“Of course, as you say, I am busy, but I’ll try to make time more often in the future. After all, you’re not just anyone, you’re my family.”

Herdin suppressed a laugh at the word ‘family’ that flowed from Ivan’s mouth.

Come to think of it, the people of this household were particularly obsessed with the word family. They seemed to think of it as a leash to put on a disobedient dog.

That word was sickening.

If it weren’t for that damned ‘family’, his wife wouldn’t have to go through what she’s going through now.

It was ridiculous how they, who had plunged Blair into guilt just because of family, now clung to her, insistently calling her family.

Ivan, unaware of these thoughts, put down his teacup and asked.

“Do you like chess?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t played since I was a child.”

“Then let’s see you show off your skills after so long.”

Despite Herdin’s reluctant response, Ivan insisted on calling a servant to prepare a chessboard.

The thrill of a game lies in the tension that arises when competing against an opponent of equal skill, and the narrow victory achieved at the end.

However, Herdin had long lost interest in chess, having no worthy opponents since Kashion’s death.

“You go first.”

Ivan, having lived as the Crown Prince and Emperor, would rarely have lost in games.

Thinking that beating such a person would only provoke his competitive spirit, Herdin planned to lose moderately.

If he thought Herdin wasn’t his match, he wouldn’t propose such a trivial game again.

The game flowed exactly as Herdin intended.

As Ivan gained the upper hand with a moderate lead and became relaxed, he finally got to the main point.

“Have you heard the rumors circulating?”

“That my wife was kidnapped, that Your Majesty the Empress Dowager was behind it, and that it was because of the incident ten years ago… Is that the rumor you’re referring to?”

“Yes. I’ve been having quite a headache because of that rumor lately.”

Ivan spoke while holding a chess piece, contemplating where to place it.

“Although it’s an unfounded rumor, we can’t just sit back and watch the authority of the imperial family decline, can we?”

Then, as if finding a good spot, he placed the chess piece and ordered in a casual voice.

“You will make a clarification.”

“What kind of clarification do you mean?”

“A clarification that Blair’s kidnapping had nothing to do with my mother.”

Herdin sneered at Ivan’s words.

“…It seems you’re not curious about whether my wife was really kidnapped or who was behind it.”

If he were a normal brother, or if there was any sibling affection, wouldn’t it be normal to worry first about a sister who was said to have been kidnapped?

But he acted as if only the well-being of the imperial family and his own face mattered.

Although it was something he had already anticipated, he felt angry anew at this fact.

“That child is now your wife, so I trust you’ll handle that matter well.”

Ivan responded to his observation without any hesitation, and went a step further.

“While we’re at it, I’d like you to clarify your position on that incident from ten years ago as well. Isn’t it ridiculous that it’s still being brought up even now that we’ve become family?”

“…”

“If you make a clarification, we won’t have to be troubled by such rumors anymore, will we?”

Herdin’s lips twisted at Ivan’s words. It seemed that to him, the incident from ten years ago was merely dismissed as a laughable story.

His intention to lose moderately changed.

“In my opinion, proof seems more necessary than clarification.”

Herdin retorted as he moved his chess piece. His piece attacked Ivan’s knight without the slightest hesitation.

It was Ivan’s knight that had been roaming the chessboard, devouring Herdin’s pieces until just moments ago.

Ivan faltered at this sudden attack.

It was just one move he had missed, but suddenly it felt as if the tide of the game had completely turned.

“Everything in that rumor is true.”

Their eyes met over the quiet chessboard.

Herdin continued speaking calmly, even as he saw Ivan’s expression harden.

“Of course, I think it’s quite possible that Your Majesty doesn’t know about this. It’s difficult to suspect one’s mother out of filial duty.”

“…”

“I will soon bring evidence that will convince Your Majesty, and I hope you will render a fair judgment this time as well.”

At that moment, the faint sound of bells announcing the hour could be heard from afar.

It seemed like a good time to end the conversation.

“It appears Your Majesty has won the game. I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave first. Would you grant me permission?”

Herdin thought Ivan would let him go without resistance.

But contrary to his expectation, Ivan relaxed his stern expression and brought up a different topic.

