“It seems I forgot to clean the room that hasn’t been used for a while. I’ll tell them to clean it right away.”

“Who is that person?”

When Blair asked, looking at the boy in the painting, Mason hesitated for a moment before answering.

“He is the younger brother of the previous head of the family.”

That meant he was Casion’s younger brother.

But as far as Blair knew, Casion only had one sibling, Esmeralda.

“But I don’t think I’ve seen him in the family portrait. I don’t think I’ve seen him in the family registry either…”

“Young Master Logan was the half-brother of the previous head of the family.”

The Ardel Empire practices monogamy.

The fact that he was a half-brother to Casion, the son of the legal wife, meant that the boy in the portrait was an illegitimate child of Delmark.

If he was an illegitimate child, it made sense that there would be no record of him even in the family registry.

“Regrettably, he passed away early due to an accident, and this is the only remaining portrait.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Peep!”

Even though it was hidden in the cloth, Pipi got upset when Blair didn’t find it and crawled out on its own, gently biting Blair’s hand.

Blair stroked Pipi’s head and asked Mason,

“By the way, what brings you to me?”

“In a week, it will be the death anniversary of the previous head of the family and his wife. I’m here to ask how you’d like to make the donation this year.”

The Delmark Duchy had been making annual donations to express gratitude to Gerard, who personally came to conduct the memorial service for the previous head of the family and his wife.

Family events and special occasions were usually the role of the lady of the house, but until now, Herdin had been handling it as there was no lady of the house.

But this year, it was Blair’s responsibility.

“This year…”

Just as Blair was about to speak after a moment of contemplation, a knock was heard, followed by Lina’s voice.

“Madam, are you here?”

“What is it?”

Lina entered the room and delivered the news with a troubled expression.

“The Duke and Duchess of Seldon are here to see you, Madam.”

* * *

“It seems you finished your work early.”

Mason said as he opened the carriage door. Herdin nodded slightly and asked,

“Was there anything unusual?”

“The Duke and Duchess of Seldon have come to see the Madam.”

Herdin’s brow furrowed at the news of the unwelcome visitors.

“When?”

“They are currently talking with the Madam in the reception room.”

The reason for their visit to Blair was obvious without even asking.

They probably came to appeal to Blair for leniency towards Rachel, knowing that he wouldn’t even pretend to listen if they spoke to him.

Indeed, his soft-hearted wife might fall for their earnest pleas on behalf of their child.

‘Should I have talked to her about this yesterday?’

He had informed her that Wesley and Rachel were behind it, but he hadn’t explained in detail what he had done to the two.

She would eventually hear the news since there were always mouths to spread gossip, but it wouldn’t be a particularly pleasant story for his soft-hearted wife.

Now he somewhat regretted not talking to her and cautioning her in advance.

“Did the young lady of the Duke come as well?”

“Only the Duke and Duchess came.”

Herdin’s lips twisted.

“Even in a situation where she’s about to be expelled, she still wants to maintain her pride, it seems.”

Even if she came to apologize and beg in person, it wouldn’t be enough, yet she hides behind her parents. How childish, or perhaps cunning.

Well, if she had been smart in the first place, she wouldn’t have caused such trouble.

Instead of returning directly to his office, Herdin headed towards the reception room where Blair was meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Seldon.

He had no intention of showing any leniency in this matter.

Just as he arrived and turned the doorknob of the reception room, Blair’s characteristic gentle voice could be heard through the slightly opened door.

“So, you’re saying that my husband has requested severe punishment for the two of them?”

“Yes. It seems His Majesty was inclined to show mercy and leniency for Rachel’s sake, but the Duke opposed it.”

“…I see.”

“But if you, as the person directly involved, express a desire for leniency, don’t you think the Duke would change his mind?”

The expected repertoire came out of the Duke of Seldon’s mouth.

As Herdin was listening to their conversation silently, about to intervene, Blair’s voice was heard.

“If that is my husband’s will, then I have nothing more to say to you both.”

Her voice was quiet but firm.

“W-what do you mean? Are you saying you’ll stand by and watch as Rachel is banished from the Empire?”

“Rachel is no longer a child, so she must take responsibility for her actions. I had already warned her once at the banquet.”

“Blair, Rachel is your cousin. Didn’t you two get along well? I don’t understand why you’re being so cold.”

“Being a relative doesn’t erase her wrongdoing.”

In response to Blair’s firm answer, the sound of the Duke and Duchess of Seldon sighing could be heard.

