Chapter 16: The First Meeting
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: The First Meeting
"I hear the Madam visited a guild."
Late at night, these were the first words Ruth spoke upon entering the office. Herdin, who had just returned, was in the middle of reviewing documents.
Herdin had been smoking a cigar, his eyes glued to the papers regardless of who came in. But at the unexpected news, he finally looked up at Ruth.
"What are you talking about?"
"Sir Jerome was patrolling the mansion and saw the Madam and her maid sneaking out about an hour ago. He followed them and reported they entered the guild street."
Herdin set down the cigar he was holding.
"Now? At this hour?"
"Yes. She just returned."
A dry laugh escaped Herdin's lips. To think his quiet wife had a taste for such daring escapades. The surprise of it left him feeling blindsided.
"Shall I look into the details of her request?" Ruth asked.
"And why would you do that?"
"She might be plotting something with the Imperial Family. A scheme to absorb Delmark, perhaps."
"If that were the goal, they wouldn't risk using the Imperial Princess. The Emperor has more than enough people for that."
"That's true."
"And even if they have such plans for the distant future, it won't be now. The Emperor needs my strength."
He was a powerful piece, one meant to bring the Emperor victory in his war of conquest. From their conversation during the recent luncheon at the Imperial Palace, Herdin could vaguely guess the Emperor's purpose in pushing for this marriage.
"Then why did she go to the guild?"
At Ruth's question, Herdin ran an irritable hand through his still-damp black hair and pressed his throbbing temples.
That was exactly what he wanted to know.
What on earth was going on inside that small head of hers? What was she plotting?
But a guild would never reveal a client's business, and forcing the issue would cause too much of a stir. If Blair found out, she would only hide her true intentions even deeper.
After smoking his cigar in silence for a while, lost in thought, Herdin finally gave a command in a low voice.
"For now, just keep an eye on her. Stay out of sight."
* * *
Before she knew it, the New Year's Festival was only a day away.
It was also the last day of the year.
Blair came down to the dining room for breakfast as usual. Herdin's seat was empty today as well.
"His Grace left the mansion early this morning on business," Mason said as he pulled out her chair, as if offering an excuse.
It made sense. She hadn't shared a single meal with Herdin since the incident with the maids. To Blair, however, this was already a familiar routine.
Still, I wanted to thank him for what he did for Lina.
She hated feeling indebted to him any longer. Blair finished her meal, resolving to thank him as soon as she saw him.
Afterward, she tried on the dress Baroness Sionel had made for the New Year's Festival, then took a brief rest.
"Madam, Lady Lorellain has arrived."
Lina's voice woke her from a light doze, and she realized it was time for her scheduled tea with Agnes.
When she entered the greenhouse, Agnes, who was already waiting, greeted her warmly.
"Hello, Madam. It has been very cold lately. Have you been well this past week?"
"Yes. And you, Lady Lorellain?"
"Very well, thanks to you."
They had only arranged this meeting during their tea last week, making this their first proper counseling session.
Blair nervously traced the rim of her teacup.
She had never been particularly fond of meeting strangers, but she rarely got nervous. As an Imperial Princess, she had been forced to meet countless people out of duty, whether she liked it or not.
The only exception, before her regression, had been the people of House Delmark. Dealing with them had always been difficult and nerve-wracking. Their constant, watchful eyes felt as though they were measuring her, judging whether she was fit to be the Duchess, whether she was worthy of Herdin.
She no longer feared those gazes after returning to the past, but facing Agnes now made her strangely tense.
It felt as if Agnes could see right through her.
Sharing her story with someone was an unfamiliar experience. She hadn't truly opened up to anyone since Esmeralda's death.
Agnes took a sip of warm tea to chase away the chill and broke the ice.
"It feels like we just welcomed the new year, but in the blink of an eye, it's already the last day. Time flies, doesn't it?"
"It really does."
Blair wished she could say more, but she couldn't think of anything else. She had lived a life where someone else always led the conversation, sparing her the effort.
