Chap 8

Through the swaying carriage window, the view of the Imperial Queen's Palace came into sight.

Herdin's aide, Ruth Penrill, looked at the palace with disapproval in his eyes and began to grumble.

"Even the Emperor is shameless. How can he talk about marriage? He raised his glass when Denmark's fortune was on the rise."

Ten years ago.

After losing both his parents and even his aunt, who was the Empress, young Herdin was left as the precarious Duke of Delmarc. But when Herdin achieved great feats in the war and became a hero, Emperor Ivan proposed a marriage between him and his younger sister.

It was a proposal that clearly showed an intention to quietly absorb Herdin's power.

"Thanks to that, Her Highness the Princess is completely ruined. She should have found a suitable match and married quietly."

Unlike Ruth, who was muttering, Herdin remained silent, seemingly uninterested in the situation.

His lack of reaction only frustrated Ruth further.

"Aren't you angry, Your Highness?"

"Ruth."

Interrupting Ruth's tirade with a clenched fist, Herdin continued to gaze out the window.

At the same time, the carriage they were in passed through the main gate of the Imperial Queen's Palace.

"From here, it's the Imperial Queen's Palace."

Although his voice carried no emotion, Ruth, who understood the implied meaning of his words, kept quiet.

"…I apologize."

After a while, the carriage came to a halt.

The chief chamberlain of the Imperial Queen's Palace, who had been waiting for them, led them into the reception room.

Herdin entered alone, leaving Ruth behind.

As he lifted a cup of tea to his lips, Herdin heard the sound of the door opening behind him. He rose from his seat and turned to greet the visitor.

Entering through the open door was a petite and delicate beauty.

Blair Sonnet von Ardell.

She was the mistress of the Imperial Queen's Palace and, in all likelihood, the woman he would marry if nothing changed.

The woman before him was as beautiful as a human version of the dolls girls play with.

She was undoubtedly worthy of being called the daughter of Empress Tae Hwang.

Or rather…

"It's more fitting to call her a terrifying face that evokes memories of the past."

Herdin concealed a twisted smile and kissed Blair's hand.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

At that moment, Blair's mysterious purple eyes briefly twisted.

It seemed to be a somewhat sad expression.

However, when Herdin lifted his head again, the emotion that had filled Blair's eyes disappeared.

"Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule, Duke of Delmarc."

Blair naturally took a seat.

Her graceful movements caused the lace on her platinum blonde dress to flutter gently.

As the two of them sat facing each other, silence filled the room. They both picked up their teacups and took a sip, saying nothing.

Normally, in situations where two people didn't know each other well, the one in the lower position would start a conversation with a casual topic.

But Herdin seemed to have no intention of doing so.

Finally, it was Blair, who had been silently tracing the rim of her teacup while gazing through it at his face, who broke the silence.

"I'll be straightforward."

Setting her teacup down, Blair continued.

"I don't intend to refuse the marriage proposal your brother suggested."

Herdin had expected that much. No matter who she was, it would be difficult to refuse the Emperor's command.

However, what followed was something I had never expected.

"One year."

Out of nowhere, the word 'one year' slipped from Blair's lips, and Herdin looked at her with a puzzled expression in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Just maintain our marriage for exactly one year."

"…What are you saying?"

"After one year, I will divorce you due to my fault. I won't change my mind and cling to you, nor will I bother you with reasons like love or anything like that."

Herdin's fine brows furrowed.

"A one-year contract marriage? What on earth is this about?"

Seeming to have read his thoughts, Blair presented an offer that he couldn't refuse.

"The fire incident at the Imperial Queen's Palace ten years ago."

At her unexpected story, Herdin's gaze turned cold.

"If you accept my proposal, I will do my best to cooperate in uncovering the 'truth of that day.'"

A chilly smile crept onto Herdin's lips.

After keeping silent for a whole decade, why was she bringing up this story now?

Herdin still vividly remembered the emotions of ten years ago.

When the Empress was accused of being the culprit behind the fire incident at the Imperial Queen's Palace, Herdin had sent numerous letters to Blair, the only witness, in an attempt to clear his aunt's name.

But there was no response.

The only time he heard her speak was on the day of the trial for the Imperial Queen's Palace incident. Unable to enter the courtroom due to his young age, Herdin had faintly heard Blair's voice from beyond the slightly ajar courtroom door.

"I don't remember… anything."

A lie.

Wasn't it all a lie? In the end, she sided with her mother, right?

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