Chapter 071

For them, the temple had built an annex to house the souls, called the Spirit Room.

It was convenient for the temple to receive donations in exchange, and for the nobles to have their deceased close and be able to visit them.

Holy knights rigorously guarded the building built for this purpose.

Although the bodies were not there, it was a place where the deceased were housed, so security was tight to maintain a solemn atmosphere.

—Come in, please.

A holy knight who verified the identity of both of them guided them into the annex.

After climbing several flights of stairs, they reached the room dedicated to the ancestors of the ducal house of Delmark.

In front of her the family emblem was painted.

The gentleman who guided them left and they both entered the room.

There were portraits of the former Duke of Delmark and his wife.

Blair, who was about to enter, stopped suddenly when facing their portraits.

In his past life, he had stayed by her side quite naturally, but in this life, it was the first thing he thought of.

I will soon leave this house.

Am I not inadvertently interrupting the time he spends talking with his parents?

Blair, who was watching the back of Herdin in front, opened her mouth carefully.

—Herdin.

Hearing her call, he turned around.

—I'll go out for a moment.

-Because?

—...In case it's uncomfortable for you.

Herdin stared at her.

His fake wife used to distance herself from him in decisive moments like that.

He didn't like that.

—What is there that a husband cannot show his wife?

Herdin strode over, took Blair's hand, and pulled her close.

But his hand, which held hers, was firm, with no intention of letting go.

Blair looked up to stare at Herdin beside her.

His expression before the place where the souls of his parents rested was terribly impassive.

He looked like someone visiting the grave of a complete stranger, not his parents'.

But Blair knew.

He knew the boy who feigned indifference to stories about his parents' accident told by others, but then left the banquet hall and suffered alone.

How much pain would that child have endured until he became numb to become the man he was now?

There was a time when I even loved that solitude.

I thought she could fill that void.

But now he knew it was an arrogant hope.

—Let's go back.

After spending a short time in the place, both left the Spirit Room after a last prayer for the deceased.

At this moment, they saw someone walking down the hallway at the back.

Blair recognized him and her eyes widened.

—…Your Holiness?

It was Gerard alone, without the priests or clerics who usually accompanied him.

He approached them with joy.

—I had a free moment and stopped by, how lucky I was to have met you.

—Has His Holiness also come to visit you?

-Yeah.

—I appreciate that you always worry.

My mother will also be glad of your visit.

Gerard looked at the Hall of Spirits with eyes filled with deep longing, then smiled and commented.

—Seeing that you have found a companion, Your Excellency, will have greatly reassured those in heaven.

—I hope they think the same.

Blair felt guilty for not being able to confess that it was a contract marriage, but Herdin gave a formal answer naturally.

—Then we will withdraw.

—Yes, be careful.

Herdin and Blair bowed slightly and walked away.

Gerard watched their retreating backs and then entered the Spirit Room.

Silently closing the door, he looked at the portraits of Cassion and Eloise and spoke.

—I'm glad to see that our son has grown up healthy and strong.

—…

—Doesn't he look a lot like the Duke?

When I saw him return from the war, for a moment I was startled thinking that the Duke had come back to life.

—…

—Although that can't be.

Unlike the affectionate words addressed to his friend, his green eyes that gazed at the two portraits were somberly dull.

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The two left the temple and boarded the carriage back to the mansion.

In the midst of a tired silence, Blair contemplated the landscape through the window, and Herdin silently observed the figure of his wife.

His eyes, fixed outside, shone with the sunlight.

A faint music came from outside, where his wife's gaze remained fixed.

Along with it, a sweet aroma seeped out.

Herdin, who was looking at Blair without being able to take his eyes off the window, turned his head, following her gaze.

At the end of the avenue flanked by cherry trees in full bloom stood the square's clock tower.

In front of it were numerous street stalls; It seemed like some festival was being celebrated.

While he was absently contemplating that landscape, a slight headache assailed him and, suddenly, a memory surfaced.

In the memory, Blair, with her half-naked body covered by the blanket, contemplated the landscape of the mansion with the cherry blossoms.

After observing the scene in silence, she turned to him and asked.

It was a face that tried hard to hide expectation, but couldn't.

Just as Herdin was about to respond absentmindedly, the memory dissipated like fog.

Blair was left in his place, contemplating the outside landscape in silence.

Herdin frowned at the sudden appearance of a memory that was not in his head.

What the hell was that memory that existed as if it were his, even though he had never experienced it?

But you didn't use black magic, right?>

It was certainly different from the case Ruth had investigated.

In his case, although it was an unlived memory, it was clearly his, and he had not even used black magic, in fact, he did not even know it.

Black magic was a forbidden and disappeared magic.

Then suddenly he remembered a book in his private study and stopped dead.

<…No, I do know one.>

Although, of course, even if he knew it, he had never used it, so it had nothing to do with him.

Herdin closed his eyes in irritation and dismissed those thoughts.

But seeing his wife in front of him, the image of her in the newly surfaced memory was superimposed.

Contemplating that image, Herdin spoke.

—Blair.

Blair, who couldn't look away from the window, only then turned her head to look at him.

Herdin gestured outside.

—Shall we go for a walk?

It was an impulsive proposal, arising from a memory of unknown origin.

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In front of the clock tower, the crowd was bustling.

Street stalls selling all kinds of food and objects, people admiring the flowers, shopping, playing...

For Blair, who had never left the imperial palace except for official events, it was all unfamiliar landscapes.

Herdin watched her while she, with bright eyes like a child discovering the world, looked everywhere, and let out an incredulous laugh.

The doll-like woman with an always serene and distant expression had disappeared.

He walked calmly at Blair's pace, and when she distractedly started to walk away, he took her hand.

Feeling the heat, Blair turned to him with surprised eyes.

—If you get lost like that, you will get lost.

Take my hand.

Blair offered her hand meekly.

Herdin intertwined his fingers to not let go.

Blair looked out over the festival landscape; Herdin, her contemplating him.

After walking for a while, Blair stopped in front of a stall.

It sold handmade ornaments, but unlike other stalls, it was run by a single girl, about six or seven years old.

—Welcome, gentlemen.

Blair gave a tender smile to the little owner who greeted them with a clear voice and asked.

—Did you do this?

-No.

My mom did it.

—And where is your mother?

—He went to another place for a moment on a matter.

Until he comes back, I'll take care of the store.

—And do you know how to get paid?

—Yes, mom taught me.

—How smart you are.

And how responsible.

Herdin, who was watching Blair chatting affectionately with an unknown girl, pointed to the counter and spoke.

—Do you like something?

I'll buy it for you as a souvenir, take your pick.

—Oh, no.

I only spoke to her because I was worried about seeing her alone.

—If you buy her something, the little owner will be happier.

Blair, realizing belatedly, looked at the girl, but she, who had understood the conversation, shook her head.

-Alright.

They can only watch.

But seeing the little girl so responsible, he wanted to buy her something.

Blair scanned the counter carefully and chose a cherry blossom-shaped ring made of braided thread.

Perfect to remember today.

—I'll take this one.

—It's 5 silver.

Herdin handed a gold coin to the girl.

—Keep the change.

Don't give it to your mom.

The girl looked at him bewildered.

Blair glared at him for saying something strange to the girl, but Herdin had already turned around as if nothing had happened.

Blair said goodbye to the girl and caught up with him with short steps.

—Thank you for the ring, Herdin.

I will keep it fondly.

Herdin stared at the string ring on Blair's finger.

Although the cherry petal-shaped ornament was not to her liking, it suited her thin white finger.

With that, he had already fulfilled his value.

…To be continued