IONDC 06

Chapter:06

Duty of a Married Coupl

Herdin knocked and entered Blair’s bedroom.

Contrary to what he had expected—that she might be asleep or startled by his sudden visit—Blair was sitting at a table, completely absorbed in something. She didn’t even notice his presence.

What is she doing?

As he glanced closer, it looked like she was writing something.

…Small.

He had always felt it when looking at her, but seeing her from a distance made her seem even smaller than before.

Occasional dry coughs made her look even more fragile.

And the room is cold.

Despite it being deep winter, the fireplace was barely lit.

Outside the window, white snow had piled up. A cold room. And within it, a woman dressed in pure white.

Herdin thought the nickname “snow fairy” suited her surprisingly well as he walked behind her.

Blair, still focused on her writing, did not notice him at all.

He leaned forward slightly behind her small frame, placing a hand on the desk as he examined what she was writing.

Only then did Blair sense his presence and flinch in surprise. In doing so, her head bumped firmly into his chest.

“Ah.”

At that moment, their eyes met—his cold blue gaze looking down, and her violet eyes looking up.

“Why are you so surprised? It’s our first night as a married couple. It’s only natural we spend it together.”

“…I didn’t think you would come.”

“Yet you’ve been awake waiting for me.”

At his precise remark, Blair pressed her lips together.

“I was only waiting just in case. It would be rude to sleep when you—when you came.”

The word “you” slipping from her lips made Herdin’s gaze deepen slightly.

“What is this?”

He picked up the paper she had been writing on.

Blair quickly explained.

“A contract. Since this is a contract marriage, I thought it would be better to put everything in writing.”

Herdin sat beside her and began reading aloud.

“Clause 1. Blair Sonnet von Ardel shall fully cooperate in uncovering the truth of the Empress Palace fire incident. The contract lasts one year, but regardless of duration, it will end immediately once the truth is revealed. Responsibility for the truth shall follow imperial law.”

His low, lazy voice filled the quiet room.

“Clause 2. During the contract period, both parties must respect each other as spouses. ‘Respect’ refers to fulfilling marital responsibilities while considering the other’s dignity. This includes sharing meals once a week and attending important events or banquets together.”

As Blair listened to the clauses being read aloud, she suddenly wished she could revise the contract.

She realized she had unconsciously written down her resentment from her previous life—when he had ignored and abandoned her—into the clauses.

Even if he didn’t understand the meaning behind it now…

She gave a bitter smile and spoke.

“If anything needs adjusting, feel free to say so. I wrote it alone, so I’ll reflect your opinion and revise it.”

Then Herdin asked:

“What happens if either of us violates the contract?”

Blair paused.

She had considered adjusting the terms, but she had never thought about what would happen if it was broken.

He’s right. There needs to be consequences if the contract is violated.

After thinking for a moment, she answered solemnly.

“If the contract is broken…”

“And?”

“I won’t divorce you.”

Since this marriage had been forced by imperial decree, continuing it would be unbearable for him.

Especially since he likely resented her.

“Ah.”

Despite her attempt at intimidation, Herdin showed no fear.

If anything, he almost seemed amused.

Was that just her imagination?

At that moment, he read further.

“If the other party requests conjugal relations under the above circumstances, the spouse must comply up to twice a month to fulfill marital duties…”

Herdin’s gaze shifted from the contract to Blair.

He set the paper down.

“So when you say ‘conjugal relations,’ you don’t mean two adults simply sleeping in the same bed, do you?”

Blair looked slightly flustered but did not refute him.

So that was the meaning she intended.

“Are you offering to play the role of a bed-warmer?”

…Was it really necessary to go this far?

Now he was genuinely curious.

What exactly was her real purpose for maintaining this contract marriage—even to the point of offering her body?

So he deliberately provoked her.

And as intended, Blair reacted sharply.

“Don’t say it like that. I just—!”

“Just?”

She tried to respond but hesitated.

This clause was important to her—it was meant for when she needed to conceive Asiel.

But she couldn’t tell him the truth.

She couldn’t speak of something as absurd as reincarnation. And above all, she could not reveal Asiel’s existence.

If he knew…

Would he really leave Asiel alone?

He might eliminate the child as an obstacle to securing an heir with Miela.

That could never be allowed.

Blair’s plan was to resolve everything related to him before conceiving Asiel, then divorce him before he realized she was pregnant and leave the empire.

In the end, she forced a lie.

“I just… wanted us to have a good relationship, at least during this time…”

Herdin looked at her, who still refused to reveal her true intentions, and let out a faint scoff.

“A good relationship, huh.”

How could we possibly have a good relationship?

Your mother’s words. Your testimony.

And my aunt was buried in disgrace without even the chance to defend herself.

I was forced to accept a truth I never understood.

He did not know her exact intentions, but she seemed desperate enough to offer her body. It was almost laughable.

You ignored my desperation back then… and now?

If she was willing to give herself so easily, then fine.

But I wouldn’t just accept it for nothing. That would feel like a loss.

If her most precious possession was her purity, then he would take that.

That would make it a fair exchange.

Herdin stood and approached her.

The distance closed in an instant.

Blair held her breath.

He was right in front of her. So close that their breath could touch.

“Then according to this clause, we should fulfill our marital duties.”

Blair flinched at his hand brushing her cheek and his low voice near her ear.

But more than that, she was startled by his intent.

She hadn’t expected him to use this clause so soon.

She had written it only for when she needed to conceive Asiel.

“I didn’t mean we had to consummate the first night…”

“I want to.”

His voice dropped lower, his gaze fixed on her lips. His thumb brushed over them.

Her heart began to pound rapidly at the heat of his touch.

Then their eyes met again.

“Right now.”

Desire—raw and unrestrained—flickered in his blue eyes.

Before Blair could even retreat in shock, his lips claimed hers.

For a moment, she remembered—he was a man.

Men can share their bodies even without love.

Yes. This wasn’t love. It wasn’t even a pretense of love for some goal.

It was just desire.

Thinking that way strangely calmed her.

If offering her body could bring her back to Asiel, she would do it.

She closed her eyes in quiet resignation.

Herdin parted her lips and entered her mouth, tangling with her hesitant tongue.

“Mmnh…”

Wet heat pressed against her sensitive flesh, and a soft moan escaped.

Her breathing grew shallow. Her body heated. Her mind blurred.

His kiss remained hot and sweet—cruelly so.

Herdin lifted her effortlessly onto his lap and deepened the kiss further, devouring her completely.

Her soft lips, her trembling tongue, her uneven breaths, and every small sound she made—all of it.

His hand slid beneath her loosened nightgown strap and grasped her soft chest.

“Ah…!”

Startled, Blair pulled away from his lips.

Herdin stopped immediately.

When their eyes met, hers wavered.

His gaze was sharp—like a predator interrupted during feeding.

Yet his arms did not loosen; he held her firmly, refusing to let go.

Because of that, she felt something heavy pressing beneath her.

Realizing what it was, her body froze.

She wanted to move away—but even the slightest motion would bring her closer to him.

So she whispered instead, averting her gaze.

“Let’s… go to the bed.”

It was almost a plea.

Herdin stared at her for a moment, then lifted her without hesitation.

Even as he carried her, his lips stayed pressed against her neck, unwilling to let go—like a beast clinging to its prey.

He walked to the bed and laid her down.

Then he climbed over her.

And began removing her already loosened nightgown—

His eyes never once left her.