The young head of the current Delmark duchy and Esmeralda's only nephew, Herdin Delmark.
Esmeralda had occasionally spoken about Herdin.
'He's a very lonely child. I wish he could have a good friend like our Blair.'
Wanting to reassure Esmeralda's worried words, Blair had promised, 'If I meet him, I'll be his friend.'
But face-to-face with Herdin, Blair looked at him with eyes full of wariness. She didn't like this uninvited guest interrupting her cozy time with Esmeralda.
"Greet her, Herdin. This is Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
Esmeralda gently embraced Herdin's shoulders as she introduced Blair.
The cold-looking boy stood up and paid his respects.
"Herdin of Delmark greets the shining star of the empire, Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
The boy's manner of greeting was impeccably polite, but his eyes couldn't hide an unmistakable boredom.
Seeing that look, Blair flinched.
For Blair, who had always been surrounded by friendly people, the indifference of a boy three or four years older than her was unfamiliar and frightening.
However, unable to run away after receiving the greeting or to disappoint Esmeralda's expectations, she awkwardly accepted the greeting.
"N-nice to meet you, Duke Delmark."
"I thought it would be nice for you two to meet sometime, and I'm glad you've met like this."
Esmeralda was delighted at the meeting of the two children, but Blair only felt uncomfortable with Herdin's presence. Fortunately or unfortunately, the boy seemed uninterested in Blair.
Observing the two children who wouldn't even make eye contact, Esmeralda suggested first.
"Shall we play a card game today too?"
"Yes, I'd love to!"
Blair was excited at the thought of playing a card game, and while Herdin maintained an indifferent expression, he joined in their game.
But as the games continued, Blair's expression gradually became more sullen. This was already the fourth round, and Herdin kept winning.
Even Herdin, who kept winning, was becoming disinterested due to the lack of tension.
Blair desperately wanted to win, while Herdin had no intention of letting her win.
Yet they wouldn't even exchange a word, let alone make eye contact. At this rate, it seemed unlikely the two children would grow closer even if they played many more games.
Feeling at a loss, Esmeralda thought of another approach.
"It seems a bit boring to keep playing the same game. Shall we try playing 'Catch the Thief' this time?"
And so, the game of 'Catch the Thief' began.
At first, matching pairs of cards came out in succession, progressing quickly, and soon enough cards were discarded to start the psychological warfare.
"Oh my."
Esmeralda let out a small exclamation as Herdin drew a card from her. It meant Herdin had drawn the thief card.
Now it was Blair's turn to draw a card from Herdin. Herdin held out his cards to Blair with his usual indifferent expression.
However, Blair hesitated to draw Herdin's card.
'This person is scary...'
To engage in psychological warfare, one needs to look at the opponent's face to read their cards, but Blair was afraid to look directly into Herdin's eyes.
It was partly due to his chilling impression, but also because she remembered the rumors about the 'power' passed down in the Delmark duchy.
Search "child" at redcatty [.] com to read ahead up to chap 170.