Chapter 140:Magic Tower.

After a great commotion had passed.  

While Francia and the Duke of Ferbache spent rare father-daughter time strolling through the garden, Yohan and Rudella were leisurely chatting in the second-floor study of the mansion.  

Clack.  

Rudella set down her teacup.  

“It seems the conversation ended well.”  

Yohan gave a faint smile.  

“He was angry, but he let it go.”  

“That’s a relief. I was worried something might happen.”  

When the Duke of Ferbache came for a discussion, Rudella had hidden in the annex to avoid any unnecessary trouble.  

“I’m sorry… because of me.”  

Rudella pursed her lips and lowered her gaze.  

She was the one who had wished to be the second, yet Yohan had to take all the responsibility while she hid. She felt terribly guilty toward him.  

“You don’t need to apologize. It was Francia’s and my decision to accept you in the first place.”  

But Yohan wasn’t bothered. It would have been absurd for him to drag his concubine into a situation where his father-in-law had come to visit his legitimate wife.  

“Thank you for saying that.”  

“It’s just the truth.”  

Yohan chuckled softly and tilted his teacup.  

A delicate floral scent rose with the white steam, spreading gently through the air.  

“So, now for the main topic.”  

“Go ahead.”  

“I’m going to hold a wedding soon.”  

A wedding.  

A once-in-a-lifetime moment for a couple, a ceremony pledging eternal love.  

A sacred act that publicly announces and formalizes their union.  

Surely, she longed for it too.  

“A wedding, huh…”  

Rudella furrowed her brows slightly, resting her chin on her hand. She seemed lost in thought.  

Yohan watched her with a pleased smile.  

“The ceremony will be held in the Rahardt territory, and I plan to propose to you as well, Rudella.”  

“To me as well?”  

“Yes. You are my lover and my wife, after all.”  

“Hmm.”  

He expected her to be happy, yet Rudella’s reaction was rather lukewarm.  

“I understand your consideration and your desire to grant my wish. But that won’t do.”  

“Why not?”  

“Yohan, you are now the Duke of Rahardt, the head of a noble house representing the Empire.”  

She continued,  

“If someone in your position proposes to a concubine at your official wedding with Lady Ferbache, what do you think will happen? Criticism, mockery, and ridicule will follow. I don’t want to make you a laughingstock just to fulfill my own wish.”  

She was right. Yohan knew that as well.  

But even if it meant making himself the subject of ridicule, he wanted to grant Rudella’s wish.  

“Still…”  

“No. Just accept my feelings.”  

“Mm.”  

Leaving a firm answer, Rudella smiled gently and tilted her head slightly, meeting Yohan’s gaze.  

“Instead, there is something I would like you to give me.”  

Her lips curled playfully.  

“I want more kisses.”  

“…Even more? I feel like we already kiss ten times a day.”  

“That’s not enough.”  

She slowly leaned in, locking eyes with him.  

“Since I’m carrying a child, I can’t receive as much of your love as before.”  

Although they were still intimate, the frequency had naturally decreased.  

Yohan, cautious because she was still in the early stages of pregnancy, had been careful.  

Rudella seemed to find that regrettable.  

“Alright, then I’ll double the number of kisses.”  

“Then naturally, the number of times we go to bed will double as well.”

When Yohan readily agreed, Rudella smiled in satisfaction.  

He had been a complete novice at romance before, but now, he could easily be considered a seasoned player.  

“Is there anything else I should know?”  

“Hmm, just some things about managing the estate and household duties once we move to Rahardt.”  

“You mean from you and Lady Ferbache?”  

“Yeah. I think it would be good for you to learn from her.”  

Yohan could have arranged for another noblewoman from a different estate or an experienced head butler to teach her, but he thought it best for Rudella to learn directly.  

The two of them didn’t seem to have the best relationship.  

Of course, it wasn’t necessary for them to get along perfectly… but wouldn’t conflicts arise in the future? To prepare for that, it seemed important for them to spend some time getting to know each other.  

“Hmm, I see. Then I’ll keep that in mind.”  

“You’re not forcing yourself just because I asked, are you?”  

“Of course not. I know your heart better than anyone.”  

Rudella smiled softly. Across the small tea table, her fingers moved quietly, gently resting on the back of Yohan’s hand.  

Softly, carefully.  

Then, she continued speaking.  

“Actually, I heard that things like this help with prenatal care.  

After all, the only things I do these days are reading or taking walks. Staying too still isn’t good either.”  

Yohan cherished Rudella as if she were a delicate glass ornament handling her with care, fearing she might break, being extra cautious to avoid even the slightest flaw.  

And, of course, Rudella understood why he acted that way.  

So, reassuring him had become a part of her daily routine.  

“Then I’m glad.”  

“Yes, so don’t worry too much.”  

As Yohan smiled, Rudella followed suit. Her eyes curved slightly, forming a gentle eye smile.  

The moment he saw that, Yohan’s heart thumped once again.  

What was he supposed to do? How could she be this beautiful?  

He felt like the words ‘You’re so lovely’ would spill out of his mouth at any moment.  

“Rudella, no matter when I see you, your eye smile is always so beautiful.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Yes. It’s my favorite expression of yours.”  

