Herdin’s ancestor, the first Duke of Delmark, was a national hero who protected the empire in the last Mado War.

To gain the power to protect the empire, he made a contract with a divine beast, now a legendary creature.

In return, he received a strong body capable of using both aura and magic simultaneously.

Originally, humans could only use either aura or magic.

However, through the contract with the divine beast, the first Duke of Delmark became able to handle both aura and magic, and this power led to victory in the war.

But great power comes with a price.

Using aura and magic together was like using fire and oil together; when handled well, it created synergy, but if mishandled, it could lead to a power surge.

The power received by the first family head was passed down through the bloodline to later generations.

The power mostly served as a tremendous force to save the country, but occasionally it brought misfortune.

Herdin’s father, the previous Duke, was one of the descendants who inherited this power. Like his ancestors, he used his power for the people of his territory and the empire.

Everyone in the empire feared and envied him.

But misfortune struck unexpectedly.

In the year Herdin turned twelve, during a family trip, his mother was found killed by a magical beast.

Upon discovering the body, the previous Duke went berserk, brutally slaughtering all the magical beasts in the forest, and then took his own life to protect his son from his rampaging self.

The downfall of the highly respected House of Delmark.

Their tragedy spread far and wide through the mouths of those who feast on others’ misfortunes.

Even to Blair’s ears in the imperial palace.

People outwardly lamented the fall of House Delmark, but behind closed doors, they whispered about whether Herdin, who inherited the same power as his father, might one day go berserk and commit merciless slaughter.

‘Still, I want to win this time…’

Blair finally suppressed her fear with competitiveness and approached Herdin.

Through the cards, she could clearly see eyes as deep as a blue lake. And the long eyelashes casting shadows above them.

‘He’s pretty.’

The Herdin that Blair actually met seemed like an ordinary boy, though a bit scary. Not the terrifying person from the rumors.

Just as she thought this, Herdin, who had been looking at the cards in his hand with downcast eyes, raised his gaze and their eyes met.

Startled by those piercing blue eyes, Blair hastily grabbed any card she could.

‘Ah.’

The card she hurriedly took happened to be the thief card.

Fortunately, thanks to Esmeralda taking the thief card, Blair was able to win. The game ended with the thief card in Herdin’s hand.

Herdin had intentionally lost to end the game, but Blair didn’t know that at the time.

As Blair, who had just gotten fired up about the competition, was about to shuffle the cards again, Herdin spoke.

“I shall take my leave now.”

“Oh my, it’s already this late.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Esmeralda looked at Herdin with worried eyes and said,

“Herdin. I understand how you feel, but there’s no need to force yourself to attend tomorrow.”

“It’s alright.”

Herdin paid his respects to Esmeralda and Blair and rose from his seat.

After he left, the reception room was finally left with just Esmeralda and Blair, as Blair had wished.

Esmeralda casually asked Blair, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“How did you find Herdin? Do you think you could be friends?”

Blair hesitated before answering.

To be honest, she didn’t think she could be friends with Herdin. The person she actually met was so different from anyone Blair had met before.

Herdin’s attitude just now had quite shocked Blair.

He didn’t speak to her warmly like others did, nor did he smile at her. She realized that just because someone has a neat appearance and manners and uses polite speech, it doesn’t mean they’re a good person.

Of course, he wasn’t as terrifying as the rumors suggested, but he didn’t seem like a good person either. No matter how polite he pretended to be, he seemed fierce and scary.

But Blair, not wanting to disappoint Esmeralda, made up a lie.

“Well… He’s difficult because he doesn’t talk much, but he seems like a good person.”

However, her fidgeting fingers and eyes rolling away from Esmeralda’s gaze couldn’t be hidden.

“Lying is a bad habit, Blair.”

At Esmeralda’s pointed remark, Blair flinched.

In the end, she had to confess the truth.

“Actually… Duke Delmark seems polite but impolite at the same time.”

Hearing Blair’s honest impression, Esmeralda burst into laughter.

“It’s fortunate Herdin didn’t hear that.”

Blair, now worried that she might have spoken too frankly, added,

“B-but this is my first time meeting him. Since Your Majesty cherishes him, I think he must be a good person. This is sincere.”

Watching Blair trying hard to paint Herdin in a good light, Esmeralda smiled gently and beckoned her.

