Chapter 39: Her Concern

Yohan could only return to the Ferbache Mansion late at night after completing his mission.

The small street festival for the commoners had gone on longer than expected, and his mission only ended after he escorted Rudella to the Topaz Palace.

When he arrived back at the mansion, despite the late hour, the head butler and servants were lined up, waiting for him.

“You have arrived, young master Harssen.”

“What’s the occasion for everyone to gather like this?”

Yohan tilted his head in curiosity.

It wasn’t unusual for the head butler to be there, but for all the servants to be lined up waiting for him was rare.

“The lady is waiting for you.”

“The lady?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll go to her right away.”

With a single nod, Yohan went upstairs and entered the guest room of the mansion, which was now his room.

Click.

Francia was sitting carefully on the edge of the bed.

Under the dim light, her hair swayed slightly, and her steady, deep breaths filled the room.

Though clearly exhausted from a long wait, her hands were still folded neatly, as if she hadn’t let down her guard, even in her sleep, to welcome Yohan.

“Francia?”

“Huh, yes?”

Francia, who had been nodding off, opened her eyes.

Her face showed signs of weariness from the wait, but she couldn’t hide the joy that filled her eyes.

“Ah, Yohan, you’re back.”

“I came straight here when I heard you were waiting.”

“Yes. I was waiting.”

With an awkward smile, Francia patted the spot next to her, and Yohan, without hesitation, sat beside her.

“Today was the Harvest Festival, you know. There was a celebration in the royal district.”

“I know.”

“I heard there were fireworks, too, so I waited to go together, but your mission ended late…”

Her expression was filled with disappointment.

Staying awake until late at night, it seemed she really had wanted to go to the festival.

“…I’m sorry.”

Yohan offered a brief apology, but his heart was conflicted.

No matter the excuse of a mission, the fact remained that he’d left her alone.

“It’s not Yohan’s fault. It was a mission.”

Though her words seemed understanding, the disappointment on her face lingered, so Yohan gently stroked her hair.

“There will be many festivals in the future. It’s not like our time together is limited, right? We can go next time.”

Even if not right away, they had plenty of time to spend together in the future.

After all, the Ducal of Ferbache had approved their courtship.

“Yes, you’re right. We have plenty of time together.”

Francia beamed with a bright smile, seeming pleased by his words, and she moved a little closer, clearly enjoying his touch as he stroked her hair.

Yohan’s fingers gently pressed against her scalp, and Francia’s shoulders relaxed as she let out a soft sigh.

Her face showed an expression of calm, as if feeling a sense of trust and comfort.

Yohan focused on providing her with a small source of comfort.

“Haa… Yohan, you’re really good at scalp massages.”

Her expression was almost sleepy, her tired eyes unfocused, as if the massage alone could lull her to sleep.

“Maybe it’s because it’s a touch filled with love.”

Yohan chuckled softly.

“Ugh. It’s hard to know how to react when you say things like that while I’m all relaxed…”

Francia shyly brought a piece of hair to cover her cheek, and seeing her like a small, endearing creature, Yohan rubbed the back of her neck with his other hand.

“Haa…”

Francia’s whole body seemed to relax further, leaning into him.

“So, do you find this side of me unappealing?”

“No, not at all…”

“Then I’ll continue.”

“Alright.”

Francia laughed softly and leaned her head on Yohan’s chest, surrendering herself to his embrace.

“I actually know something.”

“What is that?”

“You went to the festival with Lady Bismark, didn’t you?”

Yohan’s body stiffened.

How did she know? It didn’t seem like Fedelian would have told her, as Francia despised him and avoided talking to him.

“How did you know?”

“I just had a feeling.”

“I’m sorry.”

Seeing Francia’s faintly bitter smile, Yohan could only apologize.

Explanations would come later.

“It’s okay. It was a mission. It doesn’t bother me too much.”

Her voice, though, sounded downcast.

Yohan knew.

Francia was not okay.

“There’s actually a reason.”

“What is it?”

“Lady Bismark is a pitiable person.”

“Pitiable?”

“Well…”

Yohan told her about the life of Rudella Bismark, which he had learned in the cave.

Francia listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

“So I told her to call me occasionally when she needs an excuse. I thought it would be useful for her.”

Though he might get entangled in Rudella’s complicated life, his feelings for Francia wouldn’t change.

The reason he was helping Rudella was purely out of pity.

“Then, what Yohan feels for Lady Bismark isn’t special; it’s simply sympathy. I’m relieved.”

Francia, seeming reassured by his words, gently placed her hand on his thigh.

As her hand softly caressed his thigh, Yohan gently held her hand in his.

Even with that small contact, it felt as if they were sharing each other’s warmth.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about, Francia. I won’t be easily swayed.”

“Hehe, thank you for saying that.”

With a slightly awkward smile, Francia closed her eyes.

As he slowly massaged her warm skin, Yohan thought quietly to himself.

