Chapter 10: The Calm Before the Storm

Yohan slowly opened his eyes.

The sunlight streaming in through the window was warm and blinding.

“Ugh.”

Still in a daze, he turned his head to the side after sitting up in bed.

Francia was sound asleep.

…Looks like I ended up drinking more than I had planned yesterday.

He had drunk just up to his limit, so there was no hangover, but his whole body felt stiff.

‘When I drink, I get a bit hazy.’

When he got drunk, he would lose half his senses and act impulsively, often forgetting the events of the previous day.

But he distinctly remembered the sweet night he had spent with Francia.

As soon as they entered the hotel room, he hugged her, laid her down on the bed, threw off his clothes, and took everything from her.

She had asked to take a break in between because it was too much for her, but Yohan, with only half his reason left, didn’t grant her that request.

As a result…

“Umm…”

Even though it was getting close to lunchtime, Francia was still fast asleep.

Seeing her deep sleep, it seemed she had expended a lot of mental and physical energy.

‘…I need to be more restrained.’

It felt like he had pushed her too hard, just because today was a holiday.

‘Should I gather my thoughts?’

Yohan went into the bathroom, lightly washed himself, and looked at his disheveled hair in the mirror, which had a silver backing.

Swish—

After tidying up, he came out to find Francia, with her eyes nearly closed, sitting up.

“Did you wake up?”

“Yes…”

Francia’s neck was covered in red bite marks.

They were marks left by Yohan from last night.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Yohan quietly poured some water into a cup and handed it to her.

“You must be thirsty; drink up.”

“Ah, thank you, Yohan.”

The disheveled Francia smiled and emptied the cup in one go.

It seemed her throat was dry from not being able to stop moaning throughout the night.

Yohan asked, “It’s your day off today. Do you have any plans?”

“Uh, plans…? Not really…”

Francia smiled mischievously, saying, “I just want to be with Yohan all day.”

“That’s the same plan I have.”

“Hehe… Ahem.”

While she was laughing, she suddenly yawned. Her voice was still a bit stretched, indicating she was still half-asleep.

“If you’re tired, you can sleep more.”

“No, I need to get up…”

With half-closed eyes, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

Seeing her wobble while holding her waist made him feel a pang of guilt.

“Do you need help?”

“I’m fine. I’m just a bit stiff.”

The disheveled Francia smiled brightly at Yohan as she entered the bathroom.

Click.

Once her figure disappeared from view, Yohan recalled the events of yesterday.

‘Being drunk, I did something quite bold.’

He had squeezed the hand of the Crown Prince firmly during their handshake, signaling him not to touch Francia.

Surely, someone as perceptive as him would have noticed.

At that moment, Fedelian had smoothly moved on without making it a problem, but it was clear that he would be holding onto it inside.

‘I don’t regret it.’

In fact, it felt like a good outcome.

With this, the Crown Prince’s priority would shift from Francia to himself.

‘If that bastard is going to make a move…

The reconnaissance mission in a few days will be the perfect opportunity that Fedelian is likely planning for.

It would be an ideal time to quietly eliminate an advanced wizard.

‘It’s better to deal with it head-on.’

If he could just get out of the trap laid by Fedelian and give him a hint that he knows he’s the culprit, even the Crown Prince would find it hard to move easily.

It would be a reverse use of his own tricks.

‘Just a bit of a shackle would make it easier to deal with Cassis or Roudela.’

As Yohan stroked his chin with a serious expression, organizing his plans…

Click.

The bathroom door opened.

Steam wafted out, and Francia appeared.

She adjusted her slightly slipping white robe and tilted her head.

“Is something wrong? Your expression looks serious.”

“No, I was just thinking about what would be good for lunch today.”

“Hmm, really? I didn’t know you could think so simply, Yohan.”

Francia giggled and sat beside Yohan, resting her head on his shoulder.

“I was so happy to be filled with you yesterday.”

“I felt the same way.”

“Hehe, it couldn’t be any other way.”

Though she showed a cold and sharp impression to others, she revealed a softer side to Yohan.

Francia asked, “How should we have our meal?”

“It would probably be best to eat at the hotel since it might be uncomfortable for you to walk.”

“Hmm. I like that delicate side of you. Bonus points for that.”

As Francia smiled, Yohan immediately picked up the communication magic tool next to the bed.

“Then I’ll place the order right away.”

“Okay.”

She was filled with joy, wondering if she could really enjoy such a happy daily life.

Clip-clop.

A woman walked through the corridor, which was heavy with deep silence.

Clip-clop.

Her steps were devoid of hesitation and fear.

She fixed her cold expression as she crossed the corridor towards one of the rooms.

Clip-clop.

In the shadowed corridor illuminated by the moonlight, the sound of her heels echoed chillingly.

The white hair that followed her shimmered like the softly glowing moonlight, and her deep blue eyes resembled the moon, rising brightly in the night sky.

Clunk!

The arched door swung open, revealing a luxurious room.

She confidently entered the room and pulled back the bedding on the bed.

On the bed lay a naked man and woman entangled together.

“…Roudela?”

At the sudden realization, the man furrowed his brow and glared at her.

“Your Highness, did you enjoy your entertainment?”

She—Roudela Bismarck—alternated her cold gaze between the Crown Prince Fedelian Rozino and the woman.

