Chapter 17. An Ordinary Boy
The ancestor of Herdin, the first Duke Delmark, was a hero who saved the empire during the last Demon War.
To gain the power to protect the empire, he formed a contract with a Divine Beast, which has now become a creature of legend.
The price he received was a strong body capable of simultaneously using Aura and Magic.
Originally, humans could only use either Aura or Magic, not both.
However, the first Duke Delmark became able to wield both Aura and Magic through his contract with the Divine Beast, and that power led the war to victory.
But great power always comes with a corresponding price.
Using Aura and Magic together was like using fire and oil together— if handled well, it produced great synergy, but if mishandled, it led to the power running amok.
The power received by the first patriarch was passed down through blood to future generations.
The power mostly became an immense force that could save the nation, but sometimes it also brought misfortune.
Herdin's father, the previous Duke, was also one of the descendants who inherited that power. Like his ancestors, he used his power for the people of his territory and the empire.
Everyone in the empire feared and admired him.
But misfortune came unexpectedly.
The year Herdin turned twelve, during a family trip, his mother was found killed by demonic creatures.
Upon discovering her body, the previous Duke went berserk, brutally slaughtering all the demonic creatures in that forest, and then took his own life to protect his son from himself in his rampage.
The fall of the Delmark Ducal House, which had been revered by all.
Their tragedy spread far and wide through the mouths of those who made others' misfortune their dessert.
Even to the ears of Blair, who lived in the Imperial Palace.
People would lament the fall of the Delmark Ducal House to their faces, but behind their backs, they whispered that Herdin, who had inherited the same power as his father, might one day go berserk and commit a ruthless massacre.
'Still, I really want to win this time...'
Blair eventually suppressed his fear with competitive spirit and approached Herdin.
Through the cards, deep blue eyes like a clear lake were clearly visible. And the long eyelashes casting shadows over them.
'Pretty.'
The Herdin that Blair actually met seemed like an ordinary boy, albeit a bit scary. Not the terrifying person from the rumors.
Just as he thought that, Herdin, who had been looking down at the cards in his hands, raised his gaze and their eyes met.
Startled by those piercing blue eyes, Blair grabbed whatever card was in reach.
'Ah.'
Of all cards, the one he hastily picked up had to be the Thief card.
Fortunately, thanks to Esmeralda taking the Thief card, Blair was able to win. The game ended with the Thief card in Herdin's hands.
It was Herdin who had intentionally lost to end the game, but Blair didn't know that at the time.
Just as Blair, now fired up with competitive spirit, was about to shuffle the cards again, Herdin spoke.
"I will take my leave now."
"Oh my, it's already gotten this late."
"I will see you tomorrow, Her Majesty the Empress."
Esmeralda looked at Herdin with worried eyes and said,
"Herdin. I understand your feelings, but you don't need to force yourself to attend tomorrow."
"I am alright."
Herdin politely bowed to Esmeralda and Blair and rose from his seat.
After he left, the reception room was finally left with only the two people Blair had hoped for—Esmeralda and Blair.
As if she had been waiting, Esmeralda asked Blair gently.
"What did you think of meeting Herdin? Do you think you could become friends?"
Blair couldn't answer immediately and hesitated.
To be honest, it seemed unlikely that he could become friends with Herdin. The Herdin he actually met was so different from anyone Blair had ever met.
Herdin's attitude just now had been quite a shock to Blair.
He didn't speak to him warmly like others did, nor did he smile. Looking at Herdin, Blair realized that having a neat appearance and using polite words didn't make someone a good person.
Of course, he wasn't the terrifying person from the rumors, but no matter how he looked at it, he didn't seem like a good person. Even though he was pretending to be polite, he was fierce and scary.
But Blair, not wanting to disappoint Esmeralda, made up a lie.
"Um... He doesn't talk much, so it's difficult, but he seems like a good person."
However, his fidgeting fingers and eyes rolling away to avoid Esmeralda's gaze couldn't be hidden.
"Lying is a bad habit, Blair."
At Esmeralda's pointing out, Blair felt stung.
In the end, he had no choice but to confess the truth.
"Actually... Duke Delmark is polite, but it feels like he has no manners."
Hearing Blair's honest impression, Esmeralda burst into laughter.
"It's a good thing Herdin didn't hear that."
Blair then worried that he might have been too honest and added.
"B-But it's only because I saw him for the first time today. Since he's someone Your Majesty cherishes, I think he must be a good person. This is sincere."