However, Blair didn’t stop there. Just like her usual self, steadfast and unwavering when she believed in something.

“Moreover, as I am the Duchess, this matter is not just my personal affair.”

“…”

“If my husband wished for this, it must be for the sake of the family’s honor. As his wife and the lady of Delmark, I will respect and follow his will.”

His wife. The lady of Delmark.

Although it was nothing new, those words flowing from Blair’s lips were quite pleasing to hear.

The fact that she was being so resolute because of him was also satisfying.

Herdin closed the door he had slightly opened.

Mason, who had been listening to the situation in the reception room alongside him, spoke as if he had read his mind.

“It seems the Madam has already made a wise decision.”

Herdin passed by the reception room and headed to his office. There was a faint smile on his lips.

* * *

That night, Herdin once again visited Blair’s room with marshmallows in hand.

After knocking and opening the door, he paused, encountering an unexpected sight.

“You’re here?”

Blair’s eyes, which usually looked at him calmly, had a hint of brightness in them. Somehow, it reminded him of a dog waiting for a treat.

Even though he knew it was directed at the marshmallows in his hand rather than at him, seeing her face like that wasn’t unpleasant.

Thinking he should bring marshmallows every day from now on, he approached the table where candles and a lighter were neatly placed, prepared in advance.

Herdin smirked at what she had prepared.

“I feel like I should give a reward to such a diligent student who prepares all the materials.”

Seeing her preparation like this was somewhat reassuring. Unlike his worry that she might not want to continue due to her fear of fire, she seemed quite enthusiastic about it.

Herdin sat down, placing the bowl of marshmallows on the table. Blair followed, sitting next to him, and suddenly, as if remembering something, she brought up a topic,

“I’ve decided to make this year’s donation by visiting the orphanage within the temple and delivering goods to the children.”

“You’re going to visit the orphanage in person?”

Herdin asked, seemingly surprised.

It wasn’t uncommon for noble ladies to visit orphanages as part of their charitable activities, but most found it troublesome and avoided it.

Especially for someone who, in her own words, was going to ‘divorce’ the Duke, he hadn’t expected her to show such enthusiasm for this task.

“I heard that Mother used to do so every year. Rather than just making a donation in name only, I thought directly taking action would be a better way to honor Mother’s intentions.”

Blair hid the real reason why she chose to donate to the orphanage. Although honoring Eloise wasn’t completely untrue, there was a more personal reason.

‘In my past life, I visited the temple to pray and make donations.’

Back then, she had met with the priest in charge of donations, not the orphanage within the temple.

‘And… there, I first met Miela Elias.’

There was no immediate reason to avoid her, but there was also no reason to meet such an uncomfortable person unnecessarily.

“It sounds like a good idea. Do as you wish, Duchess.”

From Herdin’s perspective, there was no reason to dislike this. He answered readily and picked up the lighter.

“Yesterday, I did it with you, but today you’ll do it alone. Don’t be frightened if the marshmallow catches fire, just calmly shake it to put out the flame.”

Blair looked at the candle with a tense expression, then took a deep breath and picked up a marshmallow. Her expression was as solemn as a soldier facing battle.

Having obtained her agreement, Herdin immediately lit the candle.

Despite her initial show of solemn resolve, Blair’s fear was evident.

Herdin, who had been watching with his chin resting on his hand, waved his hand once between Blair and the candle to divert her attention.

Blair seemed to remember his teachings then, consciously blinking her eyes and breathing slowly to relax. The trembling marshmallow approached the candle flame.

Herdin watched with interest as the honor student diligently remembered and practiced what she had learned yesterday.

If he found her appearance cute while she was so scared and struggling, would she be a bit annoyed from her perspective?

The first attempt failed miserably as she became frightened when the fire caught.

On the second attempt, made with renewed determination, she almost burned it at the end but managed to save it with Herdin’s help.

Herdin extinguished the candle and lightly patted Blair’s head.

“You did well, following what you learned. At this rate, you’ll soon no longer fear the fireplace.”

Blair stared blankly at him as he gave a light but sincere compliment.

From his perspective, it’s an incredibly easy and simple task. He could have been irritated, wondering why she couldn’t do something so simple.

But watching him observe and teach her without any sign of annoyance, he seemed to be quite a good teacher.

“But won’t it be difficult to light the fireplace when it gets warmer?”

“Then we’ll have a picnic in the backyard. We can even hunt and cook wild boar.”

“Wild boar?”

“Or venison would be good too. Whatever you prefer.”

Blair paused at his words, saying he would do whatever she wanted.