As the tie was loosened, the front of the dress had slipped slightly, exposing her shoulders.
If she went back there with him like that, she ran the risk of being misunderstood and it would be embarrassing.
In the end, he found nothing to contradict his words and remained silent.
Over her shoulder, his question fell:
—How long do you plan to avoid me?
Blair felt addressed, but tried to deny it.
—…I have never done such a thing.
—And what about a moment ago, trying to escape?
—I'm busy.
One side of Herdin's lips, who was finishing tying the bow, curled up slightly.
What a useless lie.
She had started avoiding him exactly since the day after seeing Mikhail.
In the morning of that day, he had ignored her when she went to see him off.
Because his face, which did not know how to lie, clearly showed that he was dismissing him out of obligation, reluctantly.
But after that, Blair started avoiding him as if she had just been waiting.
He couldn't help but notice, because he made it known very clearly.
—If it's for a man who is nothing to you, it would be ridiculous.
If she was just mad at him, she wouldn't have given it any importance.
But the fact that she was angry with him because of this Mikhail guy made him angry.
—Do you like it?
—…Is that important to you?
-Yeah.
Herdin released the noose and added:
—Because now you are my wife.
—…
—I don't like to share mine with others.
So…
He circled her waist again.
Before Blair, who was startled, had time to break free, his lips landed on the back of her neck.
-What are you…!
Herdin, ignoring Blair's resistance, sucked on her delicate skin, leaving a red mark.
Mine.
He liked that brand.
—As long as you're by my side, focus only on me.
With his cold voice, the arm around her loosened.
Or rather, he let her go.
As if releasing a beast on a leash.
Blair, without wasting the moment, left his arms and headed towards the greenhouse.
Without looking at it even once.
If she looked at him, if her eyes met, she felt like he would devour her.
His frightened heart was pounding.
Luckily, he didn't follow her.
Realizing this, Blair's steps slowed down.
When she was completely alone, Blair touched the back of her neck where their lips had touched.
<…Burns.>
The skin where his lips had somehow touched burned.
Blair, with confused eyes, continued touching that area.
Until that feeling disappeared.
—
Time passed quickly and the day of the dance arrived.
The maids left to make final preparations, and Blair, alone in the bedroom, looked at the back of her head in the mirror.
Luckily, the mark Herdin had left had faded and was barely visible.
Blair discovered that mark the morning after the painter's visit, while she was getting ready.
Meli, who was brushing her hair, asked cautiously.
Blair, who hadn't noticed the mark on the back of her neck, asked her why, and Meli embarrassedly told her.
Blair knew then that Herdin had left a mark on the back of her neck.
Relieved, she looked out the window.
It was already nightfall and the time for the dance was approaching.
As Blair got up from the dresser to go make the final adjustments, she heard Rina's voice.
—Madam, everything is ready.
Blair left the bedroom.
As he stood on the stairs, he saw the servants gathered in the hall on the first floor.
On each of their chests they wore a silver brooch shaped like the wings of a divine beast, the symbol of Delmarck.
It was a special order from Blair for the ball.
To show all attendees that they were Delmarck, and so that they felt a strong sense of belonging.
Blair looked down on the scene and wondered:
Is it perfect?
A question she had asked herself countless times in her past life.
And an answer I had heard endlessly from others.
But now he didn't need the response from others.
In his eyes it was already perfect.
She was already satisfied.
So that was enough.
Blair walked down the stairs and stood in front of them.
—Everyone has worked hard in preparations.
She looked at the servants lined up in front of her one by one.
Among them, there would be some who did not see her favorably, and others who, moved, were fond of her.
And she was also the mistress of the ducal family for a limited time.
But today, putting all that aside, everyone here was Delmarck.
Blair smiled at everyone.
—Then, let's start receiving the guests.
—
The dance was a success.
—As it is a mansion that has been without a lady for so many years, I was worried, but now that I see it, it doesn't give that impression at all.
—You can see the lady's effort, and how much she cared.
The nobles of the imperial faction, as expected, praised Blair and the ball she had prepared, and the Delmarck vassals also superficially flattered her.
Blair knew that, secretly, they were still unhappy with her, but that didn't matter to her anymore.
Because she herself was proud of herself.
—It's true, even in this glass of wine you can see the lady's care.
It doesn't seem like it's the first time he's organized a dance.
Hearing the words of a lady who showered her with praise with every sip of wine, Blair responded inwardly:
But keeping the secret that she couldn't tell anyone, Blair simply smiled at them.
As she had always lived, with the elegance and distinction of a princess.
The ladies she had been talking to left, and a moment of quiet remained around Blair.
She, pretending to drink wine, retired to a corner of the ballroom.
She was used to dealing with people from having participated in all kinds of national events, but regardless of the habit, it was exhausting.
As Blair looked around the ballroom, where the atmosphere was at its peak, she saw her husband.
…To be continued