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Chapter 6
The Duty of a Married Couple
Herdin knocked and entered Blair’s bedroom.
Contrary to his expectation that she would either be startled or asleep, Blair was sitting at the table, absorbed in something, completely unaware of his presence.
What is she doing?
At a glance, it seemed she was writing something.
…She’s meticulous.
Every time he looked at her, he noticed how small she appeared from a distance. The occasional dry cough made her seem even more delicate.
By the way, the room feels cold.
Despite it being winter, the fireplace was barely lit.
Outside, the snow lay thick and white. Inside, the room was cool, and within that scene sat a woman in pure white. Herdin thought the nickname “Snow Fairy” suited her quite well and quietly approached from behind.
Blair, still focused on her writing, had yet to notice him.
Leaning slightly over her small frame, Herdin rested his hands on the desk and peered at what she was writing.
It was only then that Blair sensed his presence. Startled, she looked up, and her head bumped against his solid chest.
“Ah.”
Their eyes met—his cold blue gaze looking down at her, her violet eyes looking up at him.
“Why such a startled expression? Tonight is the first night; it is natural for a married couple to spend it together.”
“…I didn’t expect you to come.”
“You’ve been waiting without sleep until now?”
Hitting the mark with his words, Blair pressed her lips together.
“I was just waiting, just in case. Sleeping while… you—well, you’re here—it wouldn’t be proper.”
The moment she called him “you,” Herdin’s gaze darkened.
“What is this?”
He noticed the paper Blair had been writing on.
“It’s a contract. Since it’s a contract, I thought it would be good to have it written down.”
Herdin picked up the contract and sat beside her, beginning to read.
“Article 1: The contractee, Blair Sonett von Ardel, shall fully cooperate in uncovering the truth behind the Imperial Palace fire. The contract period is one year, but regardless of duration, this marriage contract will be terminated once the truth is revealed. Responsibility for the truth shall follow Imperial Law.”
His low, languid voice echoed through the quiet room.
“Article 2: During the contract period, both parties shall respect each other as husband and wife. ‘Respect’ here refers to fulfilling spousal duties while considering the partner’s dignity—such as sharing a meal once a week or attending important banquets and events together.”
Hearing the contract clauses, Blair suddenly wanted to revise it. She realized she had subconsciously included the hurt from his neglect in her previous life. Of course, he wouldn’t know the feelings behind the clauses now…
Thinking this, Blair smiled bitterly and spoke.
“If any adjustments are needed, just tell me. I wrote this contract on my own, so I’ll revise it according to your opinion.”
At that moment, Herdin, still reading the contract, asked,
“And if the terms are not followed, what will you do?”
Blair froze. She had considered negotiating the contract, but never breaking it.
As he said, there must be consequences to ensure compliance.
After a moment’s thought, she spoke with determination.
“If the terms of the contract aren’t kept…”
“Not kept?”
“I won’t grant a divorce.”
The marriage had been forced by imperial decree; for him, continuing this marriage would be unbearable. He would also likely resent her.
“Ah.”
Yet, despite Blair’s threatening words, he showed no fear. Perhaps even a hint of amusement?
Before she could ponder further, Herdin resumed reading the next clause.
“For the above reason, if either party desires to share the bed, the couple must fulfill this duty up to twice a month…”
Herdin’s gaze shifted from the contract to Blair. He put the paper down and spoke.
“When you say ‘share the bed,’ you don’t mean holding hands like children, do you?”
Blair looked slightly flustered by his mocking tone but did not object.
So her assumption about its meaning was correct.
“Do you intend to warm the bed for me, as part of your duties?”
…Does it really have to come to this?
Curious about her true purpose in maintaining this contract marriage, even at the cost of her own body, he decided to provoke her.
As intended, Blair reacted indignantly to his provocation.
“Don’t talk like that! I just—”
“Just?”
Blair hesitated. This clause was crucial, meant to be used when the time came to have Asiel. She couldn’t reveal the truth to him—she couldn’t mention reincarnation or Asiel’s existence. If he knew, he might even eliminate Asiel to secure a successor from Miella. That could never happen.
Blair’s plan was to settle everything concerning him before obtaining Asiel, then divorce and leave the empire before he discovered her pregnancy.
Thus, she fabricated a plausible lie.
“I… just want to maintain a good relationship with you for now…”
Herdin smirked, seeing her hide her true intentions.
“A good relationship, huh?”
How could we ever have a good relationship?
At the thought, her desperation—even to the point of offering her body—seemed almost comical to him.
Herdin rose and approached Blair. The sudden proximity made her hold her breath. He was right in front of her, close enough that her exhale would brush against him.
“Then we must fulfill the duties of a married couple, according to this clause.”
Blair flinched at his touch on her cheek and the low whisper at her ear. More shocking was that he intended to enforce the clause himself. She had thought it would only be used when she had Asiel.
“You don’t necessarily need to consummate tonight…”
“I want to.”
His low gaze was fixed on her red lips, his hand cupping her cheek and thumb brushing her mouth.
Her heart raced at the heat from his fingertips.
Before Blair could react, his lips descended, capturing hers. She suddenly remembered he was a man.
Men can act on desire even with someone they don’t love.
This was not love, nor acting for some other goal—it was pure, momentary desire.
Relieved by that thought, she closed her eyes, willing to give herself to him if it meant she could meet Asiel again.
Herdin parted her lips and intruded, intertwining with her tongue.
“Mmm…”
The friction sent shivers through her body. She moaned involuntarily; her breathing grew heavy, and heat coursed through her. Her mind felt dizzy.
His lips remained hot and sweet, mercilessly so.
Herdin lightly lifted Blair, seating her on his thigh, and began to devour her fully. Her plump lips, soft tongue, shallow breath, and whimpers—all of it.
He grabbed the swell of her chest over the slipping strap of her pajamas.
“Ah…!”
Startled, Blair pulled back, breaking the kiss. Herdin stopped too.
Their eyes met—his were predatory, like a beast interrupted during a hunt. Yet he held her firmly in his arms, unwilling to release her.
Blair felt something heavy pressing between her legs and froze, realizing what it was. She wanted to move, but the closer she got, the more contact there would be.
She quietly avoided his gaze and whispered:
“The bed… let’s go to the bed.”
It was almost a plea.
Herdin looked at her, then, honoring her request, scooped her up. Even in that brief moment, his lips remained at her neck like a suckling animal.
He strode to the bed and laid her down, mounting her. He began to remove the half-loosened nightgown, keeping his gaze fixed on her.
