Yohan and Francia, who had organized their plans, exited the hotel.
The fact that Francia’s dress was quite luxurious was evident at first glance, so the manager quietly averted his gaze.
“He knows that we spent a night we shouldn’t have.”
With a noble grace that made it clear she was of high nobility, Francia, and a nobleman dressed in modest attire not befitting his appearance, stood together.
The difference in their statuses was so apparent that even a passing dog would notice.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
As they stepped outside the building, three knights waiting for Francia lifted their heads.
A middle-aged knight, robust and scarred, stood at the front.
He briefly shifted his gaze to assess Yohan’s looks, furrowing his brow.
His expression seemed to indicate he immediately understood what had happened the previous night.
However, perhaps because he was in front of Francia, he quickly relaxed his furrowed brow.
“The Ducal is waiting.”
“Right. Let’s go back immediately.”
“By the way, who is the man next to you…”
“Oh, this is him.”
Francia smiled and pointed at Yohan with her hand.
“This is Yohan Harssen, the third son of the Harssen family. He is to be my husband. You all should greet him.”
Upon hearing the word “husband,” the middle-aged knight’s complexion turned icy.
The shock was so great that the color drained from his face.
“Your Highness, husband? Without consulting the Ducal…”
“Enough. Let’s not talk about Father.”
Francia quickly turned her head and went to the carriage, receiving the knight’s escort as she got on.
“I will hear complaints from my father, so Eric, please don’t say anything.”
“…Yes.”
Despite Francia’s words, the middle-aged knight, Eric, continued to look at Yohan with a disapproving expression.
Yohan casually met his gaze and opened his eyes slightly.
“…Indeed.”
If he were a knight entrusted with Francia’s protection from the Ducal of Ferbache, he could probably ignore the third son of a viscount.
Given the current situation, it was likely that the Ducal had his support, so even if Eric cast him a disdainful glance, it wouldn’t be a major issue.
“Please, get in.”
The knight on the left gestured with his hand.
Yohan climbed into the carriage while receiving Eric’s cold gaze.
“We will depart immediately.”
“Alright.”
As the wheels of the carriage began to roll, Francia smiled brightly.
“Although my father appears cold on the outside, he is a warm-hearted person. If I calmly explain Yohan’s plans to him, I’m sure he will understand.”
The statement about being cold on the outside and warm on the inside was true.
He only showed his warm side to his only daughter.
In fact, his cold side wasn’t merely cold; he was like a cold-blooded monster from the battlefield.
How would he treat a low-ranking noble who suddenly came to claim his only daughter’s first night and proposed marriage?
It wouldn’t be surprising if he were immediately executed.
“But I have something to believe in.”
If Yohan demonstrated the talent to become a high-level mage in the imperial court, the Ducal would have no choice but to change his mind.
And while Yohan’s family might lack power, they were not entirely without merits.
Given the weakness of the Harssen family, the Ducal’s words would hold weight.
From the Ducal’s perspective, it might be better to send his only daughter to the Harssen family rather than push her into a politically charged marriage full of intrigue.
“I have enough bargaining chips.”
Yohan answered with a light smile.
“That’s right. The Ducal is actually a very emotional person. He will surely listen to what we have to say.”
“Exactly. But have I ever mentioned anything about my father?”
Yohan shook his head.
“I haven’t heard anything related to the Ducal, but I thought I’d mention that it’s thanks to the Ducal’s love that Francia has grown to be so beautiful.”
Upon hearing this, Francia shyly covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
“Ha ha, you’re quite the smooth talker.”
Seemingly pleased with the flattery, Yohan smiled back and looked out the window.
“First, I need to think about what kind of magic I can use.”
He could use all kinds of basic convenience magic, like cleaning spells or manipulation magic to move objects with his mana.
However, that wasn’t enough.
He needed high-level elemental magic with significant power.
“I can only use the basic elemental spells.”
The elemental magic he could cast was limited to firing small fireballs or creating bolts that could electrocute the target on contact.
With that, he could claim the title of a respectable mage, but there was no way he could qualify to be an imperial court official, which could be considered the empire’s first knight order.
An imperial court official was on a different level from a mere mercenary group or adventurer’s guild.
“I should prioritize learning as much high-level magic as possible before the entrance exam.”
His talent was exceptional.
He could interpret runes by himself.
With just a bit more study, the magic he had wanted until now would blossom.
Yohan asked, “How long have you been learning magic, Francia?”
“Me? Uh…”
Francia tapped her cheek with her index finger, pondering before responding.
“I’ve been receiving mana affinity training since I began to walk as a child. After my affinity improved to a certain level, I started formally learning runes. Then came magic.”
Gradually building her affinity and finding the properties that matched various runes—this was indeed a standard path.
“But why do you ask?”
“I think it’s time for me to properly learn magic.”
“Hmm? Haven’t you already learned magic?”
As Francia cautiously inquired, Yohan chuckled lightly.
“It’s all self-taught. That’s why I can only use small spells like this.”
Snap.
Yohan snapped his fingers.