Fortunately, Agnes didn't seem to mind.
"We agreed to start talking about the past today, didn't we?"
"Yes. Where should we start?"
"Well, it can be difficult to think of something on the spot. How about we start with a memory related to the New Year's Festival?"
"The New Year's Festival?"
"What happened during the New Year's Festival in the year of the accident? Do you remember anything from that time? Even the smallest detail will do."
Blair recalled the memory of that day without much difficulty.
It was the day she had first met Herdin.
* * *
It was the day before Blair turned eleven.
On the last day of the year, she would usually meet with relatives she rarely saw to exchange early New Year's greetings.
Blair put more effort than ever into dressing up before visiting the Empress's Palace. She wasn't sure why, but Esmeralda had been so busy lately that it had been difficult to see her.
I'll ask Her Majesty the Empress to play a card game. I'm definitely going to win today.
With a heart full of anticipation, she stepped into the Empress's Palace.
However, there was already a guest.
"Ah, Blair, you've come at the perfect time."
Beside Esmeralda, who welcomed her with her usual warm smile, sat an unfamiliar boy.
He was a neat, handsome boy with fine black hair the same texture as Esmeralda's, a pale face, and piercing blue eyes.
Blair recognized him at a glance.
He was the young head of the House of Delmark and Esmeralda's only nephew, Herdin Delmark.
Esmeralda had often spoken of him.
"He is a very lonely child. It would be wonderful if he could make a good friend like our Blair."
Wanting to reassure the worried Empress, Blair had promised she would become his friend when they met.
Yet, now that she was actually facing Herdin, she stared at him with wary eyes. She did not like this uninvited guest who had interrupted her precious time with Esmeralda.
"Greet her, Herdin. This is Her Highness the Imperial Princess," Esmeralda said, gently wrapping an arm around Herdin's shoulder as she introduced Blair.
The cold-looking boy stood and bowed politely.
"Herdin of Delmark greets the shining star of the Empire, Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
Though his manners were impeccable, his eyes betrayed an unmistakable boredom.
Seeing that look, Blair flinched. To her, who had always been surrounded by friendly people, the indifference of a boy three or four years her senior was unfamiliar and frightening.
But she couldn't run away, nor could she disappoint Esmeralda, so she mumbled a response.
"I-it is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Delmark."
"I've always hoped you two would meet. I'm so glad to finally see you together like this."
While Esmeralda was delighted by their meeting, Blair found Herdin's presence nothing but uncomfortable. Fortunately or unfortunately, the boy seemed to have no interest in her either.
Observing the two children, who wouldn't even make eye contact, Esmeralda was the first to make a suggestion.
"Shall we play a card game today, too?"
"Yes, I'd love to!"
Blair grew excited at the prospect, and Herdin, despite his indifferent expression, joined their game.
However, as they played round after round, Blair's expression gradually soured. It was already the fourth round, and Herdin kept winning.
Herdin, winning without any real challenge, also grew bored.
Blair desperately wanted to win; Herdin had no intention of letting her.
Yet, they didn't exchange a single word, let alone make eye contact. At this rate, it seemed unlikely the two would get any closer, no matter how many times they played.
Sensing the awkwardness, Esmeralda thought of another way.
"Playing the same game is getting a bit tedious. Shall we try Old Maid this time?"
And so, the game of Old Maid began.
At first, matching pairs were discarded in rapid succession, and the game proceeded quickly. Soon, with most of the cards gone, it was time for the psychological warfare to begin.
"Oh my."
Esmeralda let out a small gasp as Herdin drew a card from her hand. He had taken the thief card.
Now, it was Blair's turn to draw from Herdin. With his usual indifferent expression, Herdin held out his cards to her.
But Blair hesitated, unable to bring herself to draw.
He's scary…
To play the game properly, she needed to read his expression, but she was too afraid to look Herdin straight in the eye.
Part of it was his cold demeanor, but it was also because she recalled the rumors about the "power" passed down through the House of Delmark.