He would not suspect his own mother.
But not only the ladies of the imperial side, but also the wives of the vassal houses of Delmark were waiting for Blair's response.
In the midst of countless glances that only awaited his response, just when Blair was barely moving his lips, a large hand surrounded his shoulder.
Then, a familiar voice rested in her ear.
"Sorry to interrupt the conversation, but the lady has not fully recovered yet and we must return now." Her words were apologetic, but the look she gave to those present was as fierce as if she were going to kill someone.
Herdin took Blair out of the party room without further delay.
Blair, who had let herself be carried away without strength, came to her senses belatedly and called out to him.
"Herdin." But he did not stop.
Blair, gasping, grabbed his hand.
“Herdin, we… let's talk for a moment.” Only then did Herdin stop.
But without letting go of the hand she had grabbed.
Blair said, breathing heavily, "If we leave like this, everyone will think it's strange." Let's go back and...—Go back, and what are you going to say?
Her expression when she turned around was so cold that Blair stepped back for an instant.
Herdin, seeing how she looked at him with surprised eyes, mocked sarcastically.
"Are you going to come back and admit that all that rumor is true?" Or are you going to say that everything is a lie?—…—Do you think what they want is the truth?—…—No.
They'll be too busy biting, no matter what you say.
Or weighing which side to join.
"But...
running away like that is strange." After moving her lips for a long time, Blair only managed to say that.
That he didn't want to run away.
Herdin scoffed.
“So, you plan to go back there on your own, put up with all kinds of speculation and insults and resist.
And you want me to stand by and watch you do it.
They were memories that no longer caused him wounds, not even scars, but this weak woman couldn't bear it.
I had no intention of throwing her as prey to those vultures.
“Don't be stubborn unnecessarily, Blair.” “…—That's not taking responsibility, it's being foolish.” At his words, which fell like a dagger, Blair's face twisted on the verge of crying.
His tightly pressed lips trembled pitifully.
He knew his words would hurt her.
But rather than see her collapse from the wounds others inflicted on her, he preferred to take her down himself.
It was enough that he alone was the one who made her suffer.
Herdin, who was watching her in silence, let out a quiet sigh and took her into his arms.
His small body stood up limply, as if resigned.
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"Why have you done this?" Was the first thing Ivan said when he visited the Empress Dowager's palace after hearing the rumor in question.
Katrina's hand, which was holding the teacup, paused for a moment.
"If you had stayed still, I would have become Emperor anyway and you would have become the most honorable woman in the empire." Why?—Your Majesty.—Did you so desire the position of Empress?
It was an attitude that took it for granted, without further ado, that Katrina had committed that crime.
If it had been anyone else, I would have thrown the tea in her face.
She would have been furious, asking how dare he disparage her over a simple rumor.
But his interlocutor was none other than Ivan, the son he loved most in the world.
My proud Emperor.
The child whom she, even though everyone pointed their finger at him, had to believe and support.
And now, the only being she could trust and who had to protect her.
That son had suspected her without further ado.
Katrina bit her trembling lips and asked in turn.
“…Do you believe that rumor?” “Because the mother I know is more than capable of doing something like that.” Ivan barely swallowed the words that rose to his throat.
For him, for a long time, this was not a rumor, but an accomplished fact.
Since that incident occurred, ten years ago, he never doubted that his ambitious mother had ended up killing Esmeralda.
Her mother was a person who did not rest until she got everything she wanted, and she had always coveted the position of Empress.
But she had never brought it up in front of anyone.
Because silence was much better for him.
And now, that matter came back to tie him hand and foot.
“I didn't kill that woman.” Really.
"And why did he try to kill Blair?" "Ivan!" What kind of person do you think I am?
That girl is my daughter and your sister.
I've never tried to kill her.—So, you admit that you kidnapped her?—That's...!—Because of that damn rumor!
The prestige of the imperial family and my reputation are about to fall to the ground, mother.—…—After all this time in silence, and now..., ha.
Katrina, unable to say anything else, stared at Ivan.
Her son seemed to care more about the imperial family and his own reputation than about his mother's safety.
Ivan, who was looking at Katrina as if hurt, said in a slightly softer voice.
“Tell me everything without hiding anything from me.” Only then will I be able to help her.
Although at first glance they seemed like words to console her, in reality they were almost an order.
Katrina laughed bitterly at her own situation.
Since she had confronted Ivan, she had not stopped telling the truth that he demanded.
That she had not killed that woman.
That he hadn't tried to kill Blair either.
But no matter how much he said it, he didn't listen or believe.
What was the point of the truth then?—…If I tell you, will you believe me?
