Chapter 17
A Normal Boy
Heredin’s ancestor, the first Duke of Delmark, was a war hero who saved the Empire during the final Mage War.
In order to gain the power to protect the Empire, he made a contract with a divine beast—now a creature that only existed in legend.
The price of that contract was a strong body that could wield both aura and magic at the same time.
Ordinarily, humans could only use either aura or magic, not both.
But thanks to his contract with the divine beast, the first Duke of Delmark gained the ability to use both powers, and that strength led the war to victory.
However, great power always comes with a price.
Using aura and magic together was like combining fire and oil—when handled properly, it produced tremendous synergy, but if even slightly mishandled, it could lead to a complete runaway of power.
That power obtained by the first head of the family was passed down through his bloodline.
Most of the time, this power became an overwhelming force that protected the nation, but occasionally, it brought misfortune.
Heredin’s father, the previous duke, was one of those descendants who inherited that power. Like his ancestors, he used his strength for the territory and the Empire.
Everyone in the Empire feared him—and admired him.
But misfortune came without warning.
The year Heredin turned twelve, during a family trip, his mother was found dead, killed by a monster.
When the previous duke discovered her body, he went berserk. He slaughtered every monster in that forest with brutal ferocity, and ultimately took his own life to protect his son from his uncontrolled rampage.
The downfall of the Delmark Dukedom, once admired by all.
Their tragedy spread far through the mouths of those who fed on others’ misfortune like dessert.
And it even reached Blair, who lived in the Imperial Palace.
People outwardly expressed sympathy for the fall of House Delmark, but behind closed doors, they whispered that Heredin—who had inherited the same power as his father—might one day go berserk and commit another massacre.
“I still want to win this time…”
Blair finally suppressed her fear with competitiveness and approached Heredin.
Through the cards, she could clearly see his deep blue eyes, like a lake. His long eyelashes cast shadows over them.
Pretty.
The Heredin she saw in person looked like a normal boy—just a little intimidating, but not the terrifying figure from the rumors.
At that moment, Heredin, who had been looking down at his cards, lifted his gaze.
Their eyes met.
Startled by those piercing blue eyes, Blair flinched and randomly picked a card from his hand.
“Oh.”
The card she hurriedly drew happened to be the Thief card.
Fortunately, Esmeralda took the Thief card, allowing Blair to win. The game ended with the Thief card ending up in Heredin’s hand.
Heredin had intentionally lost to end the game, but Blair did not realize that at the time.
Just as Blair, now excited by competition, was about to shuffle the cards again, Heredin spoke.
“I will take my leave now.”
“Oh my, time really has gone by quickly.”
“I will see you tomorrow, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Esmeralda looked at him with concern.
“Heredin. I understand how you feel, but you don’t have to force yourself to attend tomorrow.”
“I am fine.”
Heredin politely greeted Esmeralda and Blair and stood up.
After he left, only Esmeralda and Blair remained in the reception room—just as Blair had wanted.
Esmeralda then asked casually,
“What do you think of Heredin? Do you think you can become friends?”
Blair hesitated.
To be honest, she did not think she could be friends with Heredin. He was too different from anyone she had ever met.
His attitude had shocked her.
He did not speak kindly, nor did he smile at her. She realized for the first time that being polite and well-mannered did not necessarily mean someone was good.
Of course, he was not as terrifying as the rumors said, but he still did not feel like a “good” person. Even with perfect manners, he felt sharp and intimidating.
But not wanting to disappoint Esmeralda, Blair lied.
“Hmm… he’s quiet and a bit difficult, but I think he’s a good person.”
However, her fidgeting fingers and shifting eyes betrayed her.
“Lying is a bad habit, Blair.”
At Esmeralda’s words, Blair flinched.
In the end, she had to confess.
“Actually… the Duke of Delmark is polite, but also feels impolite.”
Esmeralda burst into laughter.
“I’m glad Heredin didn’t hear that.”
Blair quickly added, worried she had been too honest.
“B-but it’s because I only met him today. Since Your Majesty cares for him, I’m sure he’s a good person. I really mean that.”
Watching Blair try to soften her words, Esmeralda smiled gently and gestured for her to come closer.
Blair obediently sat beside her.
Esmeralda stroked her head slowly and agreed with her.
“Honestly, Heredin is not a very warm child. He has many emotional wounds, so he struggles to interact with people.”
Blair looked up at her quietly, enjoying the gentle touch. Esmeralda’s blue eyes were as soft as always.
“But just because his heart is hurting doesn’t mean you have to endure discomfort for his sake, Blair.”
She kissed Blair lightly on the forehead.
“You are just as precious as he is.”
At those words, Blair felt both happy and a little sad—because it was something she had never heard from Katrina.
Still, she smiled at Esmeralda.
The next day, the New Year arrived.
In the morning, noble families, including the Imperial Family, went to the winter forest to hunt offerings for the gods. In the afternoon, they attended temple ceremonies, and in the evening, they gathered for the imperial banquet.
Since the morning and afternoon rituals were for adults, Blair spent the day playing with Ivan and her cousins before attending the evening banquet.
Blair sat with the Emperor, Empress Esmeralda, her mother Katrina, and Ivan, receiving greetings from nobles.
As the dull ceremonial greetings continued, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
The nobles began to murmur.
Confused by the sudden change, Blair only realized the reason when she saw who stepped forward next.
It was Heredin.
After three years of seclusion following the accident, the young duke was appearing in public for the first time.
The nobles whispered as he approached the Emperor.
“Oh my… the young duke—no, the Duke—he really came. I thought he wouldn’t attend the banquet.”
“I know. It was surprising enough that he attended the morning hunt and ceremony.”
“Either way, he is now the head of Delmark. He should restore the family’s honor and support the Empress… though it won’t be easy.”
Though they sounded sympathetic, it was nothing more than gossip to them.
Blair watched Heredin nervously.
“Blessed to begin the new year under Your Majesties’ reign, I humbly ask for your continued grace upon the Empire.”
Though still young, Heredin stood before the Emperor as the head of his house with remarkable dignity.
No—perhaps because he was young, he looked even more striking.
Yet there was something fragile about him.
After completing his greeting, Blair continued to watch him.
The banquet began.
Nobles gathered in groups, while Heredin stood alone.
No one approached him, but all eyes and whispers were directed at him.
“Did you hear? He was beside his father when the previous duke took his own life.”
“How tragic… and he’s still managing to stand like that.”
“Still… he’s just a child. It’s almost frightening how composed he is.”
They spoke of his family’s misfortune as if it were entertainment.
They pitied the Delmark family—but also enjoyed and feared them.
“Rachel, don’t go near him. What if he suddenly goes berserk like his father and kills everyone?”
If Esmeralda had been there, they would not have dared speak so freely.
But unfortunately, she had already left early due to poor health.
That meant there was no one in this hall on Heredin’s side.
Blair watched him silently endure the whispers.
Though his face remained indifferent, she wondered how he could possibly be unshaken inside.
Soon, the nobles lost interest and moved on to another topic, like the next course of a meal.
Only then did Heredin quietly leave the hall.
Blair, unable to ignore the emptiness in his eyes as he left, followed him out to the garden behind the banquet hall.
A cold winter wind cut across her cheeks the moment she stepped outside.
The softly lit night garden was silent. In summer it would have been full of guests, but now it was empty due to the cold.
“Where did he go?”
As Blair looked around for Heredin, a faint painful groan echoed from somewhere not far away.
