In ancient times, when magical monsters and demons wreaked havoc on the world.
Divine beasts lived in this world.
They had come from another world, like the other magical monsters, but unlike those who caused chaos, they sided with humans to protect the peace and order of this world.
The world gradually stabilized, and the divine beasts, saying that they had already done their duty, left this world.
Even though all his fellow humans were gone, the last divine beast, who had stayed in this world because he had fallen in love with a human woman, fell into sadness after losing his beloved in the last war.
Before leaving this world, he wanted to transmit part of his power to the first Emperor, who had been his beloved's companion.
Because he knew that, although his beloved had died, she had loved humans.
However, there were two flaws in that immense power.
The first was that when it came to housing disproportionate power in a human body, if it was not handled correctly, it ran the risk of getting out of control.
The second, that although he could extract stronger power that surpassed the limits in special situations, the price was the life of the loved one.
Since it was an anomalous power that disrupted the balance of the world, such restrictions had been imposed on it.
But the Emperor rejected the succession of power.
Because the Emperor was the center of the country.
If the ruler, who should not falter under any circumstances, allowed himself to be carried away by power and lost control, it would lead to a national crisis.
Instead, he made the power be inherited by the most trusted person.
His close friend and faithful knight, the first Duke of Delmarck.
Thus, Delmarck's symbol was not the divine beast itself, but the wings of the divine beast.
Like the wings that protect this world, from which the guardian divine beasts had left.
In this way, the power of the divine beast was passed on to Delmarck's direct descendants.
In that process, one of the Dukes of Delmarck who had lost his beloved in exchange for power, removed the second restriction.
With the wish that his descendants would not suffer the same sadness as him.
People criticized it for being a terribly selfish decision, but they didn't know how to reattach a restriction that was already gone.
As a result, Delmarck's descendants could no longer use the power that surpassed limits, but even so, since they possessed the power of the divine beast, they were still strong, and Delmarck stood firm.
That was the story Blair knew.
Some envied and revered the man who possessed power no one else could match, but Blair cared for him.
Because the weight of that power, given to protect others, was too heavy, and he feared that it could end up devouring him.
That, crushed by that power, he could have a tragic end, like his father, and abandon her so sadly.
But since she knew it was a wound he didn't want to remember, she didn't dare express that concern.
—This is the founder of the family.
Ruth, guiding Blair through the gallery, briefly explained, one after another, the characters in the portraits.
Because knowing the history of the family to which she belonged was a basic skill of the duchess.
Of course, Blair, who had returned, already knew all about this.
At the same time, his footsteps stopped.
And on the woman's lap, there was a child of about three or four years old.
Blair already knew them, but Ruth, who couldn't know, was quick to explain who they were.
—They are the former duke and the former duchess.
And this child is the current Excellency.
The three family members in the painting smiled happily, not knowing the misfortune that awaited them.
The family portrait before his eyes was an image that was even more shocking because he knew the tragedy.
But the reason why Blair couldn't take his eyes off the painting was another.
Blair looked longingly at baby Herdin in the portrait.
Her soft black hair, slightly curled, her chubby cheeks like milk, her big, clear eyes, even the shape of her mouth when she smiles.
Aziel, except for the color of his eyes, which he had inherited from his mother, had been born the spitting image of his father, Herdin.
Every time he remembered with difficulty that child whose image was fading day by day, how much his heart hurt.
Because at least that way I can imagine you.
When Blair was lost in nostalgia, Ruth, who assumed that the reason why she did not take her eyes off the portrait was something else, intruded unceremoniously.
It is the same as the current Excellency.
—…
—Although the atmosphere of the current Excellency is totally different, don't you think that, curiously, it retains something of that face?
Ruth's face, as she spoke of the former ducal couple and Herdin, seemed overflowing with joy.
So much so that he showed that emotion even in front of her, with whom he felt uncomfortable.
Blair realized that this emotion was not simple loyalty, but came from a deep trust and love from person to person.
It seemed so pure that he almost laughed.
Then Ruth, as if suddenly reacting, hastened to clarify:
—The thing is, after all, they are my benefactors.
—You feel uncomfortable with me, right?
At Blair's unexpected and direct comment, Ruth choked and coughed.
He feared that Blair had been offended, but she looked at him with her clear eyes, without any sign of anger.
That's why he felt even more uncomfortable.
For a moment he hesitated between telling the truth or blatantly lying, and finally he scratched his cheek and replied:
—Well… it's not the lady's fault.
I just dislike its origin.
Blair immediately understood what he had left out at the end of his sentence.
I understood Ruth.
Rina also hates Herdin.
Just because she loves her more.
Ruth is the same.
Only because he loves Herdin more than her.
Of course, you know that it's not okay to reject someone because of their origin.
Most people hate her not out of loyalty to Herdin, but because they simply hate her.
But Ruth's feelings were purely the result of her loyalty.
A clean feeling that will disappear when the relationship between Herdin and her ends.
Not that I'm going to hug him for that, but...
—I know.
Blair spoke calmly, a slight smile on her face.
—But don't watch me so much.
I will leave cleanly without causing any harm to Delmarck.
-Go?
Ruth asked with a puzzled expression.
Blair, also with round eyes, returned the question:
—Ah.
Didn't he tell you?
—What do you mean?
I don't...
—That our marriage is by contract.
—Marriage… by contract?
Seeing Ruth, who seemed to hear it for the first time in her life, Blair nodded.
…To be continued