Chapter 62: Celebration Party

A few days later, in the dining room of the Ferbache mansion in the capital.  

“Ta-da! Congratulations!”  

Francia beamed brightly as she raised her glass high.  

Clink!  

The sound of glasses colliding resonated crisply in the cold air. The golden bubbles of champagne shimmered as they rippled over the rim of the glass.  

Not long after everything was settled, Francia hosted a modest celebration for Yohan. 

Though the lack of guests felt a little lonely, she didn’t mind too much—it was precious to spend time alone with Yohan.  

She could have invited people from the civil office, but since her relationship with them was strictly professional, there was no need to suggest it.  

“Haha, thank you.”  

Yohan seemed content with the cozy atmosphere. The awkwardness that had once lingered between them had long since disappeared.  

“This is low-alcohol, so feel free to drink comfortably!”  

“Oh, is that so?”  

Yohan took a sip of his glass.  

“Oh…?”  

The gentle sweetness of the champagne enveloped his palate, the bubbles melting softly on his tongue. Finally, a faint, tingling sharpness warmed his throat as it went down.  

“How is it? It’s a popular drink in social circles these days.”  

“This might be the most enjoyable drink I’ve had so far.”  

Yohan smiled faintly, swirling the liquid in his glass. Though his body wasn’t very tolerant of alcohol, this champagne felt light and smooth, easy to drink.  

“By the way, you’re no longer Yohan Harssen but Yohan Lahart now.”  

Francia swirled her glass as she spoke. Since Yohan had inherited the lands of Lahart, he naturally adopted the surname.  

“That’s correct. I’m now Count Lahart.”  

“Hmm, does it feel strange?”  

“To be honest, it does.”  

Yohan chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. Having been called Harssen his entire life, it felt odd to suddenly be Lahart. Although he liked the name, he couldn’t quite shake the unfamiliarity.  

“You’ll have to get used to it. After all, you’re a Count now,” Francia said with a warm smile.  

With Yohan’s newfound status and power, even the Ferbache family could no longer dismiss him. 

And if their relationship progressed to marriage, the Lahart name would temporarily merge with the Ferbache house since Francia was also the Ferbache heir.  

Francia gazed into Yohan’s eyes with a soft smile. Under the table, her hand slowly clenched into a fist.  

‘Soon, the most powerful family in the empire will rise.’  

If Yohan’s Lahart and Ferbache joined forces, even the imperial family with its absolute authority wouldn’t be able to meddle easily. They would monopolize the ability to seal magical fissures and wield the power of the Ferbache house, one of the Four Great Houses.  

Furthermore, with the fertile lands of Lahart under their control, the Ferbache family’s influence would grow exponentially.  

Naturally, this outcome was all part of Francia’s plan.  

“What’s occupying your thoughts so deeply?” Yohan asked, nibbling on an appetizer. 

Francia’s determined expression had caught his attention—it was too curious to ignore.  

“Hmm, nothing much,” Francia replied, tilting her head with a serene smile.  

Though her occasional mysterious demeanor sometimes felt suspicious, Yohan swallowed his doubts. It probably wasn’t anything serious.  

“Let’s have another toast!” Francia raised her glass cheerfully to lift the mood. Yohan chuckled softly, clinking his glass with hers.  

“Oh, by the way, my father mentioned that he would be coming to the capital soon,” Francia said as they sipped their champagne.  

“The Duke?”  

“Yes, he suggested holding the engagement ceremony quickly.”  

“Did he? There’s no need to rush, though.”  

Yohan could easily guess why the Duke was in a hurry—to eliminate any variables before the imperial family could interfere.  

Of course, the imperial family wasn’t in a position to force the marriage. Even with their overwhelming authority, they couldn’t do much against Yohan.  

So Yohan wasn’t worried. He could simply refuse and stand firm.  

“It seems my father wants to handle it while there’s still time; otherwise, we’d have to wait until next year.” Francia smiled faintly.  

“Well, in that case…”  

Yohan knew how busy the Duke became in the winter months. Francia, as the protagonist of this land, had plenty of information about her homeland.  

The Duchy of Ferbache was vast compared to other noble territories, but most of its land was barren. Moreover, with its enormous size came numerous magical fissures.  

However, those magical beasts were also the source of many valuable materials, such as mana stones unique to the northern region, rare minerals, and other special resources.  

If the beasts were dealt with effectively, their spoils—hides, horns, teeth, blood—could be used in weapon crafting, alchemy, and clothing, greatly enhancing the wealth and influence of the Ferbache house.  

Still, due to the frequent surges of magical creatures in winter, the Duke and the Ferbache knights were rarely able to leave the territory.  

It was an unavoidable structure that created endless work. Francia’s experience in the civil office also helped her prepare for her future role as steward of the Duchy. Being a civil officer earned her the trust of the people.  

