Topaz Palace, Crown Princess’s Quarters
Her office, where the constant white noise of paperwork and duties used to echo, now lay in complete silence. The once-bustling aides, including Rudella’s assistant, Vera, had stopped handling any tasks.
This stillness remained because Rudella had secluded herself in her room, doing nothing.
“…Miss, you haven’t had your meal yet.”
Vera, the assistant, spoke cautiously. She couldn’t fully comprehend why Rudella had fallen apart, but it wasn’t entirely surprising. Vera had always felt that something had been off with her since before they arrived at Topaz Palace.
As someone who had worked closely with her before, Vera had a good sense of things and had no desire to press the issue.
“Right now… I don’t want to think about anything. Just leave me alone.”
Rudella, lying on her bed with her eyes closed, spoke in a voice drained of strength. She had not left her room even once today.
“Have you heard the news?”
Rudella didn’t respond at first. Her eyes remained shut, making it clear that she had not heard.
“The war has broken out with Sanburg.”
“…What?”
Rudella’s eyes, which had been tightly closed, snapped open. She hastily sat up, her gaze fixed intently on Vera.
“Why? His Majesty said there wouldn’t be any war…”
“Sanburg, after internal conflicts, has declared war. The reason is…”
As Vera explained the cause of the war, Rudella’s face turned pale with dread.
“Yohan…!”
Yohan was a highly skilled mage of the second division, a person whose success would undoubtedly prompt Fedelian’s interference.
“So… what’s the current situation?”
“They are preparing to move out today, and they are scheduled to depart in two days. They’re bringing in their core forces for a quick conclusion.”
“…..”
Rudella clenched her fists. Despite her efforts to help Yohan, things were moving far too quickly. Technically, as Crown Princess, she had no authority to intervene in a war…
‘No… This can’t be the end…’
Rudella’s hands trembled as she held them tightly, her fingers cold and pale. This was the worst possible outcome. If this was truly the last time she would see Yohan, it would break her completely.
“But… I can’t do anything.
With her head hung low, Rudella squeezed her eyes shut, her grip tightening around her hands. She wanted to meet him immediately, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
The cold, clear boundary he had drawn was still vivid in her mind.
She was already hated by him; if she went to him now, she would only earn more disdain.
There was a way she could muster the courage to apologize for what happened back then… but Rudella was terrified. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing that kind of gaze from the one person she had ever truly cared for.
‘Why…’
She blamed herself for her past actions. Why had she been so greedy? She had once thought it would be fine just to convey her feelings, but…
Sigh..
Rudella, holding her forehead, let out a deep sigh. Vera, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.
“…What should we do about the work?”
It might have seemed callous, but the distance between them was just right. Rudella didn’t want Vera to come any closer.
“Right now… I have no thoughts. I can’t focus on anything.”
“Then I’ll take care of the simple paperwork for now.”
“…Please do.”
Rudella closed her eyes again, trying to push aside the complicated thoughts. She knew that if she didn’t act now, she might regret it for the rest of her life. But once again, after ruining their relationship with her own selfishness, it was too hard to summon the courage.
Two days passed quickly.
* * *
As the day of departure approached, the faces of the officers standing at the border grew cold, as if frozen by the winter air. Even though they were high-ranking officers of the empire’s elite, it was understandable that they felt fear about the upcoming battle.
“…So, this day has finally arrived.”
Francia spoke with a stiff expression. A mix of emotions—fear, anxiety, determination—was clear on her face.
“Once we go a little further, we’ll cross the border, and the battle will begin, right?”
Hearing her anxious voice, Yohan gently smiled and reassured her.
“As second division officers, we won’t be participating in the combat. We’re assigned to the rear.”
There was no need for Francia to worry. The first division was highly skilled, and they had the experience to lead the southern front with ease.
This war was one they couldn’t afford to lose.
“Let’s move out!”
Suddenly, the voice of the division commander, Fedelian, echoed. He was supposed to lead the first division on the front lines, but his position was far from the others.
The reason Fedelian chose the front lines was clear. He had been pressured by the emperor. After all, this war had been caused by him.
If it were a typical situation, he would have delegated the battlefield to the war hero and first division, planning to swoop in later to claim the glory. But since the war hero was absent, Fedelian would have to bear the brunt of the burden.
Clop, clop
The horses began to move, and a long procession continued, like waves rolling forward. The flag with the lion crest fluttered in the wind, and each step sounded like a battle cry as the armor and helmets clashed.
The scene was majestic, but it cast a shadow of tension and dread.
The knights, officers, and soldiers sent from various territories combined to form an impressive force.
“Phew… I’m nervous.”
In the heavy atmosphere, Francia tried to calm her racing heart with deep breaths.
“……”
She glanced at Yohan, who showed no sign of anxiety. On the contrary, he seemed completely at ease… almost confident.
His calm demeanor instilled a sense of trust and strength. It was the reason she had been drawn to him in the first place. It wasn’t just because he was handsome or well-built, though that was certainly part of it. Yohan had a certain presence and grace that couldn’t be hidden.
