Chapter 2: My life is ruined

Francia noticed Yohan’s hardened, darkened expression and asked,
“Um, is something wrong…?”

Her voice, filled with concern, barely hid her worry.

“No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about something.”

Yohan forced a smile, awkwardly stroking the back of Francia’s hand.

“I’m glad it’s nothing serious.”

Francia smiled brightly, holding Yohan’s hand.

Her radiant smile was befitting of a heroine.

‘If I stay here any longer, I might get enchanted,’ Yohan thought as he gently let go of her hand and stood up from the bed.

His balance was off, probably because of all the alcohol he drank the night before.

As he stumbled, Francia quickly supported him.

“Are you alright?”

Yohan tensed up, feeling the soft sensation of her touch on his back.

“I’m fine. Could I take a bath for a moment?”

“Of course. I’ll wait here.”

Finally able to focus, Yohan flashed another awkward smile at her and headed to the bathroom.

He used a magic device to fill the tub with hot water, then quietly sank into it.

His back ached a bit, probably because Francia had scratched him the night before, but he soon got used to it.

“Hoo…”

A sigh escaped with the steam, filled with the weight of his worries.

‘Let’s start by organizing my plans.’

It was certain now that he would share his life with Francia.

Running away like a coward after enjoying everything wasn’t an option.

‘My top priority is gaining the approval of Ducal Ferbache.’

He had to prove his abilities to the Ducal, or else he’d likely find himself at the end of the Ducal sword. His status was already far beneath that of the Ducal family, so he had to prove his worth one way or another.

‘To do that… I need to join the “Saint Rozino Imperial Civil Service,” where Francia is. And I’ll have to achieve remarkable results to even get a passing grade.’

The Saint Rozino Imperial Civil Service included elite knights and mages, the Empire’s most asymmetric forces.

Yohan rubbed his chin.

‘Looks like I’m bound to get involved with those lunatics whether I like it or not.’

In this world where Yohan had reincarnated, there were several people to be wary of, but three stood out as the most dangerous.

‘First, Crown Prince Fedelian Rozino.’

With his golden hair resembling ramen noodles, the Crown Prince had been raised with excessive pampering and appointed as heir the moment he was of age, making him arrogant and insufferable.

He had everything handed to him, which inflated his ego to astronomical heights.

‘And he was obsessed with Francia.’

Simply put, the Crown Prince was the most dangerous individual.

With his abilities to back up his arrogance, he was Yohan’s top priority for caution.

Next was…

‘Cassius Lenocohen.’

As difficult as his name suggested, Cassius was tricky to deal with.

He had been rigorously trained as a successor from a young age, resulting in a warped and bitter personality.

On top of that, his nasty temper made him a real headache.

‘As proof, he’s the one who’ll put Francia in the greatest danger later.’

Cassius, obsessed with Francia, would eventually dabble in forbidden dark magic banned by both the Empire and the world.

A dark and unstable individual.

‘Third is Rudella Bismarck.’

She was the future empress, already engaged to the ramen-haired Crown Prince.

She would hatch countless schemes, knowing full well that the Crown Prince loved Francia.

‘At least she’s slightly less dangerous.’

Unlike the Crown Prince and Cassius, Rudella lacked direct power.

Even though her future as empress seemed guaranteed, it was largely due to the influence of the Marquis.

Shaa-

The water, infused with elemental magic, had now filled the tub to the brim.

Yohan deactivated the device and leaned his head back.

‘I have so much to do.’

At least one small comfort was that the body he had reincarnated into had an exceptional talent for magic.

And since he’d kept up strength and stamina training, his physical condition wasn’t bad either.

‘Whether I become a knight or a mage, it wouldn’t seem strange either way.’

The reason Yohan hadn’t joined the civil service yet was simple—he just wanted an easy life.

Why risk his life fighting monsters on the frontlines as a knight or mage for glory? He’d been born a noble, so he figured he could live comfortably with a peaceful life.

But now, if he didn’t aim higher, Ducal Ferbache would surely have his head.

“Tsk.”

Yohan clicked his tongue.

As much as he wanted to blame someone, he knew it was his own fault, so there was no one to vent to.

‘Time to get up.’

Shhhh-

As Yohan rose from the tub, water spilled over the edge.

He dried himself with a towel, put on a robe, and left the bathroom.

Francia, still looking tired, was lying down with her eyes closed.

“My lady?”

“Yes, yes?”

“I’ve finished bathing. Would you like to wash up as well?”

“Oh, right. I should too. Haha.”

Francia awkwardly laughed as she got out of bed, her bare body revealed in the process.

Her smooth skin, curvaceous figure, and large but not overwhelming chest left Yohan momentarily stunned, his gaze wandering in confusion.

“Haha?”

Noticing Yohan’s flustered look, Francia teased him with a grin.

“You looked so much last night. Why so shy now?”

“Ahem…”

“You’re surprisingly cute. It’s a different charm from last night.”

She giggled as she slipped on a robe.

“Feel free to speak casually from now on. We’re a couple now, aren’t we?”

