Chapter 6: Marital Duties
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Marital Duties
Herdin knocked before entering Blair’s bedroom.
He had expected her to be either startled by his visit or already asleep. Instead, she was sitting at a table, so engrossed in her work that she hadn’t even noticed his arrival.
What is she doing?
A quick glance revealed she was writing something.
…She’s so small.
He felt it every time he saw her, but watching from a distance, he was struck anew by just how delicate her frame was. The occasional dry cough that escaped her lips only made her seem smaller still.
It’s chilly in here, though.
Despite the biting winter cold, the fire in the hearth had nearly died out. The room was a portrait in pale shades: white snow piled high outside the window, the cool air within, and at its center, a woman as white as the snow itself.
As Herdin approached from behind, he thought the nickname “Snow Fairy” suited her quite well.
Even then, Blair was so focused on the document that she remained completely oblivious to his presence. Leaning over her slender back, Herdin placed a hand on the desk and peered at what she was writing.
Only then did she sense him. She looked up with a start, her head bumping firmly against his solid chest.
“Ah.”
In that instant, his cool blue eyes met her upturned violet ones.
“Why so surprised? This is our first night. It’s only natural for a married couple to spend it together.”
“…I didn’t know you were coming.”
“And yet you stayed up, waiting for me?”
His words struck a nerve, and Blair pressed her lips into a thin line.
“I was just waiting, just in case. It wouldn’t be polite to be asleep if you… arrived.”
At the way the word ‘you’ slipped from her lips, Herdin’s gaze deepened.
“What is this?” he asked, his eyes falling to the paper she had been working on.
Blair quickly explained. “It’s a contract. Since this is a contract marriage, I thought it would be best to have the terms in writing.”
Herdin picked up the document, settled into the chair beside her, and began to read it aloud.
“Clause 1. The contractor, Blair Sonnet von Ardel, shall cooperate to the best of her ability in uncovering the truth of the Empress's Palace Fire Incident. The term of the contract is one year; however, this marriage contract shall be terminated immediately upon discovery of the truth, regardless of the term. Culpability for the incident shall be determined in accordance with Imperial Law.”
His languid, low voice echoed in the quiet room.
“Clause 2. During the term of this contract, both parties must respect each other as husband and wife. ‘Respect’ herein refers to fulfilling the responsibilities of a spouse in consideration of the other’s public image. This includes dining together at least once a week and attending important banquets and events together.”
Listening to him read, Blair was suddenly struck with the desire to amend the contract. She realized that, without thinking, she had poured all the sorrow from his neglect and abandonment in her past life directly into these terms.
Not that the man before her now would have any idea of the feelings with which she’d written them.
At the thought, Blair gave a bitter smile. “If any adjustments are needed, please feel free to tell me. I wrote this on my own, so I’ll revise it to reflect your opinion.”
Just then, Herdin looked up from the contract. “What happens if the terms of this contract are not fulfilled?”
His question left Blair speechless. She had considered adjusting the terms, but she had never once considered the penalty for violating them.
He’s right. There has to be a penalty to ensure it’s upheld.
After a moment of thought, Blair spoke with grim determination.
“If the terms of the contract are not upheld…”
“Yes?”
“I won’t grant you a divorce.”
Since this marriage had been forced upon him by imperial decree, being bound to it indefinitely would surely be a terrible fate for him. Especially since he must resent her so deeply.
“Aha.”
But despite what Blair considered a fearsome threat, he showed no sign of being intimidated. Was it just her imagination, or did he seem to be mocking her?
Just as the thought crossed her mind, Herdin resumed reading the next clause.
“If either party desires consummation, the other must comply up to twice a month to fulfill their marital duties…”
Herdin’s gaze lifted from the contract to meet hers. He set the paper down. “Surely the ‘consummation’ the Duchess speaks of doesn’t involve two grown adults just holding hands while they sleep.”
Blair flushed at his mocking tone but didn’t refute it. His guess was exactly right.
“Are you offering to play the part of a mistress, just to warm my bed?”
Does she really have to go this far?
At this point, he was genuinely curious. What was the real reason this woman was so desperate to maintain this marriage that she would offer up her own body?
He provoked her intentionally.
And just as he’d hoped, she rose to the bait.
“Don’t say it like that! I just…!”
“You just?”
