Yohan’s expression became serious.
It didn’t matter how she knew.
What mattered was that she knew Rudella.
Currently, Rudella was hiding after cutting ties with her family.
Although evidence of the downfall of Fedelian came from her, she was still a subject of investigation because she was the former crown princess-to-be.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Because of this, Yohan chose to deny it. Her existence should not be revealed yet. At least, she should be protected under Rahardt’s name after marrying him.
“I know everything. So, denying it won’t help.”
Laryana wore a calm smile, but the light in her eyes was far from gentle. It looked like a sharp blade.
“I couldn’t believe the princess accepted polygamy.
But when I thought about it, if Lady Bismarck proposed the deal, it made sense that the princess would have had no choice but to accept it.”
Yohan silently listened to what Laryana was saying. He needed to understand how much she knew.
“But then, Duke Rahardt must have fallen for Lady Bismarck too. If not, the deal between Princess Ferbache and Lady Bismarck wouldn’t have happened, right?”
Laryana chuckled softly, tilting her head. Her brows curved like a crescent.
“Well, I think you’re overthinking it. I don’t really understand why you’d make such an assumption.”
Yohan gave a vague answer.
To let Laryana get closer.
He needed to find out how she figured it out.
“Hmm, you’ve said a lot already, but you’re still denying it. Alright, let me say more.”
Laryana continued.
“My older brother……well, that traitor, died in disgrace, right? But I started wondering. Why is the former crown princess never mentioned?”
Although she was the former crown princess, it wasn’t known that it was Rudella who revealed the evidence. It had been deliberately hidden.
If it became known that she had betrayed Fedelian, the families supporting the crown prince wouldn’t have let Rudella go so easily.
“I was so curious, I investigated. I used the royal special forces, and I also made requests to famous information guilds.”
The special forces and the information guild.
They were the best at gathering information.
“As a result, I learned many of Lady Bismarck’s secrets. Quite surprising, don’t you think?”
“…Secrets?”
Yohan’s eyes narrowed.
“Heh, normally I wouldn’t tell you, but I suppose I have to. I want a clear answer from you, Yohan.”
Laryana smiled faintly and continued.
“Lady Bismarck, who lived only for her work and always like a doll, started changing after meeting you, didn’t she?”
“…?”
“She even took on assignments she never used to do, but only for you. Doesn’t that seem strange? I find it very suspicious.”
Yohan’s blue eyes darkened. His lips pressed tightly together, and inside, he was calculating how much she knew.
He had thought she was clumsy, but surprisingly, she was quick-witted. The information she had was likely limited to what the special forces and the information guild had gathered.
‘Well, she does have a lot of experience in high society.’
Anyway, now he understood how Laryana knew about the relationship between him, Francia, and Rudella. She must have deduced it from the information given to her.
From the way she spoke, there didn’t seem to be any lies.
“So, what you’re asking is to be with me?”
“That’s right.”
“To gain the favor of Rahardt?”
“Well… that’s part of it, but not entirely.”
Laryana smiled lightly. Sunlight poured through the window and illuminated her, her golden eyes shimmering.
“I told you before, didn’t I? I really like you, Yohan.”
“Yes, but I still don’t quite understand why.”
“Well, I can tell you again if you like.”
She caressed her teacup with her fingertips as she spoke. A subtle smile curved her lips.
“I like your honesty. How you’re not easily swayed, how you’re incredibly capable but humble. And on top of that, you’re perfect in appearance, and you’re well-known in high society, making you a perfect match for me.”
Yohan was currently the perfect husband material. If it weren’t for Francia, his drawers would be filled with love letters. Proposals for marriage would have come nonstop.
His abilities, background, appearance, and character were all extraordinary.
With his talents and title, he could have been arrogant, but he wasn’t. His looks were perfect, and he was also known for his good character.
“You’re not saying my feelings are false, are you?”
Laryana said this with a light laugh, then gently closed her eyes and tilted her teacup. She seemed to be savoring the fragrance.
“Isn’t it meaningless if it’s not the first wife?”
“That’s not important. What matters is that I was chosen by Yohan Rahardt.”
“Mm.”
Yohan’s expression hardened. She wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at what he had was that truly the right mindset?
From Laryana’s perspective, this might have seemed normal. She had lived her life that way, only seeing those kinds of things. It was a world like that.
But what did that make of Francia? Despite being the daughter of the Ferbache family, she loved someone like him, the third son of a minor house.
And what about Rudella? Even though she was the crown princess-to-be and a key figure of the Bismarck family, she loved Yohan so much that she gave up everything.
Accepting Laryana just because she could gain the royal family’s power would be disrespectful to them.
