Chapter 17
An Ordinary Boy
Herdin’s ancestor, the first Duke of Delmark, was a national hero who defended the empire in the final Magic War.
To gain the power necessary to protect the empire, he made a pact with a divine beast, now a creature of legend.
In exchange, he received a body strong enough to wield both aura and magic simultaneously.
Ordinarily, humans can only use one—either aura or magic.
But the first Duke of Delmark, through his pact with the divine beast, could use both, and that power led him to victory in the war.
However, great power always comes with a price.
Using aura and magic together was like combining fire and oil: if handled carefully, it created immense synergy; if mismanaged, it led to uncontrollable bursts of power.
The power granted to the first Duke passed down through his bloodline, continuing to the later generations.
It often became an overwhelming force capable of saving the nation, but occasionally, it brought misfortune as well.
Herdin’s father, the previous duke, was one such descendant. Like his ancestors, he used his power for the sake of his vassals and the empire.
All in the empire both feared and admired him.
But misfortune struck suddenly.
When Herdin turned twelve, on a family trip, his mother was found slain by a monster.
Upon discovering her body, the previous duke went into a frenzy, slaughtering every monster in that forest. To protect his son from his own rampage, he ultimately took his own life.
The fall of the Delmark dukes, once revered by all, became a tragic tale.
Their misfortune spread far and wide, whispered by those who delight in the suffering of others.
Even Blair in the imperial palace had heard the rumors.
People would publicly lament the fall of the Delmark dukes, but behind closed doors, they whispered: since Herdin inherited his father’s power, might he one day lose control and commit a merciless massacre?
“Still… I really want to win this time…”
Blair suppressed her fear with her competitive spirit and approached Herdin.
Through the cards, she could clearly see his deep, lake-like blue eyes. And the long eyelashes casting shadows above them.
“He’s beautiful.”
The Herdin Blair faced wasn’t terrifying—he seemed like a normal boy. Not the fearsome figure the rumors had suggested.
Just then, as she thought that, Herdin, who had been examining his cards with lowered eyes, raised his gaze, and their eyes met.
Startled by his vivid blue eyes, Blair grabbed the first card she could reach.
“Ah.”
Of course, it was a thief card.
Fortunately, Esmeralda took the thief card for her, allowing Blair to win. The game ended with the thief card in Herdin’s hand.
Although Herdin had intentionally lost to conclude the game, Blair didn’t know that at the time.
Just as Blair, fueled by the thrill of the match, tried to shuffle the cards again, Herdin spoke.
“I shall be going now.”
“Oh my, has it gotten this late already?”
“See you tomorrow, Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Esmeralda looked at Herdin with concern.
“Herdin, I understand your heart, but there’s no need to force yourself to attend tomorrow.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Herdin bowed politely to Esmeralda and Blair before rising.
Once he left, the parlor was finally as Blair had hoped—just her and Esmeralda.
Esmeralda, as if she had been waiting for this moment, asked Blair gently.
“What do you think of Herdin after meeting him? Do you think you could become friends?”
Blair hesitated to answer immediately.
To be honest, she didn’t think she could be friends with Herdin. The real person was so different from anyone she had met before.
Herdin’s behavior earlier had left a significant impression on her.
He hadn’t spoken warmly or smiled like others might. Blair realized that good manners and a neat appearance alone don’t make someone a kind person.
Of course, he wasn’t as terrifying as the rumors said, but he didn’t exactly seem kind either. Polite as he was, there was still a sense of fierceness and fear about him.
Still, Blair didn’t want to disappoint Esmeralda, so she lied.
“Hmm… He’s quiet, so it’s hard to tell, but he seems like a good person.”
Yet her fidgeting fingers and eyes that rolled away from Esmeralda betrayed her words.
“Lying is a bad habit, Blair,” Esmeralda chided, and Blair flinched.
Eventually, she had to admit the truth.
“Actually… Duke Delmark seems polite, but also kind of rude.”
