Herdin's ancestor, the first Duke of del Mark, was a national hero who had protected the Empire during the final mage war.
To gain the power to protect the Empire, he had formed a contract with a divine beast, now a creature of legend.
In return, he received a powerful body capable of wielding both aura and magic.
Originally, humans could only use one of aura or magic.
However, through his contract with the divine beast, the first Duke of del Mark became able to wield both aura and magic, and that power led the war to victory.
Yet great power comes with an equal price.
Using aura and magic together was akin to mixing fire and oil—master it, and it produced tremendous synergy; mishandle it, and it led to a runaway of power.
The power granted to the first family head was passed down through the bloodline to his descendants.
The power usually served as an immense force capable of saving the nation, but occasionally it brought misfortune.
Herdin's father, the previous Duke, was one such descendant who inherited that power. Like his ancestors before him, he used it for his territory and the Empire.
All of the Empire feared and admired him.
But misfortune struck without warning.
In the year Herdin turned twelve, during a family trip, his mother was found dead, killed by magic beasts.
Upon discovering her body, the previous Duke went berserk, slaughtering all the magic beasts in that forest mercilessly, and then took his own life to protect his son from his rampaging self.
The fall of the del Mark Ducal family, which had been revered by all.
Their tragedy spread far through the mouths of those who savored others' misfortunes as dessert.
Even reaching the ears of Blair, who lived in the Imperial Palace.
People lamented the del Mark Ducal family's downfall to their faces, but behind their backs, they whispered whether Herdin, who had inherited the same power as his father, might one day rampage and commit merciless slaughter.
'Still, I want to win this time....'
Pushing down her fear with her competitive spirit, Blair approached Herdin.
Through the cards, she could clearly see his deep blue eyes, like a lake. And the long eyelashes casting shadows over them.
'Pretty.'
The Herdin she faced in reality seemed like an ordinary boy, if a bit scary. Not the terrifying figure from the rumors.
At that moment, as she thought that, Herdin, who had been looking down at his cards with lowered eyes, raised his gaze, and their eyes met.
Startled by those sky-blue eyes, Blair grabbed a random card in panic.
'Ah.'
Of all the cards, she had picked the thief card.
Fortunately, Esmeralda took the thief card, allowing Blair to win. The game ended with the thief card in Herdin's hand.
Herdin had deliberately lost to end the game, but Blair at the time didn't know that.
As Blair, now fired up from the competition, reached to shuffle the cards again, Herdin spoke.
"I shall take my leave now."
"Oh, has it gotten so late already?"
"I shall see you tomorrow, Your Majesty the Empress."
Esmeralda looked at Herdin with worried eyes and said,
"Herdin. I understand your feelings, but you don't need to push yourself to attend tomorrow."
"It's alright."
Herdin offered proper courtesy to Esmeralda and Blair before rising from his seat.
Once he left, the reception room finally held only Esmeralda and Blair, as Blair had wished.
Esmeralda immediately asked Blair,
"What did you think of Herdin after meeting him? Do you think you could be friends?"
Blair hesitated without answering right away.
Honestly, she didn't think she could be friends with Herdin. He was too different from anyone she had met before.
Herdin's demeanor just moments ago had been quite a shock to her.
He hadn't spoken to her kindly like others, nor smiled at her. She realized that being neatly dressed and using polite words didn't make someone good.
Of course, he wasn't as terrifying as the rumors, but he didn't seem like a good person either. No matter how polite he pretended to be, he seemed fierce and scary.
But not wanting to disappoint Esmeralda, Blair made up a lie.
"Um... He's quiet, so it might be hard, but he seems like a good person."
However, her fidgeting fingers and eyes rolling away to avoid Esmeralda's gaze betrayed her.
"Lying is a bad habit, Blair."
Caught by Esmeralda's point, Blair flinched.
In the end, she had to confess honestly.
"Actually... the Duke of del Mark seems polite but not really polite."
Hearing Blair's frank impression, Esmeralda burst into laughter.
"It's a good thing Herdin didn't hear that."
Only then did Blair worry she had been too honest and added,
"B-But that was our first meeting. Since Your Majesty the Empress cherishes him, I think he's a good person. This is sincere."