Katrina's expression when she said that was sadly deformed.
Ivan contained the irritation caused by seeing Katrina like this.
His mother, always so haughty in front of others, appeared to him as the most unfortunate and pitiable woman in the world.
He did it knowing that it weakened a child's heart.
Facing her like that made him feel like a denaturalized son, and that disgusted him.
Ivan sighed and got up from his seat.
“Don't do anything else.” I will take care of this matter.
He left the room as if fleeing from her.
It didn't matter if Katrina's words were true or false.
To protect the authority of the imperial family and his own reputation, this rumor had to remain just that, a simple rumor.
But Delmark, who had defended the injustice committed against Esmeralda all his life, would surely see this as an opportunity.
"How can I make them shut up?" As Ivan walked briskly down the hallway, as fast as his anxiety, his footsteps suddenly stopped.
"The lady, before the owner of Delmark, is the only sister of His Majesty and a princess of the highest imperial line."
The image of Herdin urging him to inflict severe punishment on Wesley and Rachel.
Ivan's eyes, remembering that, turned strange.
"I don't know if Blair will be that valuable to that guy." But it was a possibility worth trying.
Ivan stopped and ordered the chief chamberlain waiting at his side: "Go to the Duke of Delmark and tell him I want to see him tomorrow afternoon."
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The rumor that had spread throughout the capital had also stirred up the vassals of Delmark.
Shortly after the rumor spread, the elders of some of the most powerful vassal houses in Delmark showed up unannounced at the ducal mansion.
Since they could not send loyal subjects they had known since their grandfather's time out onto the street, they ushered them into the hall.
And his first words were...—Take advantage of this opportunity to divorce the princess.
It was exactly what Herdin had anticipated.—To begin with, she was not worthy of being His Excellency's partner.
It was nonsense from the beginning.
How much would Her Majesty the Empress not lament in her grave?
They spoke assuming that Esmeralda's death was the work of Katrina.
Although they were already doing it before this event.
The rumor had added fuel to the fire.
When their voices began to rise, Ruth, who had been listening silently to the side, cautiously intervened.
“Forgive me for interrupting the conversation, but there is something I would like everyone to know.” Then the elders, thinking that Ruth, as a loyal subject, would be their ally, enthusiastically included him in the conversation.
“Yes, man, say something too.” “That, as an advisor, you have the right to an opinion.” Ruth hesitated for a moment.
and then he continued.—I also agree with what they say, but the lady does not share the opinion of Her Majesty the Dowager Empress.
He is also struggling to recover his memories of the fire at the Empress Palace ten years ago.
This is not a rumor, it is a fact.
Although in his mind he agreed with them, he did not feel at ease because his words seemed to reveal some hostility towards Blair.
But, naturally, when Ruth, who they expected to be on their side, expressed a different opinion, the elders clicked their tongues in disapproval.
“That's the least someone who knows how to be grateful should do!” He was a person who appreciated even his enemy's daughter.
If you're going to say those things, you better go.—Well, better now than later.
What would have happened if he had already sired an heir from the blood of Delmark?
Herdin, who was listening to his words, let out a muffled laugh.
"Better"...
Is it really better?
He asked himself that as he cut off the end of a cigar and put it in his mouth.
She heard one of the old men, who had breathing problems, cough as he smelled the smoke, but she didn't care.
Ruth sneaked a peek at Herdin.
Although Herdin listened without stopping to the elders who chattered at their leisure, Ruth knew from years of experience.
That when Herdin remained silent like that, it was usually because he was preparing a biting and accurate comment.—Your Excellency, take advantage of this incident as a pretext to ask Your Majesty for a divorce.
And this time, he took a virtuous and modest woman as his wife to restore the honor of Delmark.
Herdin, who was half-listening to the elders' words, realized something.
There was no ally for Blair.
Those close to the imperial family claimed that she, blinded by a man, was slandering her mother and brother.
And the vassals of Delmark were impatient at not being able to expel the daughter of the enemy.
Whoever had spread the rumor had directed it against Blair in a precise and cunning way.
Whether she sided with the imperial family or Delmark, she would end up being the scapegoat.
Only then did she understand.
"I expected a girl who was barely eleven years old to put up with something like that.
I expected you to confront everyone, turn them into enemies, and fight.
You, who even now, at twenty-one, are so small and weak.
I now understand that the hatred I felt towards you in my childhood was nothing more than my stubbornness.
And also that this hatred, in reality, was directed towards my own impotent self, which could not do anything.—Your Excellency!
Are you listening to me?
His thoughts were interrupted by the voices of the elders piercing his reverie.
…To be continued