Esmeralda laughed at Blair’s honest impression.
“It’s a good thing Herdin didn’t hear that.”
Blair worried she had been too honest and quickly added:
“B-But we just met today. Since he’s someone Your Majesty values, I think he must be a good person. I truly mean that.”
Esmeralda smiled softly and gestured toward her. Blair understood the meaning and hurriedly sat beside her.
Esmeralda gently stroked Blair’s hair, agreeing with her words.
“Honestly, Herdin isn’t a warm-hearted child. He has many emotional wounds, so he struggles to interact with people.”
Blair looked up at the soothing touch, meeting Esmeralda’s calm blue eyes as always.
“But just because his heart hurts doesn’t mean you need to feel uncomfortable, Blair.”
Esmeralda lightly kissed Blair’s forehead and whispered:
“You are just as precious as he is.”
Blair felt both happy and a little melancholic. She had never heard such words from Katrina.
Still, she smiled at Esmeralda.
The next day, the New Year arrived.
In the morning, noble families, including the royal household, went to the winter forest to hunt offerings for the gods. In the afternoon, they attended a ceremony at the temple, and in the evening, a New Year’s banquet was held at the palace.
The morning and afternoon ceremonies were strictly for adults, so Blair spent the day playing with Ivan and her cousins, and in the evening, attended the New Year’s banquet.
Blair sat with the Emperor, Empress Esmeralda, Queen Mother Katrina, and Ivan, receiving New Year greetings from the nobles.
As the tedious and formal greetings continued, suddenly the nobles began to murmur among themselves.
Curious, Blair realized why when she saw who approached next.
It was Herdin.
The young duke, who had secluded himself after the accident three years ago, was appearing publicly for the first time.
The nobles whispered as they watched Herdin approach the Emperor.
“Oh my, the young duke… I didn’t expect him to come to the banquet.”
“Indeed. I was surprised he even attended the morning hunt and worship.”
“Well, now he’s the head of the Delmark house. He must restore the family’s honor and serve the Empress. Not easy, though.”
Though their words seemed sympathetic, in reality, it was just gossip to entertain themselves.
Blair anxiously watched Herdin as they spoke.
“It is an honor to greet Your Majesties at the start of the new year. Please continue to bless the empire this year.”
Though still young, Herdin carried himself with the dignity of a house head, perhaps even more brightly because of his youth.
Yet Blair couldn’t help but feel uneasy watching him handle such responsibility so calmly.
After greeting the Emperor, Herdin withdrew, but Blair continued watching him with her eyes.
Once the nobles’ greetings to the royal family were done, the banquet began.
As nobles mingled in small groups, Herdin remained alone.
No one approached him, but all eyes and whispers were on him.
“The young Duke of Delmark… Wasn’t he by the late duke’s side when he took his own life?”
“My goodness! How brave to endure it while sober.”
“Remarkable, yet harsh… for such a young boy.”
All discussed the misfortunes of the Delmark family and its uncertain future. They pitied him, enjoyed the drama, and feared him all at once.
“Rachel, don’t go near him. What if he suddenly loses control like his father and kills everyone?”
Had Esmeralda been present, they would have dared not speak, but she was unwell and had returned home after the New Year’s greetings.
In other words, Herdin had no one in his corner at the banquet.
Blair watched him with concern, silently listening to the whispers.
He wore a calm, indifferent expression, but Blair wondered if he could truly endure hearing all that.
The nobles soon lost interest and moved on to other topics, like moving to the next course in a meal.
Only then did Herdin quietly leave.
Concerned about his vacant expression, Blair followed him to the rear garden of the banquet hall.
As she stepped into the garden, the biting winter wind scratched her cheeks.
The softly lit night garden was tranquil. In summer, there would have been people enjoying the banquet outdoors, but the cold kept everyone inside.
“Where did he go?”
As Blair searched for Herdin, she heard a pained groan not far away.