Yohan’s deep, dark eyes pierced through Rudbeckia as if seeing straight through her.
Just meeting his gaze made it hard to breathe, and before she knew it, Rudbeckia turned her head away.
But Yohan’s stare still did not let her go.
“Um, what…?”
Rudbeckia fidgeted with her fingers, at a loss for what to do. A flush spread across her pale face, turning it red. Her body stiffened with tension.
Her heart pounded wildly. Even after marriage, she had always felt a thrill whenever she was near Yohan, and now, after such a long time apart, it was even worse.
Every breath she took stirred emotions she wished to keep hidden.
It felt as if, once this moment ended, everything would disappear.
“I will ask again. Do you truly have nothing that comes to mind when you see me?”
Receiving no answer, Yohan assumed she hadn’t heard him and repeated his question.
Rudbeckia parted her lips slightly. She couldn’t understand why Yohan was asking such a thing.
Could he possibly have memories from before the regression?
‘That can’t be… can it?’
Did Francia Ferbache tell him? That was impossible. She, too, had to follow the celestial mage’s rules.
Then what?
Could some unknown factor have caused her regression to transfer memories to Yohan as well?
She had only read the necessary runes in the regression grimoire, so she wasn’t entirely sure, but the chances of that happening were practically nonexistent.
If it were possible, then Francia Ferbache should have remembered when she regressed.
“Is it difficult for you to answer?”
“It’s not that… it’s just…”
“Just?”
Rudbeckia lowered her head deeply, biting her lip. Her hands clenched into tight fists.
There was no way nothing came to mind.
Countless memories.
The moments she had shared with him—so vivid.
The times when she had fallen for him, completely and irrevocably.
That winter. Though the garden was not magically protected from the cold, she had insisted on enjoying tea outside for the atmosphere.
Instead of getting annoyed at her stubbornness, Yohan had silently draped his coat over her shoulders, worried about the chill.
At a party hosted by the central nobility, where she had been subtly looked down upon for being a noble from the outskirts, Yohan had smoothly manipulated the conversation, making them all taste their own medicine.
The embroidered handkerchief she had painstakingly practiced making for him only to ruin it over and over again. In the end, she had hidden it away, thinking it too messy to give.
Yet when he found out, he had treasured it, saying the thought behind it mattered more.
Even though their marriage had practically been forced upon him, and he had every reason to resent the Fritsche Count’s family, Yohan had devoted himself to studying tirelessly to protect both the house and its territory.
The memories surfaced one after another.
She wanted to tell him everything right now.
But she couldn’t.
She had no idea what price the truth might bring.
This was a warning from a celestial mage—one who could twist causality itself and turn back time.
Ignoring such a warning just because of fleeting emotions was far too dangerous.
Suppressing the overwhelming emotions that threatened to rise, Rudbeckia forced a smile.
She didn’t want to show him a sorrowful face.
“…No. Nothing really comes to mind.”
She was smiling, but her expression looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
She had deceived Yohan. It wasn’t the first time she had lied to him, but this time… this time, it was a secret she would have to carry for the rest of her life.
Is that why?
Her heart ached as if it were freezing over.
‘Does he know?’
That his wife, consumed by longing, crossed even time itself just to see him.
He would never know. He could never know.
The only ones privy to this secret were himself who had twisted causality and became a sinner of the world and Francia Ferbache.
“…Is that so?”
Yohan pressed his lips together, staring at the table in the center.
He felt stifled.
Whenever he looked at Rudbeckia, something seemed to surface in his mind, yet he couldn’t grasp what it was.
The moment he raised his gaze to dismiss her, he was at a loss for his words.
“….”
Rudbeckia was smiling softly.
But that smile was filled with sorrow.
Her eyes were desperate, and her gaze was wistful.
She looked at him as if she were recalling someone else.
Yohan hesitated, his lips slightly parted.
What should he say?
There weren’t enough words to explain this complex feeling.
In the end, he let out a quiet breath.
“My apologies. I asked a strange question. You may leave now, Lady Friche. The interview is over.”
“…Alright.”
“You may start work next week. Your uniform will be prepared and sent to you, and your position will be arranged in advance.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As Rudbeckia rose from her seat, she once again gave him that wistful smile and looked at him.
“Then, I’ll see you next time, Joha— no, Minister.”
“…”
Rudbeckia left the office.
Yohan closed his eyes and pressed his fingers against his brow.
‘Something…’
He had forgotten something.
Something he absolutely needed to remember.
“…Are you feeling unwell?”
Elena, who had been organizing documents and a tea set beside him, asked.
Her gaze was filled with concern.
“No… not really. I suppose I just feel a bit fatigued.”
“Haven’t you been sleeping well?”
“…I’m not sure myself.”
A flood of information filled his mind, yet he couldn’t actually access any of it.
All he felt was exhaustion.
“My head feels… a little hot.”
“Why don’t you rest in the lounge for a bit? I’ll postpone your work.”
“I suppose I should.”
Half-lidded eyes, Yohan rose from his seat and glanced at Elena.
“You should take a break too. I can’t be the only one resting while you work.”
“Oh….would that really be alright?”
Elena’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Her eyebrows and the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
“Yes, you can leave early today. Besides, nothing will progress without me here anyway.”
“Then I’ll take my leave! Thank you…!”
She was always composed and serious, yet seeing her like this, it seemed even she couldn’t resist the temptation of getting off work on time.
Yohan organized the documents on his desk before heading to the lounge, his eyes still half-closed.
Even as he walked through the quiet corridor, the headache-like sensation refused to fade.
He could visit a doctor, but they would likely just tell him to eat and sleep well.
