Katrina's birthday banquet was the first event the two would attend as a married couple.
It should have been the New Year's Festival banquet by rights, but the demonic beast incident had led to its cancellation, along with those scheduled afterward.
Thus, Rina and Melly dressed Blair with near-missionary zeal.
"Rina, how about this style?"
"Oh, that's good."
The two had grown quite close in the meantime, exchanging opinions and collaborating to adorn Blair.
Blair watched them through the mirror. Seeing Melly now sharing what had once been Rina's sole burden brought a natural smile to her face.
'Even after I leave this place, Rina will be fine.'
That thought eased her mind.
"Madam, all done now."
"How do I look?"
Finally, their handiwork was complete. Blair burst into laughter at their expectant, sparkling eyes.
"I love it. Thank you both."
Not empty words—thanks to their combined efforts, today's styling truly pleased her.
As Blair finished dressing and appeared at the top of the stairs, Herdin, waiting on the first floor, looked up at the sound.
His eyes paused upon spotting her, then followed her descent.
If Blair in her wedding dress had resembled a snow fairy, today she was like a flower blooming heedlessly in midwinter.
Herdin approached Blair and offered his hand. After gazing at him a moment, she placed her hand atop his large one.
"Then we shall be off, Your Excellency. Madam."
The two boarded the carriage amid farewells from Mason and the servants. Soon, it departed.
Blair gazed at the night streets passing by the window, lost in thought.
'What happened today in my past life?'
With two years' worth of memories, not every trivial detail remained. Only major or intense events lingered.
Yet no matter how she racked her brain, nothing specific came to mind.
'Fortunately, nothing major must have happened.'
As Blair reflected on the past, she suddenly recalled telling Herdin about the future.
Since the day they encountered Miela, he hadn't brought up the future again.
'Of course. From his current perspective, it must be unbelievable.'
And something he didn't want to believe, too.
Either way, she was relieved no longer needing to speak of seeing the future.
In that absentminded moment, as she turned her head, her eyes met Herdin's beside her. He had apparently been watching her for quite some time.
'...Since when?'
His blue eyes, shrouded in night's darkness, gazed at her quietly. Eyes so deep they overwhelmed whenever seen.
Then, Herdin leaned forward toward her. Their distance closed in an instant. Close enough to feel each other's breaths.
Blair unwittingly held her breath. But Herdin merely closed the window behind her back before pulling away.
As if reading her embarrassment, he peered straight into her eyes and asked,
"What are you thinking about?"
"...Nothing."
"Doesn't seem like nothing. You even turned me into a pervert before."
"That's because you spoke ambiguously..."
"Ah, so you did think that?"
Blair glared at his sly tone, then whipped her head toward the window. Continuing would only play into his hands.
A low chuckle sounded from behind her.
Since that night, their relationship had changed. Unlike before, they shared one meal a day, and he occasionally teased her when she let her guard down.
Honestly, Blair didn't dislike the change.
'But when memories of my past life resurface, I hate him and don't know what to do.'
He was the one who inflicted irremovable wounds, yet the current him hadn't committed any wrongs.
The painful memories of her past life belonged solely to her.
That fact—the inability to justify her resentment and hatred toward him—created a disconnect in her heart.
As that disconnect grew, she came to resent him for remembering nothing, even knowing rationally he was innocent now.
Lost in such thoughts, the carriage halted.
"The Duke and Duchess of del Mark!"
As the two entered the Empress's Palace, nobles already present approached them.
The war hero and the empire's sole princess.
Their pairing inevitably drew attention.
As the two exchanged greetings with the approaching nobles, today's host appeared.
"Emperor Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, Their Majesties arrive!"
Katrina entered on the escort of her son Ivan. As the only one permitted the empire's sovereign's escort since Blair's marriage left the empress position vacant, it was her way of flaunting her possessions and lifelong achievements.
"A banquet is virtuous when enjoyed. Celebrate my mother's birthday to your hearts' content."
With Ivan's toast, the banquet began in earnest.
Each house visited Katrina in turn with gifts to present.
The gifts expressed loyalty to the imperial family including Katrina and Ivan, while elevating their house's prestige.
Thus, nobles vied to offer the most precious items. A ridiculous sight where they spent the money and Katrina reaped the benefits.
Blair worried Herdin, who loathed Katrina, might show open disdain, but fortunately, nothing occurred.
As the two mingled with other nobles after presenting their gift, a voice addressed them.
"Duke. Duchess."
A middle-aged woman adorned in lavish dress and jewels like Katrina appeared before them.
It was the Magrid Countess, Katrina's lady-in-waiting.
"Empress Dowager seeks your presence."
Blair hesitated.
She had always found Katrina intimidating, but today especially so. Right before and after the wedding, every encounter had clashed.
"Herdin."
Blair lightly grasped Herdin's arm. He leaned slightly toward her, bringing his ear close.
Startled by the unexpected consideration, Blair whispered low,
"You needn't heed Mother and Brother's unjust demands. As my husband, just avoid any disqualifying faults."
She recalled Ivan and Katrina subtly urging war upon him at the post-wedding luncheon.
"I want you to suffer no losses from marrying me."
"Worry not. I don't make losing deals."
Blair let go of her worry at his relaxed reply. As he said, he wouldn't be swayed by their absurd notions.
When the two approached, Katrina stood with her close aide, the Valten Marquis. He had supported her, a commoner without backing.
Blair curtsied to Katrina.
"You called for me, Mother?"
"Hard to see your face these days, Blair. You should have come straight to me. We parted that way at New Year's Festival too—I was so disappointed."
As if forgetting how they had parted, Katrina feigned hurt. A familiar sight to Blair.
No matter her true feelings, before others, she was the elegant, dignified mother.
"...With so many guests, I thought I might disturb you."
"No matter how busy, I must see you. We're family, aren't we? Now the Duke is family too."
Claiming Herdin as family while simultaneously chiding him for not visiting her, the actual family member.
The Valten Marquis sided with them.
"I have no daughters, so I'm unfamiliar, but I hear newlyweds staying away from the wife's family is a good omen."
"True. If they get along well together, that's best. But a mother's heart worries when a child raised in her arms leaves."
Blair let their words flow past while recalling the past. No matter how she thought, nothing notable had happened with Katrina that day in her previous life.
'Or perhaps, with so many changes now, it's no longer the same as before?'
As Blair pondered thus, ladies approached.
Their target was Blair.
Katrina, quickest to notice, grasped Blair's hand and said,
"Go on, Blair."
As Blair exchanged glances with the Valten Marquis and headed to the ladies, Herdin naturally followed.
Then, Katrina's voice came from behind.
"No matter how fond of your wife, leaving ladies' talk to them is a husband's virtue, Duke."
Herdin's steps paused. A roundabout way of saying she had business with him.
Herdin glanced at Blair, now surrounded by noble ladies and smiling, then remained by Katrina.
Katrina's aides approached her side. Beholding Katrina and Herdin beside her, they flattered them both.
"Admirable, deciding to break past shackles and become family."
"Indeed. Not easy for the two—or even Emperor Your Majesty and the Duchess."
Herdin's lip curved sardonically as he listened.
Now he understood. Why Katrina had kept him near.