The person who was most delighted by his unexpected appearance was not Blair, but Baroness Sionel.

“How wonderful that the Duke has arrived just in time! It’s much better to have the final check of the couple’s outfits with both of you wearing them together. It really brings out the feeling.”

She chattered in her characteristically high-pitched voice, seemingly excited about having her creations worn by the best models.

“Now then, children. Help these two, please.”

Baroness Sionel audibly snapped shut the fan she had been holding. As if it were a signal, her assistants swiftly escorted Blair and Herdin to the dressing room.

Lina and Mellie exchanged glances, sharing a satisfied smile. Then, catching Mason’s eye, Lina gave him a thumbs up.

It was largely thanks to his repeated urging that Herdin had come this far.

Mason, seeing this, didn’t show his emotions as usual, but his expression seemed to soften slightly.

As Luth was eyeing the three of them suspiciously, Herdin emerged first, having finished changing. Blair followed shortly after from the dressing room.

The two were dressed in navy blue. The dark tone of the clothes accentuated their fair skin and distinct features even more vividly.

Though it might not suit the bright daytime, it was a perfect color for an evening banquet.

Seeing this sight, Lina thought to herself.

‘Honestly… they do look good together.’

Setting aside background and personality, and considering only appearances, she had to admit that among all in the empire, this man was the only one worthy of standing beside Blair.

It seemed this wasn’t just Lina’s thought alone.

Especially Baroness Sionel appeared moved by her own creation and the models who completed it.

“Oh my, the clothes truly come alive when worn by their owners. Anyone would mistake you for newlyweds in the throes of passion.”

As the Baroness was fussing in her typical manner, setting the two side by side for a final check, a servant entered with a knock.

“The painter has arrived to create the portrait of the two.”

* * *

The two changed into the clothes they would wear for the portrait and came to the greenhouse in the rear garden.

In the greenhouse, where the flowers were in full bloom, chairs for the two were placed in the sunniest spot.

Blair looked at the place with a sense of new emotion.

In her past life, it was Blair who first suggested having a portrait painted.

Even though everyone in the Duke’s mansion was not pleased with her becoming the mistress, she wanted to feel like she belonged to the Delmark family, even if only in this way.

But this time, she had no desire to have a portrait painted.

In a few months, she would leave this mansion anyway.

Someone else would become the mistress of this house, so what good would it do to leave a trace of a Duchess who lasted barely half a year? It would only be uncomfortable.

Yet, in this life, Mason was the one who suggested it first.

‘As this is the first banquet hosted by the Madam, wouldn’t it be appropriate to create and display a portrait of the two of you?’

Blair had initially refused his suggestion for the aforementioned reason, but like with the couple’s outfits, she reluctantly agreed because Lina and Mellie earnestly wished for it.

But there was something she hadn’t considered…

‘Why didn’t I think about having to sit next to this person for hours…’

Blair glanced sideways at Herdin standing next to her.

Since their argument at the cafe in front of the art gallery, Blair had been avoiding him. It seemed he didn’t particularly want to see her either.

And now, to think she had to sit next to him for a portrait.

She couldn’t send away the painter who had been specially called, so at this point, there was no choice.

Blair sat down with Herdin as directed by the painter.

The painter first adjusted Herdin’s pose.

“Your Grace, please place your hand on Madam’s shoulder like this… Yes, that’s good.”

Following his instructions, Herdin’s hand enveloped Blair’s shoulder. Blair’s body noticeably trembled at the touch.

In this position, it would be more comfortable to lean completely against him, but Blair sat with her back ramrod straight. As if wanting to distance herself from him as much as possible.

Herdin gazed at Blair intently, but Blair never once looked at him. She seemed to be deliberately avoiding his gaze.

Seeing his wife like this, Herdin’s gaze shifted forward. Only then did he feel his wife’s small body heave a deep sigh.

The portrait session continued for over an hour.

“Would the two of you like to take a break?”

As soon as the painter suggested a break, Blair stood up abruptly as if she had been waiting for it. Then she fled from the greenhouse.

Herdin’s eyes, resting his chin on his hand, watched her retreating figure with a chilly glint.