Esmeralda smiled and beckoned to Blair, who was trying hard to speak well of Herdin.
Knowing what the gesture meant, Blair scurried over and sat beside her.
Esmeralda gently stroked Blair's hair and agreed with her words.
"Honestly, Herdin isn't a warm child. He has many wounds in his heart, so he's awkward with people."
Blair looked up at her, quietly enjoying the pleasant touch. Esmeralda's blue eyes held their usual gentle light.
"But that doesn't mean you have to endure discomfort for his sake, Blair."
Esmeralda lightly kissed Blair's round forehead and whispered,
"Because you are just as precious as he is."
At that affectionate whisper, Blair felt both very happy and a little sad. It was something she had never heard from Katrina.
Even so, Blair smiled at Esmeralda.
* * *
The next day, the new year dawned.
The schedule included hunting offerings for the gods in the winter forest in the morning with the imperial family and noble houses, attending worship at the temple in the afternoon, and participating in the New Year's banquet at the Imperial Palace in the evening.
The morning and afternoon New Year's rituals were purely adult affairs, so Blair spent the morning and afternoon playing with Ivan and her cousins before attending the New Year's banquet in the evening.
Blair sat with her father the Emperor, Empress Esmeralda, her mother Katrina, and Ivan, receiving New Year's greetings from the nobles.
As the boring, ceremonial greetings continued, the nobles suddenly began to stir.
Wondering at the sudden change in atmosphere, Blair understood the reason when she saw the next person step forward.
It was Herdin.
After the accident three years ago, the young Duke, who had secluded himself, was appearing in public for the first time today.
The nobles whispered as Herdin approached the Emperor.
"Oh my, the young... no, the Duke has really come. I thought he wouldn't attend the banquet."
"Indeed. I was surprised he attended the morning hunt and worship too."
"Either way, he's the head of del Mark now. He must restore the family's prestige and support Her Majesty the Empress, right? It won't be easy."
At first glance, it seemed to pity young Herdin, but in reality, it was merely amusing gossip to them.
Blair watched Herdin anxiously, listening to their words.
"It is an honor to welcome the new year under the reign of Your Majesties. Please continue to bestow your grace upon the Empire this year as well."
Stepping before the Emperor and the other nobles as the head of his house, Herdin was still young, but his dignity matched any other family head.
No, it shone even brighter because of his youth.
Yet somehow, his poised fulfillment of his role seemed precarious. Was it her imagination?
Even after Herdin finished his greeting to the Emperor and safely withdrew, Blair's eyes followed him.
Once the New Year's greetings to the imperial family ended, the banquet began.
As nobles gathered in groups exchanging greetings, Herdin stood alone.
No one approached him, but their eyes and whispering mouths were directed at him.
"The young Duke of del Mark... no, the Duke. He was beside the previous Duke when he took his own life, right?"
"Heavens! How pitiful. It's impressive he's holding up in his right mind."
"Impressive, but on the other hand... so young, yet so cold-blooded."
Everyone chattered about the misfortune that had befallen his family and his future. They pitied the del Mark Ducal family's tragedy while enjoying it, and feared it at the same time.
"Rachel, don't get too close. What if he suddenly rampages like his father and tries to kill everyone?"
If Esmeralda had been there, they wouldn't have dared speak so freely, but unfortunately, Esmeralda had felt unwell, given her New Year's greetings early, and left.
In other words, there was no one in this banquet hall on Herdin's side.
Blair looked at Herdin with worried eyes as he silently endured the whispers.
Though he maintained his usual impassive face, was his heart truly unscathed?
Those who had been gossiping about Herdin and the del Mark Ducal family for a while soon lost interest and moved to the next topic, like progressing to the next course in a meal.
Only after the attention lifted did Herdin quietly slip away.
Worried by the sight of Herdin leaving the banquet hall with empty eyes, Blair followed him to the back garden.
As soon as she stepped into the back garden, the biting winter wind scraped her cheeks.
The night garden, lit by soft lights, was quiet. In summer, people would have come out to enjoy the banquet, but the cold kept everyone away.
'Where did he go?'
As Blair looked around for Herdin, a pained groan came from not far away.