In the deep eastern wing of the imperial palace, the crown prince’s chambers.
A crystal chandelier gently illuminated the room, and along the walls, thick bookshelves were packed with heavy tomes.
Scratch, scratch.
The sound of a pen moving could be heard, a white noise filling the air.
Done.
On the ebony desk in the center, neatly arranged documents piled high, and Crown Prince Fedelian was calmly handling the papers, enjoying the serene atmosphere.
“Your Highness.”
At that moment, a deep voice sounded from behind him. Fedelian did not turn his head and replied indifferently,
“Have you finished the task?”
“Yes.”
“What is the result?”
“That is…”
The man, wearing a black robe that only revealed his silhouette, hesitated to answer.
“Failure, then?”
“I apologize.”
“Hmm.”
The scratching of the feather pen ceased, and the white noise disappeared.
“Did you alter the evidence?”
The shadow bowed deeply.
“Yes. I arranged the bodies of mercenaries and bandits from the free knights of Sanburg nearby to make it look as if a fight had occurred.”
Fedelian nodded slightly.
The mercenaries and bandits from Sanburg were often targeted for bounties, so it was fitting to use them.
It was also possible to infiltrate the Sanburg territory more securely and bring in the bodies of officially known knights, but that would leave too much of a trail and risk exposure.
In that sense, using mercenaries and bandits from the free knights was ideal to shift the blame onto Sanburg.
“A war with Sanburg could be on the horizon.”
Though Sanburg had done nothing wrong, the empire had gained a pretext.
Their administrative failure had caused a grave injury to the empire’s pride.
The empire wouldn’t simply demand compensation for the damage.
They would show the consequences of not treating their representatives properly.
After all, it was true that Sanburg had not properly treated the empire’s envoy and had failed in border management.
If a clash with Sanburg were to occur, it would also present an opportunity for Fedelian.
It would be a favorable situation, both to elevate the empire’s prestige and to solidify his own position.
There was no need to worry about the risks.
The truly dangerous frontlines were the Cassis Renokhonan.
If necessary, he could send the battlefield strategist there.
Fedelian asked,
“What happened to the others?”
“The Imperial Guard is all dead.”
“Did you confirm the bodies?”
“Yes.”
The shadow bowed even lower.
The Imperial Guard, who had been sent to protect Rudella Bismark, were found dead under a bridge.
They had been caught in an explosion and fallen from a great height, making survival impossible.
“It seems only the bodies of Yohan Harssen and Rudella Bismark are missing.”
“Yes. We searched the cliffs thoroughly, but they were nowhere to be found. There were no magical traces either.”
“It must have been Yohan Harssen’s doing. He knew many strange spells.”
Tap.
Fedelian put down his feather pen and tilted his head back, closing his eyes.
He was trying to relieve the mounting fatigue.
“Remove all traces, and recover the shadows that had been placed. And do not approach the area again. It’s time for the civil officials to act. That is all.”
The shadow bowed deeply in response and vanished like an afterimage.
Fedelian drummed his fingers on the desk and frowned.
“Yohan Harssen, that rat. Slipping away so easily, this is already the second time.”
From the incident with the special-class monster to now.
Both times, it wouldn’t have been surprising if his limbs had been torn off, but he had survived unharmed.
It wasn’t just his skill, it was clear his luck was exceptional as well.
“Still, I don’t like it.”
Fedelian swallowed his small discomfort and refocused on his work.
There was nothing more he could do at the moment, especially since even the shadows had failed to find him.
Swoosh.
The relentless downpour continued.
Rudella and Yohan sat side by side at the entrance of a cave.
Though winter was approaching and the storm made the cold more noticeable, the white noise gave a sense of psychological stability, making it not so bad.
“How much longer?”
Rudella, hugging her knees, asked.
Her smooth, white thighs were exposed in this posture, and Yohan subtly turned his gaze away while answering,
“One day. Tomorrow is the agreed-upon date.”
“I see.”
Rudella nodded and buried her face in her knees.
“…By the way, may I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“What do you do with your lover?”
Yohan hesitated for a moment and then looked up at the cave ceiling, as if trying to guess her intent behind the question.
“Time, huh.”
Rudella quietly admired Yohan’s face as she waited for his response.
She was simply curious about what one does with a lover.
Swoosh.
The rain kept falling.
The sound of the downpour created a silence within the cave.
Yohan spoke quietly, maintaining a distance where he could subtly feel Rudella’s body warmth.
“I suppose it’s about getting to know each other through small everyday moments. Usually, we take walks together, or have dinner and share the things that happened during the day.”
Yohan smiled softly.
As his gaze turned toward Rudella, she shyly turned her face away, unable to meet his eyes.
“I see…”
Spending little moments together, sharing time.
It was a romantic and heartwarming, simple life.
Rudella suddenly became curious about how Yohan would smile at his lover.
“How do you smile at Princess Ferbache?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure. I don’t really think about it when I smile.”
Rudella absentmindedly stroked her wrist and spoke quietly,
“Could you smile at me as if I were Princess Ferbache?”
“…I don’t understand what you mean.”
Yohan’s expression hardened, and Rudella began to hurriedly explain herself.
“Well, I was just curious, that’s all. Didn’t I tell you before? I’ve been curious about the life you’ve lived. This is an extension of that.”
Rudella buried her face even deeper into her knees.
Why had she asked such a request and then felt the need to explain? Her face was burning with embarrassment.
“…Alright.”
