As time passed and he recovered, Yohan returned to work as a public official, just as he used to.
When he appeared for the first time in a while, the entire office seemed to brighten as though it had been waiting for his return.
“Oh, he’s here!”
As soon as he opened the door and entered, multiple gazes turned toward him, as if even the lighting became a bit brighter.
Some female officers cautiously waved their hands, while the male officers gave slight nods as a greeting.
“Special Class Mage Harssen, you’ve worked hard.”
“It’s been a while!”
“Did you take good care of yourself?”
Both male and female officers welcomed him, though the number of female officers was noticeably higher.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t on good terms with the male officers—they simply didn’t show the same level of interest that the female officers did.
“Thank you all. I’m honored that you remembered me even after such a long time.”
Yohan spoke with a playful smile, causing the female officers to giggle.
“Oh, come on!”
“You’ve gotten cheekier since we last saw you, haven’t you?”
Their hands lightly touched Yohan’s body in friendly gestures of familiarity.
Yohan hadn’t intended to flirt; he was simply trying to avoid the awkwardness that would come from acting too formal.
“I’m glad to see you’re all healthy.”
“Oh my, he’s even worrying about us now.”
“Ha-ha, we’re very healthy!”
When he smiled again, the women’s reactions grew even livelier.
Was this what people meant when they described a fun guy (handsome guy)?
In the past, he would have felt the same amusement, but after 21 years since his reincarnation, he was used to this feeling.
“Well, then, I’ll…”
As Yohan left a slightly embarrassed smile and returned to his seat, he noticed Francia watching him steadily from nearby.
“Francia…?”
“Yohan.”
Her voice was cold, and she didn’t seem pleased to see him laughing with the other women.
“Why are you here, Francia?”
Sensing the tension, Yohan quickly changed the subject.
“The seating arrangements were reassigned while you were gone. I may have manipulated things a little?”
Francia winked at him, and the smile on her lips indicated that she hadn’t noticed Yohan’s deliberate change of subject.
“That’s nice. I get to be with Francia while working.”
“Ha-ha. You’re quite the sweet-talker, Yohan.”
She sat down and began to organize the paperwork on the table, subtly closing the distance as she pressed her hip gently against Yohan.
“We’ll be working together today.”
“All right.”
Francia and Yohan exchanged a glance, each breaking into a small smile.
These were good days, even just looking at each other.
“I’ll take a quick look at these documents.”
“Oh, don’t mind me; focus on your work.”
With a shy smile, Francia looked over the backlog of documents.
The Public Office, as the Empire’s asymmetric force, had various responsibilities, but for now, the work focused on the following.
First, drafting surveillance reports.
The Public Office monitored the movements of the noble families and documented them to report to the royal family.
It analyzed their political maneuvers, secret alliances, and rivalries to ensure the Empire’s stability.
Second, recording magic and weapon management.
As a group made up of mages and knights, the organization needed to keep records of their specialized weapons and magical artifacts.
Regular inspections and documentation were part of this paperwork.
Third, documenting military strategy and defense plans.
They prepared documents on key defense strategies and troop deployments in specific regions to allow for swift distribution when necessary.
This included noting diplomatic issues or military responses, especially now, with the tension involving Sanburg.
Although tasks like monitoring noble tax evasion also fell under their jurisdiction, those were not immediately pressing matters and weren’t Yohan’s responsibility.
‘For now… military documents.’
The Emperor had stated firmly that there would be no war, but there was still a possibility that Sanburg, who had been asked to yield territory, might initiate an attack.
As Yohan focused on drafting the documents.
Rustle.
A warm hand gently touched his thigh, and Yohan turned quickly to look at Francia.
She kept an innocent expression as she continued flipping through the papers, her fingers lightly tracing over his thigh.
With a soft, almost teasing touch, she grazed her nails against his skin, subtly stimulating his senses.
“…Francia?”
He whispered, cautiously looking at her.
He could feel his heart pounding, uncertain of how to respond to the situation.
“Yohan, did you enjoy greeting the female officers after so long?”
It seemed she had let it slide earlier, only to bring it up now.
“…What’s there to enjoy? It was just a simple greeting.”
Yohan’s tone was flat, emphasizing that the greeting had no other meaning.
“Considering, though, it looked quite cheerful. You even cracked a joke. It’s rare to see the always-serious Yohan joking. Oh, that’s not a complaint.”
Her tone softened with reassurance, and Yohan couldn’t help but smile slightly.
“…Why are you smiling?”
Francia asked, her gaze showing a hint of wariness.