“…Alright.”

“Call me Francia.”

“Francia.”

“Good.”

Satisfied with how he addressed her, she smiled brightly and headed into the bathroom.

Once her figure disappeared completely, Yohan finally exhaled a sigh of relief.

He sat on the bed, bowing his head.

“What’s going on?”

He felt a strange attraction to Francia.

It wasn’t just because of her beauty.

‘It’s like I’m being enchanted.’

Was this what people meant by love at first sight?

‘It feels awkward.’

In his previous life, Yohan had never fallen in love.

He had always lived a life driven by efficiency.

The idea of pursuing a relationship out of loneliness had seemed irrational to him, so he’d never even attempted it.

But now…

‘That mindset is crumbling fast.’

Whenever he saw Francia, he felt his face heat up.

‘That’s probably why I hit on her when I was drunk.’

Yohan shook his head, trying to push away his feelings.

‘Stay calm.’

He needed to regain his composure.

His life was at a critical juncture, and if he didn’t prepare properly, he could lose everything—even his life.

Or worse, he might end up castrated or thrown into a back alley.

Thud.

Yohan leaned back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.

‘It’s time to reveal my magic abilities that I’ve been keeping under wraps for convenience’s sake.’

Yohan knew magic.

Not only that, he was exceptionally talented at it.

He just hadn’t used it much, except for personal convenience.

‘But since I haven’t learned any combat magic, I’ll need to start there.’

Though learning magic at his age was usually difficult, Yohan had a natural advantage thanks to his reincarnation.

His overwhelming affinity with magic made it possible.

“Ha. Let’s stay calm. I can do this.”

Yohan took deep breaths repeatedly and began to formulate a plan.

“First, I’ll take the civil servant exam. If I enter with overwhelming grades, even the crown prince won’t be able to ignore me.”

The Saint Rogino civil servant is the finest elite knight order in the empire.

No matter how much of a reckless and spoiled character he has,

it wouldn’t be easy for the crown prince to dismiss a top wizard of such a knight order.

“Alright. The direction is set.”

Having devised a plan, Yohan looked out the window.

It was morning.

The sunlight was warm.

Maybe because he had decided what to do next and was basking in the sunlight, his heart felt more at ease.

Click.

Just then, while he was closing his eyes and soaking up the sunlight, the bathroom door opened, and Fransia emerged.

Yohan watched her in silence.

Her wet hair clung to her body, following her lines.

Her skin was a rosy hue and smooth.

She was mesmerizing.

“Yohan?”

“Y-yes?”

“If you see me like this, I’ll feel pressured too.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

Yohan quickly turned his gaze away.

Still, Fransia’s body lingered in front of him.

‘Damn it.’

How did he end up like this? Had his previous chastity finally broken? Or was it that Fransia had truly cast a spell to use him?

………….. Normally, it wouldn’t be the latter.

It would be correct to say he fell for her at first sight.

This was the first time he was seeing the heroine of this story in person, only having seen her descriptions before.

In reality, Fransia was a beautiful woman.

She had stunning looks that could make one’s jaw drop and a perfect figure.

What about her voice? It was enticing, clinging to his eardrums.

And her personality was beyond words.

Yohan took another deep breath and tried to control his racing heart.

“But, you know, aren’t we now lovers?”

He asked Fransia, who was drying her hair.

“Right? We’re even at the stage of marriage.”

She nodded, as if it were obvious, even bringing up the topic of marriage.

“Is your family okay with it?”

“Ah.”

When family matters came up, she gaped.

‘Could it be she hadn’t thought about it?’

He didn’t think she was the type to lack consideration.

“…I’m sorry. I forgot about that issue. I’ve been having so much fun spending time with you, Yohan…”

Seeing her not miss a chance for lip service, it was clear that she was a considerable romance expert, someone Yohan, a lifelong single, couldn’t handle.

“Is there any way?”

Fransia looked at Yohan with trembling eyes and asked.

“…There is a way.”

“What is it?”

“It’s to somehow raise my value.”

Yohan slowly opened and closed his eyes, continuing to speak.

“Fortunately, I have talent in magic. I plan to use this to persuade the Ducal .”

“Ah.”

“And I’ll be entering the Saint Rogino civil servant.”

“Will the passing issue be alright? As you know, the Saint Rogino civil servant is…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Yohan smiled and said,

“Don’t worry about it at all.”

It was true that the exam was difficult.

However, to Yohan, it didn’t seem that hard.

He could interpret the runes used for magic himself, so there wasn’t much that could pose a challenge.

“First, I’ll meet the Ducal.”

Yohan stood up from his seat and gathered up the clothes strewn in the corner.

“I’ll take care of getting the permission from my father-in-law, so Fransia, don’t worry too much.”

Anyway, the deed was done.

He had even resolved to take responsibility.

‘What the hell, let’s just try it.’

Making a deal with the Ducal and becoming the top wizard of the civil servants to have his relationship with her acknowledged.

And protecting her from the crazy bastards threatening her.

He could do both.

Yohan had the ability for that.