Chapter 89: Kiss Me
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 89: Kiss Me
Though his voice was casual, as if he were merely asking in passing, Blair’s heart leaped into her throat, pounding against her ribs.
It had been nearly ten days since her period was due, but she had never imagined he would be keeping track of it.
Frozen in a flash of panic, Blair subtly hid her face behind the blanket and scrambled for a plausible excuse.
"I missed my medicine for a few days, and I think I've just had a lot on my mind. It gets delayed like this sometimes."
Surprisingly, once she started, the lie she had been so unsure of flowed smoothly from her lips. It sounded so natural that she almost believed it herself.
Recalling the day he had swapped her medicine with fakes, Herdin readily accepted her explanation.
He didn't know much about a woman's body, but since it hadn't been long since he’d switched the pills, the effects of the real medicine might still linger. It seemed plausible enough.
"We should keep an eye on it for a few more days. If it's delayed much longer, we should have a doctor take a look. It could be a sign of poor health."
Of course, if the delay persisted, it would certainly warrant suspicion.
"...I will. Thank you for your concern."
Blair curled up beneath the covers, resolving to tell him tomorrow that her period had finally started.
Since she had said she wanted to rest, she expected Herdin to leave. Unless he planned on sleeping here tonight, there was no other reason for him to stay.
Yet, he did not leave. He remained by her side, idly twirling a lock of her hair around his fingers.
Though her plans for an early night were ruined, Blair didn't push him away. She simply watched him quietly. She didn't dislike his touch.
After playing with her hair for a while, Herdin felt a cool breeze slip through the slightly ajar balcony door and looked up.
Through the glass, the lush green of the backyard was on full display. Even the gentle breeze drifting in carried the fresh scent of grass.
Staring out at the scenery, Herdin spoke.
"What do you think about having a garden party in the backyard soon?"
"A garden party?"
"Just as we discussed back in the spring. Summer is almost here, and you aren't as afraid of fire as you used to be. I think it would be nice."
Only then did she recall their conversations from when they had roasted marshmallows over candlelight to help her overcome her pyrophobia.
Those sweet memories of spring.
At first, she wondered if it was foolish greed to want this when she was about to leave. But then her thoughts shifted—precisely because she was leaving, it would be nice to have at least one happy memory to take with her.
‘Sometimes, the memory of a single happy moment can give you the strength to live a lifetime.’
She recalled the words Agnes had once said to her.
"I'd love that. But it will be getting hot soon, so the sooner, the better..."
Blair started to suggest moving the date up, fearing her morning sickness would worsen, but she caught herself.
She had not yet cleared Esmeralda's name. It felt inappropriate to throw a lively party at a time like this.
Blair corrected herself.
"Actually, let's wait until after the trial is over."
"We can do it sooner if you'd like."
"Is that really all right?"
When Blair asked, her eyes widening at his unexpected response, Herdin nodded readily.
"The trial will turn out fine."
It was the least he could do for his wife, who was waiting for him, trusting him so innocently, completely unaware of his true intentions.
* * *
The garden party was scheduled for a few days before the Foundation Festival banquet.
Having finished her lunch, Blair stood on the balcony, taking in the view of the backyard. In the distance, the busy clatter of preparations for the evening's party echoed.
‘I'm glad my morning sickness hasn't gotten worse.’
Just as Blair thought this, her hand instinctively moving to her lower abdomen, she heard Meli's voice from behind her.
"Madam, Baroness Sionel has arrived."
Today was the day her finished dress was scheduled to arrive.
It was also the day Baroness Sionel's assistant—the one who would bring news of Mikhail—was due to visit.
Upon receiving Blair's permission, Baroness Sionel entered the drawing room connected to the bedroom, accompanied by her assistants.
"Hello, Your Grace."
"Welcome, Baroness."
"How are you feeling today? Were you perhaps too excited about trying on your new dress to sleep last night?"
Blair laughed at the baroness's characteristic playfulness.
"You're right. Your designs always exceed my expectations, so ever since I was young, I've gotten excited the night before a finished dress arrived. Today is no exception."
"I, too, have always been excited on the days I brought dresses for the Imperial Princess... ah, I mean, Your Grace. I’m certain today will live up to your expectations."
As always, Baroness Sionel was brimming with confidence.
