Chapter 11: The True Purpose of This Marriage
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: The True Purpose of This Marriage
At high noon, the sun hung at its zenith.
A gathering to welcome the newest members of the Imperial Family was held in the greenhouse nestled within the gardens of the Grand Empress Dowager’s Palace.
Katrina watched Blair and Herdin, seated side-by-side across from her, and smiled with satisfaction. They were her newest trophies, the latest in a long line of desires she had fulfilled since becoming the Imperial Concubine.
“When people called you a handsome couple, I paid it little mind. But seeing you together like this, you truly are a picture-perfect pair. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed. It warms my heart to see. All that’s left is for you to produce an heir, and everything will be perfect.”
“The House of Delmark is known for its small families, so it would be best to have about three, if possible. You’ll have to work hard, Blair.”
Herdin let the cheerful, harmonious chatter of the Emperor and his mother wash over him as he glanced at the woman by his side.
Blair’s face was as placid as ever, a far cry from the happy expression one might expect from someone meeting her new family.
As Katrina and Ivan delivered their welcoming words, the food was served.
Ivan raised his glass of aperitif.
“To think that you and I have become family, Your Grace. It feels as though I’ve gained a mighty army. With the Imperial Family and the House of Delmark joining forces, what is there to fear under the heavens?”
“…”
“Now that we are family, I hope we can create more opportunities to meet. We have much to discuss, after all.”
For the eternal glory and prosperity of this empire.
Ivan lightly tapped his glass against Herdin’s. The clear, crisp sound of clinking crystal rang out.
The sound was not particularly pleasant to Herdin’s ears, but he offered his glass without a word.
As the meal drew to a close, Ivan turned to Herdin as if something had just occurred to him.
“Ah, yes. There was something I wanted your opinion on, Your Grace. This is the perfect opportunity.”
Ivan took a sip of wine to cleanse his palate and continued.
“Lately, there has been a great deal of trade between the various nations and the eastern part of the continent.”
“I suppose that’s because commerce has flourished since the sea route to the Eastern Continent opened. To reach the Eastern Continent, one must inevitably pass through the eastern territories.”
“Correct. I’ve looked into it, and many fascinating and useful goods are coming from the Eastern Continent. It would be wonderful if we could open a more direct sea route to engage in more active trade… It’s a true shame.”
Ivan shook his head and clicked his tongue before asking for Herdin’s opinion.
“What are your thoughts on this, Your Grace?”
At Ivan’s question, phrased as a simple inquiry, Herdin scoffed inwardly.
The Emperor wanted to break through the passage to the eastern territories and seize the port that led to the Eastern Continent.
Even the old foxes on the noble council must have dodged this issue.
When war broke out, the first to be conscripted were the young noblemen. No matter how loyal they were to the Emperor, were their sons not their own flesh and blood?
And just then, he had acquired a powerful piece for his board: the greatest magic swordsman in the empire. Though he hadn't said it directly, what the Emperor wanted was obvious.
War.
The Emperor, who had never experienced a proper battle, let alone a full-scale war, seemed to think of it as little more than a game of chess—a game where one could effortlessly capture an opponent’s piece with a mere flick of a finger.
So that’s why he so readily approved the reinforcement of Delmark’s troops.
Of course, Herdin had no intention of indulging the man's foolish fantasy, but for the sake of the wife sitting beside him, he decided to at least pretend to listen.
“I wonder.”
Herdin replied nonchalantly, swirling the wine in his glass. The clear liquid sloshed gently against the crystal.
His wife, however, had no intention of letting the matter pass so quietly.
“There can be no war, Brother.”
As she spoke, Blair clutched the fabric of her dress beneath the table.
She didn't care if Ivan tried to manipulate her as he pleased, but she could not tolerate him trying to control Herdin. She refused to subject a man forced into an unwanted marriage to any further hardship.
In her past life, she had merely listened in silence. Back then, defying Ivan was an unimaginable act.
And that silence had remained a debt of the heart she owed Herdin.
She no longer wanted to be indebted to him. She didn't want to feel small in his presence, as she had before her regression.
This was not for his sake, but for her own.
“War, regardless of the outcome, leaves scars on both victor and vanquished—scars that are difficult to heal.”
“…”
“This man, and the people of this empire, are not your chess pieces, Brother. Do not push them into war to serve your own ambitions.”
Herdin watched Blair quietly as she spoke.
Her voice was small, but her words, clear and precise, carried more power than he had ever heard from her.
Even as the small hand clutching her dress under the table trembled uncontrollably.
Ivan, taken aback by his ever-obedient sister’s direct defiance, let out a disbelieving laugh.
Seeing his expression, Katrina began to reprimand Blair.
“Blair! His Majesty is speaking with the Duke. What is this ill-bred behavior in front of a guest?”
Blair, who had never once shown a rebellious streak, had just defied Ivan. And in front of Herdin, no less.
For Katrina, this was unacceptable.
“And what do you know of state affairs to be chattering on like that?”
“Let her be, Mother. How could a mere woman who has never studied the art of ruling possibly understand the heart of a monarch who thinks only of his people?”
Ivan smiled leisurely as he waved Katrina off, his tone laced with clear disdain for Blair.
