Blair didn’t miss that opening and escaped from his embrace, heading towards the greenhouse. She didn’t even look back at him.

She felt that if she looked back, if their eyes met, she would be devoured by him right there. Her startled heart pounded.

Fortunately, he didn’t follow. Noticing this, Blair’s steps gradually slowed.

Left completely alone, Blair caressed the back of her neck where his lips had touched.

‘…It’s hot.’

The skin where his lips had touched was somehow burning.

Blair, with confused eyes, kept touching that spot. Until that feeling disappeared.

* * *

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day of the banquet.

As the maids went to make final preparations for the banquet, Blair, left alone in her bedroom, looked at the back of her neck in the mirror.

Fortunately, the mark Herdin had left had faded and was barely visible.

Blair discovered this mark the morning after the painter’s visit, while getting dressed.

‘My lady, it would be better to let your hair down today, wouldn’t it?’

Melly, who was brushing Blair’s hair, asked cautiously. When Blair, unaware of the mark on the back of her neck, asked why, Melly hesitated, seeming embarrassed.

It was then that Blair realized Herdin had left a mark on the back of her neck.

‘I’m glad it disappeared before the banquet.’

Feeling relieved about this, she looked out the window. The day had already grown dark, and the time for the banquet was approaching.

Just as Blair stood up from her dressing table to do a final check, Lina’s voice was heard.

“My lady, the preparations are complete.”

Blair immediately left her bedroom.

Standing on the stairs, she could see the servants gathered in the lobby on the first floor. On their chests were silver brooches shaped like the wings of the divine beast symbolizing Delmark.

It was an item Blair had custom-ordered for the banquet.

It was made to show everyone at the banquet that we are Delmark, and to make them feel a strong sense of belonging to Delmark.

Blair looked down at the scene with satisfaction and asked herself.

Is it perfect?

A question she had asked herself countless times in her past life.

And an answer she had heard endlessly from others’ mouths.

But now, she no longer needed others’ answers.

It was already perfect in her eyes. It was already satisfactory in her heart.

That was enough.

Blair went down the stairs and stood before them.

“Everyone has worked hard in preparation.”

She looked at each of the servants lined up before her. Among them, there might be those who disapproved of her, or those who had been moved and held goodwill towards her.

And she too was the mistress of the Duke’s household with a set term.

But today, putting all that aside, everyone here was Delmark.

Blair smiled gently at them.

“Now then, let’s begin welcoming the guests.”

* * *

The banquet was a success.

“I was worried since the mansion had been without a mistress for many years, but coming here in person, I don’t feel that way at all.”

“I can see how much effort you’ve put in, my lady.”

The nobles conversing with Blair all praised the banquet she had prepared and the Duke’s residence.

Most of them belonged to families allied with the imperial faction, and while Delmark’s vassals seemed to disapprove of her behind their smiles just like in her past life, that no longer mattered.

Because Blair herself was proud of her own efforts.

“Indeed, even in this single glass of wine, I can feel your careful consideration. It really doesn’t seem like this is your first time hosting a banquet, does it?”

Listening to the noblewoman who lavished praise with every sip of wine, Blair inwardly replied.

‘Of course. Because it’s not my first banquet.’

But keeping that secret that she couldn’t tell anyone, Blair simply smiled gently at them.

Just like the life she had lived always elegant and dignified, born as an imperial princess.

After chatting for a while, the noblewomen left, and Blair’s surroundings became momentarily quiet.

She pretended to drink wine, holding her glass and retreating to a corner of the banquet hall.

Although she was used to dealing with people from having participated in all sorts of state events, it was still tiring, regardless of familiarity.

As Blair looked around the lively banquet hall, her eyes fell on her husband.

He stood out even among the many people. It wasn’t just because of the couple outfit they were wearing.

His tall stature compared to others and his face befitting the title of the empire’s most handsome man played a part, but more than that, it was his unique aura.

Something like an atmosphere that naturally overwhelmed his surroundings without taking any particular action.

It was the mature appearance of a man, completely different from his precarious look when he was young.

In the past, Blair had fallen in love at first sight when she saw him return as an adult at the victory banquet. Though she had denied her feelings at the time due to guilt.

And even now, living her second life after returning to the past, her heart still raced when she saw him like this. Miserably so.