* * *

After leaving the greenhouse, Blair parted ways with Lina, who said she would bring some refreshments, and decided to look around the garden during the intermission.

If it were winter, it would be fine since usually no one comes outside, but as it was a spring banquet, there might be others coming out to the garden.

‘The landscaping has been well-trimmed, and the fountain is working properly.’

Blair was satisfied as she surveyed the garden, which had been tended to with care by herself, Mason, and the gardeners.

As her tension eased, she became aware of the pain in her back that had been bothering her for a while.

The dress was newly purchased from Baroness Sionel, but the ribbon tying the low back was tied too tightly, constantly rubbing against her delicate skin.

Blair moved behind a nearby hedge and looked around. There was no one nearby.

She tried to loosen the ribbon on her back bit by bit and retie it, but it wasn’t as easy as she thought since she couldn’t see behind her.

“This isn’t working…”

As Blair was struggling with the ribbon that wouldn’t tie properly, suddenly a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Surely the refined Duchess isn’t planning to undress here?”

Blair turned around startled, to find Herdin leaning casually against the wall, watching her. Who knows how long he had been there.

What kind of person does this man think I am?

Blair, understanding his words a beat late, looked at him with narrowed eyes and retorted.

“…Of course not.”

Blair tried to walk past him towards the greenhouse.

Or rather, she would have if his strong arm hadn’t wrapped around her waist.

She felt his warmth suddenly close behind her.

“L-let go of me.”

As Blair, surprised by the sudden skinship, tried to break free from him, his voice descended over her head.

“Stay still.”

Though there was no force in his words, the moment Blair heard his voice, she stopped resisting. It would have been pointless to resist anyway.

Herdin released her waist and placed his hand on the loosened ribbon on her back.

His long fingers, as large as his hands, brushed against her skin exposed between the ribbons. All of Blair’s nerves were on edge.

Blair bit her lip tightly, trying not to let him notice her reaction, and protested softly.

“I can do it myself.”

“It didn’t seem that way, given how long you were struggling.”

“…”

So he had been watching the whole time…

For some reason, this fact hurt her pride. Blair retorted, not wanting to lose to him.

“I can ask Lina for help when I go back.”

“And show this state to other men?”

His voice saying this had lowered a notch, but Blair didn’t notice as she was busy checking her attire.

The front of her dress had slipped down slightly, exposing her shoulders, as she had loosened the ribbon overall.

If she returned in this state with Herdin here, it would certainly risk embarrassing misunderstandings.

Unable to find a rebuttal to his words, Blair finally closed her mouth. His question fell over her shoulders.

“How long do you plan to keep avoiding me?”

Blair was taken aback but quickly tried to deny it.

“…I haven’t been doing that.”

“Then what was that attempt to run away just now?”

“I’m just busy with work.”

The corner of Herdin’s mouth tilted up as he finished tying the ribbon.

What a transparent lie.

She had started avoiding him precisely the day after meeting Mikhail.

Of course, that morning he had ignored her when she tried to see him off. The reluctance and sense of obligation were clearly visible on her face that couldn’t lie.

But after that, Blair began avoiding him as if she had been waiting for the chance. She was clearly showing her anger, it was impossible not to notice.

“If this is all because of a man who means nothing to you, it’s rather foolish.”

If she was simply angry at him, he wouldn’t have given it much thought.

But the fact that the reason for her anger was because of that man, Mikhail, twisted his mood.

“Do you perhaps have feelings for him?”

“…Is that important to you?”

“It is important.”

Herdin added as he let go of the tied ribbon.

“You’re my wife now.”

“…”

“I don’t like sharing what’s mine with other bastards. So…”

He wrapped his arm around Blair’s waist again. Before Blair could react in surprise, his lips descended on the back of her snow-white neck.

“What are you-!”

Ignoring Blair’s resistance, Herdin sucked on her delicate skin, leaving a red mark.

Mine.

He quite liked that mark.

“While you’re by my side, focus only on me.”

Along with his coolly settled voice, his arm around her waist loosened. More accurately, he let her go.

As if releasing a leashed beast.