Yohan, entering the audience chamber, offered greetings according to Imperial Palace etiquette.
“I behold the sun of the Empire.”
Unlike before, he did not lower himself by kneeling on one knee. Now, Yohan could be considered equal to or even above the Emperor of the Empire.
The Emperor was aware of this, and accepted his attitude as a matter of course.
“Duke Rahardt, you have done exceptionally well this time.”
The Emperor slowly leaned forward, looking at Yohan. Yohan slightly lowered his head.
“It is an honor.”
The Emperor nodded at Yohan’s textbook response. He rested his arm on the armrest of the throne and continued.
“However, the Imperial Family has nothing more to give Duke Rahardt. Not titles, nor territories.”
Yohan agreed with the statement that there were no more rewards to bestow.
The Rahardt territory, which the Emperor had personally granted to Yohan, was quite fertile and vast. It was not held by the Imperial Family for no reason.
Receiving another territory here would only be cumbersome, especially since the Rahardt territory was not yet fully organized.
The same was true for titles. Yohan was currently the second Duke of the Empire, a king just below the Emperor. There was nowhere higher for him to ascend.
“Therefore-“
The Emperor fixed his gaze on Yohan, his expression hardening.
The golden eyes, unique to the Imperial Family, flickered.
“Now, the Imperial Family will assist you.”
The Emperor seemed to have made a decision.
“I grant military privileges and economic benefits.”
Economic benefits would likely involve taxes and trade, while military privileges would mean that Rahardt could command not only knights but also private soldiers in his name.
This was encouraging. Being able to command private soldiers even in a region without a Demon Nest meant that Rahardt’s power would be further strengthened.
“And honor.”
The Emperor slowly closed and then opened his eyes, continuing.
“The name Yohan will be recorded in the history books of the Rogino Empire as a guardian and the strongest mage on the continent and the Rahardt family will become the most honorable family in the Empire.”
Honor was a star that one could not possess even if one desired it. It was also what Yohan needed now. He had to increase his stature so that no one could touch him.
“Therefore, I shall name the Rahardt Dukedom the ‘Rahardt of Nobility.””
Rahardt of Nobility.
It was a pleasing sound.
“As the radiance of Your Majesty shines upon all, so too shall your grace spread endlessly.”
From this day forward.
The word ‘Nobility’ would be attached to Yohan’s name.
* * *
As he left the audience chamber, a soft moonlight enveloped the corridors of the Imperial Palace.
A quiet and gentle air wrapped around his entire body. He liked this feeling very much.
‘Comfortable.’
All the crazy male leads had met their deaths, and there was no one left to target Francia. And the Rahardt family had become so powerful that no one could touch them.
He could finally relax.
Just as Yohan let out a sigh of relief and walked on.
“…Yohan.”
From the end of the corridor leading to the palace’s main gate, a moist, feminine voice was heard.
“Your Highness the Princess.”
It was Laryana.
“…I’m so glad you returned safely.”
She gave Yohan a bitter smile as she looked at him. Her golden hair and eyes, reminiscent of gold, sparkled in the pure white moonlight. Her beauty was chilling as always.
However, she also looked gaunt. Shadows were cast under her eyes, and her skin was unusually rough. Her hair also lacked its usual luster.
“It seems to be thanks to Your Highness the Princess’s belief in me.”
Yohan met her gaze and smiled faintly. He needed to reassure Laryana. It would be troublesome if she harmed her health because of him.
“…Yohan is amazing. I was just anxiously waiting for the results.”
Laryana carefully averted her gaze, stroking her wrist.
“Actually…”
She swallowed her lips.
“I was so worried that Yohan would disappear from this world that I couldn’t eat or sleep.”
She had restless nights. She couldn’t fall asleep. She had no appetite. She couldn’t live as usual at all. The fear that she might never see him again made her nervous.
“If I slept, you would disappear in my dreams, and even if I ate, it wouldn’t go down my throat. Wherever I went, whatever I did…”
Laryana’s eyes turned red.
“There was nothing I could do.”
She clenched her hands tightly.
Yohan quietly looked at Laryana.
Her feelings were not just simple affection.
A blind obsession towards her first love.
“…That’s when I realized. That my feelings were not yet resolved. That these feelings would not disappear even with time.”
Laryana lowered her head deeply. She couldn’t look up at Yohan. She was both expectant and afraid of what answer would come back. She felt like he really wouldn’t deal with her anymore.
“I… I still like you, Yohan.”