As if trying to ignore that fact, Blair turned her gaze away from him. A familiar face approached Blair’s line of sight.

“It’s been a while, Blair?”

Rachel Seldon.

The daughter of a marquis who was the younger brother of the former emperor, and Blair’s cousin.

The moment she saw her face, Blair suddenly remembered.

What had happened at this banquet on this day in her past life.

Faced with Rachel making an outrageous demand so brazenly, Blair of that time couldn’t say anything.

Because to Blair, Rachel was as absolute a presence as Katrina.

While Blair was recuperating, her body weakened by the fire incident at the Empress’s Palace, Rachel had seized influence among the noble children of their age.

After a few years passed and Blair, having recovered, returned to the social circle of children, there were hardly any friends left.

Rachel, as if bestowing charity, included Blair in her group and made her depend on her. Blair had no choice but to cling to Rachel. And that relationship solidified like a habit. Even after they grew up and became adults.

Although she didn’t comply with Rachel’s unreasonable demands, not being able to say anything to her at that time remained a terrible sense of self-loathing for Blair.

Blair looked at Rachel, gripping her wine glass tightly. Her eyes gleamed coldly as she gazed at her.

“Indeed. It’s been a long time. Why didn’t you come to my wedding? I really wanted to receive your congratulations.”

At Blair’s question, Rachel’s expression contorted.

In fact, Blair knew why she hadn’t come to her wedding.

There were many noble young ladies who had admired Herdin since childhood. Even while avoiding him due to the notoriety of Delmark’s tragedy.

Then after Herdin returned as a war hero, everyone openly fell in love with him. Rachel was one of them.

Perhaps Rachel was quite hurt that Blair, whom she had considered inferior to herself, had become the wife of the man she couldn’t have.

Rachel tried to compose her expression as she answered.

“I really wanted to go too, but I was too unwell. This cold was quite severe. Belated congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you.”

Rachel took a glass of wine from the table and stood next to Blair. As she sipped her wine and looked around the banquet hall, her gaze stopped on Herdin.

The man exuding his unique aura even among the crowd was still attractive even now that he was married.

No, rather… now that he belonged to someone else, he was even more desirable.

Unable to take her eyes off Herdin visible beyond her glass, Rachel asked Blair.

“Does the Duke treat you well?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. But don’t trust him too much. He’s the nephew of that woman who tried to kill you, after all.”

Rachel deliberately mentioned Blair’s Achilles’ heel, pretending to be concerned for her. But contrary to her expectation that Blair would look hurt, Blair was just calmly drinking her wine with an impassive gaze.

Rachel thought Blair’s indifferent reaction was unlike her usual self, but figured that Blair still wouldn’t be able to defy her. How many years had she spent pretending to be her friend to ensure that?

“Well, with that face and that body, I suppose it must be pleasant to see him every day. In times when becoming the second wife of old men is common. Don’t you think? I wish I could date a man like that just once.”

“……”

“So, Blair.”

Rachel, who had been observing her expression, began in a subtle voice.

“Could you lend me your husband for just one night? I’ll take care of the rest myself.”

Rachel asked as casually as if she were asking to borrow a toy. Just like when she used to take away Blair’s accessories when they were young.

It’s not something that requires your permission, but I’m telling you in advance because it’s you…

Whispering words that sounded caring at first glance.

Rachel had already planned the next steps in her mind before hearing Blair’s answer.

Of course, before marriage, Herdin had never allowed her to get close no matter how much she tried, but things would be different now that he had taken Blair as his wife.

As someone who harbors resentment towards the Empress Dowager’s family, he would choose a woman other than Blair, if only to rebel against that.

Blair put down her empty wine glass on the table and looked at Rachel with cold eyes as she spoke.

“How vulgar, Rachel.”

“…What?”

“In case you’ve forgotten, let me remind you, that man is my husband. And he’s not an object that can be lent out.”

Rachel’s face hardened at Blair’s unexpected response. Blair’s refusal was a development that wasn’t in her plans at all.

Because Blair Sonnet von Ardel had always been unable to defy her.

Until now, that had been a given.

Rachel laughed as if dumbfounded.

“So? You’re saying not to touch him because he’s your husband?”

“That’s right. That’s what I wanted to say.”

From long ago, which you won’t remember.