Chapter 79: Rudella’s…

Rudella’s trembling voice carried through the air. Embarrassment and anticipation sparkled in her eyes, which were slightly moist. Her cheeks were tinted a rosy pink.

“……”

Yohan felt his body stiffen as if frozen in place. He wasn’t so clueless that he couldn’t interpret the meaning behind her words.

‘…Have we already reached that stage?’

Though he had gained a lot of experience since meeting Francia, she was the only person he had ever been intimate with. Until just half a year ago, Yohan had been single his entire life.

Still, backing out now wouldn’t be the right thing to do. Especially when she had taken the courage to make the first move.  

‘But… Francia must be waiting too.’

Yohan stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment. He had taken leave from his duties to come and check on Rudella, worried something might happen to her. So, he had the rest of the day off, and tomorrow as well.

But Francia had gone to work as usual. She would undoubtedly expect him to either greet her after work or welcome her at the estate.  

If he were to go to Rudella’s house now, it would almost certainly mean staying the night.

‘Even so…’

He couldn’t prioritize Francia alone and neglect Rudella. Even if she was his second wife, he had promised to give her equal affection.

“Uh…”

When no response came from Yohan, Rudella felt the world around her spinning. Hastily, she opened her mouth again.

“Well, I… I wanted to invite you to my new house first, and, um…”

Her voice grew softer and softer.

“I also wanted to show you where I live now… after severing ties with my family…”

The last words were almost a whisper. Rudella’s gaze was fixed on the floor, and her cheeks burned as brightly as a flame.

Her rambling explanation all pointed to one thing.

“…Is it not allowed?”

She cautiously lifted her head and looked at him, her heart pounding wildly. Her fingers kept curling up nervously.

“…”

Yohan’s heart thudded hard in his chest. Seeing her trembling voice and gaze, it was clear that this invitation wasn’t just a simple housewarming party. Rudella had already steeled herself for this.

Realizing this made him inexplicably nervous, and his tongue felt heavier. But his answer was already decided.

Yohan finally managed to speak.

“…Then, I’ll accept your invitation.”

The moment his answer came, the anxious look on Rudella’s face dissolved completely. Her eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips slowly curved upward.

It was as if dark clouds had dispersed, letting sunlight shine through.

“I’ll guide you right away…!”

She clasped her fingers together and smiled brightly. It was a beautiful sight.

Yet, why did it feel like there was a playful hint of mischief hidden behind that smile? As though she had already prepared a plan in her mind.

*         *        *

The place Rudella led Yohan to was on the outskirts of the imperial capital.

Normally, the word “outskirts” might conjure images of impoverished areas with poor public safety, but the outskirts of the imperial capital were different.

First of all, the streets were remarkably clean.

Perhaps because many high-ranking nobles required spacious land, the atmosphere wasn’t bad either. Few people were walking around, as most traveled by horse or carriage.

The clothing worn by passersby was generally that of servants.

“Uh… Did you really buy a house here?” Yohan asked, his expression a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

This was an area where only high-ranking nobles purchased property to stay in the capital. He couldn’t fathom how Rudella had managed to acquire land here.

“It wasn’t a small sum of hidden funds. But I think there’s a misunderstanding,” she replied.

“A misunderstanding?”

“The mansion you see there—only great nobles can live in those, can’t they?”

“Well, that’s true…”

This wasn’t a neighborhood where just anyone with money could reside. It was a community of the nobility’s elite.

“The property I purchased is at the far end. Follow me,” Rudella said, leading Yohan forward.

The place they eventually arrived at was—

“This is it.”

A modest house.

Of course, “modest” didn’t mean shabby or cramped. Compared to the grand mansions of the great nobles, it was simple, but still luxurious in its own right.

Nestled among the opulent homes of the wealthy, it was a tidy two-story house.

The red-tiled roof and soft beige walls gave it a calm and understated charm. A small garden in front had low-growing flowers blooming modestly.

“…Excuse me,” Yohan murmured as he followed Rudella into the house. Inside, a cozy space greeted him, filled with a gentle scent of wood and warm lighting.

The clean entrance had a stone floor for brushing off dirt or mud and an elegant rug placed neatly.

“What do you think?” 

“It’s nice,” 

“It’s just the right size for two people, cozy inside as well. I wouldn’t mind living here myself.”

“Hmm, then would you like to live here with me?”

“…I don’t think that would be appropriate. Isn’t Vera also staying with you?”

“True… That’s not something I can decide alone. A shame.”

“That’s not the issue here.”

“Fufu.”

Rudella chuckled softly and tilted her head slightly to the side. Her snow-white silver hair cascaded down along her neckline.

“Now, let me give you a tour of the inside,” she said, grabbing Yohan’s hand and leading him to the nearest room.

“This is the living room.”

On the polished wooden floor lay a carpet adorned with exotic patterns.

At the center stood a table and chairs crafted from oak and walnut, the backs of which were carved with simple designs.

Naturally, there was a fireplace as well, flanked by decorative candlesticks and small statues.

Though candlesticks and oil lamps were present for lighting, none seemed to have been used recently, suggesting they were mostly ornamental.

The room’s current illumination came from a magic tool.

“Hm…? What’s this?” Yohan asked, pointing to a glass cabinet in the corner of the living room.

