Chapter 21: The Woman You Will Love
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21: The Woman You Will Love
Blair stared blankly as Miella followed the priest into the room.
Could they… have known each other back then, too?
In her past life, she had heard that Herdin was never injured. But perhaps the wound hadn't been severe enough to be noticed, and he had simply sought treatment in secret.
The mere thought sent a chill through her veins.
"Lady Miella, please treat him quickly. The service is scheduled to begin shortly," the priest who had brought Miella urged.
Herdin’s gaze naturally fell upon Miella. His expression was utterly indifferent—a stark contrast to Miella, who stared at him as if spellbound.
It was unmistakably the look of a woman in love.
When Miella stood dazed for a moment, her gaze captivated by Herdin, the priest called out to her in confusion.
"Cleric Miella?"
"...Ah. I-I'm sorry!"
Startled, Miella hurried toward Herdin. She hesitated, however, unable to bring herself to touch his torso or even look at him properly.
Then, as if she had finally made up her mind, she parted her lips.
"Th-Then, please excuse me for a moment, Your Grace."
Her face flushing an uncontrollable red, Miella placed a hand on his firm abdomen. She looked completely flustered, unable to meet his eyes or even look down at his stomach.
Watching them, memories from before her regression flashed through Blair's mind.
The image of Herdin embracing Miella, his cold gaze not even flinching when he saw her.
As the memory surfaced, Blair's body began to tremble. Her heart pounded so violently it made her nauseous.
...No.
Blair pressed a clenched fist to her chest, as if she could physically suppress the emotions welling inside her. Then, a self-deprecating laugh escaped her lips.
It was ridiculous. After being so deeply hurt by him, here she was, getting hurt all over again for the exact same reason.
The fact that she was so hurt and shaken by his relationship with Miella could only mean one thing: she still loved him.
Blair bit her lip and tore her gaze away from the two of them.
She hated him.
And she hated herself for being unable to let him go.
Soon, a bright light emanated from Miella's fingertips, seeping into Herdin's abdomen.
After repeating the process a few more times, Miella studied Herdin's complexion and asked, "I believe that should be all. How do you feel?"
"I feel fine."
"I'm glad I could be of help."
As if she had forgotten her earlier embarrassment, Miella smiled brightly at Herdin.
The priest, who had been watching, spoke to Herdin. "The service will begin shortly, so it would be best to prepare."
"I will."
The priest bowed and left the waiting room first. Miella hesitated for a moment before bowing deeply to Herdin.
"May the Goddess's blessing always be with you, Your Grace."
With her farewell finished, Miella departed.
As Herdin put on the shirt he had taken off, he noticed Blair’s prolonged silence and turned to look at her.
Her already pale face looked even more drained of color than usual. She looked so fragile, as if she might collapse at any moment.
Herdin approached her.
"Were you injured at the hunting grounds?"
He instinctively reached for her, feeling as if she might collapse then and there, but Blair pushed him away.
"...I'm fine."
Blair changed the subject before he could say anything more.
"More importantly, you asked earlier what I saw in the future."
She had to stop talking about the future, about premonitions. It wasn't as if she intended to tell him everything, anyway. But the moment she felt herself wavering because of him, she knew she had to draw a line.
So, this was—
"That cleric from earlier—she is the woman you will love."
She was speaking to him, but the words were also a reminder to herself—a final push to excise him from her heart completely.
"...What?"
"She will certainly make a fine partner for you, but it would be problematic if you took her as a mistress just yet. As I said before, your reputation must be spotless when we divorce."
An incredulous, dry laugh escaped Herdin's lips.
"However, if we can prevent the rumors—"
Before Blair could finish, Herdin closed the distance between them, his lips devouring hers.
He silenced her with the kiss, pulling back just as the startled Blair began to push him away. He did not, however, release the arm wrapped around her waist.
Looking down at her with cold eyes, so close their breaths mingled, he spoke.
"Even if that were true, why on earth would I take a mistress?"
"..."
"When I have you."
