Highlander Imperial Residence
Despite the cold winter wind, a gentle atmosphere lingered in the garden of the Highlander residence. Flowers, kept from withering by magic, swayed softly in the breeze, their sweet fragrance subtly filling the air.
The servants of the estate stood nearby with their eyes closed, maintaining just enough distance to hear the sisters’ commands at any moment.
At the center of the garden…..
Click.
Zebella, Eris’s elder sister and close friend of Princess Laryana, set down her teacup with an indifferent expression.
“So, what’s been on your mind lately?”
Zebella asked. Lately, Eris had been acting strange—distracted from her duties, oddly absentminded.
“Uh…”
Eris tried to brush it off, but Zebella’s sharp gaze made her hesitate. Lying wouldn’t work—her sister would see right through it.
“Well…”
Finally, Eris lowered her eyes and cautiously opened her mouth.
“I think I… like Count Rahardt—no, the Duke…”
Eris’s voice trembled as her face turned bright red.
Zebella’s hand, which had been about to lift her teacup, froze.
“You mean… Yohan Rahardt?”
“…Yeah.”
Shocked by her sister’s confession, Zebella’s lips parted slightly. Her usually calm, ash-gray eyes wavered.
“…Do you even realize what you’re saying?”
Yohan Rahardt was no longer a man she could simply desire. Even before, when the Lady of Ferbache was by his side, he was difficult to approach. But now, he was a duke.
“I know… But…”
“But?”
“Well, the Duke seems to be… in a polygamous relationship…”
“…What?”
“I think… he has multiple wives.”
Zebella blinked. Polygamous? That man, who seemed like a devoted lover? The thought sent a whirlwind of confusion through her mind.
“…Are you sure?”
“Yes. I heard it myself…”
“My god.”
Judging by Eris’s reaction, it didn’t seem like a baseless rumor. Besides, Eris had no reason to lie about something like this.
“Where did you hear that?”
Zebella’s eyes sharpened, her voice dropping to a lower tone.
“When I was injured, the Lady of Ferbache personally came to heal me with magic. I overheard the two of them talking then. It sounded like he already had another woman.”
The shock of that moment was still fresh in Eris’s memory. This wasn’t speculation—it was a certainty. Yohan Rahardt was practicing polygamy.
“Hah…”
Zebella let out a deep sigh, equally taken aback. Yohan Rahardt had always seemed like the kind of man who would never look at another woman.
“…So, what do you want to do?”
Suppressing her emotions, Zebella asked her sister the most important question.
“I… want to be with the Duke.”
Eris’s voice was barely above a whisper, but her eyes were determined. She hesitated, but it wasn’t because she feared falling in love it was because she already had.
“What do you like about him?”
Zebella asked, and Eris responded immediately.
“He’s amazing. He looks exactly my type, his personality is wonderful, he always speaks kindly, and most of all… he saved my life when I was on the brink of death…”
As she spoke, Eris covered her face with her hands. Her ears were burning red. Just thinking about him made her heart race.
“…You’re serious about this.”
“Yeah…”
Zebella let out a small sigh, rubbing her delicate hand over her face.
“I’ll talk to our parents about it. Do as you wish.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes.”
Honestly, there were many concerns, but she decided that it would be fine. Yohan’s reputation was solid, he was known for his good nature, and his family status and abilities were more than impressive.
Of course, the whole polygamy thing was unexpected…
‘Well, I suppose…’
Was polygamy really such a big deal? The Four Great Families didn’t practice it, but plenty of other nobles did. It wasn’t an issue at all.
Besides, Rahardt wasn’t part of the Four Great Families anyway.
“But there’s one thing I’m worried about.”
“What is it?”
Zebella lifted her gaze to look at Eris.
Eris, who had been avoiding her sister’s eyes and staring at the table, blinked a few times before finally speaking with difficulty.
“I don’t know how to meet him…”
As an inspector, Eris had little reason to interact with Yohan. She wasn’t personally acquainted with him, nor was there any professional overlap in their work.
“Hmm…”
Zebella stroked her chin in thought, then recalled a notice she had seen earlier.
“They’re recruiting warriors for the Purification Office. Why don’t you apply?”
The Purification Office (淨化官).
A new high-ranking governmental institution established after Yohan Rahardt was granted his dukedom.
Its main duty? Purging demon dens.
It was dangerous work, but Yohan Rahardt had once gone head-to-head with the Grand Swordmaster of Tenelope, Duke Aegis, and held his ground.
If she stayed by his side, she wouldn’t have to worry about danger.
“Oh… Right, the Purification Office was just formed…”
Eris nodded, her expression firm.
