Ch#79
2023.11.18.
Herdin's gaze chilled upon encountering her. It was because he had become sensitive to her every move since the kidnapping incident.
"Where are you headed?"
"Ah, I was just on my way to take a walk in the back garden."
"Ppii!"
As if confirming her words weren't a lie, Ppippi cried out from Blair's arms. Melli was with her as well.
Herdin checked her expression, wondering if she had overheard his conversation with the elders, but as always, it was hard to read emotions from her calm face.
At that moment, the elders' voices approached from the open drawing room door.
"Surely His Grace hasn't fallen for the Imperial Princess? Honestly, she does have outstanding beauty, resembling her mother."
"Indeed. Her mother bewitched His Majesty the Emperor in the same way—"
Assuming Herdin had already left, they emerged from the drawing room and startled upon seeing him and Blair, promptly shutting their mouths.
"We, we apologize, Your Grace."
They glanced only at Herdin before bowing and turning away, completely ignoring Blair.
Herdin's gaze chilled as he watched them.
"It seems you've all grown old. Your eyesight must be failing if you can't see the person right beside me."
"Herdin."
Startled by his sharp words, Blair grabbed his arm to stop him, but Herdin didn't cease.
"Or has your neck bone worn out so much it won't bend anymore?"
Realizing he was pointing out their rudeness in failing to show proper respect to the Duchess, the elders cried out as if wronged.
"Your Grace, are you insulting us old men now? Us, who have served since your grandfather's time?"
"Just because you've grown old doesn't make me your grandchild."
The elders clamped their mouths shut at Herdin's biting words. As he said, even if he were their grandchild in age, he was still their lord.
"Show respect to the Duchess. Unless you intend to insult me."
"......"
"Ah, and of course, apologize for the nonsense that just came out of your mouths."
His voice, laced with chilling intimidation, heavily pressed down on the quiet corridor's atmosphere.
Overwhelmed by his menace, the elders flinched and glanced at him before reluctantly bowing to Blair.
"......We have been rude to the Duchess. Please forgive us generously."
"I'm fine."
Herdin was displeased by their apology, which lacked sincerity, but decided to let it pass upon seeing Blair's response.
The elders, who had shown proper respect to both once more, hurried away as if fleeing.
The silence left in the once-frozen atmosphere was broken by the tactless young beast.
"Ppii!"
Ppippi cried out at Blair, as if urging her to go on the walk already. Herdin, who had been staring at Ppippi, spoke to Melli.
"I'll accompany the Duchess on her walk, so go attend to your duties."
"Ah....... Yes, Your Grace."
Herdin signaled Russ with his eyes as well, then turned to Blair, who blinked at him in confusion.
"Shall we go?"
Blair exited to the back garden of the residence with Herdin.
Ppippi, who had been wriggling since breathing the outdoor air, darted into the bushes the moment Blair released it. The marten's fine fur was soon covered in dirt.
Watching the tiny creature explore the back garden freely, Herdin spoke.
"That one's grown quite a bit too. I thought it would die soon."
"Thank you. It's thanks to you saving it."
Herdin scoffed self-mockingly at Blair's words.
The mother of that one, whom he had killed, and even that tiny creature he had tried to kill as well. It was ridiculous even to his own ears.
"No. That one survived purely due to your stubbornness."
"Then since you allowed that stubbornness, let's say it's thanks to both of us."
Herdin chuckled as if conceding to her insistence on including him. He quite liked the phrase "both of us."
Blair, gazing up at him as the earlier tense atmosphere softened, cautiously spoke.
"Herdin, you don't have to do that for my sake from now on."
Herdin realized she was referring to the elders and his expression hardened again.
"So I should just stand by and listen while those old men insult you right in front of me?"
"I'm saying it out of worry for you."
Blair spoke calmly, but Herdin disliked her attitude.
He knew the reason she seemed unaffected even after hearing insults directed at her lay in the premise that she would soon leave this place.
She was telling him now to side with the loyal retainers over his year-long fake wife.
He knew her words were rational, yet an uncontrollable emotion boiled in his heart.
"You knew this would happen once the truth came out."
"......"
"I expected it too, and it's just come a bit sooner than anticipated. So it's fine."
Her words, devoid of even a shred of resentment, made it unbearable for him, the one who had driven her into this situation amid everyone's blame.