"I cannot keep you waiting any longer. Shall we try it on right away?"
As the Baroness snapped her fan shut, her assistants led Blair to the dressing room. Among them was Mikhail's ally.
Throughout the fitting, Blair’s attention was fixed on that one assistant.
Once the fitting was complete, the assistants bowed politely and left the dressing room one by one. Mikhail's ally, who had lingered until the very end, slipped a note into Blair's hand.
Last week, she had used the assistant who brought the dress for a preliminary fitting to send Mikhail a reply, confirming the plan was still on.
And what she received today was his response.
Blair immediately unfolded the note.
[Then, I shall see you at the Foundation Festival banquet.]
She wondered how he, a commoner without an invitation, would get into the Imperial Palace, but she figured a guild master like him would have his ways.
Blair handed the note back to the assistant.
"Thank you. Please dispose of this on your way out."
The assistant took the note back.
Blair stepped out of the dressing room with the assistant for a final inspection from Baroness Sionel.
Just as the fitting was wrapping up, Meli, who had stepped away, returned with news.
"Madam, His Grace has returned."
Herdin had left that morning to hunt deer for the evening's party.
His return meant it was time to start preparing.
"Then, I shall see you at the Foundation Festival, Your Grace."
"Have a safe journey back."
After seeing Baroness Sionel off, Blair began choosing her outfit for the garden party with Meli and Lina.
"It still gets a bit chilly in the evening, so it would be best to wear a shawl."
By the time she finished dressing, twilight was already settling outside the window.
"I'm all set. You two should go and get ready as well."
"Yes, Madam."
A highly excited Lina and Meli were just approaching the door when a knock sounded, and Herdin entered.
Lina and Meli curtsied politely to him and quietly slipped out of the room.
Blair was checking her reflection one last time in the vanity mirror when she saw him approaching. She turned with a warm smile.
"Welcome back."
"Yes."
Herdin wore a simple shirt and trousers, and the scent of soap that grew stronger as he approached told her he had just bathed.
Stepping closer, he leaned casually against her vanity, watching her rummage through her jewelry box.
Blair was choosing her necklace and earrings with a rather serious expression. The slight furrow of her brow and the way she pressed her lips together in concentration were adorable.
After searching through the jewelry box for a while, Blair pulled out two necklaces and showed them to Herdin.
"Which one looks better?"
One was set with an amethyst that resembled her eyes, and the other was an aquamarine.
It was a pointless question. He couldn't care less about necklaces or earrings.
"Hm. They both look fine to me."
At his half-hearted response, Blair's lips formed a slight pout.
After a moment of deliberation, she chose the aquamarine necklace, its refreshing color perfectly suited for summer.
Seeing this, a satisfied smile curved Herdin's lips. He quite liked seeing a gem that matched his own eye color resting against her neck.
Soon, after putting on the matching earrings, Blair stood up.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
As Blair lightly tugged his hand to lead him toward the door, Herdin caught her wrist and pulled her back to face him.
She looked back at him with questioning eyes, only to be met with an abrupt demand.
"Kiss me."
A playful glint danced in his eyes as he spoke.
Blair's eyes widened at the sudden request. Her reaction stirred a mischievous urge within him.
"I hunted and brought back a deer, just as you wished. Isn't this a small price to pay?"
"...You were the one who suggested the garden party."
"And who was it that was so excited last night, saying they preferred venison over wild boar?"
At his words, Blair, who had been backing away as if from a predator, paused. Still, his elegant wife was not one to yield so easily.
"Everyone will be waiting."
Of course, he had no intention of backing down either.
"So, hurry."
Herdin's grip on her wrist was firm.
Realizing he wouldn't budge until he got what he wanted, Blair reluctantly stepped closer.
Even after standing before him, she hesitated for a moment. Fortunately, before Herdin could take matters into his own hands, she leaned in and gently kissed him.
As if he had been waiting for that exact moment, Herdin wrapped his arms around Blair's waist. Having finally obtained what he wanted, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Her lips, which always came at such a high price, were impossibly sweet and soft. The moment they met and their breaths mingled, his faint irritation vanished completely.
He thought he must seem like an absolute madman, but in this moment, holding her in his arms, he didn't care what he became.
Just like this, everything was perfect.