Under a star-filled night sky, the grand party hall was shining brightly with a golden glow.
The flowers displayed along the walls emitted exquisite fragrances, and the sparkling crystal chandeliers cast a soft light that decorated the marble floor.
Nobles gathered here, adorned with luxurious jewelry, lightly laughing and chatting.
However, this was not merely a place for pure enjoyment of the party.
The party hall was not just a space for socializing; it was a political stage where one could confirm their status and honor, with whispered words full of hidden intentions flowing freely.
This was a social gathering regularly held by the royal family.
It was an exchange venue where young noble heirs and nobles working in the royal court had no choice but to participate.
“There’s definitely a lot of people.”
Yohan sipped his wine.
Knowing he shouldn’t drink too much, he took only a small sip.
“Oh, this is your first time at the royal court’s social gathering, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I rarely get invited to places like this…”
A party gathering only the offspring of high-ranking nobles.
The lowest status here is that of an earl.
Of course, noble titles don’t necessarily define all status, but…
“Don’t worry. Yohan is my lover, so no one will dare to touch you easily.”
After the reconnaissance mission in Magul, it became a well-known fact that Yohan and Princess Ferbache were lovers.
No one could touch Yohan, who was backed by the Ferbache family, one of the four great houses.
Unless it was a group that didn’t care about titles like royal officials, at least here, one had to be cautious of Francia.
Even if it was someone with an overwhelming status like the crown prince.
“…I feel strange thinking that I’m being protected by Francia.”
“That’s what lovers do for each other.”
Francia said this with a giggle and a smile.
Yohan tilted his head and asked,
“By the way, aren’t you supposed to greet the other noble heirs? Since it is such a gathering, you should be mingling around.”
There was one reason why the royal family regularly opened this silent battlefield of power.
It was to provide young nobles, who would become the future of the empire, with experience and to filter out the incompetent.
Francia also shouldn’t be lounging around like this.
“That’s right. I should at least greet the other great houses and engage in unnecessary conversations. Sigh.”
She seemed frustrated as she slumped her shoulders and bowed her head.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
“Yes. Oh, you shouldn’t drink too much! Not in front of the ladies either.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As Yohan smiled, Francia finally nodded a few times in reassurance and set off.
“I’ll be back.”
With that, Francia left to have trivial conversations with the offspring of other great houses.
Yohan squinted and surveyed the party hall.
He was watching for Cassis and Fedelian.
The two attended the party with partners Yohan was familiar with: Rudella Bismark and Violet Latalen.
Yohan’s eyebrows subtly contorted.
‘Violet, what on earth is she doing?’
Did she want him? But when the party came, she was partnered with Cassis as if nothing had happened.
‘Was she trying to use me?’
Was this a scheme of feminine jealousy? Yohan couldn’t discern her intentions, but he didn’t care much. After all, Violet wasn’t that threatening of a figure at the moment.
‘As for Fedelian……?’
He was partnered with Rudella Bismark.
He wore a pleasant smile, but Yohan’s eyes were not fooled.
His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were not.
They showed a dull, uninterested gaze that seemed bored with the event.
‘Sly bastard. He’s probably plotting something again.’
Always wearing a mask, he was a person of two faces.
Cassis was unpleasant, but Fedelian’s characteristic gloominess was hard to surpass.
‘Well, it seems he has no thoughts of approaching Francia so far.’
With some leisure, Yohan took another sip of wine.
“Oh my, Lord Harssen! Long time no see!”
At that moment, a rather welcoming voice was heard.
“Lady Barodo. It’s been a while.”
It was the young lady of the Barodo Marquis family, Jesia Barodo, who had personally invited Yohan to the party before.
“I never expected to see Lord Harssen here.”
“Neither did I.”
Yohan chuckled lightly.
Jesia tilted her head slightly and asked,
“Don’t you have a partner?”
“My partner is currently away.”
“Oh, so you do have a partner. What a pity.”
Jesia pouted, her pink lips slightly protruding.
“I came with my escort since I don’t have a partner. If I had known, I would have asked Lord Harssen.”
“Haha, it would have been an honor if that were the case. But since I came with my lover, I couldn’t have accepted Lady Barodo’s offer.”
At the mention of “lover,” Jesia’s eyes widened.
“L-l-lovers? Lord Harssen, you have a lover?”
“It has come to that.”
“No way, someone who didn’t date at the academy…”
Jesia shook her head as if that didn’t matter and continued speaking.
“Who is it? When did you meet?”
“It’s Princess Ferbache.”
“Huh, no way…?”
“That no way is correct.”
As Yohan awkwardly smiled, Jesia clutched her head and stumbled.
“Oh my, I played the role of Cupid. I was also aiming for Lord Harssen…”
Though she uttered nonsense unconsciously, Yohan didn’t care much as he was already aware.
The reason Yohan didn’t distance himself from Jesia Barodo, even though she was interested in him, was simple.
‘She’s so easygoing.’
She didn’t engage in unnecessary power plays and was honest, making it easy to interact with her without any exhausting complications.
“What a pity. How did you end up meeting?”
“Well…”
Yohan explained the events that had occurred, filtering out any provocative details as much as possible.
“Is that true?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Oh…”
Jesia clutched her head once more.