"Ppii!"
At that moment, Ppippi, who had been rolling in a dirt pile, disappeared into the bushes again. Blair chased after the mischievous little beast.
The instant Herdin saw her receding back, a strange anxiety shook him, as if she might vanish into the warm spring sunlight just like that.
Gazing at her ethereal figure in the sunlight, Herdin strode forward without thinking and grabbed Blair's hand.
"Blair."
Blair, looking at him with puzzled eyes, yielded her hand readily. But the risen anxiety didn't subside easily.
Thus concluding their afternoon walk, the two returned to the residence.
The moment they reached Ppippi's room, Herdin snatched the harness from Blair's hand and tossed it aside carelessly. He trapped her between himself and the closed door, then immediately pressed his lips to hers.
Blair flinched in brief surprise but, as always, soon closed her eyes and accepted him.
"Mm......"
Like a man tormented by long thirst, Herdin urgently parted Blair's lips and entwined his tongue.
The more their wet flesh rubbed and intertwined, the hotter his body grew, intensifying his thirst. Even devouring every ragged breath she exhaled wasn't enough.
Blair was clearly in his arms, their breaths mingling in this moment, yet...... the anxiety that she might disappear lingered.
The anxiety dominating him fueled his desire.
He needed to pin her beneath him, join their bodies so she couldn't escape, and feel her warmth to calm his mind.
The large hand embracing Blair's waist naturally slid downward. The moment the distance between them closed at his touch, Blair pulled her lips away.
"......Herdin."
Blair instinctively pressed against his firm chest to push him away as he tried to kiss her again, but Herdin seized even that hand and subdued it.
He finally stopped when Blair evaded his lips.
His blue eyes, fiercely craving her, stared as if they might swallow her whole right then.
Blair pleaded while looking at him.
"I still don't feel well, so I want to rest."
Herdin's lips twisted as he gazed at her declaring she wanted to stop.
After their fight over Mihail, she had never once said no during their nightly indulgences, stubbornly sealing her lips as if she didn't even want to utter the words.
Her rejection, declared at this urgent moment, was unwelcome, but Herdin barely suppressed his desire.
He swallowed a pained sigh and released her. The desire threatening to burst choked roughly down his throat.
"Thank you."
The moment he grew irritated by her thanking him for her rightful refusal, a knock sounded.
"Your Grace. Are you there?"
It was Mason's voice.
"You should go."
Blair stepped away from the door she had been leaning against. Herdin gazed at her briefly before opening the door and exiting.
"Someone came from the Imperial Palace earlier, bearing an imperial edict for you to enter the palace tomorrow afternoon."
Blair, lost in thought, didn't catch Mason's voice through the door crack.
It was now one day before the full moon of the fifth month. Hope flickered in her eyes as she gazed at the verdant scenery beyond the window.
'Tomorrow is finally the day.'
The day Asiel would be conceived.
* * *
The late spring back garden was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers.
Just as his sense of smell grew numb from the scent and he craved a cigar, a small pond appeared. Ivan awaited before the pagoda there.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty."
"Sit."
As Herdin sat across from him, a servant brought a tray, set down the tea, and departed.
Ivan observed Herdin's demeanor over his teacup. With his usual impassive face, he silently lifted his cup as well.
Any other noble would have initiated conversation or flattered him to curry favor, but Herdin showed no such inclination.
'I knew he was that kind of man.'
Ivan clicked his tongue inwardly, downed his tea, and spoke first.
"It's been nearly half a year since we became family, yet I've been so busy with state affairs that I haven't had time to see my brother-in-law."
Has time passed that quickly already?
Herdin moistened his lips while gauging the time. Just then, the refreshing sound of wind rustling trees from a nearby forest completed the summer scenery.
It had snowed on the day he married his fairy-eyed wife, a complete contrast to then.
"On a day like this, hunting while racing through the forest would be perfect for building brotherly bonds. The weight of national affairs is heavy indeed at times like these."
"I cannot presume to know how grueling it is to lead an empire, but I know it's far busier than my duties. Please speak briefly, and I will listen."
Ivan read the implication in Herdin's words and smirked crookedly.
In other words, get to the point. He had a talent for wrapping his insolence as consideration for him.
Packaging his words politely, yet showing no intent to hide his arrogance—it was all the more infuriating.