Inside were dishes, metal crafts, and incense burners.

“It’s a display case. These are Vera’s collectibles—small ceramics from the East, intricately carved metal incense burners… Vera has a hobby of collecting delicate items like these.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was true—Rudella would never have had the time or interest to collect and decorate with items from the East. She simply didn’t have the luxury for such indulgences.

“By the way, where is Miss Vera?” 

“She mentioned having something to discuss with the head of the Haslan family.”

“The head of Haslan… you mean—?”

“Vera’s father,”

The Haslan Viscounty, a family that had served the Bismarck family as close allies for generations. Most often, descendants of the Haslan lineage would become aides to the Bismarcks.

“Is Miss Vera also severing ties with her family?”

“No, that’s not the case.” Rudella shook her head and continued, “Vera gave up her own rights just to help me. She’s far too good for me. I’m always grateful to her.”

Vera had spoken with her family at length and, in the end, chose to follow Rudella closely to support her.

“I see. Miss Vera must be very fond of Lady Bismarck” 

“For me, it’s a blessing” 

“But Yohan”

“Yes?”

“How much longer do you plan to call me Bismarck?”

“Ah…”

“My name is simply Rudella now.”

“…”

She leaned in slightly, her crimson lips parting as she softly said, “Just as you once asked me to call you Yohan.”

Rudella clasped his hands gently, interlocking her slender, soft fingers with his. Her touch was light yet warm.

“I’d like you to call me Rudella as well. I want to hear my name spoken by you.”

“…Rudella” 

“Fufu, that’s better,” she replied with a soft smile, her gaze tender and affectionate as it rested on him—a look so warm it felt almost like a gentle caress.

“Now, let me show you the study.”

She led the way, and with a soft click, the door opened to reveal a tranquil study. Wooden bookshelves filled with books lined the walls, and on the desk sat an inkwell alongside the pen she often used.

“It’s small, but it’s cozy and conducive to focus. I’m quite satisfied with it.”

“Indeed. The atmosphere is lovely,” Yohan said as he took in the room, noting the faint scent of books. The sunlight streaming in gave the space a warm, inviting feeling.

‘But… has she completely abandoned her role as Crown Princess?’

The thought surfaced as he continued to survey the study. Something compelled him to speak.

“May I ask you something?”

“Of course. What is it?” Rudella asked, tilting her head slightly as she met his gaze. It was a habit of hers—to maintain eye contact and listen intently when someone spoke to her.

“It’s about your position as Crown Princess”

She listened quietly, her crimson gaze unwavering.

“You’ve just severed ties with your family and formally requested to annul the engagement, but shouldn’t you notify the royal family as well?”

While her kidnapping by the Crown Prince was widely known, the fact that she had severed ties with her family and officially sought to annul the engagement likely wouldn’t be. 

And what would happen to the now-vacant Topaz Palace?

“That is for the radiant sun to decide. I have no further ties to that position.”

Rudella exhaled softly, smiling as if savoring the joy of newfound freedom. She had an unexpectedly bold streak.

“Besides, I’ve been idle and unproductive lately, so my absence likely won’t affect state affairs much. And with the crown prince’s rebellion keeping them occupied, they probably won’t have time to bother with me.”

Of course, she had calculated everything in advance.

“Then that’s a relief.”

“Well, that’s enough talk about that for now.”

Rudella extended her hand toward Yohan with a gentle smile.

“Now… shall I show you the bedroom?”

Yohan’s eyes flickered briefly.

“…The bedroom?”

“…Yes.”

Her voice was quiet, but the trembling at the end of her words heated the air in the room. The tips of her reddened ears betrayed her inner thoughts.

Yohan hesitated, looking at Rudella.

She maintained a composed expression, but there was clear unrest beneath the surface.

Has she really made up her mind…? 

A cold sweat formed at the nape of Yohan’s neck. His heart started to beat a little faster. Her determined gaze tore through his hesitation.

“…Lead the way.”

Following her lead, he ascended to the second floor. They entered a room at the very end of the hallway, revealing a serene bedroom.

“I chose the finest bedding. And you can sense the delicate touch in the details, can’t you? Vera decorated it herself.”

Yohan’s gaze swept over the softly draped curtains and the neatly arranged bed linens.

“Impressive…”

The bedroom exuded a clean yet warm atmosphere, a space where one could feel at ease and fall asleep effortlessly.

“It’s lovely.”

“Isn’t it?”

With those words, silence fell.

“…..”

“…..”

An awkward quiet settled in the room, broken only by the faint sound of their own heartbeats. 

…Eventually, the distance between them diminished. Their shoulders brushed.

As Yohan felt Rudella’s breath close to him, a faint tremor ran through his fingertips. She, too, seemed unable to avert her gaze, exhaling lightly.

“…I have a request for you.”

Her voice resonated softly.

“There’s something I want to ask…”

The moment had arrived.

“…What is it?”

Yohan met her gaze steadily.

Rudella turned her eyes away quietly. Her sky-blue pupils trembled as if an earthquake shook them.

“Tonight… something unforgettable…”

Her voice, laden with tension, quivered faintly, but it didn’t break. She inhaled deeply and looked straight at Yohan, her resolve clear.

“…I want you to give me a night I’ll never forget.”