His large hand tightened around her waist, his fingers tracing her spine. The touch was gentle, but as she met the turbulent emotions swirling in his cool blue eyes, goosebumps erupted across her skin.
"Until this contract ends, you are my wife. I will do this—and far worse—only with you."
His low, chilly voice washed over her, and his lips descended once more as if to devour her again. Just then—
"Your Grace. The service is about to begin."
A knock sounded, followed by Ruth's voice from outside.
With a low sigh, Herdin released Blair, grabbed his coat, and strode out of the waiting room.
Blair stared at his retreating back with confused eyes for a moment before she understood his reaction. Anyone would find it absurd to be told they would fall in love with someone they had just met. They wouldn't believe it; they would want to deny it.
But in the end, just as he had before her regression, this Herdin would eventually fall in love with Miella, too.
She was the only one who remembered a future that no longer existed, the only one who carried the memories of its joys and its wounds. Therefore, she was the only one who could change it.
But Blair had no intention of changing his future.
Even if his future changes and he falls in love with someone else, that person won't be me.
So, in this life, she would disappear from his world. For both their sakes.
As Blair composed herself and prepared to follow Herdin, she felt something brush against her foot and stopped.
It was Herdin's cravat.
* * *
Leaving the waiting room, Herdin headed toward the temple's main building. Ruth had already gone ahead to handle a task Herdin had assigned him, and Blair was following some distance behind.
Sensing Blair’s presence, Herdin recalled her words from moments ago.
“That cleric from earlier—she is the woman you will love.”
The "future" Blair claimed to have seen was absurd enough, but it was her expression that truly angered him.
Her calm face, her even voice—it was as if his falling in love with another woman meant nothing to her. As if it were someone else's business entirely.
And her only reason for telling him not to take a mistress was so they could have a clean divorce.
But that was the nature of the contract they had made.
He couldn't understand why that made him so furious.
"Her... din."
He heard Blair call his name from behind. Her voice was laced with ragged breaths, a clear sign she was struggling to keep up with his long strides.
Herdin swallowed a weary sigh and ran a hand through his bangs, his pace gradually slowing.
Finally catching up, Blair panted softly as she held out the cravat.
"You dropped this."
Herdin stared quietly at the cravat in her hand, then leaned down toward her.
"Tie it for me."
Blair blinked at his unexpected request. But then, seeing the coat held in his right hand, she understood.
How to tie a husband's cravat was something taught during bridal lessons. It was considered a wife's duty to help dress her husband before he went out to attend to his affairs.
But Blair had known how to do it long before her bridal lessons for this marriage. She had tied his cravat countless times before her regression.
He had often asked her to do it. It was an excuse to hold her close, even on the busiest of mornings.
...Though in the end, all of that had been a lie.
She knew there was no meaning behind his request now. Still, after what had just happened, she found it difficult to step closer. At the same time, telling him to tie it himself felt wrong.
After a brief hesitation, Blair moved toward him, almost as if she were about to embrace him.
As she closed the distance, the pale nape of her neck, exposed by her upswept hair, came into view. At the same time, her uniquely sweet scent washed over him.
Suddenly, memories of their first night invaded his mind. The sensation of burying his lips in that soft nape, her warmth trembling in his embrace, and…
That beautiful face looking up at him.
...I've truly gone mad.
He belatedly regretted asking her to tie his cravat. What on earth had possessed him?
The desire he had been desperately suppressing clawed at his throat. Still, his gaze remained locked on her.
Blair, completely oblivious to his thoughts, was focused entirely on tying the cravat.
Her brow was slightly furrowed in concentration, her lips pursed. They would part slightly whenever her fingers accidentally brushed against his neck.
"All done."
Blair gently smoothed out the cravat as a finishing touch and took a step back. Just then, Herdin caught her hand.
Blair's puzzled eyes met Herdin's as he looked down at her.
Only then did Herdin realize he had grabbed her hand unconsciously, and his brow furrowed for a fleeting second. Then his blue eyes locked onto hers.
His gaze was predatory, as if he might devour her at any moment.