Esmeralda, who had been watching Blair trying hard to paint Herdin in a good light, smiled and gestured.
Knowing what that gesture meant, Blair scurried over and sat next to her.
Esmeralda gently stroked Blair's hair and agreed with his words.
"To be honest, Herdin isn't a warm child. That child has many wounds in his heart, so he's awkward in dealing with people."
Blair quietly received the pleasant touch and looked up at her. Esmeralda's blue eyes he met were filled with a gentle light as always.
"But just because his heart hurts doesn't mean you have to endure discomfort, Blair."
Esmeralda lightly kissed Blair's round forehead and whispered.
"Because you are just as precious as he is."
At those kind whispers, Blair felt very happy and a little sad. It was something he had never heard from Katrina.
Nevertheless, Blair smiled at Esmeralda.
* * *
The next day, the new year dawned.
In the morning, the various houses including the Imperial family went to the winter forest to catch offerings for the gods, in the afternoon there was a worship service at the temple, and in the evening they attended an imperial banquet.
Since the morning and afternoon New Year's ceremonies were exclusively for adults, Blair spent the morning and afternoon playing with Ivan and the cousins, then attended the New Year's banquet in the evening.
Blair sat with the Emperor Father, Empress Esmeralda, Mother Katrina, and Ivan, receiving New Year's greetings from the nobles.
During the boring and ceremonial greetings, the nobles suddenly started buzzing.
Wondering about the sudden change in atmosphere, Blair realized the reason only when he saw who stepped forward next.
It was Herdin.
It was the first time the young Duke, who had been in seclusion since the accident three years ago, had appeared at an official function.
The nobles whispered as they watched Herdin approach the Emperor.
"My, the young Duke... no, the Duke actually came. I didn't think he would attend the banquet."
"You're right. I was also surprised when he attended the hunt and worship service this morning."
"Whatever the case, he's now the lord of Delmark. He needs to restore his house's prestige and become strength for Her Majesty the Empress, doesn't he? Though it won't be easy."
At first glance, the words seemed to pity young Herdin, but in reality, it was just amusing gossip for them.
Blair watched Herdin with an anxious heart as he listened to their words.
"I am deeply moved to greet the new year under the reign of Your Majesties. Please continue to bestow your grace and watch over the empire this year as well."
Standing before the Emperor and the other nobles as the head of a house, Herdin was still young, but his bearing was no less than any other lord.
No, rather, because he was young, it shone even more.
But was it just his imagination that Herdin, calmly performing his duties as lord, looked precarious?
Blair continued to follow Herdin with his eyes even after he safely withdrew after paying his respects to the Emperor.
After the turn to pay New Year's greetings to the Imperial family ended, the banquet began.
While the nobles gathered in groups to exchange greetings, Herdin remained alone in his seat.
No one approached him, but their eyes and whispering mouths were directed at Herdin.
"Duke Delmark... I mean, the young Duke... no, the Duke. He was there when the previous Duke took his own life, right?"
"Oh my! How pitiful. It's amazing he's holding up with a sound mind."
"It's impressive, but on the other hand... he's still young, so I think he's quite cold-blooded."
They all chattered about the misfortune that had befallen his house and his future. They pitied the Delmark Ducal House's misfortune while enjoying it, and at the same time feared it.
"Rachel, don't go near him. What if he suddenly goes berserk like his father and tries to kill everyone?"
If Esmeralda had been there, they wouldn't have dared to gossip so recklessly, but unfortunately, Esmeralda was not in good health and had left early after only receiving the New Year's greetings.
In other words, there was no one on Herdin's side at this banquet.
Blair watched Herdin, who was silently enduring the whispers, with worried eyes.
He was enduring it with that impassive face, but was his inner self really okay?
After chattering about Herdin and the Delmark Ducal House for a while, the people soon lost interest and moved on to the next topic. Like eating the next course of a meal.
Only after people's attention was withdrawn did Herdin quietly leave his seat.
Worried about Herdin, who left the banquet hall with empty eyes, Blair followed him out to the back garden of the banquet hall.
As soon as he stepped into the back garden, the cold winter wind scraped against his cheek.
The night garden, illuminated by soft lighting, was quiet. If it were summer, there would have been people coming out to enjoy the banquet, but because of the cold weather, no one was there.
'Where did he go?'
As Blair was looking around for Herdin, a painful groan was heard from not too far away.