Herdin’s gaze towards her turned chillingly cold. Since the kidnapping incident, he had become more sensitive to her every move.

“Where are you going?”

“Oh, just taking a walk after the audience.”

“Bibi!”

As if to affirm that her words were not lies, Bibi, who was in Blair’s arms, cried. Melli was with them too.

Herdin glanced at Blair, wondering if she overheard the conversation with the elders, but as always, her composed expression made it difficult to read her emotions.

At that moment, voices of the elders approaching from the open reception room door were heard.

“Could it be that Your Excellency has fallen for the princess? Honestly, she does excel in beauty just like her mother.”

“Well, my mother also captivated the Emperor in a similar way back then—”

Thinking Herdin had already left, they, coming out of the reception room, looked surprised and fell silent upon seeing Herdin and Blair.

“O, our apologies, Your Excellency.”

After giving their respects, they turned away. It was an action completely ignoring Blair.

Herdin’s gaze towards them turned even colder.

“You elders seem to be getting old. To the point where you can’t even see the person right next to you?”

“Herdin.”

Blair, surprised by his harsh words, tried to stop him by grabbing his arm, but Herdin didn’t stop.

“Or is it that your necks have become so stiff that you can’t bend?”

The elders, realizing that Herdin was pointing out their rudeness, shouted unjustly.

“Your Excellency, are you showing contempt for us elders? The ones brought up by your grandfather?”

“I won’t become your grandson just because you say so.”

Despite Herdin’s scathing words, the elders remained silent. As he said, even if Herdin were to be their grandson-in-law, he was still their lord.

“Show some respect to the Duchess. Unless you want to insult me.”

“….”

“Ah, and of course, apologize for the nonsense you just spouted.”

A voice filled with a chilling sense of intimidation weighed heavily on the silent atmosphere of the corridor.

Overwhelmed by his icy pressure, the elders hesitated, glanced at each other, and reluctantly bowed to Blair.

“…Duchess, we have been disrespectful. Please forgive us generously.”

“I’m fine.”

Although Herdin found their apology unsatisfactory, he decided to let it go quietly after seeing Blair’s reaction.

The elders, now showing respect to both of them, retreated as if fleeing.

In the once frozen atmosphere, the silence that remained was broken by an unsuspecting young creature.

“Bibi!”

Bibi cried, urging them to go for a walk. Herdin, looking at Bibi and Blair, who were silently watching the elders, said to Melli.

“I’ll accompany the lady for a walk; go and take care of your duties.”

“Ah… Yes, Your Excellency.”

Herdin gestured to Russ, who also silently stepped aside. Blinking with confusion, Blair looked at Herdin.
“Come here.”

Blair, along with Herdin, stepped out into the mansion’s garden.

As soon as they caught the outdoor breeze, Bibi, who had been restless, leaped into the bushes frighteningly. The fine fur of the little squirrel was soon stained with dirt.

Herdin, watching Bibi explore the garden with its tiny body, opened his mouth.

“That little one has grown a lot. I thought it would die soon.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you for saving it.”

Herdin responded with self-derision to Blair’s words.

To think it was because of his attempt to kill its mother and even that tiny thing. It sounded ridiculous even to himself.

“No. The reason it could survive was purely due to your persistence.”

“Then, let’s consider it as the result of both of us.”

Herdin chuckled at her persistent insistence. The phrase ‘both of us’ sounded quite pleasing.

Blair, cautiously observing him, who had softened considerably from his earlier stern demeanor, spoke carefully.

“Herdin, you don’t have to do this for me from now on.”

Herdin’s expression, sensing that Blair was referring to her conversation with the elders, quickly stiffened again.

“Are you saying I should silently endure when those old men insult you in front of me?”

“It’s because they worry about you.”

Blair spoke calmly, but Herdin didn’t like her indifferent attitude toward the fact that she heard insulting words about herself. It implied she would soon leave this place.

Now, she was telling him to take the side of the council instead of being a fake wife for a year. That’s what she was saying at the moment.

Despite knowing logically that her words were correct, an unavoidable emotion boiled up in his heart.

“You also knew, didn’t you? That this would happen when the truth was revealed.”

“…”

“I anticipated it too, and it just happened a bit earlier than expected. So, it’s okay.”

Her words, not containing a trace of resentment, made it unbearable for him, who had put her into this situation amid everyone’s blame.

“Bibi!”

At that moment, Bibi, who had been rolling in the mud, disappeared into the bushes again. Blair chased after the mischievous little creature.