“If your claim is true, as a son to my mother, I should apologize to you. I will surely pass a judgment commensurate with that. First of all…”

He tapped the chessboard with his finger, then stopped as if he had thought of an appropriate judgment.

“It would be best to start with a divorce from Blair.”

At his unexpected words, a subtle crack appeared in Herdin’s eyes, which had been bored throughout.

“After all, it was a marriage formed out of my selfish desires. If your claim is true, then the imperial family is essentially the enemy of the Delmarks, and we can’t leave this marriage as it is.”

“…”

“Wouldn’t the late Empress be upset in her grave to see her beloved nephew married to the daughter of her enemy?”

Ivan spoke as if he was being considerate, but his eyes gleamed coldly as he observed Herdin’s reaction.

“The public opinion within the Delmarks is probably not good anyway, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her in a place full of people who don’t welcome her.”

“…”

“There are no children between you two yet, so we can settle this cleanly without any noise.”

Herdin sneered.

It was a laughable story for Ivan to tell. If he had been so worried about public opinion towards Blair, he shouldn’t have proposed this marriage in the first place.

So, the reason Ivan was bringing this up now was…

“As for my mother’s punishment, let’s discuss that after I see the reliable evidence you mentioned.”

He couldn’t help but understand that it was to threaten him.

In other words, it meant to cover up this incident if he didn’t want to divorce Blair.

“You may go now.”

Herdin stood up and turned around.

A late spring to early summer breeze carrying the scent of flowers brushed past him. As his heated head cooled, rational thought began to return.

Rationally speaking, Ivan was right.

If Esmeralda’s false accusation is cleared, Blair would become the clear daughter of an enemy.

If Ivan mentions divorcing Blair to apologize for Katrina’s crime, there would be no reason to maintain this marriage anymore.

‘Isn’t that what I wanted?’

This was already foreseen from the moment he accepted this half-baked marriage contract. It just happened a little earlier than promised.

Revealing the truth about the incident ten years ago had been his long-cherished wish. It shouldn’t be swayed by a contract marriage that would end in just a year.

But why am I hesitating?

‘Why on earth.’

What is that woman to me?

Herdin roughly loosened his cravat that seemed to be choking him.

The unanswered question lingered in his mouth.

* * *

The sky, which had started to cloud over since sunset, began to pour down heavy rain as soon as the sun set.

“Wow, it’s suddenly raining so hard. I guess we can call this summer rain now.”

Lina, who was combing Blair’s hair in front of the dressing table, said while looking out the window. Blair, watching the raindrops hitting the window, agreed.

“Indeed.”

“By the way, my lady, did something upsetting happen today?”

“…Does it seem that way?”

Blair looked at her face reflected in the mirror. It looked no different from usual.

“…There’s no way that could be.”

Today is the day I’ve been eagerly waiting for.

“Hmm, maybe it’s because of the rain?”

“Maybe so.”

When Blair replied with a smile, Lina didn’t question it any further.

Having finished brushing her hair, Lina bid goodnight saying, “Have sweet dreams,” and left the bedroom. Through the closing door, the sound of the grandfather clock striking ten o’clock could be heard.

Herdin hadn’t returned home yet. It seemed he would be late today, just like in her past life.

Blair crouched in front of the door, listening outside. Then suddenly, she caressed her still-flat stomach.

Soon, she would be able to meet Asiel.

Of course, she would have to wait ten more months, but just confirming that the child was growing safely in her womb would be reassuring.

Thinking that she could soon meet her child again made her forget all the hardships she had endured.

Being abandoned by Katrina, the guilt over the incident ten years ago, everything.

But why wasn’t she completely happy?

She found the answer to this incomprehensible question when she heard footsteps approaching from beyond the door.

Her heart started pounding as she realized they were Herdin’s footsteps.

She realized then.

That this would be their last night together.

That after this night, she would have to sort out these emotions that were constricting her heart.

After listening to the rain beating painfully against the window for a moment, Blair finally opened the door and stood before him.

“…Herdin.”

Herdin, who had been walking more slowly than usual, stopped when he saw her.

A wry smile escaped through his teeth as he faced the question he had been trying to avoid.

I now understand why I can’t let you go.

In the end, it was love.