His symptoms were too vague to get a clear diagnosis.
Besides, there was no need Francia was the greatest healer, after all.
Click—
Entering the lounge, Yohan sank onto the spacious sofa and let his heavy eyelids close.
Even now, the lingering sense of unease remained.
But with no way to understand it, all he could do was swallow it down.
* * *
As soon as Francia got off work, she headed to the meeting place to see Rudbeckia.
It was a coffeehouse on the outskirts of the imperial capital.
She even brought a mask, just in case someone recognized her.
“How did the purification hall interview go?”
Francia asked. Across from her, Rudbeckia sat slumped, holding a teacup with a bitter smile on her face.
“…It went well. I left a good impression on Yohan too. He told me to be prepared, so I can start working immediately next week.”
Clink.
Rudbeckia set her teacup down.
“But something felt off.”
“What do you mean?”
“It seemed like Yohan was remembering something.”
Francia’s hand, which had been reaching for her teacup, froze midair. Her body stiffened, and she stared at Rudbeckia with wide eyes.
“…What do you mean? Did something happen?”
“He asked me if anything came to mind when I looked at him.”
“…”
Francia narrowed her eyes. Even if Yohan recalled his memories from before the regression, it wouldn’t necessarily be a problem.
But she was afraid. Afraid that his feelings toward her might change.
Of course, Francia knew better than anyone that Yohan’s feelings wouldn’t easily waver.
But she couldn’t ignore even the slightest possibility.
After all, she wasn’t entirely without guilt herself.
“So, what happened?”
Francia asked, her voice dropping low with tension. Her crimson eyes trembled.
“He said nothing came to mind.”
Rudbeckia slowly ran her fingertips along the table.
“But he can’t say anything. We don’t know what consequences might come from ignoring the celestial mage’s warning.”
That was an undeniable truth. If they weren’t careful, they could both end up back in their original timeline.
Fear of the unknown had a way of making people tremble.
“Yohan asked if I remembered anything about him, and I said I didn’t. That was it. The interview ended just like that, though he seemed deep in thought, as if something was on the edge of his memory.”
Anyone with a bit of awareness could tell—Yohan had recalled something.
But whatever it was, he hadn’t figured it out completely.
Perhaps, with the right trigger, he would remember everything…
“I’d rather he didn’t remember.”
Rudbeckia muttered under her breath.
Francia’s eyes widened as she stared at her.
“…Why? If Yohan remembers, then you—”
“No. That’s not it.”
Rudbeckia shook her head.
“The way Yohan and I started before… it was wrong. But now, I think this is better. I’m winning Yohan’s heart through my own efforts, and he’s giving me his love sincerely.”
She let out a small smile, gazing into the air.
A nostalgic look flickered in her green eyes, as if recalling memories that now only she carried.
“This is for the best. Unlike before, I can earn Yohan’s genuine feelings this time.”
“…”
Francia opened her mouth slightly but didn’t say anything. She was honestly surprised.
She had assumed Rudbeckia would desperately want Yohan to regain his memories.
‘Was I the only one being childish…?’
Francia turned her head away and closed her eyes, feeling embarrassed.
She had been willing to become a villain just to stay by Yohan’s side, but in the end, she had only been immature.
“…I’ll help you.”
With a firm expression, Francia finally met Rudbeckia’s gaze.
“I’ll help Yohan develop feelings for you. But I won’t do too much. It could backfire.”
Rudbeckia smiled softly.
“That’s enough.”
* * *
Late Night.
As Francia slept and even the servants had retired for the night, the Rahardt Imperial Residence was enveloped in deep silence.
Yohan walked through the darkened hallway and quietly knocked on the door.
Knock, knock—
After knocking, he opened the door and stepped inside. Sitting by the bedside, leaning against the headboard with a book in hand, Rudella lifted her head.
“Yohan?”
Her expression had been neutral while reading, but as soon as she saw him, her face lit up with warmth.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I just… wanted to see you.”
Yohan smiled faintly and sat down on her bed.
“Well, I’m glad you came to see me. Besides, I wasn’t sleepy either.”
Rudella smiled softly and reached out, her slender fingers brushing against Yohan’s cheek. Her touch was gentle and warm.
“You seem tired. Can’t sleep?”
“Yeah. I kept tossing and turning, so I came here.”
“Hmm, sometimes it’s okay to be a little spoiled.”
She chuckled quietly before shifting her position slightly. Then, without hesitation, she pulled him into an embrace.
Warmth seeped through.
Yohan let himself relax, leaning into her arms. Rudella’s soft and warm skin cradled his face.
A sense of comfort.
His heart grew calm, his mind at ease.
As she gently stroked his hair, Rudella whispered softly.
“I don’t know what’s keeping you up, but everything will be okay. Look at me—just meeting you has made me this happy.”
Yohan let out a quiet chuckle at her words.
“I’m glad. That you’re happy.”
“Of course. You’ve been worrying about this for a while, haven’t you?”
Her hand moved slowly, running through the hair at the back of his head, her warmth sinking into him.
Then, still stroking his hair, she murmured.
“Looks like you’re getting sleepy. If you want, we can sleep together.”
“You mean you don’t want that?”
“Hehe, well, maybe I do.”
Rudella smiled playfully and placed a soft kiss on Yohan’s forehead with her red lips.
“I just want to be loved.”
Yohan chuckled at her teasing tone and held her even closer.
The faint, intoxicating scent of her skin made his mind waver slightly.
His fingertips grazed her thigh. Rudella flinched but didn’t pull away. His touch, slow and delicate, traced upward.
“I love you, Rudella.”
With a small smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear.
“I love you too.”