Yohan seemed to think for a moment, then nodded and looked at Rudella.
She was a person of importance, but it was a small request, so he could grant it.
“Very well. Then, look at me.”
“Do I really have to look?”
“…If you don’t look at me, I won’t be able to show you my smile.”
“Ah.”
Rudella cleared her throat awkwardly and looked at Yohan.
Their eyes met, and just as she felt her face turning away, Yohan grabbed her chin.
“I told you, I can’t show it unless you look at me.”
In that moment, Rudella felt the heat rush to her face.
It was obvious her face was turning bright red.
But contrary to her concern, Yohan didn’t seem to notice at all.
“How is it?”
He smiled brightly.
His smile was warm and comforting, and it stirred something deep within her.
Rudella’s heart stopped.
Her chest ached with longing, wishing that smile was for her and her alone.
In that fleeting moment, she felt like she was the one he had chosen.
“I smiled thinking of Lady Bismark, no… Princess Ferbache. I hope it satisfies you.”
Yohan smiled awkwardly and scratched his cheek.
This situation was certainly awkward for him too, since it was a smile he would only show to Princess Ferbache.
“I… am very satisfied.”
Rudella mumbled softly, almost to herself, in a voice that seemed to crawl out of her mouth.
“Pardon?”
The words didn’t reach Yohan due to her soft tone.
“Hmm. No, it’s nothing.”
Rudella cleared her throat and turned her head.
As her body warmed up, her ears and cheeks became flushed with redness.
“Uhm… Would you hold my hand?”
Suddenly, Rudella cautiously spoke up.
She held her breath after speaking, as it had been an impulse to say it.
“Are you cold?”
“Ah, yes. Hmm.”
Now that she thought about it, the cold was definitely there.
Finding an excuse, Rudella sighed in relief inwardly.
Fortunately, Yohan didn’t find anything suspicious.
“Shall we?”
Yohan extended his hand. Rudella carefully took it.
The moment their hands touched, Rudella instinctively tightened her grip.
She felt the warmth of his touch spread through her, but at the same time, she sensed the subtle trembling in her own fingers.
She had the urge to draw closer, but the thought of not doing so conflicted with her mind, making her face even hotter.
“It is indeed cold. Winter is approaching, and with this downpour…”
Yohan spoke, now interlacing his fingers with Rudella’s hand without realizing it.
It had been a habit formed from always holding hands with Princess Ferbache.
This caught Rudella completely off guard.
It wasn’t just holding hands, but an intimate gesture of lovers that sent a sweet shiver down her spine.
Now…
Could she..get a little closer?
Desire began to slowly rise inside her.
She felt dizzy as if the world was spinning before her eyes.
Her head felt so hot, it seemed as though her thoughts were melting away.
“Lady Bismark?”
“Wh-wh-what?”
Rudella stumbled over her words.
Yohan tilted his head in confusion.
“…Why the sudden change?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. I’m just… feeling a bit sluggish…”
“Would you like to lie down?”
“No, I’m fine. I just… want to stay like this.”
Rudella gripped Yohan’s hand tighter, burying her face into her knees.
Her heart was pounding wildly, and her breathing had become uneven.
Swoosh.
The sound of rain poured around them.
Rudella silently prayed that Yohan wouldn’t hear her heartbeat.
If he did, he would surely think it was strange.
If it were anyone else, it might go unnoticed, but with Yohan, she didn’t want to seem strange.
“Your face is red.”
Yohan placed his hand on Rudella’s forehead, feeling the warmth there.
The moment his hand made contact, Rudella froze completely.
All of her focus shifted to his touch, and her breath stopped.
Her heart wavered.
“…You’re warm. The weather is cold, so we should be cautious about the fever. Shall we head inside? Let’s go to the fire.”
Yohan spoke with concern.
Rudella shuddered.
Did he know? Did he realize that his kindness, his actions, were striking a chord deep within her?
…He wouldn’t know.
“…I will go inside. I’d feel unfair if I caught a cold after holding out this long.”
Desperately trying to maintain her composure and suppress her desire and longing, Rudella released his hand and stood up.
Even after their hands parted, she could still feel the warmth lingering at her fingertips.
It was rough, but surprisingly soft and warm.
“…I am tired. I’ll rest for a while.”
“Of course.”
As Rudella lay down amidst the bushes, Yohan went to light a fire.
Crackle.
The fire began to burn, spreading warmth.
Rudella, though the contact between them had ended, and the distance had grown, still felt her heart racing.
She absentmindedly ran her fingers over her wrist, twirling her long silver hair to try to release her embarrassment outwardly.
“Let’s hold on, Lady Bismark.”
“…Yes.”
Crackle.
The crackling fire illuminated their faces warmly, but at the same time, the cold air and the intense sound of rain masked the strange distance between them.
Rudella squeezed her eyes shut.
She hoped this moment would last longer, but she also remained cautious of herself for wanting that.
What if she crossed the line now?
Fear and anticipation swirled around her.
“I hope tomorrow doesn’t come…”
She whispered to herself, hoping Yohan wouldn’t hear.
But, at the same time, she was curious about how he would react if he did hear.
However, that thought was fleeting.
…I’ve finally lost my mind, Rudella Bismark.
She swallowed hard, chastising herself for thinking such ridiculous thoughts.
She had been so honest with her desires and longings that she couldn’t help but entertain such ideas.
She was on the verge of giving in to him.
No, perhaps she had already fallen for him in her heart.
Another day had passed.
The time to part ways with Yohan had come.