Blair, who had been about to retort, trailed off, hesitating. This was the most crucial clause for her—the one she had written to use when the time came to conceive Asiel.
But she couldn’t tell him the truth. She couldn’t tell him some absurd story about having regressed from the future, and more importantly, he must never find out about Asiel’s existence. If he learned the truth, would he leave the child in peace? To make the son he would have with Miella his heir, he might try to eliminate Asiel, who would be nothing but an obstacle.
That could never be allowed to happen. Her plan was to resolve everything related to Herdin, conceive Asiel, then divorce him and leave the empire before he could ever discover the pregnancy.
In the end, Blair came up with a plausible lie.
“I… I just wanted to have a good relationship with you, at least for this short time…”
Herdin sneered at her, seeing right through the attempt to hide her true intentions.
“A good relationship.”
How could we possibly have a good relationship? At a single word from your mother, a single statement from you, my aunt was buried in disgrace, unable to even defend herself. And I was forced to accept it, never knowing the truth.
He didn’t know what her goal was, but seeing her offer up her own body, she was clearly desperate. The sight was laughable.
You ignored my desperation, and now you come to me like this.
For her to offer herself up so meekly… it felt like an insult. If the most precious thing she possessed was her virginity, then he would have to take at least that.
Only then would it be a fair trade.
Herdin rose to his feet and approached Blair. The distance between them vanished in an instant, and Blair held her breath. He was right in front of her, so close their breaths would mingle if she exhaled.
“Then, in accordance with this clause, we must fulfill our marital duties.”
Blair flinched as his hand caressed her cheek and his low voice resonated by her ear. But what surprised her more were his words. She had never imagined he would be the first to invoke this clause. She had included it, yes, but he no longer had to pretend to love her.
I thought it would only be used when it was time to conceive Asiel.
For Blair, who had thought he wouldn’t even set foot in her bedroom, the situation was utterly bewildering.
“We don’t necessarily have to consummate our marriage on the first night…”
“I want to.”
His low whisper was accompanied by a gaze fixed on her red lips. The hand cupping her cheek brushed a thumb across them. Her heart began to pound, fast and hard, at the heat radiating from his fingertips.
At that moment, Herdin’s gaze lifted, and their eyes met.
“Right now.”
A raw, intense desire flickered in his blue eyes.
Before Blair, startled by that primal look, could pull away, his lips descended and swallowed hers.
She was suddenly reminded that he, too, was a man.
It’s said that men can sleep with women they feel nothing for.
Yes, this wasn’t love. Nor was he acting out a charade for some other purpose. It was merely a moment’s desire.
Thinking of it that way made her feel more at ease. If she could see Asiel again by giving him her body, she would give it as many times as it took.
Blair gathered her chaotic thoughts and closed her eyes in resignation.
Herdin parted her lips and invaded her mouth, seeking out her timid tongue and tangling it with his.
“Ngh…”
As their tongues met, a soft moan escaped her against her will. Her breathing grew ragged, and heat flooded her body. Her mind went blank.
His lips were still as hot and sweet as she remembered. Cruelly so.
Herdin lifted Blair lightly, settling her onto his lap before beginning to devour her in earnest—her plump lips, her soft tongue, her ragged breaths, the pained little sounds that slipped past her teeth. All of it.
His hand moved to the soft swell of her breast, exposed by the fallen strap of her nightgown, and closed over it.
“Ah…!”
Startled, Blair broke their kiss and pulled away. Herdin, who had been about to kiss her again, paused. She met his eyes and froze. His gaze was as fierce as that of a predator whose meal had been interrupted.
Even so, he had no intention of letting go of his prey; his grip on her was firm. The tight proximity made her acutely aware of something hard and heavy pressing against her thigh. Realizing what it was, Blair’s body went rigid. She wanted to get up immediately but couldn’t, fearing any movement would only press her more firmly against it.
Blair cautiously averted her gaze and said in a small voice, “The bed… let’s go to the bed.”
Her words were practically a plea.
Herdin stared at her for a moment, then, as if granting her request, swept her up into his arms. Even in that brief moment, he didn’t lift his lips from her, nuzzling against the delicate curve of her neck.
Striding to the bed, Herdin laid her down and climbed on top of her. He began to remove her nightgown, which was already half-undone.
His eyes remained fixed on hers the entire time.