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Chapter 11
The True Purpose of This Marriage
At noon, when the sun stood at the very center of the sky.
In the greenhouse located in the rear garden of the Grand Empress’s palace, a reception was held to welcome the new members of the imperial family.
Katrina glanced at Blair and Herdin sitting side by side across from her, a satisfied smile on her face.
Since becoming the Imperial Consort, she had obtained everything she desired—a new trophy in her collection.
“When people call a couple perfect, I used to just nod along. But seeing them like this… truly, they are a picture-perfect pair. Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed. My heart is full of pride. If only they had an heir, it would be perfect.”
“The Delmarc family is rare with their heirs, so it’d be good if there were at least three. Blair, you’ll have to work hard.”
Herdin listened quietly to the emperor and his mother sharing cheerful small talk, while his gaze remained on the woman beside him.
Blair’s expression was calm as usual. She looked far from the joyful demeanor one would expect when meeting her natal family.
While Katrina and Ivan gave their welcoming speeches to Herdin, who was now part of the family, the food was served.
Ivan raised a glass of aperitif.
“To think that you and I have become family… it feels like gaining a thousand allies. With the Imperial Family and the Delmarc House united, what could there possibly be to fear under the heavens?”
“…….”
“Now that we are family, it would be good to meet often and talk. We have plenty to discuss, don’t we?”
For the sake of this empire’s endless glory and prosperity.
Ivan lightly clinked his glass against Herdin’s. The crystal rang with a clear, lively tone.
The sound was not particularly pleasant to Herdin’s ears, but he quietly returned the toast.
As the meal was nearing its end, Ivan suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to Herdin.
“Ah, yes. I wanted to hear your opinion on something—it’s perfect timing.”
He finished the last sip of wine and continued.
“Recently, there’s been active exchange with the eastern continent.”
“That’s because a sea route to the eastern continent has opened, so trade has become more active. To contact the eastern continent, we naturally have to maintain close ties with the east.”
“Exactly. I’ve noticed many fascinating and useful things coming from the eastern continent. It would be great if we could open a more direct sea route for more active exchange… it’s truly a shame.”
Ivan shook his head and clicked his tongue before asking Herdin for his opinion.
“What do you think about this?”
Though Ivan’s question seemed casual, Herdin internally scoffed.
The emperor wanted to secure the eastern passage to the continent and, eventually, to dominate the eastern ports leading to the eastern continent.
‘Even the old foxes of the nobility must have held back on this matter.’
If war broke out, young noble heirs would be drafted first. No matter their loyalty to the emperor, could they truly be valued above their own blood?
Then, he held the empire’s strongest magic swordsman in his hands. Though unspoken, his desire was obvious.
War.
The emperor, who had never fought a proper battle, seemed to treat war like a game of chess—moving pieces with the flick of a finger.
No wonder he easily approved Delmarc’s request for reinforcements.
Herdin had no intention of supporting such foolish ideas, but he decided to pretend to listen attentively.
At least for the sake of his one-year wife beside him.
“Well…”
Herdin swirled the wine in his glass, replying casually. The clear wine rippled lightly.
But his wife seemed unwilling to let the matter pass quietly.
“No war, my lord.”
Blair spoke, clutching the folds of her dress beneath the table.
She did not care if Ivan tried to manipulate her, but she could not allow him to manipulate Herdin.
She had no desire to let someone she married against her will suffer more than necessary.
In her past life, she would have remained silent in this same situation. Back then, opposing Ivan was unthinkable.
And yet, it had remained as a debt of the heart to Herdin.
She no longer wanted to carry such a debt. She refused to shrink before him as she had before her reincarnation.
Not for him, but for herself.
“War leaves irreparable scars, both on the defeated and the victorious.”
“…….”
“The heirs and the people are not your chess pieces. Do not push them into war for your own ambitions.”
Herdin watched Blair as she spoke.
Though her voice was small, it carried strength, conveying her opinion clearly.
Her small hands trembled under the table as she gripped her dress.
Ivan, flustered by his usually obedient sister’s words, laughed in disbelief.
Katrina, watching Ivan’s reaction, scolded Blair.
“Blair! Your Majesty is speaking with the duke! What is this uneducated behavior in front of a guest?”
Blair, who never once defied her mother, had challenged Ivan—right in front of Herdin.
Katrina could not tolerate it.
“And what do you know of state affairs to talk so boldly?”
“Let her be, Mother. How could a woman who has never studied rulership understand the heart of a monarch who thinks of her people?”