Knowing what that gesture meant, Blair scurried over and sat beside her.

Esmeralda gently stroked Blair’s hair and agreed with her words.

“Honestly, Herdin isn’t an affectionate child. He has many emotional wounds, so he’s awkward with people.”

Blair looked up at her, quietly enjoying the pleasant touch. Esmeralda’s blue eyes met hers, shining with their usual gentle light.

“But just because that child is hurting doesn’t mean you have to endure discomfort, Blair.”

Esmeralda kissed Blair’s round forehead lightly and whispered,

“You are just as precious as he is.”

That affectionate whisper made Blair very happy, and a little melancholy. It was something she had never heard from Katrina.

Nevertheless, Blair smiled at Esmeralda.

* * *

The next day, the new year dawned.

The schedule was set: in the morning, the imperial family and other noble houses would go to the winter forest to catch offerings for the gods; in the afternoon, there would be a service at the temple; and in the evening, they would attend the imperial palace banquet.

The morning and afternoon New Year’s rituals were entirely adult affairs, so Blair spent the morning and afternoon playing with Ivan and her cousins before attending the New Year’s banquet in the evening.

Blair sat with her imperial father, Empress Esmeralda, her mother Katrina, and Ivan, receiving New Year’s greetings from the nobles.

As the tedious and ceremonial greetings continued, suddenly the nobles began to stir.

Wondering about the sudden change in atmosphere, Blair only realized the reason when she saw who stepped forward for the next turn.

It was Herdin.

The young duke, who had been in seclusion since the accident three years ago, had made his first public appearance today.

The nobles whispered as they watched Herdin approach the emperor.

“Oh my, the young lo… no, the Duke really came. I thought he wouldn’t attend the banquet.”

“Indeed. We were surprised he attended the morning hunt and service too.”

“Well, he’s the head of House Delmark now. Shouldn’t he rebuild the family’s prestige and become a pillar of strength for Her Majesty the Empress? Though it won’t be easy.”

At a glance, their words seemed to express sympathy for the young Herdin, but in reality, he was just an interesting piece of gossip to them.

Blair watched Herdin anxiously as she listened to their conversation.

“It is an honor to welcome the new year under the reign of Your two Majesties. Please continue to bestow your grace and watch over the empire this year as well.”

Standing before the emperor and the nobles as the head of a family, Herdin, though still young, showed a presence no less than that of other family heads.

No, perhaps he shone even brighter because of his youth.

However, was it just her imagination that his calm performance of a family head’s duties seemed precarious?

Blair continued to follow him with her eyes even after he safely withdrew from greeting the emperor.

After the round of New Year’s greetings to the imperial family ended, the banquet began.

Amidst the nobles gathering in small groups to exchange greetings, Herdin kept to himself.

Though no one approached him, their eyes and whispering mouths were directed at him.

“The young lo… no, the Duke of Delmark. He was there when the previous Duke took his own life, wasn’t he?”

“Goodness! Poor child. It’s admirable that he’s holding up with a clear mind.”

“It’s impressive, but on the other hand… he seems quite cold-hearted for someone so young.”

Everyone talked about the misfortune that had befallen his family and his future. They lamented the misfortune of House Delmark while also enjoying it, and at the same time, they feared it.

“Rachel, don’t go near him. What if he suddenly goes berserk like his father and tries to kill everyone?”

If Esmeralda had been there, they wouldn’t have dared to gossip so freely, but unfortunately, Esmeralda had left early after receiving New Year’s greetings due to poor health.

In other words, there was no one on Herdin’s side in this banquet hall.

Blair looked with worried eyes at Herdin, who was silently enduring the whispers.

Though he was holding up with his usual indifferent face, could his heart truly be intact after hearing all this?

After a while, those who had been gossiping about Herdin and House Delmark soon lost interest and moved on to the next topic. As if moving on to the next course of a meal.

Only after the attention of others had been withdrawn did Herdin quietly leave his seat.

Concerned about Herdin’s hollow-eyed appearance as he left the banquet hall, Blair followed him out to the rear garden.

As soon as she stepped into the rear garden, the cold winter wind scraped against her cheeks.

The night garden, dimly lit by soft lights, was quiet. If it had been summer, there might have been people out enjoying the banquet, but due to the cold weather, no one was around.

‘Where did he go?’

As Blair was looking around for Herdin, she heard a pained groan not far away.