The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 11
The sun hung at the very center of the sky—noon.
In the greenhouse located in the Empress Dowager’s garden, a gathering was held to welcome the new imperial family.
Katrina looked at Blair and Herdin seated side by side across from her and smiled contentedly.
Since becoming Empress, everything she had wished for had come true—and now this new trophy was hers.
“When others called you a perfect couple, I merely brushed it off as idle flattery. But seeing you together like this—you truly are a picture-perfect pair, aren’t you, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed. My heart swells with pride. All that remains now is for you to produce an heir, and it will be perfection.”
“The Delmarque Dukedom is a house short on heirs, so it would be best if you bore at least three children. Blair, you’ll have to work hard.”
Herdin listened indifferently to the cheerful chatter between the Emperor and his mother while glancing toward the woman beside him.
Blair wore her usual calm expression—far removed from the joyful look one might expect upon meeting her birth family.
While Katrina and Ivan delivered their welcomes to Herdin, their new family member, the meal was prepared.
Ivan raised his glass of pre-dinner wine.
“To think that you and I have become family—it feels as though I’ve gained a hundred thousand elite soldiers. With the Imperial House and the Delmarque Dukedom joining forces, what in heaven could we possibly fear?”
“…….”
“Now that we’re family, we should meet often and share more conversations. After all, we have much to discuss going forward.”
For the eternal glory and prosperity of this Empire.
Ivan lightly clinked his glass against Herdin’s. The clear, crisp sound of crystal glasses resonated cheerfully through the air.
Though the sound did not please Herdin’s ears, he silently offered his glass anyway.
As the meal neared its end, Ivan turned toward Herdin as if suddenly remembering something.
“Oh, right. There was something I wanted to ask your opinion on—good timing.”
After taking a sip of wine to wet his lips, Ivan continued.
“These days, every nation seems eager to strengthen ties with the eastern continent.”
“Naturally. Ever since the sea route to the Eastern Continent opened recently, trade has flourished. To engage with the Eastern Continent, we inevitably need closer relations with the East.”
“Exactly. I’ve noticed many fascinating and useful artifacts coming from the Eastern Continent. It’s a shame we can’t establish a more direct sea route to interact more actively… truly regrettable.”
Ivan shook his head and clicked his tongue, then asked Herdin directly,
“What do you think about this, Duke?”
Though Ivan’s question seemed genuinely inquisitive on the surface, Herdin inwardly scoffed.
The Emperor wanted to secure passage through the eastern regions of the continent—and ultimately claim the eastern ports leading to the Eastern Continent.
‘Even those old foxes in the Nobles’ Council must have tread carefully around this matter.’
When war breaks out, young noble heirs are always the first to be conscripted. No matter how loyal they may be to the Emperor, none would value him above their own bloodline.
And now, the Emperor had acquired a powerful piece—the Empire’s greatest swordmage. Though never stated outright, his desire was unmistakable.
War.
The Emperor, who had never even experienced a proper battle—let alone actual war—seemed to view warfare as little more than a game of chess: a pastime where one flicks a finger and effortlessly captures the opponent’s pieces.
No wonder he’d so readily approved the reinforcement of Delmarque’s troops.
Though Herdin had no intention of indulging such foolishness, he decided to feign attentive listening—for the sake of the one-year-old wife seated beside him.
“Well…”
Herdin lazily swirled the wine in his glass before replying indifferently. The transparent liquid rippled gently.
But unlike him, his wife clearly had no intention of letting the matter slide quietly.
“No war, brother.”
Blair, who had spoken up, gripped the hem of her dress beneath the table.
She didn’t mind if Ivan manipulated her as he pleased—but using Herdin as a pawn was unforgivable.
She refused to subject someone forced into an unwanted marriage to further suffering.
In her previous life, she had stayed silent even in this same situation—back then, defying Ivan had been unthinkable.
And that silence had left her burdened with guilt toward Herdin ever since.
Now, she refused to accumulate any more debt toward him. She wouldn’t shrink before him again, as she once had before her regression.
Not for his sake—but for her own.
“War leaves deep, irreparable scars—on both victor and vanquished alike.”
“…….”
“They—the nobles and commoners alike—are not mere chess pieces for you to move at will, brother. Do not push them into war under the guise of your ambitions.”
Herdin watched silently as Blair spoke.
Though her voice was soft, her words were clear and resolute—more forceful than he’d ever seen her.
Beneath the table, her small hand gripping her dress trembled faintly.
Ivan, taken aback by his usually obedient sister’s blunt words, let out an incredulous chuckle.
Noticing Ivan’s expression, Katrina scolded Blair sharply.
“Blair! His Majesty is speaking with the Duke—how dare you act so rudely in front of guests?”
Blair, who had never dared defy anyone before, had openly opposed Ivan—right in Herdin’s presence.
To Katrina, this was utterly unacceptable.
“And what do you know of state affairs to prattle on like this?”
“Leave her be, Mother. How could a woman who’s never studied imperial governance possibly understand a ruler’s concern for his people?”
Ivan smiled calmly as he restrained Katrina, yet his tone clearly dismissed Blair.
Herdin observed Blair’s expression over the rim of his wine glass. The fierce light that had briefly shone in her eyes was fading away.
Seeing this, Herdin’s gaze turned icy cold. He set down his glass.
“In my view, my lady hasn’t said anything wrong.”
At Herdin’s languid voice breaking the silence, all three pairs of eyes turned sharply toward him.
“Before being your sister, she is a subject of her sovereign. How can offering honest counsel to encourage benevolent rule be deemed impolite?”
