Chapter 48
Episode 48. Lend Me Your Husband
2023.10.18.
Blair seized the moment to slip from his arms and headed toward the greenhouse. She didn't even glance back at him once.
If she turned, if their eyes met, she had a premonition that he would devour her whole. Her startled heart pounded wildly.
Fortunately, he didn't follow. Realizing that, Blair's steps gradually slowed.
Now completely alone, Blair touched the back of her neck where his lips had brushed.
‘……It's hot.’
The skin where his lips had touched burned strangely.
Blair touched the spot repeatedly with confused eyes, until the sensation faded.
* * *
Time flew by, and the day of the banquet arrived.
With the maids gone to make final preparations, Blair, left alone in the bedroom, checked the back of her neck in the mirror.
Fortunately, the mark Herdin had left had faded to near invisibility.
Blair had discovered the mark the morning after the painter's visit, while getting ready.
‘Madam, wouldn't it be best to wear your hair down today?’
Melly, who had been brushing Blair's hair, asked cautiously. When Blair, unaware of the mark on her neck, inquired why, Melly mumbled evasively with embarrassment.
Only then did Blair realize Herdin had left a mark on the back of her neck.
‘At least it's gone before the banquet.’
Relieved by that, she glanced out the window. Dusk was falling, and the banquet time approached.
As Blair rose from the vanity for a final check, Rina's voice came.
“Madam, preparations are complete.”
Blair left the bedroom at once.
Standing at the top of the stairs, she saw the servants gathered in the lobby below. On their chests gleamed silver brooches shaped like the Divine Beast's Wings, symbolizing del Mark.
They were custom-made by Blair for the banquet.
To show all attendees that they were del Mark, and to instill a strong sense of belonging in them.
Blair looked down at the sight with satisfaction and asked herself.
Is it perfect?
A question she had asked herself countless times in her previous life.
And answers she had heard endlessly from others.
But now, she needed no one's answers.
It was already perfect in her eyes. Already satisfying to her heart.
That was enough.
Blair descended the stairs and stood before them.
“You've all worked hard on the preparations.”
She looked at each of the lined-up servants in turn. Some might still view her unfavorably, while others might have grown fond of her.
And she too was the lady of the house, with a set term.
But today, setting all that aside, they were all del Mark here.
Blair smiled at them.
“Then, let's begin welcoming the guests.”
* * *
The banquet was a resounding success.
“I was inwardly worried about a mansion that had gone so long without a lady of the house, but seeing it myself, there's no such feeling at all.”
“I can see how much effort Madam put into it.”
The nobles conversing with Blair praised the banquet and the ducal residence she had prepared.
Most were from imperial factions, and as in her previous life, del Mark's retainers smiled outwardly while eyeing her with displeasure behind her back—but that no longer mattered.
Because Blair herself was confident in her work.
“Exactly, even this single glass of wine shows Madam's care. It doesn't feel like your first hosted banquet at all, does it?”
Listening to the noblewoman lavish praise on every sip of wine, Blair answered inwardly.
‘Of course not. It's not my first.’
But burying the secret she couldn't tell anyone, Blair simply smiled at them.
Just as she had always lived elegantly and gracefully as an imperial princess.
After the noblewomen chatting for a while departed, Blair's surroundings quieted briefly.
Pretending to sip her wine, she retreated to a corner of the banquet hall.
Having attended countless state events, she was accustomed to dealing with people—but familiarity aside, it was tiring.
Surveying the fully matured banquet hall atmosphere, Blair's eyes caught sight of her husband.
He stood out even among the crowd. Not just because of their matching couple's attire.
His taller-than-average height and face worthy of the title empire's foremost beauty played a part, but more so his unique aura.
An atmosphere that naturally dominated those around him without any particular action.
A mature man's presence, utterly different from his precarious childhood appearance.
In the past, Blair had fallen in love at first sight upon seeing him return as an adult from the victory banquet. She had ignored her feelings then due to guilt.
