Chapter 47
Episode 47. Focus Only on Me
2023.10.17.
The person most delighted by his unexpected appearance wasn't Blair, but Sionele Baroness.
“Perfect timing that Your Excellency has come! Couple's attire always comes alive much more when both wear it together, so it's best for the final check.”
Whether thrilled at seeing her creations on the ideal models or simply her usual high-pitched chirp, she chattered away.
“Now, everyone. Help the two of them.”
Sionele Baroness snapped her fan shut with a loud click. At that signal, her assistants efficiently escorted Blair and Herdin to the dressing room.
Rina and Melly exchanged glances and smiled smugly. Then Rina, catching Mason's eye, gave him a thumbs-up.
It was largely thanks to Mason's repeated urging that Herdin had come this far.
Mason showed no reaction as usual upon seeing it, but his expression seemed subtly softened.
As Russ eyed the three suspiciously, Herdin emerged first from the dressing room, fully changed. Blair followed soon after.
Both wore indigo attire. The dark tone highlighted their striking features and fair skin even more vibrantly.
It wouldn't suit the bright daylight outside, but was perfect for an evening banquet.
Watching them, Rina thought,
‘Honestly…… they do suit each other well.’
Setting aside background and personality, purely on appearances, she had to admit no one in the empire matched Blair better than that man.
It wasn't just Rina's thought alone.
Sionele Baroness in particular seemed enraptured by her creations and the models adorning their finale.
“Oh my, now that they're on the owners, the clothes truly come alive. Anyone can see they're a newlywed couple in the heat of passion.”
As the baroness fussed in her characteristic way, positioning the two side by side for the final inspection, a knock sounded and a servant entered.
“The painter to do the couple's portrait has arrived.”
* * *
The two changed back into the clothes they'd wear for the portrait and headed to the greenhouse in the rear garden.
Even inside the greenhouse, amid the profusely blooming flowers, chairs were set in the sunniest spot for the two.
Blair gazed at the spot with newfound sentiment.
In her previous life, she had suggested the portrait first.
The ducal household hadn't welcomed their new mistress, but she wanted to feel somewhat integrated into del Mark that way.
But this time, she had no intention of doing so.
She would leave the mansion in a few months anyway.
With someone else becoming the lady of the house, what good would traces of a mere half-year duchess serve? It would only cause discomfort.
Yet this life, Mason had suggested it first.
‘As it's Madam's first banquet here, how about commissioning a portrait of the two of you to hang?’
Blair had refused for the prior reasons, but just as with the couple's attire, Rina and Melly pleaded earnestly, so she reluctantly agreed.
But there was one thing she hadn't considered…….
‘Why didn't I think I'd have to stay stuck with him for hours…….’
Blair glanced sideways at Herdin standing beside her.
Since the day they'd argued at the café in front of the art gallery, Blair had avoided him. He seemed equally uninterested in seeing her.
Yet now they had to sit side by side for a portrait.
She couldn't very well send away the summoned painter now, so there was no choice.
Blair sat with Herdin as the painter directed.
The painter first adjusted Herdin's pose.
“Your Excellency, place your hand on Madam's shoulder like this…… Yes, perfect.”
Following his instructions, Herdin's hand encircled Blair's shoulder. She felt her body flinch at the touch.
In this pose, leaning fully against him would be more comfortable, yet Blair sat ramrod straight. As if wanting to stay as far from him as possible.
Herdin stared at such a Blair, but she never once looked his way. Clearly avoiding his gaze on purpose.
His gaze shifted forward upon seeing his wife like that. Only then did he feel her small body heave a deep sigh of relief.
The portrait session lasted over an hour.
“Shall the two of you take a short break?”
At the painter's suggestion of a rest, Blair shot up from her seat as if she'd been waiting. Then she fled the greenhouse.
Herdin, languidly propping his chin, watched her retreating figure with chilling eyes.
* * *
After leaving the greenhouse and parting from Rina, who went to fetch refreshments, Blair decided to tour the garden during the break.
In winter, few ventured outdoors, but for a spring banquet, guests would surely use the garden.
‘The landscaping is well-groomed, and the fountains are working perfectly.’
Blair inspected the garden, into which she, Mason, and the gardeners had poured their efforts, and felt satisfied.
As tension eased, her attention turned to her aching back, which had hurt since earlier.
The new dress from Sionele Baroness had its back ribbons tied too tightly, chafing her delicate skin.
Blair moved behind a nearby hedge and looked around. No one was nearby.
She tried loosening and retying the back ribbons, but couldn't see behind her, making it harder than expected.
“It's not working……”
As Blair struggled with the stubborn ribbons, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
“A refined lady like you wouldn't be trying to undress here, I assume.”
Startled, Blair whipped around to find Herdin leaning obliquely against the wall, watching her—who knew how long he'd been there.
What on earth did this man think she was?
Understanding his words a beat late, Blair shot him a sullen glare and retorted.
“……Of course not.”
Blair tried to pass him toward the greenhouse.
Or rather, she tried to. Until his firm arm wrapped around her waist.
A rush of warmth closed in from behind.
“L-let go.”
Shocked by the sudden contact, Blair tried to pull away, but his voice descended over her head.
“Stay still.”
The word held no force, yet hearing it made Blair cease resisting. It would have been pointless anyway.
Herdin released her waist and reached for the loosened ribbons at her back.
His long fingers, as large as his hands, brushed the exposed skin between the ribbons. All of Blair's nerves prickled toward that spot.
To avoid letting him notice her reaction, Blair bit her lip hard and protested softly.
“I can do it myself.”
“You seemed to be struggling quite a while for that.”
“…….”
So he'd seen it all from the start…….
For some reason, that bruised her pride. Not to be outdone, Blair retorted.
“I can just ask Rina when we go back.”
“So you plan to show this state to the others?”
His voice had deepened from moments ago, but Blair, focused on checking her attire, didn't notice.
Loosening the ribbons overall had let the front slip slightly, baring her shoulders.
With Herdin here, returning like this would surely invite embarrassing misunderstandings.
Unable to counter his words, Blair shut her mouth. Then his question fell over her shoulder.
“How long do you plan to keep avoiding me?”
Blair flinched but tried to deflect.
“……I haven't.”
“What was that just now, trying to run?”
“Just busy.”
One corner of Herdin's mouth quirked up as he finished the knot.
Where did she learn such an obvious lie?
She had started avoiding him precisely from the day after meeting Mikhail.
Of course, that morning, he had ignored her attempt to see him off. Her face, unable to lie, had plainly shown obligatory reluctance.
But after that, Blair began avoiding him pointedly, as if waiting for the chance. Making her anger obvious, it was impossible to miss.
“It's laughable if you're doing this over some man who's nothing to you.”
If it were mere anger at him, he might not have minded.
But knowing her anger stemmed from that man Mikhail twisted his insides.
“Do you like him or something?”
“……Is that important to you?”
“It is.”
Herdin released the tied ribbon and added,
“You're my wife right now.”
“…….”
“I don't like sharing what's mine with others. So……”
He wrapped his arm around her waist again. Before the startled Blair could pull away, his lips pressed to the nape of her white neck.
“What are you……!”
Ignoring her resistance, Herdin sucked at her delicate skin, leaving a red mark.
Mine.
He quite liked that brand.
“While you're by my side, focus only on me.”
With his voice chillingly sunken, the arm around her waist released her. More precisely, let her go.
As if unleashing a beast with a collar.
