Ch#61
2023.10.31.
"It seems they forgot to clean this room, which hasn't been used for a while. I'll have it tidied up right away."
"Who is that person?"
When Blair asked while looking at the boy in the portrait, Mason hesitated for a moment before answering.
"He is the younger brother of the previous family head."
That meant he was Cassian's younger brother.
But as far as Blair knew, Cassian's only sibling was Esmeralda.
"But I don't think I've seen him in the family portraits. Nor in the family registry..."
"Young Master Logan was a half-brother to the previous family head."
The Ardel Empire practiced strict monogamy.
Being a half-brother to Cassian, the son of the legal wife, meant the boy in the portrait was Delmark's illegitimate son.
It made sense that even the family registry had no record of a bastard child.
"Unfortunately, he passed away young in an accident, so this is the only remaining portrait."
"Ah... I see."
"Pippy!"
Pippy, who had been hiding in the blanket but got annoyed when Blair didn't look for him, crawled out on his own and lightly pecked at Blair's hand.
Blair stroked Pippy's head and asked Mason,
"So, what brings you here to see me?"
"In a week, it will be the death anniversary of the previous Duke and Duchess. I wanted to ask how you plan to handle the donations this year."
The Delmark Duke's family made annual donations to the Temple as a token of gratitude to Gerard, who had personally come to conduct the memorial service for the late Duke and Duchess.
Family events and special occasions were typically the responsibility of the lady of the house, but with no such lady until now, Herdin had handled them.
This year, however, it was Blair's duty.
"This year..."
As Blair pondered and was about to speak, there was a knock, followed by Rina's voice.
"Madam, are you in there?"
"What is it?"
Rina entered the room with a troubled expression and delivered the news.
"Marquis Selden's couple has come to see you."
* * *
"It seems the business wrapped up early."
Mason said as he opened the carriage door. Herdin nodded slightly and asked,
"Nothing out of the ordinary?"
"Marquis Selden's couple came to see Madam."
Herdin's brows furrowed at the unwelcome news.
"When?"
"They are currently speaking with Madam in the drawing room."
The reason they came to see Blair was obvious without asking.
Knowing he wouldn't listen even if they begged him, they took advantage of his absence to plead with Blair for leniency toward Rachel.
Indeed, his soft-hearted wife might yield to their earnest pleas for their child.
'I should have warned her beforehand.'
He had informed her that Wesley and Rachel were behind it, but hadn't detailed what he did to them.
There were ears that would relay the news anyway, but he hadn't wanted to burden her tender heart with such unpleasant details.
Now, he slightly regretted not giving her advance notice and advice.
"Did the Marquis's daughter come as well?"
"Only the Marquis couple."
Herdin's lips twisted.
"Even on the verge of being cast out, she still clings to her pride, it seems."
When they should be coming in person to apologize and grovel, hiding behind her parents. Childish or cunning, take your pick.
Well, she wouldn't have caused this mess if she were truly clever from the start.
Instead of heading straight to his study, Herdin went to the drawing room where Blair was meeting the Selden couple.
He had no intention of showing them any mercy.
As he arrived and reached for the doorknob, Blair's characteristic soft, measured voice drifted through the slightly ajar door.
"So, what you're saying is that my husband requested severe punishment for the two of you?"
"Yes. His Majesty was inclined to show mercy for Rachel's sake, but the Duke opposed it."
"...I see."
"But if you, the person involved, ask for leniency, won't the Duke change his mind?"
The expected script came from Selden Marquis's mouth.
As Herdin listened silently, about to intervene, Blair's voice responded.
"If that's my husband's will, then I have nothing more to say to the two of you."
It was a quiet but firm tone.
"Wh-what do you mean by that? Are you just going to stand by and watch Rachel be exiled from the Empire?"
"Rachel is no longer a child; she must take responsibility for her actions. I already warned her once at the banquet."
"Blair, Rachel is your cousin. Didn't you two get along so well? I can't understand why you're being so heartless."
