Ch#90
2023.11.29.
By the time the two emerged into the rear garden, night had fully fallen. Lamps placed here and there chased away the darkness, creating an inviting atmosphere.
As they followed the path through the rear garden, the lively noises gradually grew louder.
At the end stood all the members of Delmark, who had already finished preparing the picnic. Not just the servants, but the knights as well.
"Perfect timing. The meat's just finished roasting."
Mason guided the two to the center.
There, a massive bonfire blazed, roasting venison. Spotting it, Blair halted in her tracks.
Even after fully regaining her memories of the incident, her fear of fire lingered.
Especially a fire this enormous, incomparable to the candles she'd practiced with, stirred even greater terror.
At that moment, Herdin, noticing Blair frozen while unable to tear her eyes from the flames, waved his hand before her face to scatter her attention.
"It's fine."
His low voice settled in her ear, and a large hand clasped hers.
Blair, who had cautiously lifted her head, met his lake-blue eyes. Seeing them, the tension in her body eased as if by magic.
Then, Russ approached abruptly, holding a skewer threaded with meat.
"Here! Your Grace, Madam. Try some. The first bite should go to you two, of course."
Blair finally realized why the knights had been eyeing them like starving beasts and burst into laughter.
"Thank you for preparing it."
"You could've started without us. It's not poisoned, is it?"
"Shall I eat it first and digest it for you, then?"
Kalligo interjected at Herdin's suspicion.
Though inwardly startled by his appearance, Blair showed no sign. To her, he was now a loyal Delmark knight who had done her no wrong.
"Hand it over."
Herdin took the skewer from Russ and bit into the meat.
While ordinary nobles always used cutlery for appearances, Delmark's knights—accustomed to long campaigns and magical beast subjugations—found skewers more natural.
The meat skewer was a remnant of that custom.
The knights watching Herdin swallowed hard.
"How is it?"
Instead of answering the knights' question, Herdin called Mason waiting nearby.
"Mason."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Take them and fetch some alcohol."
That meant permitting alcohol for the knights as well. Cheers erupted among them upon realizing it.
The knights whistled and chattered noisily as they followed Mason to the residence for liquor, while the remaining servants began distributing meat under Russ's directions.
In the aftermath of the whirlwind, Blair dazedly accepted a meat skewer proffered to her.
"Eat up. Seems no poison."
Blair took the skewer from Herdin. The golden-brown meat looked appetizing at a glance.
She worried the child in her womb might reject it, but fortunately, the scent didn't turn her stomach—perhaps due to the father's care.
Blair bit into the savory skewer. The smoky flavor and rich juices spread in her mouth, whetting her appetite.
Chewing busily and swallowing, Blair felt eyes on her and looked up to meet Herdin's steady gaze.
Knowing he awaited her reaction, Blair spoke.
"Delicious. Thank you, Herdin."
As Blair smiled, Herdin finally smirked faintly and wiped the soot from her mouth with his index finger.
By the time Blair finished her skewer, the knights returned from the residence, each shouldering an oak barrel.
"Loyalty forever to Delmark!"
The elated knights pledged loyalty profusely as they poured drinks. The filled glasses were distributed neatly to everyone present.
Then, Kalligo approached Blair with a cheeky smile, offering her a brimming glass.
"A drink for Madam too. Repayment for those tasty sandwiches last time."
Blair hesitated, not taking the glass readily.
First, though he had ulterior motives, it felt uncomfortable having the man who killed her in her previous life approach so amiably.
Second, she couldn't drink due to the child in her womb.
But in the awkward atmosphere, unsure how to refuse, Herdin's hand suddenly snatched her glass.
"Don't give alcohol to someone who's unwell."
"Oh, is Madam not feeling well?"
"Ah... No, not really. Just a bit tired."
Blair vaguely agreed with Herdin's excuse. Kalligo, looking concerned, fetched another meat skewer.
"Then eat plenty today. Nothing beats meat for recovery."
This time, Herdin didn't stop him. Blair accepted the skewer from Kalligo, bewildered but grateful.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
As Kalligo beamed proudly, knights called for him.
His spot amid them was already rowdy with drinks passing back and forth in high spirits.
Seeing Lina had joined them too, Blair quietly laughed.
The Imperial Palace where she grew up was always hushed.
Katrina strictly divided ranks and disapproved of Blair growing close to maids.
Thus, she occasionally gathered Rachel or relative ladies for quiet teas, sharing snacks with maids at most.
But this boisterous gathering wasn't bad at all.
'No, it's... much more fun.'
Blair wriggled the hand held by Herdin, glancing up at him sideways before shifting to the blazing fire ahead.
More precisely, to the serene early summer nightscape it created.
'Beautiful.'
For the first time, fear of fire gave way to thoughts of its beauty.
Blair gazed at the scene with a smile, etching it into her eyes for a long while.
Her final memory to take when leaving this residence.
* * *
The Delmark ducal carriage passed through the Imperial Palace's main gate.
Blair swallowed a sigh, gazing at the palace building coming into distant view.
Her last banquet attendance was at Count Essel's. There, she'd heard rumors of the incident from ten years ago and fled without proper response, so today all eyes would focus on her.
Whether the discord between the Imperial Family and Delmark was true.
And if true, whose side she was on—Imperial or Delmark.
But more fearsome than those gazes was...
'...Mother.'
She would meet Katrina at tonight's banquet.
First time since the kidnapping.
Blair fidgeted anxiously with her fingertips, staring at the approaching palace, then turned to her husband opposite.
"Herdin."
His gaze, lost in thought out the window, turned to her in reply.
Blair broached cautiously.
"No evidence yet?"
He had permitted outings starting after the Founding Festival banquet.
Unsure why from tomorrow specifically, she assumed some reason—like a clue by then.
But his response dashed her hopes.
"Still searching. An incident from ten years ago isn't easy."
His voice and eyes, sighing softly, seemed more subdued than usual.
'Of course, no one wants to clear Her Imperial Majesty's name sooner than Herdin.'
Feeling guilty for urging him, Blair pressed her lips shut.
Soon, the carriage stopped.
Recalling the impending stares and Katrina encounter, Blair took a deep breath and alighted, holding Herdin's hand.
"The Duke and Duchess of Delmark!"
As they entered the banquet hall, nobles' gazes naturally turned to them amid the chandelier lights.
As expected, whispers about her reached her ears.
Her tense heart pounded rapidly, stirring her chronically queasy stomach.
'...It's fine. I'm not what they say.'
She hadn't betrayed her mother for a man. She'd only sought the truth that must be revealed. Proud and unashamed, whatever they said.
Blair steadied herself thus.
The attention on her shifted as Katrina and Ivan appeared.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Dowager Empress!"
A young woman stood beside Ivan on the stairs overlooking the hall. Blair recognized her instantly from past-life memories.
Loen of the Marquis of Bilhern.
The woman to be announced as Ivan's fiancée here. Katrina's painstaking choice, most beneficial to the Imperial Family and herself.
After ceremonial remarks, Ivan introduced his fiancée.
"This lovely lady you've all been curious about is my fiancée, Lady Loen Bilhern."
Ivan's fiancée approached with a subtle smile.
"With my only sister soon to wed and leaving me lonely, I welcome new family. Please bless us."
The Founding Festival address and Emperor's fiancée announcement concluded amid nobles' applause and congratulations.
Thus refocused on Blair and Herdin was the question: was the Imperial-Delmark discord real?
Then, an attendant approached.
"His Majesty summons you both."