Ivan smiled, trying to calm Katrina, but it was clear his attitude dismissed Blair.
Herdin sipped his wine, observing Blair’s expression. The fire in her eyes slowly dimmed.
Seeing this, his gaze hardened. He lifted his glass from his lips.
“From my perspective, your wife is not wrong.”
At his languid voice breaking the silence, all three turned to look at him.
“She is speaking as a subject should, giving honest counsel for the sake of good governance. How can that be called disrespect?”
Katrina, taken aback by Herdin’s intervention, responded.
“This is a mother correcting her child. Do not side with her.”
Meaning, he should not interfere in a parent-child matter.
Herdin smiled faintly and set down his wine glass.
“They say a daughter leaves her parents when married.”
“What are you saying…?”
“She is now Blair Delmarc.”
The way Herdin spoke Blair’s name to Katrina was sharp, like a predator protecting its own.
“Who else but I would point out my wife’s shortcomings?”
Katrina flinched at his cold gaze.
Yet Herdin continued calmly.
“As for your question, Your Majesty…”
He held Blair’s trembling hand and added,
“After enjoying a bit more of our newlywed time, I will reconsider. As you said, heirs are rare in Delmarc.”
Then, he wrapped his strong arms around Blair’s back and stood.
Blair blinked, still dazed, as he held her close.
His embrace was warm, protective—just like before her reincarnation, when he had been gentle.
They left the greenhouse, leaving Ivan and Katrina’s astonished exclamations behind.
“Shall we depart?”
As they boarded the carriage, it started moving.
Herdin, staring blankly at the passing winter scenery, suddenly sensed someone watching and turned his head.
Eyes resembling amethyst, reflecting the afternoon sun, quietly gazed at him.
As if they had been waiting for him to look back for a very long time.
“Thank you.”
“I did not act to earn your gratitude. As you know, my feelings toward the Imperial Family are not particularly favorable.”
“Still, thank you. And… I’m sorry.”
For letting her mother and Ivan use her for their own desires.
Even if her resentment toward him grew uncontrollably, a lingering sense of apology had always remained in her heart.
Herdin said nothing, simply watching her before turning his gaze out the window again.
After a while, the carriage was filled with the rhythmic sounds of breathing. Herdin’s gaze returned to Blair.
At that moment, the carriage jolted, and Blair’s body shifted sharply.
Reflexively, Herdin caught her head before it hit the wall. Her silken hair flowed softly through his fingers.
The movement brought them closer, but Blair, unaware, remained deeply asleep.
Herdin sighed softly, gazing at her serene face resting on his hand.
Her expression was always blank, indifferent even to sharp words—beautiful, yet emotionless like a doll.
He had not hidden his hostility toward her. He spoke harshly, drew lines, treated her coldly.
He wanted to see that composed face distort, as he had resented her.
But seeing her eyes losing light under the pressure of Ivan and Katrina’s influence irritated him.
It felt like losing a hunted prey.
Only he could make her cry, torment her, or break her.
“……”
Herdin gently laid the sleeping Blair across the carriage seat.
After a brief flinch, she fell into a deep sleep again, her face more peaceful than before.
Herdin watched silently before turning his gaze to the window.
The carriage’s quiet breathing completed the drowsy afternoon scene.
“Hmm…”
Blair, who had dozed off, felt herself lifted into the air and opened her eyes. Darkness surrounded her.
Panicked, she struggled, and the cover over her slipped away—it was Herdin’s coat.
Her dazed eyes saw the household staff lined up in greeting.
And…
A face so unrealistically handsome it made her think she was still half-asleep.
“……Herdin?”
“You are awake.”
Seeing his eyes so close, Blair realized she had been sleeping on him and gasped.
“P-please put me down.”
Blair struggled to free herself.
It was embarrassing to rely on her husband’s hand after sleeping so deeply she hadn’t noticed the carriage arriving.
Yet Herdin did not loosen his hold; he embraced her even tighter.
The usually expressionless woman now had wide, rabbit-like eyes—triggering a strange, playful cruelty in him.
“Let’s just go; it’s simpler this way.”
“It’ll be heavy…”
Herdin chuckled at her murmur.
Apparently, his wife didn’t know what “heavy” meant—or she underestimated his strength.
As he carried her up the mansion’s steps,
“Your Excellency.”
Ruth, who had stayed behind at the mansion, approached with news.
“The hypnotist has just arrived.”
Herdin’s eyes turned cold.
It was time to approach the ‘true’ purpose of this contract marriage.
