~Chapter 22~
I Only Need the Duke’s Child Episode 22. Change
At that moment, the presence of several people could be felt not far away.
Footsteps were approaching from this direction.
Soon, priests appeared in the corridor.
Among the figures dressed in the same clerical robes and looking mostly alike, the middle-aged man at their center stood out in particular.
He had ordinary black hair and strangely green eyes. At first glance he looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, yet an aura flowed from him that no one would dare approach lightly.
When he noticed Blair and Heredin, he strode toward them and greeted them first.
“It is fortunate to run into the two of you like this.”
Gerard Lumiel.
The surname “Lumiel” was given only to the Pope, and it spoke for his life.
A man who had been born in the red-light district, called the dirtiest bottom of society, and rose to the position of Pope, the one closest to God.
He had never forgotten his childhood and lived protecting the weak, practicing the saying that “God descends to the lowest places in the world.”
Thanks to that, he was widely admired and respected by everyone.
Even Katrina trusted and relied on his words.
Some said he had attached himself to power, but others praised him for wisely making the emperor his ally instead of his enemy.
Regardless of others’ opinions, to Blair he was the benefactor who had saved her when she suffered severe internal injuries from the fire incident, and she had always lived with gratitude toward him.
Blair greeted Gerard together with Heredin.
“We greet Your Holiness the Pope.”
“I heard that something unfortunate occurred at the hunting grounds today, and that Your Grace took the lead in resolving it.
I would like to thank the two of you.”
“It is nothing deserving of thanks.
Anyone who had been there would have done the same.”
“You are truly generous in spirit, befitting a hero.”
Despite Heredin’s somewhat blunt response, Gerard smiled.
There was a composure that came from his age and position.
Since Gerard was also on his way to the prayer ceremony, the three walked toward the main temple together.
Gerard looked at Blair and Heredin with satisfaction and spoke.
“By the way, in just one month the two of you have truly become husband and wife.
Seeing the two of you grow up safely and marry fills me with deep emotion.”
“It is thanks to Your Holiness saving me that day.”
Without thinking, Blair mentioned “that day,” and only afterward cautiously glanced at Heredin.
However, Heredin’s expression remained indifferent.
Then she suddenly realized that Gerard’s words applied to Heredin as well.
‘They said that when the previous Duke and Duchess passed away, His Holiness personally led the memorial for them.’
Heredin’s mother, the former Duchess of Delmark, had been famous in life for her devout faith.
She had built a reputation by serving and donating for the sake of the weak.
Among the temple people and the common folk, some had even quietly revered her as a “saint.”
When she, who shared those ideals, passed away in an unfortunate accident, Gerard mourned deeply and personally presided over the funeral of the Duke and Duchess of Delmark.
For a Pope to preside over someone else’s funeral who was not family was historically extremely rare.
That connection had continued until now, and the House of Delmark still made large donations every year in accordance with the late Duchess’s wishes.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s rather remarkable.’
The two children of a noble house and the imperial family who had formed a special connection with Gerard because of unfortunate accidents had now become husband and wife.
Gerard’s words about feeling deeply moved did not seem entirely empty.
While they spoke, the three arrived in front of the main temple.
The entrance to the main building was crowded with nobles gathered to attend the prayer ceremony.
All of them were murmuring among themselves, talking about what had happened at the hunting grounds today.
Gerard stopped walking and spoke.
“You two should go in first.
I have something to prepare outside.”
“Then I will visit the temple soon.”
“Anytime.”
Gerard responded to Blair’s words.
At that moment, a faint magic circle could be seen between the collar of Blair’s clothes.
Gerard’s eyes turned cold when he noticed it.
Watching the backs of the newlywed couple heading into the temple, Gerard murmured quietly.
“May the two of you build a blessed family.”
* * *
“Peep— peep—”
The baby sable in the basket cried when it saw Blair.
It was asking her to play.
When Blair put her hand into the basket, the sable immediately rolled onto its back as if it had been waiting and playfully nibbled at her hand.
As the palm-sized creature rubbed against her hand, it tickled her and made her laugh.
During the New Year Festival the sable had not even been able to open its eyes yet and could barely move, but after fifteen days of Blair’s careful care, it had grown well and opened its eyes.
Now it had endless energy and chirped all day, asking her to play.
Blair offered her hand to the sable while sinking into thought.
‘The guild should contact me soon.’
