Chapter 61. The Lady of Delmark
2023.10.31.
"It seems I forgot to have a room that hasn't been used in a while cleaned. I'll have it cleaned right away."
"Who is that person?"
When Blair asked while looking at the boy in the portrait, Mason paused for a moment before answering.
"He was the younger brother of the former head of the household."
Then that meant he was Cashion's brother.
But as far as Blair knew, Cashion's only sibling was Esmeralda.
"But I don't think I've seen him in the family portrait. Or in the family registry either......"
"Young Master Logan was a half-brother to the former head of the household."
The Ardel Empire practiced monogamy.
Being a half-brother to Cashion, the legitimate son, meant that the boy in the portrait was a bastard of the Delmark family.
If he was a bastard, it made sense that there wouldn't even be a record of him in the family registry.
"Unfortunately, he passed away early in an accident, so that is the only portrait that remains."
"Ah...... I see."
"Squeak!"
Even though she was hiding in the folds of her clothes, Pipi, annoyed that Blair wasn't looking for her, crawled out on her own and lightly bit Blair's hand.
Blair stroked Pipi's head and asked Mason.
"But why were you looking for me?"
"In a week, it will be the death anniversary of the former head of the household and his wife. I came to ask how you would like to make the donation this year."
The Delmark ducal family made an annual donation as a token of gratitude to Gerard, who had come to personally conduct the memorial service for the late duke and duchess's funeral.
Family events and special occasions were the role of the lady of the house, but until now, Herdin had handled them since there was no lady.
However, this year, it was Blair's responsibility.
"This year......"
Just as Blair, who had been pondering for a moment, opened her mouth to speak, a knock was heard along with Lina's voice.
"My lady, are you here?"
"What is it?"
Lina, who entered the room, delivered the news with a troubled expression.
"The Marquis and Marchioness of Sheldon have come to see you, my lady."
* * *
"It seems you finished your work early."
Mason said as he opened the carriage door. Herdin gave a slight nod and asked.
"Any issues?"
"The Marquis and Marchioness of Sheldon have come to see the lady."
At the news of their unwelcome visit, Herdin's brow furrowed.
"When?"
"They are currently speaking with the lady in the drawing room."
The reason they came to find Blair was obvious even without hearing it.
Since they knew he wouldn't listen no matter what they said to him, they must have come to plead for leniency for Rachel to Blair while he wasn't around.
Certainly, if it were his soft-hearted wife, she might give in to their earnest pleas for the sake of their child.
'I should have told her in advance yesterday.'
He had informed her that Wesley and Rachel were behind it, but he hadn't detailed what would happen to the two.
She would hear the news eventually since there were always mouths to carry tales, but it wouldn't be a particularly pleasant story for her soft heart.
He now regretted a little that he hadn't spoken to her and asked her beforehand.
"Did the marchioness come as well?"
"Only the marquis and marchioness came."
Herdin's lips twisted.
"Even facing expulsion, they still want to save face."
When they should be coming in person to apologize and beg on their knees, hiding behind their parents. Neither immature, nor cunning.
Well, if she had been smart to begin with, she wouldn't have created such a mess.
Instead of heading straight to his office, Herdin made his way to the drawing room where Blair and the Sheldons were meeting.
For he had no intention whatsoever of showing leniency in this matter.
Just as he arrived and turned the doorknob of the drawing room, Blair's characteristically gentle voice came through the slightly opened gap in the door.
"So what you're saying is, your husband asked for the two of you to be severely punished?"
"Yes. His Majesty was apparently willing to show mercy and leniency for Rachel's sake, but the duke opposed it."
"......I see."
"But if you, the person involved, wish for leniency, wouldn't the duke change his mind?"
The expected rhetoric came from the mouth of the Marquis of Sheldon.
Herdin, who had been quietly eavesdropping on their conversation, was about to intervene when Blair's voice rang out.
"If that is my husband's will, then I don't think I have anything more to say to you both."
It was a quiet but firm voice.
"W-what are you saying? Are you going to just stand by and watch Rachel get driven out of the empire?"
"Rachel is no longer a child. She must take responsibility for what she has done. I had already warned her once at the banquet."
"Blair, Rachel is your cousin. Didn't you two get along well? I don't understand why you're being so cold."
"Being relatives doesn't make her wrongdoings disappear."
At Blair's firm answer, the sound of the Sheldons sighing could be heard.
But Blair didn't stop there. She was just as she had always been—unwavering and steadfast in pushing forward for what she believed was right.