“Alright. I’ll give it a try.”
Her fist clenched in the air with determination.
“Whew…”
Zebella exhaled a quiet sigh as she lifted her teacup.
‘Yohan Rahardt… What is it about that man?’
First Princess Laryana, now Eris—it was as if people were unconsciously drawn to him.
Of course, his face was absurdly beautiful, like something crafted by a world-class artist. He was highly skilled in social maneuvering.
And on top of that, he was exceptionally capable enough to claim the sole dukedom with his own power.
‘…Thinking about it like this, it’d be weirder if people didn’t fall for him.’
Before she even realized it, Zebella had accepted the idea.
* * *
But why?
His heart didn’t feel entirely at ease.
“….”
“….”
A chill lingered between Rudella and Francia.
The air grew heavy, as if invisible blades were pointed at each other, creating a palpable tension.
Gulp.
Yohan swallowed heavily. It felt like forcing down a stone. That was how cold the atmosphere was.
Because of the cold? No. Rudella’s mansion was protected by magic, so no chilling wind could enter.
That meant only one thing they were engaged in a battle of nerves.
They….don’t get along.
It was only natural. Even though Rudella had negotiated with Francia to allow polygamy, the two still held the roles of legal wife and concubine.
Time won’t fix this.
There needed to be an opportunity—
Something that would naturally bring the two closer.
While Yohan was lost in thought, they arrived at the drawing room.
“Please, have a seat.”
Yohan and Francia took their seats.
Rudella had already prepared tea in advance.
As the three cups were filled, the real conversation began.
“Rudella, a Rahardt estate is going to be built in the imperial capital.”
“…In the capital?”
Yohan nodded.
“It was part of the reward I received when I was granted the title of duke.
The emperor is providing a plot of royal land and constructing a mansion for me.”
Now that Yohan was a minister, having a residence in the capital was essential.
“What do you need from me?”
Rudella tilted her head slightly.
“I’d like you to help manage the Rahardt estate. And while you’re at it, live there too.”
It was essentially a request for her to become the lady of the house.
Rudella’s gaze shifted toward Francia.
She simply sipped her tea, showing no reaction. As if she had already agreed to it.
‘How strange.’
If she were truly the daughter of House Ferbache, she would have opposed this fiercely.
That raised questions.
Managing the Rahardt estate wasn’t a particularly demanding task.
But the role of the lady of the house was another matter entirely.
Which meant…
“I’ll take it on.”
Rudella smiled faintly.
As she pondered the reason behind all this, she realized—
This was just an excuse.
Yohan had come to take her with him.
“Then… does this mean I’ll see you every day now?”
“Yes, I suppose it does.”
Honestly, none of the other reasons mattered.
What truly delighted her was the fact that she’d get to see Yohan daily.
Until now, she always had to set a time to meet him.
As their discussion came to a close, Francia placed something on the table.
A neatly wrapped white box.
Rudella tilted her head.
“What’s this?”
“Dessert.”
“Ah, I’ll prepare it right away.”
Receiving the box, Rudella quickly brought out some plates and arranged the desserts.
Francia picked up a fork and took a bite of a slice of cake.
“As expected, it tastes amazing. I suppose that’s only natural, given that the chef was once part of the imperial kitchen.”
“Does it?”
“Yes. Yohan, would you like a bite?”
“Sure.”
As Yohan slightly parted his lips, Francia smiled and fed him the cake.
“How is it?”
“It’s delicious.”
Rudella didn’t just sit by and watch.
“They all seem to have different flavors. Would you like to try mine too?”
“Of course.”
As Yohan leaned in, Rudella carefully fed him a piece of her cake.
“This one’s good too.”
“Is that so?”
The moment Rudella smiled faintly, she felt an icy gaze.
Francia was staring at her, eyes slightly narrowed.
“…”
As Rudella lifted the corner of her lips in a smirk, Francia’s expression darkened.
“Yohan, you’ll feed me too, right?”
Francia blinked at him expectantly, her eyes shining.
“Of course.”
Yohan cut a piece of cake and fed it to Francia, who opened her mouth like a baby bird.
“Mmm…!”
She chewed with a blissful smile.
“It tastes even sweeter when Yohan feeds me.”
“Yohan, what about me?”
On the opposite side, Rudella was also leaning forward now.
A rivalry had begun between the two.
“Yohan?”
As Yohan blinked in confusion, Rudella tilted her head, urging him.
“Ah, right. Of course, I’ll feed you too.”
Just as Yohan cut a piece and reached to feed her—
“Ugh…!”
Rudella gagged.