Herdin took a quick look at the documents, took the fountain pen Ruth offered him, and signed immediately.
Ruth put away the pen and documents he returned to her and began to speak in her usual tone.
—They told me that last night they captured the black magician who was in contact with the kidnappers, is that true?
-Yeah.
I'm told it seemed dangerous to keep him in the mansion, so they're keeping him locked up in a country house on the outskirts.
—Then we will soon be able to find out who is behind all this.
Although they were already sure that the Dowager Empress was behind the kidnapping, they could not clearly state it due to lack of evidence.
If the person responsible for the kidnapping was revealed, it could serve as circumstantial evidence related to the incident ten years ago.
Just like the rumors that were widely circulating now said.
That's why he had brought up the subject, thinking that Herdin would naturally be motivated.
But for some reason, Herdin didn't seem very happy with that conversation.
—And, as Your Excellency will already know, external public opinion towards the Lady is not good.
I think it would be best that, as soon as we have any clues, we settle the matter with the imperial family as soon as possible.
The cold eyes of Herdin, who was listening to the news, calmed down into deep silence.
-… I know.
Now, there really was no time.
⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅
Herdin was not there.
He turned towards the balcony in case he had gone out to smoke a cigarette, but he wasn't there either.
Seeing that the living room was also silent, it seemed like he had completely left the room.
Blair, who had unknowingly been searching for Herdin, scoffed at herself as she realized how accustomed she had become to his warmth.
During the last few days, Herdin had not left her side for a moment.
He had long since abandoned his duties, and they were together not only during meals, but also in the bathroom.
Herdin took it even while eating or bathing.
Even when she woke up after falling asleep as if she had fainted, he was alone, satisfying his lust by holding her while she slept.
Possessing her without mercy, he looked like a hungry beast.
On the other hand, he also seemed desperate in a way.
As if he would die if he separated from her even for a moment.
But seeing how his absence caused her a feeling of emptiness, it seemed that in the end it was she who had allowed herself to be tamed by him.
However, this would also end now.
Blair carefully touched her flat stomach.
«Has Aziel already formed?»
It was exactly that rainy night when Aziel was conceived, and since that day, for several days in a row, she had bonded with him in a way that could not be more intense.
She didn't know what had stimulated her desire, but for Blair, who had endured this time with the sole idea of meeting Aziel, it was a good thing.
That was the reason why, even though she sobbed that it was difficult, she hadn't pushed him away in the end.
"I'd better start preparing for the divorce little by little."
If she had conceived Aziel in these days, she would probably start feeling nauseous around the first month.
Remembering her past life, the nausea when waiting for Aziel had been very severe.
He couldn't even think about eating anything, to the point of vomiting even just drinking water.
At first he could excuse himself by saying that he had indigestion, but beyond that, it would be difficult to fool the perceptive Herdin.
So I had to figure it all out before that.
Divorce required a process and took longer than expected.
Since he was almost half a year ahead of the originally planned end of the contract, Herdin would also need time to prepare.
Just as Blair had gathered her thoughts, she heard the sound of the bedroom door opening.
Shortly after, Herdin, who entered with his characteristic cold face, paused for a moment as he met the eyes of Blair, who was lying on the bed.
—He woke up early.
Approaching the bed, he pulled on the call cord.
Since he had only called the maids at mealtime for the past few days, they would figure it out themselves and bring breakfast.
Herdin sat on the edge of the bed, played with Blair's soft hair spread across the sheet, and then slowly brought his hand up to caress her cheek with his index finger.
Blair, who was staring at him, opened her mouth just as his index finger was about to touch her lips.
—Don't you have anything urgent to do?
Only then did Herdin's fingers stop, and a cold gleam appeared for an instant in his eyes.
Because those words sounded exactly like she wanted to throw him out.
—Probably not.
Herdin replied dryly and moved his long fingers again to touch her rosy lips.
At that, Blair pursed her lips and avoided his touch.
Herdin watched her reaction for a moment and then leaned his upper body down to devour those appetizing lips.
After a brief contact, their lips parted.
Just as he pulled her close with his arms around her slim waist and tried to kiss her again, Blair stopped him.
—Herdin.
Instead of answering, he lifted the gaze that had been directed at her lips and met her eyes.
Blair said what she had been thinking before he arrived.
—We… let's finish the contract here.
Herdin's eyes, which were looking at her, trembled.
—I have recovered my memory, and I have done everything I could to reveal the truth of that incident.
—…
—So I think it would be good for both of us to start preparing now.
Seeing Blair talk about the end of the contract in her characteristic calm tone, the corner of Herdin's lips twitched.
The moment he understood the root of the feelings that lay within him, the conclusion she pronounced, as if he had been waiting, seemed ridiculous to him.
I, even in this state, cannot let you go, and you say that you will leave me so easily.
As planned, as you have always wanted.
As if, at the end of the deal, you were going to leave.
The innocent eyes of his wife, who firmly believed that he would naturally keep that promise, gave him a disbelieving laugh.
Herdin looked at her with icy eyes and spoke.
—There is still a lot of time left on the contract, I don't understand why you are in such a hurry.
—…
—Do you have any reason to have to flee quickly after the divorce?
A subtle disturbance occurred in Blair's violet eyes, where trust towards him lay.
It was the look of someone who feels betrayed in their trust and caught in a weak spot.
That twisted his spirits even more.
How can I keep you, who have only been waiting for the day to leave with another man, who only think about leaving me?
His mind, coldly serene, only thought about that.
—If not, it seems premature to talk about terminating the contract.
—But… there is nothing else I can help with.
That's all I remember.
—It seems that you have forgotten, but you are the only survivor and witness of that incident.
His testimony at the trial will serve as powerful evidence to clarify the unjust death of Her Majesty the Empress.
After thinking and thinking, the method he came up with was…
…To be continued