Momentarily flustered by Herdin’s unexpected intervention, Katrina retorted,
“Duke, this is a mother correcting her child’s shortcomings. Don’t defend her.”
Her meaning was clear: stay out of parent-child matters.
Herdin gave a faint smile and set his wine glass down.
“They say a married daughter becomes an outsider to her birth family.”
“What on earth are you—”
“She is Blair Delmarque now.”
His eyes, as he spoke Blair’s name to Katrina, were as sharp as a beast’s—protective and hostile toward anyone who dared touch what was his.
“Who else but me has the right to point out my wife’s shortcomings?”
Chilled by his icy demeanor, Katrina instinctively flinched.
Yet Herdin continued calmly,
“As for the opinion Your Majesty sought from me…”
He took Blair’s still-trembling hand and helped her rise as he added,
“I’ll reconsider it after enjoying our honeymoon a bit longer. As you yourself said, the Delmarques are short on heirs.”
With that,
he wrapped a firm arm around Blair’s back and stood.
Blair blinked dazedly, nestled against him.
His embrace, shielding her protectively, felt warm—just as it had in her past life, back when he’d been kind.
[This is the timeline separator]Leaving behind Ivan and Katrina’s exasperated sighs, the two slipped out of the greenhouse.
“We’re departing.”
As soon as they boarded the carriage, it began to move.
Herdin, gazing blankly at the passing winter scenery outside the window, suddenly sensed someone watching him and turned his head.
Amethyst-like eyes, filled with afternoon sunlight, stared quietly back at him.
As if they’d been waiting for him to turn around for a very long time.
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it expecting gratitude. As you well know, my feelings toward the Imperial Family aren’t particularly favorable.”
“Still… thank you. And… I’m sorry.”
Sorry for letting you be used as a pawn in my mother’s and brother’s ambitions.
It was an apology that had lingered in her heart all along—even as resentment toward him grew uncontrollably.
Instead of answering, Herdin simply gazed at her for a moment, then turned his eyes back to the window.
How long had the silence lasted?
Soon, rhythmic, colorful breathing filled the carriage. Only then did Herdin’s gaze return to Blair.
At that instant, the carriage jolted, causing Blair’s body to sway violently.
Reflexively, Herdin reached out to stop her head from hitting the wall. Silvery strands of hair slipped through his fingers, flowing softly downward.
The sudden motion brought them closer—but Blair remained fast asleep, unaware of the situation.
Herdin sighed softly and stared at her serene face resting against his hand.
He’d always been irritated by her perpetually expressionless face—by how calmly she received even his harshest words, like a beautiful but emotionless doll.
So he hadn’t hidden his hostility toward her. He’d deliberately spoken cruelly, drawn boundaries, and treated her coldly.
He’d wanted to see that calm mask crack—just as much as he’d resented her.
But seeing her eyes dim under the weight of Ivan and Katrina’s oppression stirred only frustration in him.
It felt like having his prized quarry stolen right before the kill.
Only he should be allowed to make her cry, torment her, break her.
“…….”
Herdin laid the sleeping Blair sideways onto the carriage seat.
She stirred briefly before sinking back into deep slumber, her expression now more peaceful.
Herdin quietly committed the sight to memory before turning his gaze once more to the window.
The steady rhythm of her breathing completed the lazy afternoon atmosphere inside the quiet carriage.
[This is the timeline separator]“Mm….”
Blair, who had dozed off, opened her eyes upon feeling her body lift into the air. Everything before her was dark.
Startled, she flailed—only for whatever covered her face to slide smoothly away. It was Herdin’s coat.
Still dazed from sleep, she saw the line of servants bowing respectfully before her.
And…
a face so unrealistically handsome it seemed she hadn’t fully woken yet.
“…Herdin?”
“Are you awake?”
The moment their eyes met at close range, Blair realized she’d been sleeping in his arms—and jumped in alarm.
“P-put me down!”
She squirmed, trying to escape him.
It was embarrassing enough that a grown woman had slept so deeply she hadn’t noticed the carriage arriving—let alone needing her husband’s help to disembark.
But instead of setting her down, Herdin only held her tighter.
Seeing the woman who’d always been as expressionless as a doll now wide-eyed like a startled rabbit stirred an inexplicable urge in him.
“It’s troublesome—let’s just go as we are.”
“But you must be tired carrying me…”
Herdin chuckled at Blair’s muttering.
Apparently, his wife didn’t understand what “heavy” truly meant—or perhaps she underestimated her husband’s strength.
Just as he began ascending the mansion steps, still mulling over his wife’s less-than-flattering assessment—
“Your Grace.”
Ruth, who’d remained at the estate, approached him with news.
“The hypnotist arrived a short while ago.”
A cold glint flashed in Herdin’s eyes at the news.
It was time to address the ‘true’ purpose of this arranged marriage.
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
3 Comments
Chapter Comments (954)
Don’t confuse her you jerk!! Blair, take it one step at a time
herdin come on,let her go your hust using snd hurtung her
Asiel is your son you worthless worm
Inline Comments (5612)
"Is that really what matters right now?"
Of course it is important right now because she has to help you investigate and discover the truth of the incident ten years ago plus get pregnant and leave within six months
"Is that really what matters right now?"
Ugh! 💔😭 Ofcourse it is,. You dumb😭 Isnt that important for you? The information u needed to her for investigation??
Blair whimpered and shook her head as if she had truly become the ten-year-old c
She is pitiful honestly, the only mother figure is dead and she is not even able to remember how she diesd
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Sango.mango
Robert I don’t like this ML is making me mad ( ・`ω・´)
VKotaku28
Still not redeemed and how about I break your face instead
debban23
asiel prove tmyour innocense then run away leave him