“We’re crossing the border!”
The Imperial troops traveled for a long time. At night, they would set up simple barracks to rest, only to be on the move again when the sun rose.
While a battle broke out with the ambushing Sanburg army, it was a decisive victory for the First Bureau of the Imperial Civil Servants at the forefront. There were hardly any casualties.
The current head of the First Bureau, Duke Renokhonan, had played a key role in the victory. Having already achieved overwhelming success in the south, subduing the barbarians, there was no doubt that he could handle the Sanburg army as well.
As the march continued, they could only rest after the sun had set.
“Is your back hurting?”
Under the soft moonlight, Yohan, holding the rations, sat beside Francia and asked.
“I’m fine now. Why?”
“You looked like walking was uncomfortable.”
“Ah, I think it’s just from riding the horse for so long.”
Francia smiled shyly, and Yohan gave a small smile in return. At the start of their journey, her shoulders had seemed stiff, but now, they had loosened somewhat.
“I’m glad to see you’re relaxing.”
Yohan said with a relieved expression, playfully ruffling the hair near her temple.
“Heh, it’s all because you’re here, Yohan.”
“Hmm. Should I be embarrassed?”
“Isn’t it meaningless to ask that question?”
Francia chuckled, playfully nudging Yohan’s shoulder with her hand.
“Isn’t it hard for you?”
“I’m fine. I’ve been training my stamina regularly.”
“Hmm…”
Francia’s gaze subtly shifted downward, scanning Yohan’s body. His silhouette was firm and solid. Despite being a wizard, his physique didn’t match her expectations at all.
“Your gaze seems a bit lecherous.”
“Lecherous? What do you mean?”
“Are you hoping to spend the night together in this situation?”
“…No.”
Yohan smirked slyly. Francia, feeling flustered, turned her face away. She couldn’t deny that she might have had such thoughts…
“It looks like you’re flustered.”
“Hmph, there’s no way I’d think that in this kind of place.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a pity.”
Yohan gently caressed Francia’s waist, then pressed his forehead against hers.
“It seems like I was the only one thinking that way.”
“Ugh…!”
The sudden display of affection made Francia gasp. Her heart began to race violently.
“Is your heartbeat getting louder? Or is that just me?”
“……”
She remained silent, only looking down at the ground, her face flushed. Yohan smiled, finding her appearance cute.
“Your reaction is great today as well.”
“Did you just tease me again?”
“Because you’re so cute, Francia.”
“Really…”
Francia smiled softly, relaxing her body. As she naturally leaned into Yohan’s arms, she took a deep breath.
“Haah…”
Inhaling his scent, Francia trembled, letting herself go limp in his embrace. This was her way of finding peace of mind.
“…When can we return?”
“Maybe in a week, I think.”
“I want to go back quickly.”
“Is it that hard?”
“Wha-what…! That’s not it!”
Yohan lightly laughed and pulled her close, hugging her shoulders.
“What do you mean by that?”
“…Are you going to pretend you don’t know?”
“I really don’t know.”
Yohan smirked, tilting his head, and Francia hid her burning red ears behind her hair.
“I don’t know.”
“It looks like you do.”
“Ah, really…!”
Francia puffed her cheeks and gave Yohan a sharp look. Her gaze seemed to plead with him, as if asking him to give in just once, and Yohan’s lips curled into a small smile.
“It’s a joke.”
“Next time, you should be careful.”
“Should I?”
“Yes, you should.”
Francia pouted, her red eyes blinking. Yohan gently stroked her hair, then stood up.
“Well, it’s getting late, so I should be going now.”
“Ah… already…?”
She looked down, sulking, and grabbed Yohan’s sleeve. She knew she had to let him go, but her actions spoke otherwise.
Crackling
The campfire burned quietly.
“I’ll come this way first thing tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I want to see you.”
Yohan smiled gently and placed a soft kiss on her lips. The grip on his sleeve tightened as Francia, blushing fiercely, leaned into him and kissed him back.
“Hmm…”
Her sleeve wrinkled. Their tongues entwined. It was hard to tell whether the heat came from the campfire or the kiss.
“…That’s enough.”
“Ah…”
When their lips parted, a thin, transparent thread stretched between them. Their faces were flushed crimson. Francia’s expression was dazed, yet somewhat alluring.
“I’ll go now.”
“Yes…”
Yohan, smiling once more at the dazed Francia, turned and walked toward his tent.
The sounds of the march seemed to have caught up with the soldiers, and the camp fell into a deep sleep. The night was calm.
Crackling
The campfire’s sound echoed softly.
On his way to his tent, Yohan suddenly stopped.
Someone was there.
He narrowed his eyes. What he saw was a long, flowing head of red hair and green eyes.
“…Hello.”
It was Violet Latalen.
She smiled faintly, slightly tilting her body as though she had been waiting for him for a long time.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
Yohan asked quietly. A subtle emotion flickered in her green eyes.
“I was hoping we could talk, even briefly….”