Chapter 22: Change
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: Change
Just then, she sensed several people nearby. Footsteps were approaching.
Soon, a group of clerics emerged from the corridor.
Among them, dressed in nearly identical robes, the middle-aged man at their center stood out. He had common black hair and striking green eyes, and though he seemed ordinary at first glance, he exuded an untouchable aura.
Spotting Blair and Herdin, he strode over and greeted them first.
“I am fortunate to run into you both here.”
Gerard Lumiel.
The surname ‘Lumiel’ was granted only to the Pope, a testament to the life he had led. Born in the red-light district—the lowest of gutters—he was a man who had risen to become the closest person to God. Never forgetting his childhood, he lived to protect the weak, embodying the maxim: ‘God descends to the lowest places of the world.’
Because of this, he was deeply respected and admired by all. Even Katrina trusted and relied on his words. While some whispered that he was merely clinging to power, others praised his wisdom in winning over the Emperor rather than making him an enemy.
Whatever others thought, to Blair, he was the savior who had rescued her when she suffered severe internal injuries from the fire. She had always been deeply grateful to him.
Alongside Herdin, Blair bowed to Gerard.
“Greetings, Your Holiness.”
“I heard there was an unfortunate incident at the hunting ground today and that Your Grace took the lead in resolving it. I must offer my thanks to you both.”
“There is no need for thanks. Anyone would have done the same.”
“A sentiment worthy of a hero.”
Despite Herdin’s blunt response, Gerard merely smiled, possessing an easy grace that came with age and high office. Since he was also on his way to the service, the three of them walked toward the temple’s main building together.
Gerard looked at Blair and Herdin with warm satisfaction.
“It seems the past month has truly made you husband and wife. Seeing the two of you grow up safely and marry… I am deeply moved.”
“It is all thanks to Your Holiness saving me that day.”
The words ‘that day’ slipped out before Blair could stop them. She stole a glance at Herdin, but his expression remained indifferent.
Then, she realized Gerard’s words applied to Herdin as well.
When the late Duke and Duchess passed away, His Holiness took the lead in mourning them.
Herdin’s mother, the late Duchess Delmark, had been famous for her devout faith. She had built a reputation for virtue by serving and donating to the weak, and Blair had heard that some among the clergy and common folk had even quietly revered her as a ‘saint.’
When she, a woman who shared his noble vision, met an untimely end in an accident, Gerard had been deeply grieved and personally presided over the funeral for the Duke and Duchess of Delmark. For the Pope himself to preside over the funeral of someone outside his own family was an extremely rare honor.
That connection endured, and the House of Delmark continued to make massive annual donations, carrying on the late Duchess’s legacy.
Come to think of it, it really is fascinating.
Two children—one from the Imperial Family and one from a great noble house—both bound to Gerard by tragic accidents, now joined as husband and wife.
It seemed Gerard’s claim of being deeply moved was more than just a polite pleasantry.
As they conversed, the three of them arrived before the main building. The entrance was crowded with nobles gathered for the service, all whispering excitedly about the events at the hunting ground.
Stopping in his tracks, Gerard said, “Please, go on ahead. I have a few preparations to make.”
“Then I shall visit the temple again soon.”
“You are welcome anytime,” Gerard replied to Blair with a warm smile.
At that moment, a faint magic circle peeked out from beneath the collar of her dress. Spotting it, Gerard’s eyes turned chillingly cold.
Watching the backs of the newlyweds as they walked into the temple, he murmured softly, “May the two of you build a truly blessed family.”
* * *
“Squeak, squeak—”
The baby sable in the basket looked up at Blair, begging her to play.
When she reached into the basket, the sable rolled onto its back as if it had been waiting, playfully nibbling on her fingers. As the palm-sized creature rubbed against her hand, she couldn’t help but giggle at the ticklish sensation.
During the New Year’s Festival, the sable hadn’t even been able to open its eyes. But after two weeks of Blair’s devoted care, it had grown rapidly. Now, bursting with energy, it spent the entire day squeaking and begging for attention.
Blair let the sable play with her hand as she fell deep into thought.
It’s about time I heard back from the guild.