And now, living her second life after returning to the past, her heart still fluttered pathetically at the sight of him.
Blair turned her gaze from him as if denying that fact. Then a familiar face approached before her eyes.
“It's been a while, hasn't it, Blair?”
Rachel Selden.
Daughter of the marquis, the emperor's younger brother, and Blair's cousin.
The moment she saw her face, a memory flashed suddenly.
What had happened at this banquet today in her previous life.
Before Rachel's outrageous demand made so confidently, the Blair of then had been unable to say a word.
To Blair, Rachel had been as absolute an existence as Katrina.
While Blair, weakened by the Empress's Palace fire, recuperated, Rachel had seized influence among her peers.
By the time Blair recovered and returned to high society years later, few friends remained.
Rachel had then deigned to include her like charity, making Blair dependent on her. Blair had no choice but to cling. And that relationship hardened into habit, even after growing into adults.
Though she hadn't yielded to Rachel's absurd demands, her inability to snap back at her then remained a horrific self-loathing memory for Blair.
Blair gripped her wine glass tightly and looked at Rachel. Her eyes gazing at Rachel gleamed coldly.
“It has. Why didn't you come to my wedding? I really wanted your congratulations.”
At Blair's question, Rachel's expression twisted.
In truth, Blair knew why she hadn't attended the wedding.
Many noble ladies had admired Herdin since childhood, despite shunning him due to del Mark's notoriety.
After he returned a war hero, they all openly fancied him. Rachel was one of them.
Rachel must have been quite upset that Blair—the one she deemed inferior—had gotten the man she couldn't.
Rachel composed her expression with effort and replied.
“I really wanted to go, but I was too ill. This cold was brutal. Better late than never—congratulations on the marriage.”
“Thank you.”
Rachel took a wine glass from the table and stood beside Blair. Sipping her wine while surveying the banquet hall, her gaze stopped on Herdin.
The man exuding his unique aura even among the crowd remained alluring even in marriage.
No, rather…… now that he belonged to another, he tempted her more.
Unable to tear her eyes from Herdin visible over her glass, Rachel asked Blair.
“Does the duke treat you well?”
“Yes.”
“That's good. Still, don't trust him too much. That man's the nephew of the woman who tried to kill you.”
Rachel pretended concern for Blair while deliberately poking at her Achilles' heel. But contrary to her expectation of a wounded expression, Blair calmly sipped her wine.
Though Blair's impassive reaction seemed unlike her usual self, Rachel figured she still wouldn't defy her. After all, she had spent years playing the friend to ensure that.
“Well, even so, with that face and body, seeing it every day must be a treat. When old men take young concubines left and right. Right? I'd have no regrets dating a man like that once.”
“…….”
“So, Blair.”
Gauging her expression, Rachel broached the topic in a sly tone.
“Can't you lend me your husband for just one night? I'll handle the rest myself next time.”
Rachel made the request in a nonchalant tone, as if asking to borrow a toy. Just like in childhood, when she snatched Blair's accessories.
It's not something needing your permission, but I'm telling you in advance because it's you…….
Whispering words that sounded affectionate at first glance.
Before even hearing Blair's reply, Rachel plotted the rest in her mind.
Of course, before marriage, Herdin hadn't let her near no matter how she approached, but now with Blair as his wife, it would be different.
As someone resentful toward the Empress Dowager's family, he would surely choose a woman other than Blair to defy them.
Blair set her empty wine glass on the table and looked at Rachel coldly.
“How vulgar, Rachel.”
“……What?”
“In case you forgot, that man is my husband. And he's not something you can borrow.”
Rachel's face hardened at Blair's unexpected response. Rejection from Blair was a development outside her plans.
Blair Sonnet von Ardel always obeyed her.
It had always been that way until now.
Rachel laughed in disbelief.
“So? Because he's your husband, hands off?”
“Exactly. That's what I wanted to say.”
Something you won't remember, from long ago.
