Although he knew that this interest would also cool down soon, there was no need to confront him.
The current, cooperative relationship was good.
She was already uncomfortable because she saw no visible results in the search for memories of the fire.
Thinking that she could give him something else he wanted calmed her.
Blair, her body complaining of a dull ache, forced herself to stand and pulled the bell rope.
She couldn't lie down all day.
I had a lot to do.
Both planning after the divorce and tracking down the killer who killed her.
Blair, who managed to pull the rope with difficulty, shrank back into bed and waited for Rina.
There was still heat from the fireplace in the room, so it was warm.
Herdin had probably turned it on in the morning and turned it off before leaving.
Suddenly he thought:
He, who had admitted his guilt and meekly apologized, who had stayed by her side because she was afraid of fire, no matter how much he hated her, he did not seem capable of killing her.
While she was having those thoughts, about to fall asleep, she heard a knock on the door and Rina's voice.
—Madam, I'm going in!
Rina, who had brought water to wash, entered the room.
Blair, sitting up, looked at her body.
It was full of red marks like flowers.
The marks of the night, which had embarrassed him in his past life, were now familiar to him.
—Rina, can you give me the clothes?
—Oh, yes!
Rina put down the water and quickly brought him his clothes.
-Thank you.
Blair took the clothes from Rina and put them on.
But Rina, who normally would have continued chattering, was strangely quiet.
Stranged by that, she looked at Rina and saw that she was looking away on purpose.
Blair then noticed that Rina was embarrassed when she saw the marks on her body.
Blair held back her laughter and asked Rina:
—And the duke?
—Ah.
He left about an hour ago.
An imperial messenger arrived saying that magical monsters had appeared outside.
Hearing that news, Blair's expression hardened.
The security of order in the capital is the responsibility of the Imperial Knight Corps.
But Ivan, also in the past life, used Herdin as if he were his own knight.
Saying that the knights of the north, where magical monsters frequently appear, are much more skilled in fighting them, so he needed their help.
Herdin, knowing that if he did not intervene, it would be the innocent citizens who would suffer, usually acted without showing displeasure.
Blair hated that.
He hated that the citizens were hurt, that the knights of the Empire were hurt, and he also hated that Herdin endured unfair things.
Thinking like this, she couldn't sit still.
Blair quickly dressed and got out of bed.
At that moment, his legs lost strength and his body collapsed.
Frightened, Rina held her.
-Lady!
Alright?
-I'm fine.
—How about you rest today?
After all, he doesn't have a busy schedule...
And...
well...
he's been trying a lot lately...
—No.
It will pass soon.
Blair, looking worriedly away from Rina, sat up.
He felt that Rina was upset with Herdin, the cause of this situation, and he almost laughed.
Rina, worried that Blair was trying too hard, moved the washing water closer to the bed.
He convinced Blair, who wanted to go to the dining room, and brought the food to her bed.
After eating, under Rina's overprotection, it seemed that his strength recovered a little.
Blair had just started her day then.
He stopped by Pipi's room to see how much he had grown and played with him for a while, then left and headed to the mansion's library.
To study about neighboring countries.
But the book Blair was looking for was not in the mansion's library.
The librarian made a troubled expression.
—It seems that one of the servants borrowed it.
Since it's on the loan list, I'll go look for it right away.
Although now widespread to a certain extent, books were still expensive items.
Therefore, the nobles did not allow servants to enter the library.
But Herdin kept it open freely.
So that everyone who was part of Delmarck could read books comfortably at any time.
Blair didn't want to go against his will.
—No, it's not necessary.
It is not urgent, and whoever borrowed it must read it first.
“Madam, how about you take a look at His Excellency's personal library?”
Herdin's personal library was connected to his office.
It was designed so that he could enter and exit comfortably when he needed some material while working.
In her past life, Blair had never gone because it seemed like it invaded her personal space.
—Is it okay for me to come in?
Mason stared at Blair, who was asking cautiously.
Most people in the ducal family rejected her.
Although they could not openly harm her for being the Emperor's sister, they were not kind enough to have personal dealings with her either.
Blair was not trying to gain his favor nor was he careful, but perhaps because he was aware of his situation, caution was evident in his actions.
Like someone who is in someone else's house.
Mason too, when he had to serve her as a lady at first, was not without his reservations, but after observing her for the last few months, he thought he could understand it.
The feeling of Esmeralda, who appreciated the daughter of her enemy.
How could a girl who strived to learn everything, who was purely happy at a simple compliment not be adorable?
Blair was more like Esmeralda, who had raised her with her heart, than her own mother.
Others might laugh if they heard it, but to him, who had passed his forties and was no longer carried away by the prejudices of the world, Blair seemed that way.
Since they had made a pact before God, he hoped that she could adapt well to both this ducal mansion and her own lord.
—Madam, you are the lady of this Delmarck.
There is no place in this mansion I can't go, and no item I can't use.
And he added, as if to reassure her: "Besides, His Excellency has not said anything in particular about the library."
Hearing that, Blair immediately headed to Herdin's office along with Mason.
But he regretted it as soon as he entered.
The office that he had left in a mess that day, ten days ago, was impeccably organized as if nothing had happened.
He felt it rise to his face.
Embarrassed, Blair looked away abruptly.
Mason, surprised, asked:
—Madam?
What's wrong with him?
-…No, nothing.
Better not go near the office for a while...
Thinking like this, Blair followed Mason.
The hallway that led to the personal library was to the right of the office.
…To be continued