“Hmm, then I should smile like this more often.”  

Rudella curved her eyes into another smile.  

“So I can be even more loved by you.”  

“Haha.”  

It was a day filled with endless laughter.

*    *    *

The Evening When Duke Ferbache Returned to the Imperial Residence.  

Click.  

Francia stepped out of the bathroom, her skin glistening with moisture.  

With only a towel lightly wrapped around her, she wiped away the remaining droplets and quietly made her way to the bedside where Yohan lay. Slowly, she sat down.  

“You worked hard today.”  

“Haha… I wouldn’t call it hard work. It was my mistake, after all.”  

Yohan chuckled awkwardly.  

He had endured a long scolding, but when he put himself in the duke’s shoes, he could understand his feelings. So, he didn’t argue. Not that he should have in the first place…  

Lost in thought, Francia murmured,  

“A wedding soon… I can’t believe it.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Yes. A lot has happened, but everything worked out, and now we’re getting married.”  

Francia smiled softly and leaned in. Her smooth skin brushed against his arm then his chest.  

The sensation seeped through his clothes, neither hot nor cold, but a delicate warmth that enveloped Yohan.  

“I’m so happy right now. That I can officially be with you. Am I the only one?”  

“Of course not. I’m happy too to be with someone so beautiful and kind.”  

“Hmm, beautiful, yes. But kind? Not so much.”  

Yohan gently swept her bangs to the side and smiled.  

“You’re kind in my eyes, and that’s enough.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Yes. You always treat me well, don’t you?”  

“Well, that’s true…”  

Francia’s smile stiffened slightly, and she hesitantly averted her gaze.  

Honestly, she didn’t feel comfortable accepting his words. Could she really call herself kind?  

After all, she had turned back time and stolen another woman’s husband. Not only that, but she had also shifted the responsibility onto him. Even if, in the previous timeline, Yohan had told her to do so…  

Feeling awkward, Francia changed the subject.  

“By the way, will it just be the two of us at the wedding?”  

“Most likely, yes.”  

“Hmm, why is that? I thought Lady Rudella would want a ceremony too.”  

“I asked her, but she said she didn’t want one.”  

“Oh? Really?”  

Francia tilted her head, puzzled.  

Rudella had loved Yohan so much surely, she would have wanted a wedding. Her decision was unexpected.  

Yohan added,  

“When I asked why, she said she didn’t want to make a spectacle of me.”  

“I see… She didn’t want her own desires to tarnish her husband’s honor?”  

“That’s part of it, yes.”  

“Hmm…”  

She really is thoughtful.  

Francia suddenly found herself envying Rudella’s grace.  

People called her the Obsidian Saint, but if there were a true example of the perfect woman, wasn’t it Rudella?  

Of course, behind that elegance lurked a cold-blooded killer devoid of emotions.  

“Anyway, that’s why it’ll just be the two of us at the wedding. Which is how it should be, really.”  

Yohan stared at the ceiling as he spoke.  

It had been a short time, but so much had happened.  

He had dealt with several mentally unstable noblemen and protected Francia.  

‘Of course, there’s still the issue of the Tower Master…’  

Francia grinned slyly.  

“Fufu, I see. Then the wedding will be my exclusive privilege.”  

She burrowed deeper into Yohan’s embrace.  

He could smell her skin the delicate scent of fragrant oils. His head felt light, slightly dizzy.  

But he had to endure.  

Tonight wasn’t the right time.  

“…Shall we sleep?”  

Yohan asked, fearing he might lose control if they stayed like this any longer.  

“Yes. We have to meet Father tomorrow, after all.”  

Yohan held Francia closer in his arms and extinguished the magical lamp.

*    *    *

Late Night at the Ferbache Imperial Residence  

Scratch, scratch.  

Inside the dimly lit office, the sound of a pen nib scraping against paper echoed. A single magic lantern provided the only source of light as Duke Ferbache diligently worked through the backlog of estate management documents.  

Then, suddenly, the scratching sound ceased.  

The pen had stopped moving entirely.  

“…”  

A cold gaze swept across his back. The duke’s body tensed instinctively.  

A chilling sensation crawled up his nape, and every hair on his body stood on end.  

His heartbeat slowed.  

This was no mere trick of the nerves. The eerie presence creeping up his spine was unmistakable.  

Something or someone was watching him.  

Slowly, the duke drew upon his magic.  

Whoever it was, whatever it was, it was massive.  

“Who’s there?”  

No answer came. But the presence was undeniable. The sheer magnitude of the energy sent shivers down his spine, distorting his senses.  

“If you won’t answer, I’ll have to force a response.”  

Crack. Crackle.  

Frost spread. The window panes froze over, the biting chill radiating outward.  

Beneath his feet an icy blue, translucent flower quietly bloomed.  

—Kiiiing!  

The frost surged violently, and unable to withstand the overwhelming magic, a familiar collapsed to the ground, groaning in agony.  

“…”  

The duke pressed his lips into a thin line and lowered his gaze.  

A familiar with wings on its eyes.  

It didn’t take much thought to deduce where it had come from.  

“Magic” Tower.