Chap 7

She had never shown such resistance to Ivan and Katrina's words, as she always did before her regression.

"Your Highness should follow Her Majesty's wishes."

This time, the Blair of this life showed a different reaction than before her regression, obediently obeying Ivan's command.

However, her gaze was different from before.

In this life, she had a reason why she had to marry Herdin.

After finishing the lunch and returning to the Imperial Palace, Lena, who was Blair's closest maid, discreetly observed Blair.

"She seems different today… Has something happened?"

But as Blair's personal maid, she was aware of everything that happened to Blair.

Until last night, everything had been normal.

She had simply gone to bed and woken up, so what could have happened in between?

Instead, the discussion at lunch about her marriage to Herdin was shocking.

However, Blair seemed unperturbed by the news.

"No, if anything… She looks happier than usual."

Lena raised an eyebrow.

Although it happened before she entered the palace, she knew that the relationship between the Delmarc Duke's family and the royal family was not good.

And the incident that had sealed their fate was the fire at the Imperial Queen's Palace.

"An arranged marriage with a noble family that has had a strained relationship with the palace… You seem unusually happy about it today."

Blair's father, the former Emperor, had two women.

The legal queen, Queen Esmeralda, and Queen Katrina.

However, Queen Esmeralda had not given birth to a child for several years, and for that reason, the after-crowned Queen Katrina was designated as the mother of the prince, Ivan.

When she entered the palace, Katrina was a gypsy without any power or influence, but as soon as she gave birth to a son, Ivan, those who sought power began to emerge around her.

As the power struggle around the two escalated, a political standoff between Esmeralda and Katrina emerged, centered on the queen's authority.

Despite this, the Empress treated Blair, the legitimate daughter, as if she were her own daughter.

At least on the surface. Until 'that incident' occurred.

A fire broke out in the Imperial Queen's Palace, resulting in the death of the queen, and Blair, who was with her, suffered significant injuries.

Due to the shock, Blair lost her memories of that time.

The Emperor, determined to find out who had harmed his daughter, investigated, and the evidence eventually pointed to Queen Esmeralda.

Although the Duke of Delmarc, Esmeralda's family, denied the allegations, the Queen was ultimately buried as a traitor.

Her only nephew was none other than Herdin.

"Even Their Majesties don't seem to care. Even though it's for the sake of repairing relations…"

Blair, who was an unwilling and direct victim of the incident, had no interest in marrying Delmarc.

Lena, who was worried, was about to speak as she handed Blair her coat, but Blair spoke first.

"Lena."

"Yes, yes!"

"Send someone to the Duke of Delmarc. Tell him I want to meet him tomorrow. If he's busy, ask him to suggest a suitable date."

At Blair's command, a surprised Lena opened her eyes wide.

"You want to meet with the Duke of Delmarc?"

"Why are you so surprised?"

She had avoided him at the Harvest Festival a few months ago.

"Well, I'm sure Her Highness has her reasons."

Thinking that way, Lena replied.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'll send someone and let you know."

As Lena left the room, Blair remained alone and looked out the window.

She soon saw a carriage leaving the Imperial Palace.

Blair thought of the owner of the Delmarc mansion, the one who resembled him so closely. And the lovely child who resembled him.

Thinking of that child's face, Blair placed her hand on her belly.

"For the sake of seeing Asiel again, I'll do anything."

Even if that "anything" meant repeating a marriage life that had been terribly lonely.

If her return to the past was indeed intentional, then what she needed to do now was clear.

"To marry Herdin safely again."

If that was the foreseen future and she had returned to the past, then she didn't want to leave even the slightest possibility that he wouldn't become her husband.

"I will definitely reunite with my child."

Her eyes, which had lost their light, began to sparkle once more.