Rahardt Imperial Residence, in front of the main gate.
Standing before the main gate, Rudbeckia fidgeted, biting her lip slightly.
She blinked repeatedly, raised her heels and lowered them again—unconsciously revealing her anxiety. Her heart pounded.
It was inevitable, arriving unannounced.
It was impolite. But she couldn’t resist seeing Yohan. And she also needed to apologize for how things had turned out.
Of course, it couldn’t be definitively said that the Archmage’s sudden actions were because of Rudbeckia.
However, the moment she regressed, there was a high possibility that he, too, had regained his memories. After all, Rudbeckia had used the mana from the library, imbued with the Archmage’s Magical Power, to return.
“Haa…”
Rudbeckia sighed.
Belatedly, worries flooded in, but she had no intention of turning away from the residence.
Moreover, she hadn’t seen Yohan for several days, so she didn’t want to come all this way and return empty-handed.
‘Alright, Rudbeckia.’
She needed to be brave.
Isn’t there a saying that those who have courage win the beauty? It’s not just for men. It applies to women as well.
Rudbeckia took a step forward. As she approached the main gate, the guards checked her face and nodded.
“Lady Fritze, is it? Have you come to see the Duke?”
“Yes. Is the Duke inside right now?”
“Yes. I’ll inform him immediately.”
The guard hurried into the residence.
And a moment later—
The guard who had come out of the residence came to the main gate and said.
“He says you may enter.”
“Thank you.”
Rudbeckia took a deep breath to hide her nervousness and stepped forward.
She entered the residence. The head butler greeted her with a gentle smile.
“The Duke is currently waiting in the drawing room.”
Guided to the drawing room, Rudbeckia found Yohan sitting on the sofa, waiting.
“Rudbeckia.”
“…It’s nice to see you, Minister. Are you hurt anywhere?”
Rudbeckia called Yohan ‘Minister,’ conscious of the head butler who hadn’t yet left the drawing room.
Only after the head butler left, leaving them alone, did Rudbeckia relax her tense expression.
“I’m fine. No injuries, and my health is good.”
“Haa, that’s a relief.”
Only then did she exhale a deep breath of relief. And she offered a quiet apology.
“First… I want to apologize.”
Yohan tilted his head.
“For what?”
“Just… for everything that’s happened.”
The tips of Rudbeckia’s fingers trembled. She felt so sorry for him. It was no different from causing harm due to her own greed.
“I can’t tell you the details… but the reason the Archmage acted that way is probably my fault. I want to apologize for that. I’m sorry…”
Yohan blinked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you the details…”
She wished she could explain in detail, but unfortunately, that was impossible. She couldn’t ignore the Celestial Mage’s warning written in the regression grimoire.
Something might come.
Perhaps she might return to before the regression.
Yohan smiled faintly.
“Well, I want to say that I’m fine. And whatever Rudbeckia did, it was the Archmage who made that decision. The perpetrator is clearly defined, so why is Rudbeckia apologizing?”
Despite hearing that he was fine, Rudbeckia kept her head down, silent. She couldn’t bring herself to feel at ease. The guilt piled up in her heart wouldn’t disappear.
“I’m sorry…”
“Let’s drop that subject now.”
Yohan caressed the handle of his teacup.
“Anyway, you’ve come to visit suddenly today.”
“I, I wanted to see Yohan…”
“I know that.”
Yohan smiled lightly and picked up his teacup. He crossed his legs and stared straight at Rudbeckia.
“Hmm. I can’t have you waiting every time something happens, so it would be good for Rudbeckia to move into the Rahardt residence soon.”
At those words, Rudbeckia’s eyes widened. Her pupils shook from side to side.
“M-Me, move into the Rahardt residence…?”
“That’s right. Do you dislike the idea?”
“N-No, it’s not that…!”
She desperately shook off the various fantasies that came to mind and barely managed to speak.
“Wouldn’t there need to be… steps?”
Rudbeckia and Yohan weren’t lovers yet. She was aware of that. But to be told to move into the residence already, wasn’t the progress too fast?
“I thought you’d want to come right away.”
“Of course, I do want to come…”
“Then come, what’s the worry?”
“W-Well, we’re not lovers yet…”
Her slender fingers fidgeted. Her left and right hands intertwined anxiously.
Clink.
Yohan put down his teacup and stroked his chin once.
“That reminds me. When are you planning to give me that final confession you mentioned? I’m waiting for it.”
She had conveyed her feelings of liking him before, but Rudbeckia was supposed to formally confess to Yohan. That’s because she had said it wasn’t a chance reduction.
Rudbeckia blushed awkwardly and lowered her head.
“W-Wouldn’t things like atmosphere be important…?”
“Is that so? Hmm, I might lose interest while waiting.”
“That…!”
Seeing Rudbeckia’s expression as if the sky had fallen, Yohan burst into laughter.
“You don’t like me?”
“…I do? Much more than Yohan-nim thinks.”
“Then I think it would be good for you to move into the residence.”
Rudbeckia seriously pondered. Wouldn’t she have more opportunities if she accepted his offer here and lived in the residence? She narrowed her eyebrows and stroked her chin.
She had a troubled look on her face.