Her voice was trembling. A moist tone. Yohan was not so oblivious as to not realize that Laryana was crying.
What should he do here?
Yohan inadvertently slowly raised his hand. He hesitated for a moment, about to stroke her golden hair. Was it really right to comfort her like this? That question made his fingertips waver.
He couldn’t accept her feelings. There was no way to repay Laryana. Then should he cut it off completely now, when the atmosphere was right————
Laryana was an attractive woman. Not to mention her chillingly eerie beauty, her status and background were all perfect. Her personality was somewhat problematic, but she was in the process of growing.
Was it right to hurt her?
If he had a little more time, would he be able to accept her feelings? That thought suddenly occurred to him.
Her expression.
Her eyes.
That trembling, that desperation.
He judged that it was not an emotion that could be easily erased.
“…Your Highness the Princess.”
Yohan called her softly. Laryana did not raise her head. She couldn’t bring herself to lift it. She was afraid of meeting his eyes. She felt like she would be rejected once again.
But Yohan continued to speak.
“People usually don’t achieve their first love. Because they are clumsy. So most people cherish it in their memories and live on. Sometimes, that remains as an even more beautiful memory.”
Laryana’s shoulders trembled slightly. She was desperately trying to hold back the tears that were about to burst out.
“But there are times when feelings change over time. Of course, I am not denying Your Highness the Princess’s feelings. I just wanted to say that you need time right now.”
Even without raising her head, without looking into his eyes, she could tell. Yohan was smiling right now.
He could have coldly brushed her off, but he wouldn’t. He had a firm yet tender heart.
“Your Highness the Princess is currently growing. That is why you need time. Time to sort out your feelings and look at yourself.”
Why, even in this situation, did his voice give her so much stability? Laryana hated herself. She had to give up, but she couldn’t give up at all.
She liked him.
The reasons were complicated, but she didn’t want to think about them. Even if the experience of growing up as a member of the Imperial Family told her that it was not a rational decision, she couldn’t stop.
First love was like a poisonous fog.
It was terribly effective at destroying people.
She became addicted little by little. And when she came to her senses, she was already unable to escape.
Laryana’s current state was like that.
She couldn’t escape from the man named Yohan.
“So, let’s watch a little longer. Right now, the possibility that I could die has confused Your Highness.”
Laryana gently raised her head.
“Is that… a rejection?”
“It’s a rejection for now.”
“For now…?”
Her large eyes blinked. Her face was full of bewilderment, unable to understand.
“If time passes and it doesn’t get better, and rather, your feelings become even stronger—”
Laryana swallowed hard. Expectation bloomed in her fear. She realized that his answer was not a complete rejection. She clenched her hands and waited for Yohan’s words.
“Then I will go to Your Highness.”
In that instant, a great weight fell into Laryana’s heart. She moved her lips. Not knowing what to say, she simply gazed at him with her golden eyes.
“You’re finally looking at me properly now.”
Yohan smiled gently.
“It’s just like when I realized my feelings for you.”
Laryana felt like her breath was stopping. Her heart was racing like crazy. It was as if magic was exploding in her head.
She swallowed her tears and moved her lips.
“Ah…”
A quiet laugh escaped.
“I still like you, Yohan.”
* * *
On the way back to the mansion in the carriage.
Yohan lowered his gaze. The scenery outside the window quietly scattered into the darkness. The faint streetlights visible through the window passed by.
He was worried about whether his answer and choice would be beneficial to Laryana, who was just beginning to grow internally, and his thoughts became complicated for no reason.
He hoped that Laryana would not collapse. It wasn’t just because he felt uneasy. Yohan wanted her to grow more and see the world more broadly.
To be honest, it was unnecessary meddling.
However, Yohan was not so cold as to treat a woman who had come to sincerely like him harshly. Rather, it was because he had come to see her again and had developed feelings for her that he was like this.
His eyes, which had been looking out the window, gradually trembled.
Was that really the best thing to do?
What if she really waited?
If she became stronger than now?
Such worries suddenly arose, but he hoped that she wouldn’t wait for him like a fool.
Because there would be someone better than him for Laryana.
“It’s complicated.”
Yohan leaned back in the carriage and slowly closed his eyes.
The matter with Laryana had a grace period, so it wasn’t a problem to think about now.
His marriage with Francia was just around the corner.
And the Demon Nest in the north, in the Ferbache territory.
Once he closed that, his role would be over.
Now, all that remained was what path he would take.
“Hoo.”
Yohan slowly inhaled.
All problems were things that time would solve.