greeting was impeccably polite, but his eyes revealed an undisguisable boredom.
Seeing that look, Blair cringed.
For Blair, who had always lived surrounded by kind people, the indifference of that boy about three or four years older than her was something unknown and terrifying.
However, he couldn't run away after receiving the greeting or disappoint Esmeralda's expectations, so he clumsily returned the greeting.
—En, delighted.
Duke Delmark.
—I'm glad you were able to meet each other.
I wanted them to see each other at least once.
Although Esmeralda was happy to see the two children meet, Blair only felt discomfort due to Herdin's presence.
Unfortunately or fortunately, the boy didn't seem interested in Blair.
Esmeralda, observing the two children who were not even looking at each other, proposed first:
—Shall we play cards today too?
—Yes, okay!
Blair got excited at the idea of playing cards.
Herdin, although maintaining an impassive face, joined the game.
But as the game progressed, Blair's expression became more and more bored.
They were already in the fourth game and only Herdin won.
Herdin, who continually won, also became increasingly disinterested due to the lack of excitement.
Blair, eager to win, and Herdin, with no intention of letting himself be won.
And on top of that, without speaking a word or even looking at each other.
No matter how many more games they played, it seemed difficult for the two children to get closer.
Esmeralda, finding herself in a hurry, devised another method.
—Always playing the same thing is a bit boring.
How about we play “Thief” this time?
This is how the game of “Catch the Thief” began.
At first, matching cards were paired one after another and the game moved quickly.
When most of the cards had been discarded, it was time to start the psychological game.
-Oh.
Esmeralda let out a small exclamation when Herdin stole a letter from her.
It meant that Herdin had stolen the thief's letter.
Now it was Blair's turn to steal a letter from Herdin.
Herdin, with his usual impassive expression, offered him his cards.
But Blair did not dare to take a letter from Herdin and hesitated.
is scary.>For the psychological game, you had to look at your opponent's face to guess his cards, but he was afraid to look directly into Herdin's eyes.
Partly because of his cold countenance, but also because rumors about the "power" passed down in the Ducal House of Delmark came to mind.
Herdin's ancestor, the first Duke of Delmark, was the nation's saving hero who protected the Empire in the last Wizarding War.
To obtain the power to protect the Empire, he made a pact with a Divine Beast, now converted into a legendary animal.
In exchange, he received a strong body capable of simultaneously using Aura and Magic.
Originally, humans can only use one of two powers: Aura or Magic.
But the first Duke of Delmark, thanks to the pact with the Divine Beast, was able to wield both, and that power led to victory in the war.
However, with great power comes a great price.
Using Aura and Magic together is like using fire and oil at the same time; If handled well, it creates great synergy, but if handled poorly, it can lead to a loss of power.
That power received by the first head of the family was transmitted through blood to subsequent generations.
Most of the time, that power became a formidable force in saving the nation, but from time to time it also brought misfortune.
He, like his ancestors, used his power for the benefit of the inhabitants of his fiefdom and the Empire.
Everyone in the Empire feared and admired him.
But misfortune came without warning.
That year, when Herdin turned twelve, during a family trip, his mother was found murdered by a magical beast.
His tragedy spread far and wide in the mouths of those who feed on other people's misfortune as if it were dessert.
Up to the ears of Blair, who lived in the Imperial Palace.
Outwardly, people mourned the fall of the Ducal House of Delmark, but secretly they whispered that Herdin, having inherited the same power as his father, might one day get out of control and commit ruthless slaughter.
this time I want to win.>Blair finally suppressed her fear with her competitive spirit and approached Herdin.
Beyond the cards, he clearly saw her eyes deep like a blue lake.
And the long eyelashes that cast shadows over them.
…To be continued