For a moment, the thought crossed her mind that she should have done the same, but…
“I hope you have a good meeting…”
She decided to give up.
It was already too late.
“Thank you.”
Seeing Yohan’s smiling face, Jesia’s heart raced, but she had no choice but to retreat.
What could she do when he already had a lover?
L……
With that, Jesia Barodo left to greet others, and Yohan turned his focus back to Francia.
Francia seemed to have exchanged all necessary conversations and was slowly approaching him.
“Francia.”
Just as Yohan was about to call her, a servant, not looking where they were going, spilled wine on Francia’s dress.
“Oh…! I’m so sorry! I’m terribly sorry!”
“Oh dear…”
Francia, drenched in wine, blinked blankly.
Yohan rushed over and handed her a handkerchief.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I’m fine. Thank you for the handkerchief.”
As Francia wiped the wine off with the handkerchief Yohan had given her, she showed a gentle smile to the bowing servant.
“It’s alright, you may go. I have clothes ready to change into.”
“I’m so sorry…! I apologize…!”
The servant repeatedly bowed at lightning speed, and after some time and with Francia’s insistence, she finally left.
“I’ll go change my clothes. You’re not going to drink too much, are you?”
“I know.”
Yohan waved goodbye to the back of Francias, who was heading to the lounge with a servant.
Just then…
“Yohan?”
A familiar voice called out.
Yohan turned his head instinctively in that direction.
Indeed, it was Violet.
“What’s going on?”
“Is it now forbidden to talk to you?”
“Where did the Ducal of Renokhanan go?”
“He said he had some business and left me alone. Isn’t it too much to leave your partner by themselves?”
Violet chuckled and placed her hand on Yohan’s shoulder.
“So, what do you think? Wouldn’t it be nice for two people without partners to share a drink?”
“Today, I really shouldn’t drink too much.”
“Come on, just one drink with me. Okay?”
With one eye squinted, Violet raised her glass.
Yohan watched her and pondered.
If the conversation drags on unnecessarily, it would be no good.
It would be better to just grant her request and send her off.
“Just one drink. But you must promise to go somewhere else right after.”
“Hehe, do I really bother you that much? Or is it because you don’t want to betray your lover?”
“Both.”
“Okay. That works for me.”
Having heard this, Yohan immediately downed the drink in his hand in one go.
His face flushed, but he didn’t show it in front of Violet.
“Is that enough?”
“You didn’t even toast. That’s so rude.”
Violet puffed her cheeks and gulped down the drink in her hand.
“Now, please go. A promise is a promise.”
“Understood.”
The moment she stepped away, there was a snap.
The heel of her shoe broke.
Instinctively, Yohan pulled Violet in by her waist, wrapping his arms around her.
“Oh my…?”
Violet felt the sensation of his arms wrapping around her waist.
The solid mass of muscle was surprisingly firm.
And the deep, calm blue of his eyes drew her in like a lake.
Violet’s heart raced.
“… What on earth is this?”
“… I didn’t expect this either.”
Violet awkwardly laughed and naturally placed her hand on Yohan’s shoulder, leaning into him.
“What should I do? My shoe is broken, but I don’t have anyone to take me to sit down. I can’t walk barefoot around the party either.”
She looked around playfully before turning her wide eyes toward Yohan.
“Hmm? Yohan? What an unexpected stroke of luck! Please help me?”
Despite feeling a rush of embarrassment from her shamelessness, Yohan noticed several gazes focused on them.
Leaving a woman in distress like this would certainly affect his reputation in social circles.
Many were already grinding their teeth at the fact that he was dating Francias.
Rather than giving them a reason to pick on him, it would be better to indulge her just this once.
‘Social events are always exhausting to think about.’
Yohan sighed.
“Ugh. Just this once.”
He then lifted Violet like a princess and took her toward a seating area.
“Now call a servant to take care of you. I’m leaving.”
“Wait a moment.”
Violet grabbed the collar of Yohan’s clothing.
“Are you really going to leave me all alone? I feel lonely.”
“Please don’t make jokes.”
“Wow, you’re really grumpy.”
Violet’s hand, which had been resting on Yohan’s shoulder, slid down to stroke his chest.
“You seem to dislike me for some reason. What could it be?”
“Do you really need to ask?”
“Of course. I’ve always received love, so I wouldn’t know.”
Violet tilted her head innocently, her red lips forming a playful curve.
“I have a lover. I can’t help but be cautious of someone who approaches me without hesitation.”
“Is that really all?”
“What do you mean?”
Yohan narrowed his eyes as he questioned her, prompting Violet to respond with a sly smile.
“No, I was just wondering if there was another reason.”
“There’s no other reason. What I said earlier is all there is to it.”
“Hehe, that’s a lie.”
Violet laughed lightly and added, “You see, I find you very appealing.
Your face, your personality, your determination to be with your lover… it all makes sense.”
She delicately touched her lips with her fingers.
“A man like you is my type. Someone who works hard for their lover and desperately protects them.”
At that moment, Violet suddenly leaned in closer.
Her red lips brushed against Yohan’s ear.
“What do you think? How about spending a forbidden night with me behind your lover’s back?”
“What?”
“I’ll keep it a secret. No one will ever know that you’re having an affair with me.”
Violet whispered into Yohan’s ear in a sultry voice.
“I’ll give you my virginity.”