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Chapter 22
Change
At that moment, they sensed the presence of several people not far away. Footsteps were approaching.
Soon, priests appeared in the corridor.
Among them, all wearing similar robes and looking almost the same, a middle-aged man at the center stood out distinctly.
He was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man with common black hair and strange green eyes at first glance, but he radiated an aura that made him untouchable.
Upon noticing Blair and Herdin, he stepped forward and greeted them first.
“Meeting you two like this… I must be lucky.”
Gerard Lumiel.
The surname “Lumiel” was granted only to the Pope, a testament to his life.
Born in the seediest slums, he had risen to the position closest to God—the Papacy.
He never forgot his childhood and lived by the principle that “God descends to the lowest places in the world,” protecting the weak as he went.
Thanks to this, he was widely respected and admired by everyone. Even Katrina trusted and relied on his words.
Some whispered that he clung to power, but others considered it wise that he gained the emperor’s favor rather than making him an enemy.
Whatever others thought, Blair regarded him as her savior, the one who had rescued her after suffering severe injuries in the fire, and she had always felt grateful toward him.
Blair greeted Gerard along with Herdin.
“Your Holiness.”
“I’ve heard that there was an unfortunate incident at the hunting grounds today, and that you led the effort to handle it. I thank you both for that.”
“There’s no need to thank us. Anyone present would have done the same.”
“You are magnanimous, truly heroic.”
Despite Herdin’s somewhat blunt response, Gerard smiled. Age and position lent him a natural composure.
Since Gerard was also on his way to the chapel, the three of them headed toward the main hall together.
Gerard looked at Blair and Herdin with a fond expression.
“It seems you have truly become a married couple in just a month. Seeing you both grow and wed safely fills me with joy.”
“That’s thanks to Your Holiness saving me that day.”
Blair mentioned “that day” without thinking, then quickly glanced at Herdin. However, Herdin’s expression remained indifferent.
Suddenly, Blair realized Gerard’s words applied to Herdin as well.
‘When the late Duke and Duchess passed away, Your Holiness took the lead in mourning them.’
Herdin’s mother, the late Duchess of Delmark, had been known for her devotion to the faithful.
She served the weak, donated generously, and built a reputation for virtue. Among the chapel staff and the common folk, some even quietly revered her as a “saint.”
When she tragically passed, Gerard had been deeply saddened and personally oversaw the Duke and Duchess’s funeral.
Historically, it was extremely rare for a Pope to officiate a funeral for someone outside his own family.
This connection persisted even now, with the Delmark family continuing the late Duchess’s legacy through annual generous donations.
‘It’s truly remarkable.’
Two children, born into noble and royal families who had a special bond with Gerard due to a tragic accident, had now become a married couple.
Gerard’s expression of deep emotion seemed genuine.
As they talked, the three arrived at the main hall.
The entrance was crowded with nobles gathered for worship, all whispering about the events at the hunting grounds earlier.
Stopping in his tracks, Gerard spoke.
“You two should go inside first. I have something to prepare outside.”
“Then we’ll visit the chapel soon.”
“Anytime.”
Gerard responded to Blair’s words.
At that moment, a faint magic circle became visible along Blair’s collar. Gerard’s gaze turned icy as he noticed it.
He quietly muttered while watching the newlyweds enter the chapel.
“May you build a happy home together.”
“Peep! Peep!”
The baby weasel in the basket cried, looking at Blair, begging her to play.
Blair reached into the basket, and the weasel flipped onto its back and lightly nibbled her hand, playing. The tiny creature, no bigger than her palm, made her laugh as it wriggled against her.
At the New Year festival, the weasel hadn’t even opened its eyes and couldn’t move properly. But over the past fifteen days, under Blair’s diligent care, it had grown strong and healthy, now full of energy, squeaking all day for attention.
Blair extended her hand to the weasel and fell into thought.
‘It’s about time the guild contacts me.’
There had been no progress on the divorce preparations or identifying the intruder, which she had left to the guild. The fire incident was still under discussion with Agnes, but that too had seen little progress.
Since the New Year festival, Blair’s days had been monotonous: caring for the weasel and learning duties from Mason.
She had barely seen Herdin since the festival, and in truth, she felt more at ease not seeing him.
Though this peaceful monotony was pleasant, she worried she might become too comfortable and complacent.
To channel her restlessness, Blair studied books about the country she would live in after the divorce and reviewed the duke family’s budget.
“Ma’am, I brought some milk.”
Hearing the maid, Blair snapped out of her thoughts. The maid hesitated, holding out milk for the weasel.
‘This child…’
Blair realized this maid was one of the children who had been disciplined after harassing Rina.
The caught maids had been terrified after Herdin found out, and since then, they hadn’t touched Rina again, avoiding her completely.
They couldn’t completely avoid their mistress, Blair, but seemed to act cautiously to not offend her.
Although delivering the milk was a simple task, Blair, understanding their mindset, knew it had taken courage for the maid to approach her.
‘Her name… was Melli.’
What she had done to Rina had been wrong, but she had already been punished appropriately.
Before her return, Blair had been unaware of these incidents, so she had never formed a close bond with the duke family staff.
‘But maybe things can change this time.’
Since Herdin had punished them more harshly than she had expected, now that Blair extended a hand, a closer bond might be possible.
She didn’t need to win them over, but there was no reason to miss an opportunity for friendship. It could also benefit Rina.
Blair accepted the milk from the maid, gently holding her hand.
“Thank you, Melli.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s my duty.”
Taken aback by Blair’s unexpected kindness, Melli lowered her head, embarrassed.
Serving her mistress was her duty, so why was she thanked—especially by someone who might have disliked her?
‘I never even apologized for what happened back then…’
Everyone had ostracized Rina, and Blair had gone along to avoid being excluded herself.
But that had only been Blair’s own concern.
It was late, but she wanted to seek forgiveness, both from Rina and from Blair.
She hesitated, afraid to bring it up, worried it might disturb Blair’s current calm mood.
As she fidgeted silently, the weasel squeaked from the basket, drawing her attention.
Then Blair spoke.
“Do you like animals?”
“Y-yes…”
“Then, would you help care for this little one when you have time?”
“Huh?”
“I read that weasels live in groups, so they need friends. We can’t bring a wild baby that’s living with its mother, so I thought you could help this one make human friends instead.”
“Oh…”
“Of course, only if you’re okay with it.”
“Y-yes! Leave it to me. I already care for the cats under my supervision.”
“Great. I’m glad.”
Blair smiled warmly at Melli, who felt shy at Blair’s respect for her opinion.
Just a few words could have made things different—Melli regretted never properly apologizing.
Melli bowed her head.
“Ma’am, I… I’m truly sorry for what happened back then. I acted arrogantly without understanding my place. I wanted to apologize properly.”
Blinking in surprise at the sudden apology, Blair soon smiled gently.
“I accept your apology. Will you take good care of this little one?”
Even if Blair mentioned the incident again to scold her, Melli was ready to accept it. But Blair’s gentle tone was unexpected.
Melli blinked and then nodded firmly.
“Yes! I will take good care of it.”
“Oh, by the way, this little one’s name is Pippi.”
“Pippi…?”
“Yes. Doesn’t its cry sound similar?”
Blair asked with a serious expression, and the weasel squeaked as if responding to its name.
‘…My mistress has no sense in naming things.’
Melli bit her lip to hold back a laugh. Still, the name was quite cute, and her mistress’s pride in it was strangely endearing.
At that moment, a knock sounded.