There was still no news regarding the divorce preparations or the identity of the masked intruder she had tasked the guild with investigating. As for the fire, she was still in discussions with Agnes, but that too had yielded little progress.
Consequently, her days since the New Year’s Festival had been rather quiet. She spent her time caring for the sable and learning the duties of the lady of the house from Mason. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen Herdin since the festival, but she found his absence more comfortable.
While she appreciated the peace, she also felt a creeping anxiety that she might grow too complacent. To keep her mind sharp, Blair distracted herself by reading about the foreign countries she might live in after her divorce or by studying the duchy’s budget reports.
“Madam, I’ve brought the milk.”
The maid’s voice snapped Blair out of her thoughts. Entering the room, the maid hesitantly held out a small bottle of milk for the sable.
This girl is…
Only then did Blair recognize her as one of the maids whose wages had been docked for bullying Lina.
Perhaps because the situation had escalated to the point of Herdin finding out, the maids involved had been utterly terrified. They hadn’t laid a finger on Lina since; in fact, Lina had mentioned that they now avoided her entirely. While they couldn’t very well avoid Blair, their mistress, they seemed to be keeping as low a profile as possible.
Delivering milk was a simple chore, but sensing the girl’s anxiety, Blair knew it must have taken a great deal of courage for her to even be here.
Her name was… Meli, right?
What she had done to Lina was wrong, but she had received her punishment, and the matter was settled. Before her regression, Blair had been completely oblivious to such things and, as a result, had never grown close to anyone in the ducal mansion.
But this time, things might be different.
Since Herdin had played the bad cop by handing down a harsher punishment than she’d requested, reaching out now might make it easy to win them over. She didn’t need to curry favor, but there was no reason to waste an opportunity to close the distance with a few kind words. It would be better for Lina in the long run, too.
Blair took the milk bottle, gently closing her fingers over Meli’s hand. “Thank you, Meli.”
“O-oh, no, Madam. It’s only my duty.” Flustered by the unexpected warmth, Meli quickly bowed her head.
A servant’s duty was to attend to their master, yet the Duchess had thanked her. Of all people, it was the mistress—the one Meli assumed despised her, the one who had every right to.
Come to think of it, I never even got to apologize…
Because everyone else had been ostracizing Lina, she had simply gone along with the crowd, fearing she would become the next target if she didn’t. But that was just a selfish excuse. Late as it was, she wanted to beg for forgiveness from both Lina and Blair. Yet, she was terrified to bring it up, afraid she might stir Blair’s anger again, just when the storm had passed.
As she stood there hesitating, her lips trembling, a soft squeak echoed from the basket. Her gaze drifted down to the tiny creature.
Just then, Blair spoke up. “Do you like animals?”
“Ah, yes…”
“Then, would you mind looking after this little one when you have some free time?”
“Pardon?”
“I read that sables are social animals. I think it needs a friend, but I can’t very well tear another baby away from its mother just for that, can I? So, I thought I’d make sure it has plenty of human friends instead.”
“Oh…”
“Of course, only if you’re comfortable with it.”
“O-of course! Please, leave it to me. I actually look after the stray cats in the back garden.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Blair beamed, and seeing how much her mistress respected her feelings, Meli felt a wave of shame wash over her. Why had it been so hard to say a few simple words of apology?
Meli bowed deeply to Blair.
“Madam. About what happened before… I am truly sorry. I was just an ignorant commoner and acted presumptuously, not knowing my place. I am so incredibly sorry. I’ve wanted to apologize for so long.”
Startled by the sudden confession, Blair blinked in surprise. Then, her lips curved into a warm smile. “I accept your apology. In return, will you promise to take extra special care of this little one?”
Meli had been prepared for any scolding if Blair chose to bring up the incident again. Instead, she was met with unexpected kindness.
Meli blinked, then nodded vigorously. “Yes! I’ll take wonderful care of him!”
“Oh, and his name is Pippi.”
“Pippi…?”
“Yes. Doesn’t it sound just like the noise he makes?” Blair asked with a serious expression.
Right on cue, the sable squeaked, as if responding to his new name.
…Our Madam has absolutely no talent for naming things.
Meli bit her lip to stifle a giggle. Still, the name was rather cute. And her mistress, looking so proud of herself, was quite endearing too.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.