—Then your conscience will be very clear, I suppose.
Although you will surely end up regretting it.
Ivan deliberately appealed to Blair's guilt.
The sister he knew was a girl who had always longed for a bit of her mother's affection.
He didn't know what words Herdin would have used to convince Blair to regain her memory and reveal the truth, but he was sure that Blair would be influenced by what Katrina said.
But Blair's reaction was just the opposite of his expectations.
Blair responded with a calm tone.
—…If it's because of regret, I have been for a long time.
Probably much more than my brother imagines.
—For not having revealed it before.
During my two lives.
It's not that people's criticism didn't hurt him.
But even if he received criticism from many more people, he would not regret this.
Because she had simply done what needed to be done.
Ivan, although internally disconcerted by Blair's unexpected reaction, changed his strategy.
He put down his teacup and, with a worried brother's expression, began to speak.
—Blair, I'm telling you this because I care about you too.
—…
Do you think they're going to leave their enemy's daughter alone in Delmark?
—…Since I cannot break the blood ties, I will have to break the marriage bond.
Even to atone for my mother's sins as a daughter.
—Does the Duke of Delmark also agree with that?
Blair hesitated for a moment before answering.
—He will want it more ardently than anyone else.
Ivan's brow furrowed slightly.
"Either Blair is misunderstanding something, or..."
Ivan, who stroked the corner of his mouth as he thought for a moment, opened his mouth to probe Blair surreptitiously.
—So, what about you?
At the question, Blair's hand, which was about to pick up the teacup, stopped dead.
—Do you think it's okay to break the marriage bond with him like this?
—…
—As your brother, I will search as diligently as possible for a new marriage for you, but it will be difficult to find a better position than that of Duchess of Delmark.
As you know, there are many who reject a woman who has been with another man.
Blair knew that too.
If she were to marry again, at most it would be as the second wife of a high-ranking noble.
But for Blair, who planned to disappear from the capital as soon as she got divorced, without even thinking about remarrying, it was an irrelevant conversation.
-I don't mind.
At Blair's response, the corner of Ivan's stroking lips lifted into a crooked smile.
Blair didn't know Herdin's feelings.
Or, if he knew them, he had no intention of reciprocating them.
Either way, things were getting interesting.
The less attachment Blair had to him, the more willing Herdin would be to hand over the leash to avoid a divorce.
—So, brother.
As ruler of this empire rather than as a mother's son, I trust that you will render a fair and impartial trial.
Blair put down the teacup, ending the conversation.
Ivan responded with a relaxed smile.
—I don't know, I think that's not going to happen.
Although Ivan's words, with his meaningful smile, were disturbing to Blair for some reason, she didn't think much of it.
Currently, Herdin was busy searching for conclusive evidence of the fire, and soon the truth would be revealed.
When that happened, not even Ivan would be able to do anything.
—I know you are very busy, I'm sorry for coming so suddenly.
If you have nothing more to say, I will leave.
Blair waited a little longer for Ivan's reaction and then quietly stood up to say goodbye politely.
"Should I tighten the strap a little more?"
Ivan watched Blair's back with fascinated eyes as she walked to the living room door and called out to her.
—Blair.
She, who was about to grab the doorknob, turned to him.
—As a brother, I will give you some advice.
Ivan continued with his characteristic loving brother smile.
—Be careful with that guy.
—…
—That guy is not just any crazy guy.
Blair looked at him without showing any reaction, turned and left the living room.
Ivan smiled as he watched the door close.
—This is going to get interesting.
The sound of his long fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest of the chair resonated lightly.
⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅
In the deserted hallway, bathed in the warm light of the afternoon sun.
In the middle of the silent landscape, only the sound of Blair's shoes echoed rhythmically, when suddenly, from the other end of the hallway, the sound of other footsteps mixed in.
Feeling a sense of familiarity in those footsteps, Blair looked up and saw a familiar face approaching.
—…Herdin?
He approached with a firm step, grabbed her wrist and began to drag her.
Blair, taken aback by his unexpected appearance, let herself be carried away by him.
His wrist, grabbed roughly, hurt and throbbed.
—Herdin, it hurts.
Let me go...
At that moment, he, who was walking with long strides without taking into account Blair's pace, released her wrist, pushed her against the wall and locked her between his body.
Under the warm sunlight, his cold blue eyes looking at her from the front seemed so sharp that they were chilling.
—How can you come here alone without any fear?
Do you know where you are?
Blair looked down at him with confused eyes.
He couldn't understand why he, who had appeared suddenly, was angry.
—This is the Imperial Palace, and His Majesty is my brother.
There is no reason why I can't come, and in this Imperial Palace there is no one who would dare harm me.
Brother.
At that word that left Blair's lips, Herdin let out a cold sneer.
You call that brother.
I wish you weren't that bastard's sister.
Her words, which made him aware of the reality he wanted to deny, that word, irritated him greatly, as if it were something new.
—Have you forgotten?
What his mother tried to do to him.
At his words, Blair's eyes twisted painfully.
Although it was a reality that he could not ignore, his stark words, as always, dug into Blair's wound.
—It's dangerous out there.
So…
…To be continued