Even if Rudella Bismark harbored feelings for him, it wouldn’t matter.

Unless she severed ties with her family and relinquished all her privileges, their fates would never align.

Rudella Bismark was destined to become the crown princess.

Thus, Yohan’s relationship with her would be nothing more than occasional, necessary support.

Nothing more, nothing less.

“Shall we sleep now?”

Francia’s breathing was shallow as she received the scalp massage, having fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Yohan gently laid her down and kissed her forehead.

The next day

Yohan went to work as usual.

He spent time exchanging greetings with the friendly female officers and chatting with the male officers who viewed him favorably.

His tasks mainly involved preparing military documents in case of a possible war with Sanburg, leaving him time to study new magic.

“You’re studying hard, aren’t you?” Francia said with a bright smile beside him, her papers neatly stacked, indicating she had just finished her work.

“I told the Ducal I’d become a transcendent mage.”

Though he had been too distracted by recent events to focus, it was time to start his journey to reach the level of a transcendent mage.

To counter the Mage Tower Lord and other petty villains he might face in the future, the power of an advanced mage wouldn’t be enough.

“Ah, I’m sorry for interrupting your studies.”

“No problem. Did you just finish your tasks, Francia?”

“Yes. With the international situation so tense, there are lots of documents to process.”

Francia had to handle military-related paperwork, too.

Although she wasn’t a battle mage, she was still a high-level mage.

“You’re working hard.”

“Hehe, it’s nothing!” Francia proudly placed her hands on her waist, which Yohan found endearing, making him chuckle.

“High Mage Harssen, are you busy right now?”

Just then, an officer approached and called for Yohan.

He turned from Francia to face the officer.

“No, what’s the matter?”

“The commander is calling for you.”

“…Again?”

Could it be that Rudella had assigned another mission for him?

“I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yohan stood up, told Francia he’d be back, and headed to Fedelian’s office.

Click.

He opened the door and entered.

Fedelian was sitting at his desk, processing paperwork with a bored expression.

“You’re here.”

“Is it another designated mission?”

“No, it’s not.”

Fedelian placed the document he was holding aside and met Yohan’s gaze.

Though his face looked worn, he could still separate his duties from his personal feelings, performing perfectly as the Crown Prince.

“There’s a special mission. A report came in that a demonic cave appeared in a village on the western side of the Empire.”

Demonic caves appeared without warning.

Although it was hypothesized that they were created by corrupted mana formed from negative energy, no one knew for certain.

“A demonic cave…”

“Yes.”

Yohan’s expression hardened.

As a high-level mage, he couldn’t avoid such special missions.

‘I have a feeling they’ll pull something strange again.’

Although Fedelian and Cassis were somewhat restrained, Yohan couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t try anything.

Both had a certain twisted streak.

They would likely try something under the radar, avoiding the watchful eyes of the Ducal and the Emperor.

“Am I going alone?”

“You’ll go with the public officer’s knights.”

Fedelian glanced at the stack of documents on his desk, then handed a paper to Yohan.

“Take a look.”

Yohan took the paper and read it.

It explained that a village near the territory of Count Eckarshi on the Empire’s western border had discovered what appeared to be a demonic cave.

As expected, the villager who discovered it reported it to the count, and Count Eckarshi requested an inspection and confirmation from the public officer.

“It should be simple since it’s only a reconnaissance mission.”

“When is the date?”

“The sooner, the better. Depart immediately.”

“Understood.”

Yohan bowed courteously and left the office.

Returning to his place, Francia looked at him with curiosity.

“What was it about?”

“A special mission.”

“A special mission?”

“A demonic cave has been found in Eckarshi territory, in the western Empire. I have to confirm it.”

“A demonic cave?”

Francia’s expression darkened visibly at the mention of a demonic cave.

She knew what could happen there.

“Please don’t worry. What you fear won’t happen, Francia.”

“Still…”

Francia pursed her lips, filled with concern.

She couldn’t do anything, even though Cassis and Fedelian might try something.

Even though she possessed knowledge of future events, she had nothing immediately useful unless she could acquire artifacts.

“It’ll be alright.”

Seeing Francia’s anxious expression, Yohan smiled and patted her head reassuringly.

She lowered her head to allow him to stroke it more comfortably, seemingly soothed by his touch.

“When’s the departure date?”

“Starting today.”

“So soon…?”

“Demonic caves are easier to control if found early.”

A demonic cave was like a cancerous tumor.

If it wasn’t detected and managed in its early stages, the number of monsters would grow unchecked.

Francia, her expression serious, said, “Please make sure to carry the pendant and gemstone I gave you.”

“I know.”

Yohan smiled again to reassure her. Seeing his gentle smile, Francia’s tense face relaxed.

“Then, I’ll be back soon.”

Though there was a chance that Cassis and Fedelian would try something, Yohan was confident.

No matter what they plotted, he was certain he could handle it.