Noon, when the sun hung at the center of the sky.
A welcoming gathering for the new imperial family members was held in the greenhouse located in the rear garden of the Empress Dowager's Palace.
Katrina smiled contentedly at Blair and Herdin sitting side by side across from her.
They were her new trophies, following everything she had desired coming true since becoming Empress.
"When others called them a perfect pair, I just brushed it off, but seeing them like this, they truly make a picture-perfect couple. Don't you think so, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed. It fills my heart with pride. Now, if they just produce an heir, it will be perfect."
"The del Mark Duke family is one that cherishes children dearly, so it would be best if they had at least three. Blair, you'll have to work hard."
Herdin let the harmonious conversation between the Emperor and his mother flow past his ears indifferently as he glanced at the woman seated beside him.
Blair wore her usual composed expression. It was far from the joyful face one might expect upon reuniting with family.
While Ivan and Katrina offered welcoming words to Herdin, now part of the family, the food was served.
Ivan raised his glass filled with aperitif.
"To think that you and I have become family like this—it's like gaining a thousand troops and ten thousand horses. With the imperial family and the del Mark Duke family joining forces, what in the world under heaven is there to fear?"
"..."
"Now that we're family, it would be good to meet often and talk. After all, we have much to discuss going forward."
For the eternal glory and prosperity of this empire.
Ivan lightly clinked his glass against Herdin's. The clear chime of crystal glasses rang out crisply.
The sound did not please Herdin's ears, but he silently offered his glass.
As the meal neared its end, Ivan turned to Herdin as if something had just come to mind.
"Ah, right. I was meaning to ask your opinion on something—perfect timing."
Ivan took a sip of wine to wet his lips before continuing.
"Lately, exchanges with the eastern continent have been quite active among the nations."
"That's because trade has boomed with the new sea route to the eastern continent. To engage with the eastern continent, one inevitably has to stay close with the east as well."
"Exactly. Upon looking into it, there are so many novel and useful items coming from the eastern continent. It would be great if we could open a closer sea route and engage more actively... What a shame."
Ivan shook his head and clicked his tongue. Then he asked for Herdin's opinion.
"What do you think about this, Duke?"
Herdin inwardly sneered at Ivan's question, which seemed innocently seeking an opinion.
The Emperor desired to break through to the continent's east and seize the eastern ports leading to the eastern continent.
'Even the old foxes of the Noble Council must have held back on this matter.'
When war breaks out, the young heirs of nobles are the first to be conscripted. No matter how loyal to the Emperor, can they value him more than their own bloodlines?
And now, he had secured the empire's greatest magic swordsman. Though not stated outright, the Emperor's desire was clear.
War.
The Emperor, who had never seen proper combat let alone war, seemed to view it as mere chess—a game where a flick of the finger easily captured the opponent's pieces.
No wonder he had so readily permitted expanding del Mark's forces.
Of course, he had no intention of agreeing to such foolish notions, but he decided to pretend to listen attentively.
If only for the sake of his one-year wife sitting beside him.
"Well."
Herdin twirled the wine glass in his hand and replied indifferently. The clear wine sloshed lightly.
But unlike him, his wife had no intention of letting it pass quietly.
"No war, Brother."
Blair, who spoke up, gripped the hem of her dress beneath the table.
It didn't matter if Ivan toyed with her as he pleased. But she could not tolerate him trying to wield Herdin.
She didn't want to subject someone who had already entered an unwanted marriage to further ordeal.
In her previous life, she had remained silent in the same situation. Back then, defying Ivan had been unimaginable.
And that had left a debt of the heart toward Herdin.
She no longer wished to incur such a debt toward him. She didn't want to shrink before him as she had before her regression.
Not for his sake, but for her own.
"War leaves scars that are hard to heal for both the defeated and victorious nations, though to varying degrees."
"..."
"The ministers and the people are not your chess pieces, Brother. Don't push them into war for your own ambitions."
Herdin quietly watched Blair as she spoke.
Though her voice was soft, the sight of her clearly conveying her opinion word by word held a strength unlike any before.
Even as her small hand clutching the dress trembled beneath the table.
Ivan, who seemed taken aback by his usually obedient sister's frank words, let out a scoff as if incredulous.
Katrina, gauging Ivan's expression, scolded Blair.
"Blair! His Majesty is speaking with the Duke. What is this ill-mannered behavior in front of a guest?"
Blair, who had never once rebelled before, was openly defying Ivan. And in Herdin's presence, no less.
It was unacceptable to Katrina.
"And what do you know about state affairs to prattle on like that?"
"It's fine, Mother. How could a woman who has never studied statecraft understand the heart of a ruler who thinks of his people?"
Ivan leisurely smiled and restrained Katrina, but his tone clearly dismissed Blair.