Yohan chuckled as he watched Rudbeckia. She was someone who was fun to tease. Of course, he wasn’t offering the suggestion insincerely.
“I-I’ll think about it…”
“Is that so? That’s a shame.”
Yohan checked the time with his pocket watch and asked.
“Well, let’s think about that later. Have you eaten?”
“No… I haven’t eaten anything since morning.”
“Then that’s perfect. I was just thinking of having lunch soon.”
Yohan smiled faintly and looked at Rudbeckia.
“Let’s go to the dining hall. It should be ready by now.”
“Yes…!”
* * *
Beneath the golden chandelier, the marble table was filled with exquisite silverware and a lavish feast. Crystal glasses caught the light, and servants moved silently, attending to them.
Clink.
The silverware moved quietly.
The dining hall was filled with awkward silence.
In the midst of it all, Rudbeckia sat quietly without saying a word. As if she were someone who shouldn’t be in this place, the chair felt like it had thorns.
It was one thing that Francia Ferbache was a familiar face, but Rudella Bismarck was also there. Rudella’s sharp gaze was too intimidating and burdensome.
Eyes of sky blue that seemed to pierce through people.
Rudella Bismarck was terror itself to the nobles before the regression. If they rebelled against the imperial family even slightly, they were immediately targeted for purge.
Therefore, she didn’t even know how to deal with her. It was her first time meeting her after the regression, so it was understandable.
Yohan knew that Rudbeckia was uncomfortable in this place. But it was necessary. It would be troublesome if discord arose later.
Clink.
After a sharp exchange of glances and some level of assessment, Rudella carefully put down her silverware and asked. She had already finished all the appetizers.
“Yohan, is this the woman you mentioned back then?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmph…”
Rudella’s subtle gaze flickered over Rudbeckia. It was an expression that was impossible to tell whether it was friendly or
hostile.
‘I feel like I’m going to choke…’
Rudbeckia felt breathless. It would be nice if she could make it clear whether it was goodwill or hostility, but she couldn’t figure out what Rudella Bismarck was thinking.
In the meantime, Francia nodded.
“Then you might be living in the same residence soon.”
“That’s how it will be.”
Of course, Francia and Rudella had already accepted Rudbeckia. Yohan had even consulted with them in advance and told them the story. Neither of them had any intention of refusing.
From the start, Francia was helping her.
“…It’s strange to say this, and I feel sorry. But I hope you all get along well.”
Yohan said quietly.
“The relationship has become a bit twisted unintentionally, but since we’ve decided to live together, we need each other’s consideration and respect.”
And he bowed his head and continued.
“I will always do my best, so I hope the relationship doesn’t deteriorate.”
The order was up to them to sort out, but it was his responsibility to make sure there was no discord. Even if the relationship was created by their requests and choices, Yohan was the husband.
“Don’t worry, Yohan. There won’t be any fighting.”
“That’s right. Yohan promised to give everyone equal love, so what’s there to worry about.”
“I, I’m fine as long as Yohan looks at me.”
The three women smiled awkwardly and reassured Yohan.
However—
“…”
“…”
“…”
Even though they said that, the gazes the three women exchanged were subtly sharp.
‘Who will have Yohan’s child second?’
‘The first is impossible, but I have to be the second.’
‘I must secure the second spot.’
Everyone was thinking the same thing.
Francia thought that Rudella, who had conceived Yohan’s child first, would be the first. On the other hand, Rudella judged that Francia, as the legal wife, would be the first, so she had to secure the second spot.
Rudbeckia also thought that Rudella would be the first, so she aimed for the second. Although she was in a cooperative relationship with Francia, she had to make things clear in this area.
But it was Rudbeckia who was lagging behind in this race. Unlike the other two, she hadn’t even deepened her relationship with Yohan, let alone had any intimacy.
Of course, they had been intimate several times before the regression. But that was only a story from before the regression.
Everything had changed now, so it didn’t mean much.
‘I’m at the biggest disadvantage right now, so I have to get closer to Yohan somehow.’
Rudbeckia fidgeted with her fingertips and carefully raised her gaze. She was burning up inside with tension, but she tried to manage her expression.
Still, Rudbeckia was confident. She knew most of what Yohan liked. If the atmosphere ripened, she could make Yohan demand her.
Rudella—
‘It’s meaningless to be wary. The only thing I can do is make Yohan love me more.’
She glanced at Francia and Rudbeckia with a subtle gaze. Their competitiveness was considerable. Even Rudella herself thought they were quite attractive women.
In that case, she needed to appeal to him more actively so that Yohan would want her more.
Francia—
‘Yohan said I was the first, but in reality, Rudella is the first. In order to be the clear second, I have to have a child first no matter what.’
She forced a smile and narrowed her eyes. What she had to be wary of now was not Rudella, but Rudbeckia. Although there was no love, she had spent five years of married life with Yohan. She must know Yohan’s heart well.
Rudbeckia, Rudella, Francia.
The moment the three women’s gazes crossed, an invisible current sparked.
A suffocating meal.
A battlefield where hearts and emotions were intricately intertwined.
“…Let’s eat.”
Yohan forcibly picked up his silverware.