Yohan spoke.
His voice was low and dry.
“Can I speak honestly?”
“What is it?”
Laryana tilted her head and smiled.
“I don’t like Her Highness the Princess.”
“…What?”
Laryana blinked at Yohan’s words, clearly not expecting to hear such a thing.
But now Yohan was in a position where he could say such things to Laryana. So much has changed since the past.
The Grand Sword Master of Tenerope, the transcendent mage who killed Duke Aegis.
The man who would save the continent with his unprecedented ability to close the demonic abyss.
The second duke of Rogino and the one with the highest honor.
That was the Yohan of today.
“What about me don’t you like? Where could you find someone with a background and appearance as perfect as mine…?”
Laryana’s voice trembled. Her pride seemed wounded, and the tips of her fingers shook slightly. It seemed impossible for her to believe she could be rejected.
Even without her title as a princess, she was an incredibly beautiful woman.
A slender and long neck.
Smooth and fair skin.
A straight, well-balanced nose.
Small, yet captivating lips.
And flowing golden hair like silk, with eyes shining like gold.
She was the kind of beauty that any man would fall in love with from the first meeting.
And on top of that, she had the perfect background as royalty.
But…
“Looks and background are important, but they’re not everything. What I don’t like is the way Her Highness the Princess treats me.”
Yohan wasn’t someone who was swayed by looks. It wasn’t because he was used to beautiful women like Francia and Rudella, but it was because of his values. How could he love someone who didn’t respect him?
“And is the royal bloodline and background that important? For Yohan, it wasn’t necessary. Even if it was, he didn’t want it to continue like this.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re saying. I respected Yohan and made it clear why I liked you. What part of the way I treat you is wrong?”
Laryana blinked, her large eyes wide in confusion. It seemed like she truly didn’t understand.
“First of all, Her Highness the Princess sees me as a tool to fill her self-esteem. Be honest with me. Do you like me for who I am, or is it because of my good conditions?”
She couldn’t answer. It wasn’t because she liked Yohan for who he was, but because she was drawn to the noble Yohan Rahardt.
Of course, she had some affection for him. It was hard not to, given who he was. But could it really be called love?
No, it was an ambiguous feeling.
“Princess Ferbache loved me even when I was just the third son of a minor noble. She wanted me purely, without caring about my background. My appearance probably played a part, but she also liked my personality and tastes.”
It would be nice to talk about Rudella’s story, but unfortunately, it was impossible. There was no need to share that information anyway.
“On the other hand, what about Her Majesty, the Empress? She just wanted a trophy for the social scene. She wanted me because of my reputation as a powerful magician. Am I wrong?”
Yohan’s deep, blue eyes glared at Laryana. She couldn’t bring herself to speak. He wasn’t wrong. He had hit the nail on the head.
“I truly like people who like me for who I am. To you, Your Majesty, it may sound like an idealistic notion, but that’s how my first love was, and that’s how it will always be, so I will continue to hold on to this belief.”
Yohan’s voice was calm and steady, but his eyes held an unwavering conviction.
“Winter is almost over, but it’s still cold. Please don’t forget to take your coat to avoid catching a fever. Take care on your way back.”
With those words, he left the room.
Laryana still didn’t say a word.
* * *
After Yohan left, Laryana couldn’t bring herself to leave the reception room. She was stunned, as if she had been hit in the head.
To be honest, the kind of relationship he described was an idealistic one for royalty and nobles. People of blue blood usually marry with mutual benefits in mind.
But he had put that ideal into practice.
Princess Ferbache loved him even when he was just the third son of a minor noble, and he accepted that love, becoming a powerful magician and achieving great things.
Laryana’s heart suddenly began to race. Her face flushed with heat. In truth, deep down, she had also wanted such a relationship, but it wasn’t possible.
She was a princess.
She had to bring benefits to the royal family.
She envied Yohan Rahardt. The image of him living confidently surrounded by people who believed in and supported him, all under the name of love, clearly came to mind.
What he had wasn’t just power and fame. It was the warmth of a true relationship that Laryana had longed for her whole life.
“…”
Laryana stayed in the reception room, staring at the spot where Yohan had just been.
His words dug deep into her chest, painfully echoing. What he said didn’t fade from her mind. She realized that his feelings for lovers were genuine.
If she were with him, could she receive that kind of love? If she could win his heart, could she also create such a warm relationship?
“Ah…”
Laryana let out a soft sigh.
She couldn’t give up after all. She didn’t want to let go.
It was then that Laryana Rogino finally stopped seeing Yohan Rahardt as just “Yohan” and began to truly see him.