Herdin tilted his wine glass while observing Blair's expression. The fierce spark in her eyes was fading, crushed between Ivan and Katrina.
Seeing that, Herdin's gaze turned icy. He set down the glass after wetting his lips.
"In my view, Madam hasn't said anything particularly wrong."
At Herdin's languid voice breaking the silence, all three gazes turned to him at once.
"Before being a sibling, as a subject offering frank advice to enable wise rule—how could that be deemed rude intent?"
Katrina, momentarily flustered by Herdin's unexpected intervention, retorted.
"Duke, this is a mother disciplining her child's shortcomings. Do not take her side."
In other words, stay out of family matters between parent and child.
Herdin let out a short scoff and set down his wine glass.
"They say a daughter is like an outsider once married."
"What does that have to do with..."
"She is now Blair del Mark."
Herdin's eyes, naming Blair toward Katrina, were sharp like a beast hostile to those touching what was his.
"Who but I would point out my wife's shortcomings?"
At his chilling aura, Katrina involuntarily flinched in shock.
Yet Herdin calmly continued.
"Regarding the opinion Your Majesty asked of me..."
He took Blair's still-trembling hand and added as he helped her rise.
"I shall reconsider after enjoying our honeymoon a bit more. As you said, del Mark cherishes children dearly."
With that.
He wrapped his firm arm around Blair's back and stood.
Blair blinked in a daze, nestled in his embrace.
His arms enveloping her protectively felt warm. Just like the tender times before her regression.
* * *
The two left the greenhouse, leaving behind Ivan and Katrina's stunned sighs.
"We shall depart."
As the two boarded the carriage, it set off.
Herdin gazed indifferently at the passing winter scenery outside the window when he suddenly felt eyes on him and turned his head.
Amethyst eyes, holding the afternoon sunlight, gazed at him quietly.
As if waiting for him to turn since long ago.
"Thank you."
"It wasn't an action meant to receive thanks. As you know, my feelings toward the imperial family aren't favorable."
"Still, thank you. And... I'm sorry."
For making you be used by my mother and brother's greed.
It was an apology that lingered in a corner of her heart, even as resentment toward him grew uncontrollably.
Herdin stared at her silently instead of replying before turning his gaze back to the window.
How much time passed in the enveloping silence?
Soft, rhythmic breathing began to echo in the carriage. Only then did Herdin's gaze return to Blair.
At that moment, the carriage jolted, shaking Blair's body sharply.
Herdin reflexively reached out to block her head from hitting the wall. Silken silver hair wrapped softly around his hand as it flowed down.
Though their distance closed because of it, Blair slept deeply, unaware of the situation.
Herdin let out a soft sigh and quietly gazed at the woman's serene face resting against his hand.
The woman always wore an expressionless face, responding composedly no matter how sharp his words, which irritated him. Pretty, but like an emotionless doll.
Thus, he hadn't hidden his hostility toward her. He had deliberately spoken harshly, drawn lines, and treated her coldly.
He wanted to see that composed face distort. As much as he resented her.
But seeing her eyes lose their light, crushed between Ivan and Katrina, irritation surged.
It felt like having prey he had long pursued snatched away.
Making her cry, torment her, break her—that could only be done by him alone.
"..."
Herdin, gazing at the sleeping Blair, laid her sideways on the carriage seat.
Blair flinched briefly before falling back into deep sleep. With an even more peaceful expression than before.
Herdin took in the sight quietly before turning his gaze to the window.
The quiet breathing echoing in the carriage completed the languid afternoon scenery.
* * *
"Mm..."
Blair, who had dozed off, felt her body floating in the air and opened her eyes. It was pitch black before her.
Startled, she flailed, and what had covered her face slipped away. It was Herdin's coat draped over her.
In her still-dazed, half-awake eyes appeared the servants lined up in greeting.
And...
A face so handsome it seemed unreal, as if she were still dreaming.
"...Herdin?"
"You're awake."
The moment she met his eyes up close, Blair realized she had been sleeping in his arms and jolted in surprise.
"P-Put me down."
Blair wriggled to escape his hold.
It was embarrassing for a grown adult to have slept so deeply upon arriving at the mansion that she needed her husband's arms.
But far from setting her down, Herdin held the wriggling Blair even tighter.
Seeing the woman, usually expressionless like a doll, with wide rabbit-like eyes stirred an inexplicable sadism.
"It's bothersome, so just go like this."
"I'm heavy..."
Herdin chuckled at Blair's mumble.
His wife seemed unaware of what "heavy" truly meant. Otherwise, she was underestimating her husband's strength.
As he brushed past his wife's unpleasantly low evaluation and ascended the mansion stairs, Russ—who had remained at the estate—approached with news.
"Your Excellency."
"The hypnotist has just arrived."
At the news, a chilling glint entered Herdin's eyes.
It was time to approach the 'real' purpose of this contract marriage.