"Also, as long as I am the duchess, this matter is not just my personal affair."
"......"
"If my husband wished for it, then it must be for the dignity of the family. As his wife and the lady of Delmark, I will respect and follow his will."
His wife. The lady of Delmark.
It was a fact that shouldn't have felt new, but those words coming from Blair's lips pleased him greatly.
The fact that she was standing so firmly because of him, as well.
Herdin closed the door he had slightly opened.
Mason, who had been listening to the situation in the drawing room beside him, spoke as if reading his thoughts.
"It seems the lady has already made a wise decision."
Herdin passed the drawing room and headed to his office. A faint curve lingered on his lips.
* * *
That night as well, Herdin visited Blair's room with marshmallows.
After knocking and opening the door, he paused at an unexpected sight.
"You're here?"
A hint of anticipation colored Blair's eyes, which had always looked at him with a calm gaze. She somehow resembled a puppy waiting for a treat.
He knew it wasn't directed at him but at the marshmallows in her hand, yet seeing her face like that didn't make him feel bad at all.
Thinking that he should bring marshmallows every day from now on, he approached the table, where a candle and lighter were neatly prepared.
Herdin smirked when he saw what she had prepared.
"I feel like I should give a reward to the model student who thoroughly prepared her supplies."
Seeing her prepare all this put him a bit at ease. Unlike his worry that she might be too afraid of fire to continue, she seemed to have enthusiasm for it.
Herdin set down the bowl of marshmallows and took a seat. Blair also sat down next to him, then suddenly brought something up as if she had just remembered.
"For this year's donation, I've decided to visit the orphanage within the temple and deliver supplies to the children."
"You're going to the orphanage in person?"
Herdin asked back, finding it unexpected.
It wasn't unheard of for noblewomen to visit orphanages as part of their charitable work, but most avoided it because it was cumbersome and bothersome.
Especially since, by her own words, she was a duchess who would 'divorce,' he hadn't expected her to show such enthusiasm for this task.
"I heard that your mother did the same every year. Rather than a donation in name only, I thought moving directly would be a better way to respect her wishes."
Blair hid the real reason she chose the orphanage donation. Of course, honoring Eloyze wasn't entirely a lie, but she had a more private reason.
'In my past life, I visited the temple to pray and make a donation.'
At that time, she hadn't visited the orphanage inside the temple but had met with the priest in charge of donations.
'And...... there, I first met Miela Elias.'
There was no immediate reason to avoid her, but then again, there was no reason to deliberately meet someone she had an awkward relationship with either.
"Sounds like a good idea. Do as you wish, my lady."
For Herdin, there was no reason to dislike it. He readily agreed and picked up the lighter.
"Yesterday, I did it with you, but today you'll do it alone. Don't be scared even if the marshmallow catches fire, and calmly shake it to put out the flame."
Blair looked at the candle with a tense expression, then took a deep breath and picked up a marshmallow. Her expression was as resolute as a soldier heading into battle.
Having received her agreement, Herdin immediately lit the candle.
Contrary to her initial show of fierce resolve, Blair was clearly terrified.
Herdin, who had been watching her with his chin resting on his hand, waved his hand once between Blair and the candle to redirect her attention.
Only then did Blair seem to remember his instructions—she consciously blinked, breathed slowly, and relaxed. The marshmallow, trembling slightly, approached the candle.
Herdin watched with interest as the honor student who remembered what she had learned yesterday steadily put it into practice.
She herself was so scared and struggled with it, but if he found her appearance endearing, she might feel a bit peeved from her position.
The first attempt ended in miserable failure as she got scared when it caught fire.
With renewed determination, her second attempt nearly burned it at the last moment, but with Herdin's help, she managed to save it safely.
Herdin extinguished the candle and lightly stroked Blair's head.
"You did well, just as you learned. At this rate, you'll soon stop fearing the fireplace too."
Blair stared blankly at him as he gave her a light but sincere compliment.
From his perspective, it was an incredibly easy and simple task. It was something that could easily annoy him—why couldn't she do something so simple?
But seeing him watch and teach her without a hint of annoyance, he seemed to be a pretty good teacher.
"But before that, won't it be hard to light the fireplace when the weather gets warmer?"
"Then we'll have a cookout in the backyard. We'll even catch a wild boar and cook it."
"A wild boar?"
"Or venison would be good too. Whatever you wish."
Blair paused at his words that he would do whatever she wanted.