Herdin tilted his wine glass, observing Blair’s expression. The fierce light that had been in her eyes just a moment ago was already fading.
Seeing this, Herdin’s gaze turned icy cold. He lowered the glass from his lips.
“In my view, my wife has said nothing wrong.”
At Herdin’s languid voice, which cut through the silence, the other three turned to him in unison.
“She is a loyal subject to her sovereign before she is his sister. How can offering a frank opinion for the good of the empire be seen as disrespectful?”
Katrina, momentarily flustered by Herdin’s sudden intervention, retorted, “Your Grace, this is a mother disciplining her child. Do not defend her.”
Her meaning was clear: Do not interfere in family matters.
Herdin let out a small laugh and set down his wine glass.
“They say a daughter is a stranger once she marries.”
“What does that have to do with…”
“She is Blair Delmark now.”
As Herdin spoke Blair’s name, his eyes were as sharp as a beast’s confronting one who dared touch its own.
“Who but I has the right to point out my wife’s shortcomings?”
Faced with his chilling aura, Katrina flinched and gasped in spite of herself.
But Herdin continued speaking with perfect composure.
“As for the opinion Your Majesty asked of me…”
He took Blair’s still-trembling hand, helping her to her feet as he added, “I will reconsider it after enjoying my honeymoon a little longer. As you said, the House of Delmark is in want of an heir.”
“Well then.”
He stood, wrapping a firm arm around Blair’s back.
Blair, held in his arms, blinked with a dazed expression.
His embrace, shielding her as if to protect her, was warm. Just like it had been in her past life, back when he was kind.
*
Leaving Ivan and Katrina’s dumbfounded sighs behind them, the two exited the greenhouse.
“We’re departing.”
As soon as they boarded, the carriage set off.
Herdin was gazing out the window at the passing winter scenery with impassive eyes when he felt a stare and turned his head.
Amethyst eyes, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, were fixed upon him.
As if they had been waiting for him to look back.
“Thank you.”
“My actions were not intended to earn your gratitude. As you know, my feelings toward the Imperial Family are not exactly favorable.”
“Still, thank you. And… I’m sorry.”
For letting you be used by my mother’s and brother’s greed.
It was an apology that had always lingered in a corner of her heart, even when her resentment toward him had grown uncontrollably.
Instead of answering, Herdin simply stared at her for a moment before turning his gaze back out the window.
Some time passed in silence.
The soft, rhythmic sound of breathing began to fill the carriage. Only then did Herdin’s gaze return to Blair.
At that moment, the carriage jolted, and Blair’s body swayed violently.
Herdin reflexively reached out, his hand blocking her head before it could hit the wall. Silken, silver threads of her hair wrapped around his hand, flowing softly over his skin.
The jolt had brought them closer, but Blair remained fast asleep, oblivious.
Herdin let out a soft sigh and gazed at the woman’s serene face, now resting against his hand.
The woman always wore a blank expression. It had bothered him, how she maintained that placid look no matter what sharp words he threw at her. She was like a beautiful but emotionless doll.
So he had never hidden his animosity. He had deliberately spoken harshly, drawn lines, and treated her coldly.
He had wanted to see that placid face crumble. He had resented her that much.
But when he saw her eyes lose their light, crushed between Ivan and Katrina, a surge of irritation had washed over him.
It was the frustration of a hunter whose prey had been wounded by another.
He, and only he, should have been the one to make this woman cry, to torment her, to break her.
“…”
Watching the sleeping Blair, Herdin gently laid her down on the carriage seat.
Blair twitched for a moment but soon fell back into a deep sleep, her face more peaceful than before.
Herdin quietly took in the sight before turning his gaze back out the window.
The sound of her even breathing filled the quiet carriage, completing the languid afternoon scene.
*
“Mm…”
Blair, who had dozed off, opened her eyes as she felt her body float into the air. It was pitch black.
Startled, she flailed, and the thing covering her face slid away. It was Herdin’s coat.
Still groggy from sleep, her dazed eyes took in the servants lined up and bowing.
And…
A face so unrealistically handsome it made her wonder if she was still dreaming.
“…Herdin?”
“You’re awake.”
The moment her eyes met his at such close range, Blair realized she had been sleeping in his arms and jolted in surprise.
“P-put me down.”
Blair struggled to get away from him.
She was mortified that a grown adult had slept so soundly she hadn't even noticed the carriage arriving, requiring her husband’s help to be carried out.
But instead of putting her down, Herdin held her even tighter.
Seeing the woman, who had been as impassive as a doll, now with eyes as wide as a startled rabbit’s, stirred a strange, sadistic urge within him.
“It’s a hassle. Let’s just go.”
“But I’m heavy…”
Hearing Blair’s mumble, Herdin let out a dry laugh.
It seemed his wife had no concept of the word ‘heavy.’ Either that, or she was severely underestimating her husband’s strength.
He was about to ignore his wife’s rather unflattering assessment and climb the mansion steps when a voice stopped him.
“Your Grace.”
Ruth, who had remained at the mansion, approached with a report.
“The hypnotist arrived a short while ago.”
At the news, a chill settled in Herdin’s eyes.
It was time to pursue the true purpose of this contract marriage.