“Eek…!”

The woman, who had been using Fedelian’s arm as a pillow, startled and began to gather her clothes.

Roudela Bismarck silently watched the woman.

Her cold gaze was filled with contempt.

The woman hastened her actions.

“I-I’m sorry!”

The woman hurriedly dashed out, and Roudela parted her red-stained lips.

“Are you not tired of this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you really saying that you don’t know?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Welcoming another woman into your chambers.”

Her blue eyes shimmered.

The moonlight reflected in her eyes carried no emotion.

“Haha, I was wondering what you were saying, and that’s what it was?”

Fedelian shrugged, tossing his hair back.

“Isn’t this all because you rejected me? It’s not just my fault.”

A crunch.

Roudela’s teeth ground together.

But Fedelian was unfazed, leisurely leaning against the headboard of the bed.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“I heard you summoned the magic practitioners.”

Fedelian tilted his head in confusion.

“Why’s that?”

“Do you really not know?”

Roudela silently swallowed a sigh before continuing.

“…Your Highness. You must not get close to the magic practitioners. You are to be the emperor who will rule this empire above the heavens; you need to keep your distance from them.”

“Ah, enough of that.”

Roudela’s lips twisted at his bored demeanor.

He continued speaking.

“Do you know why I dislike you? It’s because you’re so rigid, just like now. You’re my fiancée, yet you refuse to spend the night with me, insisting on chastity before marriage, and you nitpick everything I do.”

Having said that, Fedelian shook his head in disgust.

“If you keep acting like this, even I would get tired of you. No one would want to deal with a woman with such a stiff personality.”

“Me?”

His sharp words continued.

“If it weren’t for the engagement decided by His Majesty, you would have been discarded long ago. What do you expect from such a dull and unremarkable woman?”

The sharply honed words pierced her heart like a dagger.

“Well, at least your looks are somewhat acceptable.”

Tightening her lips instinctively, Rudella Bismark clenched her fists. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.

“…Your Highness.”

“Oh, enough.”

Fedelian waved his hand dismissively.

“If you’re going to keep on with pointless nagging, I won’t listen. Just give up and leave.”

Her blue eyes sank coldly.

The future empress, Rudella Bismark, took a deep breath and quietly lowered her head.

“…I hope you return safely from the cavern reconnaissance today.”

She said that and left the room.

In the corridor illuminated by moonlight, a deep sigh could be heard.

The next morning, in the training grounds, knights and soldiers gathered to check their weapons.

At first glance, it seemed like a peaceful scene, but their faces were tense.

“Everyone, pay attention!”

At that moment, the crown prince—Fedelian shouted loudly from the central podium of the training grounds.

“Today is the usual reconnaissance mission! It’s also time to work for the empire and the people who give you rights!”

The knights and soldiers fixed their gazes on him.

“It’s a dangerous mission where you could lose your lives, but you are the brave knights and soldiers of the empire! Do not fear! I, Crown Prince Fedelian Rogino, will protect you!”

He drew his sword and held it high.

The hilt glinted golden in the sunlight, and the light at the blade’s tip resembled a supernova.

“Wow!!”

“Long live the prince!”

Fedelian continued speaking.

“You will survive! You will meet your families again! You will return to your cozy homes! Are you all ready?”

The morale of the knights and soldiers surged as they shouted.

“Yes!!”

Fedelian smiled widely.

“Prepare for the departure!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the knights and soldiers began to move in perfect unison.

The tension on their faces had long since disappeared.

‘He can give speeches like that, huh?’

Yohan, who had finished preparing and was waiting for Francia, hardened his expression.

‘Guess he’s not just a reckless prince.’

When he saw the situation from a distance, he thought he was just a madman obsessed with Francia, but it seemed he wasn’t a complete mess even in public.

‘Well, he’s probably capable as a high-ranking knight.’

Just then, someone tapped Yohan on the back.

“Hehe, it’s me!”

It was Francia.

She smiled brightly and met Yohan’s gaze.

“Have you finished preparing?”

“Yes. I’ve packed all the equipment and potions.”

Yohan turned his gaze to her assistant bag.

It didn’t seem to contain a lot, but with the knights there to protect her, that would probably be enough.

“By the way, it’s a shame we’re in different units. Is it because you’re a high-ranking mage?”

“Probably. There’s no need for two high-ranking mages in the same unit.”

In reality, the crown prince’s personal preferences might have played a part.

It made sense not to assign two high-ranking mages to the same unit, but completely reversing the squad’s direction was another matter.

“Oh, speaking of which, there’s something I should tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Be careful of Duke Renokhon.”

Francia’s eyes narrowed.

“…Why?”

“I’ve heard some bad rumors.”

“Rumors of him being a battlefield ghost?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm…”

She had a moment of doubt, but since it was Yohan saying it, she nodded for now.

“I understand. I’ll be careful.”

“Good.”

Yohan smiled and looked straight ahead.

The reconnaissance mission was about to begin.

Francia gazed at his back, lost in thought.

‘How did he know Renokhon was dangerous?’

Of course, there were rumors about him being a ruthless ghost on the battlefield.

But was that enough to warn her? No. Yohan wasn’t the type to believe such rumors.

At this point, Francia made a hypothesis.

…Could he possibly remember something from his lost past?