"Being family doesn't erase her wrongdoing."
At Blair's resolute reply, sighs came from the Selden couple.
But Blair didn't stop there, true to her nature of steadfastly pushing forward when she believed she was right.
"Moreover, as the Duchess, this isn't just my personal matter."
"..."
"If my husband desires it, then it's for the honor of the family. As his wife and the lady of Delmark, I will respect and follow his will."
His wife. The lady of Delmark.
Facts that weren't new, yet hearing them from Blair's lips pleased him greatly.
Especially knowing her firmness was for his sake.
Herdin quietly closed the slightly open door.
Mason, who had been listening beside him, seemed to read his mind and said,
"It seems Madam has already made a wise decision."
Herdin passed the drawing room and headed to his study, a faint smile curving his lips.
* * *
That night, Herdin visited Blair's room with marshmallows again.
Upon knocking and opening the door, he paused at the unexpected sight.
"You're here?"
Blair's usually composed eyes held a glimmer of delight. It somehow resembled a puppy waiting for a snack.
He knew it was directed not at him but at the marshmallows in his hand, yet seeing her like that didn't displease him at all.
As he approached the table thinking he should bring them every day from now on, he saw candles and a lighter neatly prepared.
Herdin chuckled at the sight of her preparations.
"I should give a reward to the model student who's so thorough with her supplies."
It eased his mind a bit to see them ready. He'd worried she might fear fire too much and give up, but she seemed enthusiastic.
Herdin set down the bowl of marshmallows and sat. Blair sat beside him and, as if suddenly remembering, brought up,
"For this year's donations, I've decided to visit the orphanage in the Temple and deliver supplies to the children directly."
"You're going to the orphanage yourself?"
Herdin asked, surprised.
While noble ladies sometimes visited orphanages for charitable reasons, most avoided the hassle.
Especially from a 'soon-to-be-divorced' Duchess, he hadn't expected such zeal.
"I heard Mother did it that way every year. It feels more respectful to her wishes to do it personally rather than just nominal donations."
Blair hid the real reason for choosing the orphanage. Honoring Eloise wasn't entirely false, but there was a deeper motive.
'In my previous life, I visited the Temple to pray and donate.'
Back then, it had been to the priest in charge of donations, not the orphanage.
'And... that's where I first met Miela Elias.'
There was no immediate need to avoid her, but no reason to seek out an awkward encounter either.
"Sounds good. Do as you wish, Duchess."
There was no reason for Herdin to object. He readily agreed and picked up the lighter.
"I helped yesterday, but today you do it alone. Even if the marshmallow catches fire, don't panic—shake it calmly to put it out."
Blair stared tensely at the candle, took a deep breath, and picked up a marshmallow. Her expression was as resolute as a soldier before battle.
With her consent, Herdin lit the candle.
Unlike her initial determination, fear was evident on her face.
Watching with his chin propped up, Herdin waved his hand between her and the flame to draw her attention.
Only then did Blair recall his instructions, blinking consciously, breathing slowly to relax. Her trembling marshmallow approached the flame.
Herdin watched the top student diligently reviewing yesterday's lesson with interest.
She found it so scary and difficult, but if he thought it cute, she might feel a bit mischievous about it.
The first attempt failed miserably as it caught fire and she panicked.
On the second try, she nearly burned it at the end but salvaged it with Herdin's help.
Herdin extinguished the candle and lightly patted her head.
"You did well, just as I taught. At this rate, you'll conquer your fear of the fireplace in no time."
Blair stared blankly at him, his light but sincere praise.
To him, it was simple. He could have gotten annoyed at her inability to do something so easy.
Yet here he was, patiently watching and teaching without a hint of irritation. He made a pretty good teacher.
"By then, it might get too warm to light the fireplace, no?"
"Then we'll have a picnic in the back garden. Hunt some wild boar and cook it up."
"Wild boar?"
"Or venison's good too. Whatever you want."
Blair paused at his words, promising to do whatever she desired.
