Ch#89
2023.11.28.
It was a casual question, as if merely brushing past the topic, yet Blair's startled heart began to race.
It had been nearly ten days past her expected date, but she hadn't imagined he would pay attention to her cycle.
After freezing in momentary panic, Blair cleverly pulled the covers over her face and made an excuse.
"I skipped the medicine a few days, but with so many things on my mind lately, that must be it. It gets delayed like this sometimes."
Her uncertain lie flowed smoothly once she started, sounding so natural even to her own ears that no one would suspect deceit.
Recalling the day he had swapped it with fakes, Herdin soon nodded in agreement.
He knew little of women's bodies, but since it hadn't been long since the switch to fakes, some effects might linger. It was entirely plausible.
"Watch it a few more days, and if it drags on too long, get examined. It could be a health issue."
Of course, if it persisted much longer, suspicion would be warranted.
"......I'll do that. Thanks for worrying."
Thinking she'd claim her cycle started tomorrow, Blair curled up under the covers.
Having said she wanted rest, she assumed Herdin would leave soon. With no intent for intimacy, he had no other purpose here.
But he lingered by her side, idly toying with her hair.
Though her plan to sleep was disrupted, Blair didn't chase him away and simply watched quietly. She didn't mind his touch.
After twirling her hair around his fingers for a while, Herdin felt the breeze slipping through the slightly open balcony door and lifted his head.
Beyond the large windows connected to the balcony stretched the lush rear garden. Even the seeping wind carried the scent of grass.
Gazing at the scene, Herdin spoke.
"How about a picnic in the rear garden soon?"
"A picnic?"
"Like we talked about in spring. Summer's almost here, and you no longer fear fire like before, so it should be fine."
Only then did memories resurface of roasting marshmallows over candlelight to overcome her pyrophobia—and their conversations then.
The sweet memories of that spring.
She wondered if it was greed in her impending departure, then thought conversely that since she was leaving soon, a joyful memory or two wouldn't hurt.
'Memories of happy moments can sometimes sustain you for a lifetime.'
Agnes's words from long ago came to mind.
"Sounds good. But it'll get hotter soon, so as early as possible......"
Intending to suggest hastening it due to worsening morning sickness, Blair paused.
Esmeralda's name hadn't been cleared yet. It felt untimely for a lively party.
Blair corrected herself.
"No, better after the trial ends."
"If you want it sooner, we can do it sooner."
"Really?"
At her wide-eyed surprise, Herdin nodded readily.
"The trial will end well anyway."
For his naive wife, who innocently trusted and waited for him unaware of his intentions, there was no reason not to grant even that much.
* * *
The rear garden picnic was set for a few days before the Founding Festival banquet.
After lunch, Blair stood on the balcony surveying the rear garden. From the busy preparations for the evening picnic came nonstop clanging sounds.
'Good that the morning sickness hasn't worsened yet.'
As Blair instinctively reached for her lower abdomen with that thought, Melli's voice came from behind.
"Madam, Baroness Sionele is here."
Today was the day the completed dress arrived.
And also the day the assistant from Baroness Sionele—bearing Mihail's message—would come.
With Blair's permission, Baroness Sionele entered the reception room connected to the bedroom with her assistants.
"Hello, Madam."
"Welcome, Baroness."
"How are you feeling today? Did excitement over trying on the new dress keep you from sleeping?"
Blair burst into laughter at her characteristic banter.
"Exactly. Your clothes always exceed expectations, so I've been thrilled the night before they arrive since childhood. Today too, of course."
"I've been thrilled every time bringing dresses for the princess... no, Madam. Today will surely meet those expectations."
As always, Baroness Sionele brimmed with confidence in her skills.
"No need to tease you further—shall we try it on?"
As the baroness snapped her fan shut with a click, her assistants led Blair to the dressing room. Among them was Mihail's helper.
Blair focused solely on that assistant throughout the fitting.
Once the fitting ended, the assistants bowed politely and left the dressing room one by one. The last, Mihail's collaborator, handed Blair a note.
Last week, she had replied via the assistant who brought the muslin fitting: the plan remained unchanged.
And today came the response.
Blair unfolded it immediately.
[Then, see you at the Founding Festival banquet.]
She wondered how he, without an invitation as a commoner, would enter the Imperial Palace, but as guild master, he likely had a way.
Blair handed the note back to the assistant.
"Thank you. Dispose of this on your way out."
The assistant took it and left.
Blair emerged from the dressing room with the assistant for final inspection before Baroness Sionele.
Just as the fitting wrapped up, Melli returned from an errand.
"Madam, Your Grace is back."
Herdin had gone hunting for venison for the evening picnic this morning.
With his return, it was time to prepare for the picnic.
"Then, until the Founding Festival, Duchess."
"Safe travels."
After seeing off Baroness Sionele, Blair began selecting her evening picnic attire with Melli and Lina.
"Evenings are still a bit chilly, so a shawl would be good."
By the time she finished dressing, dusk had fallen outside the window.
"I'm ready now. You two go prepare too."
"Yes, Madam."
As the excited Lina and Melli approached the door, it opened with a knock—Herdin entering first.
Lina and Melli curtsied to him and quietly left the room.
Blair, doing a final check at the vanity, turned in the mirror to see him approaching and brightened.
"Good hunt?"
"Yes."
Herdin wore a simple shirt and trousers, but the intensifying soap scent as he neared revealed a recent bath.
Striding up, he leaned obliquely against the vanity, watching her rummage through the jewelry box.
Blair selected necklaces and earrings with a serious expression. Her slightly furrowed brow and pursed small lips in concentration were endearing.
After digging a while, Blair pulled out two necklaces and showed Herdin.
"Which is better?"
One with amethysts like her eyes, the other with aquamarines.
A meaningless question. Necklaces and earrings mattered little to him.
"Hmm, they all look fine."
At his perfunctory reply, Blair's lips pouted slightly.
Pondering briefly, she chose the cool aquamarine suited to summer.
Seeing it, Herdin's lips curved in satisfaction. The gem matching his eye color around her neck pleased him greatly.
With the matching earrings on, Blair stood.
"All set. Let's go."
As Blair lightly tugged his hand toward the door, Herdin caught it and turned her to face him.
At her puzzled gaze came an unexpected demand.
"Kiss me."
With his playful eyes.
Blair's eyes widened at the sudden request, stirring his dormant sadism.
"I hunted the deer as Madam wished—isn't that a bargain for the price?"
"......You were the one who suggested the picnic first."
"Who was it last night, all excited, saying venison over wild boar?"
At that, Blair, who had been edging away like fleeing a beast, paused. But his proud wife didn't yield easily as expected.
"Everyone's waiting."
Of course, he had no intention of backing down either.
"So hurry."
Herdin's grip on her hand was firm.
Realizing he wouldn't budge until getting his way, Blair feigned reluctance and approached.
Even after nearing, she hesitated a while, but fortunately kissed him cautiously before he could seize her lips.
Herdin pulled her waist close as if he'd waited for it. His lips curved in satisfaction at finally getting what he wanted.
Those precious lips were just as sweet and soft. In the moment their breaths mingled, even faint irritation faded.
He thought himself quite mad, yet in this instant embracing her, he cared not what he became.
Right now, everything was perfect.