“Because you’re just too cute, Francia.”
“W-what…!”
The sound of his voice softened to a casual tone as he let out a low chuckle, and Francia’s eyes widened before her face flushed.
“Ah…!”
Realizing the strange noise she had made, she quickly looked around.
Fortunately, no one else seemed to have noticed.
“If you suddenly say things like that, it’ll even make me nervous.”
“Are we at a stage where we can’t say things like that?”
“Ugh…”
Yohan’s mischievous smile seemed to win the moment, and although she trembled with a hint of frustration, she blushed, pleased by his words.
“I like that side of you too, Yohan.”
“I know that.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you always tell me you like me.”
“…I feel like I’m always losing.”
As Yohan said this, he met Francia’s gaze and smiled.
She flinched slightly and shrank her shoulders.
“…Don’t give that smile to just anyone.”
“Why?”
“It’s a smile that captivates women.”
“Then I should keep a straight face all the time.”
“You can smile when you’re with me.”
“…I see.”
“Do you understand?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh, really!”
“Got it.”
Realizing that the conversation could go on forever, Yohan chuckled.
It was clear that Francia was speaking out of jealousy, so he decided to let it slide.
“Ah! You just listened with one ear and let it go out the other, didn’t you?”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Your face says otherwise…”
“Rest assured, I didn’t.”
Yohan gently patted Francia’s head as she pouted.
She closed her eyes like a contented cat, accepting his touch.
“I feel frustrated with myself for always giving in like this.”
“Do you dislike it?”
“…No, I like it.”
Francia whispered softly and turned her head to hide her flushed face.
Did she realize that her ears were turning red from the heat? Probably not.
Under the gentle moonlight that illuminated Topaz Palace that night, Rudella continued with her work, just as she always did.
Even as the prospective crown princess, Rudella had a mountain of responsibilities, so much so that if she didn’t keep to a strict schedule, she’d end up working late into the night.
“Haah.”
Rudella let out a long sigh and clenched her hands on her desk.
Her thoughts were in disarray.
The problem wasn’t her work.
She was overwhelmed by Yohan Harssen’s image, his voice, his touch—she was ensnared by him.
No matter how much she tried to focus on her tasks, thoughts of him lingered, keeping her from moving forward.
And so, she found herself still working late into the night, as a fleeting impulse transformed into a constant yearning.
Feeling the strain, she reached for a cup of tea.
The delicate fragrance brushed her senses, causing her to pause.
What would Yohan say about this scent? Would he compare it to the lilies that bloom beside her?
Such trivial thoughts drifted through her mind.
‘…This must be a sickness.’
Setting down the teacup, she looked out the window, catching a view of the lily garden she had arranged herself.
Under the moonlight, the lilies sparkled in a silvery hue, and as she looked at them, Yohan’s voice seemed to echo in her mind once more.
Her thoughts drifted back to him again, and she finally realized the severity of her condition.
This was a profound and serious ailment.
According to the intentions of House Bismarck, she was supposed to become the crown princess, and eventually, the empress overseeing the empire.
But since meeting that man, everything had unraveled.
Strictly speaking, it was her own fault for becoming so captivated by him.
“Sigh.”
Unable to focus on her daily tasks, Rudella pressed her fingers against her brow.
He kept invading her thoughts.
‘…If I’m going to think about him, it’s better just to call him.’
She didn’t see it as an inconvenience.
After all, didn’t he tell her to slack off and take breaks? He’d even said to call for him whenever she needed a respite.
So Rudella was simply following his suggestion.
This wasn’t an obsession or a pointless attachment at all.
She moved her paperwork to the corner of her desk and left her office, heading to her chambers.
From the hallway windows, she could see the deep, starry night sky.
The vast and serene view made her wonder what it would be like to gaze up at the stars alongside Yohan.
“Oh…!”
Startled by her own thoughts, Rudella quickly shook her head.
He kept appearing, no matter what she did or looked at, and it was becoming problematic.
‘…At this rate, my feelings will only deepen. I need to see him tomorrow.’
Rudella had always been wary of love, knowing that the more she yearned for it, the weaker she would become.
But her longing for him didn’t wane.
The desire to be held by him and to stay by his side was crushing her heart, bringing her to the brink of breaking.
‘This truly is a serious ailment.’
As winter approached, the air grew colder, yet the warmth stirring in her heart only intensified.
Bathed in the moonlight seeping through the window, Rudella, suppressing her yearning for Yohan, made her way to her chambers.
She resolved to see him in person tomorrow.