There had been no progress yet regarding the preparations for divorce and the identity of the attacker she had entrusted to the guild, and although she continued talking with Agnes about the fire incident, there had been little progress there as well.
Because of that, Blair had been spending monotonous days since the New Year Festival.
Taking care of the sable and learning the duties of the lady of the house from Mason.
Although she had seen Heredin only a handful of times since the New Year Festival, it actually felt easier not seeing him.
She liked this peaceful boredom, but at the same time it made her anxious that she might grow accustomed to it and settle down like this.
Whenever that happened, Blair diverted her drifting thoughts by reading books about the country she planned to live in after the divorce or by studying the ducal household’s budget.
“My lady, I brought some milk.”
Blair came out of her thoughts when she heard a maid’s voice.
The maid who entered the room timidly offered the milk for the sable.
‘This girl…’
Only then did Blair recognize that the maid was one of those who had been punished with a pay cut for bullying Rina.
After the incident had grown larger when Heredin himself discovered it, the maids who had been caught must have been frightened, because they had not touched Rina since then.
She had heard that they avoided even speaking to her and kept their distance.
They could not avoid their mistress Blair entirely, but they seemed to be careful not to offend her as much as possible.
Delivering milk was a simple task, but since Blair understood their feelings somewhat, she knew that this girl must have needed considerable courage to stand before her.
‘Her name was… Meli.’
What this girl had done to Rina was certainly wrong, but the matter had already been concluded after she received appropriate punishment.
It was something Blair had not even known about before her return.
Because of that, she had never become close with the people of the ducal house until the day she died.
‘But this time might be different.’
Now that Heredin had taken the role of the villain by imposing a heavier punishment than she had asked for, perhaps if she extended her hand, they might come closer easily.
There was no need to go out of her way to win their favor, but if a few words could bring them closer, there was no reason to miss the opportunity.
It would also be good for Rina.
Blair accepted the bottle of milk from the maid and gently clasped the maid’s hand.
“Thank you, Meli.”
“N-no, it’s nothing.
It’s simply my duty.”
At the unexpected response, Meli lowered her head in confusion.
It was natural for a servant to assist their master, yet she was being thanked.
And by someone who she had assumed would naturally hate her—or rather, someone who would have every right to hate her.
‘Come to think of it, I never apologized for what happened back then…’
Since everyone had been excluding Rina, she had simply been swept along and stood by.
She had feared that if she did not join them, she herself would be excluded.
But that had only been her own circumstance.
Even so, she wanted to ask for forgiveness now, even if it was late.
From Rina, and from Blair.
But she was afraid to bring up the matter.
She feared that mentioning it might upset Blair, whose temper had finally calmed.
As she hesitated with her lips moving silently, a chirping sound came from the basket.
Her gaze naturally shifted to the small, adorable creature.
At that moment, Blair spoke.
“Do you like animals?”
“Ah, yes…”
“Then when you have time, would you take care of this little one?”
“Pardon?”
“I read in a book that sables live in groups.
So I think this one might need friends, but I can’t just take a baby from its mother who’s living well.
So I thought maybe I could give it lots of human friends instead.”
“Ah…”
“Of course, only if you’re willing.”
“O-of course.
Please leave it to me.
I also take care of the cats at the orphanage.”
“Really?
That’s a relief.”
Blair smiled brightly at Meli’s answer.
Seeing that Blair valued her own opinion made Meli feel embarrassed.
Over such a small thing, she had been unable to say a simple apology.
Meli bowed her head deeply toward Blair.
“My lady.
Back then… I’m truly sorry.
I grew up without proper teaching, and I dared to act arrogantly without knowing my place.
I’m very sorry.
I truly wanted to apologize.”
Blair blinked in surprise at the maid’s sudden apology, then soon smiled gently.
“I’ll accept your apology.
In return, will you take good care of this little one?”
Even if Blair had scolded her for bringing up the matter again, Meli had been prepared to accept it.
But what she received instead was unexpected kindness.
Meli blinked in astonishment, then nodded vigorously.
“Yes!
I’ll take good care of it.”
“Ah, by the way, this little one’s name is Pipi.”
“Pipi…?”
“Yes.
Doesn’t its cry sound similar?”
Blair asked with a rather serious expression.
The sable chirped as if responding to its name.
‘…Our lady has no talent for naming things.’
Meli bit her lip to suppress the laughter that threatened to burst out.
Still, the name was quite cute.
And somehow the proud-looking lady was a little cute too.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