A small snowflake appeared in mid-air.
“Right now, I can only manifest my mana to this level. That’s why I plan to properly learn magic this time with Francia.”
Francia gave an awkward smile.
“W-Well, you don’t have to push yourself too hard, okay? I’ll talk to my father about it.”
Her voice was filled with concern.
She likely understood that learning magic became more difficult as one aged, hence her words.
“It’s fine. The concerns you have won’t happen. You don’t need to worry. I’ll show you myself later.”
Yohan smiled lightly and turned his head back to the window.
The estate of the Ducal of Ferbache in the imperial capital was drawing closer.
The estate in the imperial capital of Ferbache.
An unusual cold aura filled the air, and even breathing would cause visible puffs of breath.
Despite winter being well past, the reason the servants in this estate were trembling was the Ducal Frost Ferbache, who was raising his ice property mana to its limits.
“Francia’s position is…”
“…They are currently on their way to the estate. They should arrive in about ten minutes.”
Enrique, the Ducal’s aide, swallowed nervously in response to the unsettling aura emanating from the Ducal.
“Right. Right. They will be coming.”
Seated at his desk in the office with his fingers interlocked, exuding a serious demeanor, he asked with a tense expression, “Has the investigation on the man with Francia been completed?”
“Yes.”
Enrique, the advisor, spread out the documents he brought and quickly rattled off the personal information about the man Francia was meeting.
“Yohan Harssen. The third son of the Harssen baron family. He hasn’t entered university, but he achieved top marks in social studies at the academy.”
As the papers shifted, Enrique’s mouth opened again.
“He showed exceptional talent in both swordsmanship and magic during special classes, but he hasn’t entered any departments. He hasn’t applied to be a public servant either.”
Ducal Ferbache, Frost, frowned.
“There’s really nothing to criticize. It’s quite unpleasant.”
Despite the perfect credentials, the ducal wouldn’t tolerate it.
Even if it were Renokhon, the other mountain range to Ferbache, he would not allow it.
“Given that he graduated at the top of his class in social studies, he certainly has ability. If he had offered to join as an advisor, I would have welcomed him with open arms. But as a son-in-law? No way.”
Frost squinted as he gazed at the portrait of Yohan.
It was the shadows of the Ferbache ducal family that had stolen the painting stored at the academy.
“Now that I see it, his appearance is quite remarkable. He must have captivated our Francia with that face. That damn fox-like bastard…!”
If that weren’t the case, the wise Francia wouldn’t spend the night with a stranger.
‘Damn it, I should have refused that request to attend the party yesterday, no matter what.’
The ducal’s expression grew more strained.
He had come to travel with Francia when the opportunity arose to visit the center.
But what happened? A grand party was being held at the Marquis family’s residence!
Francia naturally had to be interested, and the ducal couldn’t bring himself to refuse her earnest plea.
The condition he set was that she must return before it got too late.
But Francia did not come back.
Even without shadows attached, there were knights escorting her…
‘What were they doing, not doing their job properly…!’
What on earth were they doing if they weren’t protecting Francia? If something were to happen with this stranger…
“It seems he also has a good understanding of etiquette and various knowledge and skills.”
“Etiquette? Skills? People with such expertise are everywhere in our family!”
Bang! Frost slammed his hand on the table.
Everything within his reach froze and a white frost began to spread.
“I cannot accept this scoundrel. If what I imagine has happened, he would not come out of this unscathed.”
The air in the office froze heavily.
His gaze seemed to ignite with a cold flame.
“Still, perhaps it would be better to hear the princess’s opinion…”
“Francia is not at an age for that yet.”
Seeing the ducal smirk, Enrique thought,
‘At twenty, she should be more than ready for marriage…
While a woman’s marriage is typically decided between the ages of seventeen and twenty-three, it’s not unusual for high-ranking nobles to have their partners chosen from a young age.
But what about Francia Ferbache? Despite being at the prime age of twenty, she can’t even bring up the topic of marriage.
This is due to the ducal’s excessive protection.
Naturally, other nobles did not approach her at all.
They knew that if they contacted her carelessly, they would end up with nothing.
…It can’t be helped.
I have no choice but to mediate well.’
Enrique secretly sighed and shook his head.
As he continued the conversation with Francia, they soon arrived at the Ferbache mansion in the imperial capital.
Yohan, seemingly familiar with the place, got out of the carriage first and offered his hand to Francia.
“Oh my, thank you.”
Francia smiled brightly as she accepted Yohan’s escort and stepped down from the carriage.
Clang!
As the mansion’s main gate opened, the waiting servants and an unnamed man greeted them politely.
“Welcome, Your Highness. And you, Young Master Yohan Harssen.”
Yohan flinched.
Did that mean they had already completed their investigation on him?
The ducal’s anger was clearly palpable.
“The ducal wishes to see you immediately.”
The unnamed man in front of them got straight to the point.
Yohan swallowed hard as the lump in his throat felt heavy.
‘So, it has begun.’
This was the first hurdle to sharing a life with Francia.