Herdin observed Blair's expression as he tilted his wine glass. The light that had briefly flashed in the woman's eyes was fading away.
Seeing this, Herdin's gaze turned cold. He parted his lips from the glass that had moistened them.
"From my perspective, it doesn't seem that my wife has said anything particularly wrong."
At Herdin's languid voice breaking the silence, the gazes of the three people turned to him at once.
"How can one call it disrespectful when she, as a subject of her lord before being a sister, offers frank advice for the sake of good governance?"
Katrina, momentarily flustered by Herdin's sudden intervention, retorted.
"Duke, this is a mother disciplining her child's shortcomings. Please don't defend her."
The implication was clear - don't interfere in matters between parent and child.
Herdin chuckled and set down the wine glass he was holding.
"They say a daughter becomes an outsider after marriage."
"What does that suddenly..."
"She is now Blair Delmark."
Herdin's gaze towards Katrina was as sharp as that of a beast hostile to one who had touched its possession as he spoke Blair's name.
"Who but I should point out my wife's shortcomings?"
At his chilling aura, Katrina involuntarily flinched and gasped.
But Herdin calmly continued.
"Regarding the opinion Your Majesty asked of me..."
He added as he took Blair's still trembling hand and helped her up.
"I'll reconsider after enjoying the newlywed life a bit more. As you said, children are rare in the Delmark family."
With that.
He stood up, embracing Blair's back with his strong arm.
Blair blinked with a dazed expression as she was held in his arms.
His embrace, protecting her, was warm. Just like in the past, before her regression, when he had been kind.
* * *
The two left the greenhouse, leaving behind Ivan and Katrina's dumbfounded exclamations.
"We'll be departing now."
As the two boarded the carriage, it set off.
Herdin, who had been gazing at the passing winter scenery outside the window with indifferent eyes, suddenly felt a gaze on him and turned his head.
Amethyst-like eyes, tinged with the afternoon sunlight, were quietly gazing at him.
As if they had been waiting for him to turn around for a very long time.
"Thank you."
"I didn't do it to receive thanks. As you know, my feelings towards the imperial family aren't particularly good."
"Still, thank you. And... I'm sorry."
For making you be used by my mother's and brother's greed.
It was an apology that had always remained in a corner of her heart, even when her resentment towards him had grown uncontrollably.
Instead of answering, Herdin stared at her for a moment before turning his gaze back to the window.
How long had the silence lasted?
Regular breathing sounds began to echo in the carriage. Only then did Herdin's gaze return to Blair.
At that moment, the carriage jolted, and Blair's body shook greatly.
Herdin reflexively reached out to prevent Blair's head from hitting the wall. Her silver-like hair wrapped around his hand and flowed down softly.
As a result, the distance between the two narrowed, but Blair was deeply asleep, unaware of the situation.
Herdin let out a soft sigh as he gazed at the woman's clear face leaning on his hand.
The woman always wore an expressionless face, remaining composed even when he said harsh things, which irritated him. She was like a beautiful doll without emotions.
So he didn't hide his hostility towards her. He deliberately said cruel things, drew lines, and treated her coldly.
He wanted to see that composed face distort. As much as he resented her.
But when he saw the woman's eyes losing their light, crushed between Ivan and Katrina, he felt annoyed.
It felt like having his long-chased prey snatched away.
He alone should be the one to make her cry, torment her, and break her.
"..."
Herdin, who had been gazing at the sleeping Blair, laid her down sideways on the carriage seat.
Blair, who had stirred briefly, soon fell back into a deep sleep. With a more peaceful expression than before.
Herdin quietly took in that sight before turning his gaze back to the window.
The sound of breathing echoing in the quiet carriage completed the languid afternoon scenery.
* * *
"Mmm..."
Blair, who had dozed off, opened her eyes feeling her body floating in the air. It was dark in front of her eyes.
Startled, she flailed about, and the thing covering her face slid down. What had been covering her was Herdin's coat.
In her eyes, still dazed from sleep, she saw the servants lined up and bowing.
And...
A face so handsome it seemed unreal, as if she hadn't fully woken up.
"...Herdin?"
"You're awake."
At the same time as she met his eyes up close, Blair realized she had been sleeping in his arms and was startled.
"Put, put me down."
Blair struggled to get away from him.
It was embarrassing for a grown adult to need her husband's help, having fallen so deeply asleep that she didn't even notice the carriage had arrived.
But instead of putting her down, Herdin held her even more tightly.
Seeing the woman, who had been as expressionless as a doll all along, with eyes rounded like a rabbit's, he felt an inexplicable sadistic urge.
"It's troublesome, so let's just go."
"It must be heavy..."
Herdin chuckled at Blair's mumbling.
It seemed his wife didn't know what 'heavy' meant. Or else she was underestimating her husband's strength.
As he was about to climb the mansion's stairs, brushing off his wife's not-so-pleasant assessment, it happened.
"Your Excellency."
Luth, who had remained at the mansion, approached him and delivered news.
"The hypnotist arrived a moment ago."
A chilly gleam passed through Herdin's eyes as he heard the news.
It was time to approach the 'real' purpose of this contract marriage.
Search "child" at redcatty [.] com to read ahead up to chap 170.