“Given how much more stable the Duchy has become, it probably won’t matter much. Besides, if the absence of my father causes issues in the territory, that would be a serious problem in itself.” Francia laughed lightly, tilting her head with a warm gaze.  

“That’s true.”  

“Yes.”  

Noticing Yohan’s empty glass, she grabbed the champagne bottle and refilled it.  

“So, have another glass!”  

“Hm…”  

Yohan quietly smiled as he watched her refill his glass.  

“Are you trying to get me drunk?”  

Francia’s shoulders flinched as she poured.  

“How suspicious.”  

“Huh? I have no ulterior motives, really.”  

“Are you sure?”  

Yohan raised his eyebrows, crafting a deep gaze. Francia subtly rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.  

“Hmph…”  

“Right on target.”  

Catching Francia’s intent precisely, Yohan asked softly,  

“Why are you trying to intoxicate me?”  

His voice was low and resonant, yet his gaze was intense.  

“…Well…”  

She didn’t open her mouth. She couldn’t. After all…  

‘How can I tell him I want him to get drunk…’  

Yohan, when intoxicated and tipsy, was quite different from his usual self.  

The sharpness in his normally vigilant eyes softened, and his tense demeanor eased 

significantly.  

His languid and relaxed state was incredibly appealing.  

Above all, his inability to suppress his desires, becoming forceful and dominant—this side of him utterly shook Francia to her core.  

“Ahem… It’s nothing really. I just… wanted to enjoy tonight.”  

Francia broke the silence with a small cough, averting her gaze. It was hard to honestly voice her desires.  

She worried that she might come off as lewd. Of course, Yohan wouldn’t care at all, but it was a personal dilemma for Francia.  

‘It’s embarrassing…’  

No matter how deep their relationship was, how one was viewed by a loved one was a very sensitive matter.  

“…Hmm.”  

Seeing Yohan’s faint smile, Francia flinched and shifted her gaze nervously. Her fingers fidgeted restlessly, unable to stay still.  

“Well, fine.”  

Yohan emptied the champagne in his glass in one gulp, his throat bobbing heavily as he swallowed.  

Then, he stood and scooped Francia into his arms.  

“Oh…!”  

Caught off guard by his sudden action, Francia was slightly startled but soon buried her face in his chest, her cheeks flushed.  

“As you wish, Francia. Let’s enjoy tonight… deeply.”  

*      *      *

Sunlight seeped softly through the window, casting a gentle glow on Yohan’s face as he opened his eyes and slowly sat up.  

‘Last night… might’ve been a bit much.’  

He exhaled deeply, his body weighed down by exhaustion that pressed on him from head to toe.  

He felt drained. His back stung from Francia’s scratches, and despite having rested, the fatigue hadn’t lifted.  

“Mmm…”  

Beside him, Francia lay sleeping soundly, her bare form rising and falling with deep breaths.  

Her obsidian-black hair fanned out across the pillow. Having expended so much energy herself, she remained asleep even at this late hour.  

Her skin, though, glowed with an oddly radiant sheen, and her complexion looked especially healthy.  

‘She must’ve drained my life force.’  

Yohan always felt it whenever they were intimate—Francia’s desire only grew stronger with time. 

She clung to him endlessly.  

Though his training ensured he never lost to her physically, there were moments when her intensity was almost frightening.  

“Hah…”  

Being careful not to wake her, Yohan quietly slipped out of bed. He quenched his thirst with water from the table before glancing into a mercury-lined mirror.  

‘…That’s a lot.’  

His neck and chest were covered with red marks—bitemarks Francia had left behind overnight, her way of marking him.  

Letting out a small chuckle, Yohan headed to the bathroom for a quick wash and emerged wrapped in a crisp white robe. Sitting at the table, he decided to pass the time quietly until Francia woke.  

‘…Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve had this kind of leisure.’  

Yohan sank deeper into his chair, his relaxed body sagging further. He hadn’t had a moment to rest lately.  

Between official duties, the war with Sanbruck, sealing the demon rift, and meeting with the emperor… it felt like a whirlwind of events in a short span.  

Just then.  

Knock, knock.  

Someone rapped on the door.  

“Lady Francia, Lord Lahart. There’s something urgent you must see.”  

It was the voice of the head butler, who oversaw the estate in the capital of Ferbache.  

Yohan tilted his head. 

Normally, he would send another servant, so for the butler to come himself meant it was no ordinary matter.  

“…..”  

Instinctively, Yohan almost told him to come in but quickly remembered Francia’s unclothed state in bed. He changed his mind.  

“I’ll come out.”  

When Yohan opened the door, the butler stood waiting, his facial muscles tense.  

Even though it was winter, faint beads of sweat dotted his forehead, hinting at his unease.  

Sensing something unusual, Yohan narrowed his eyes and asked,  

“…What is it?”  

“This…”  

The butler carefully handed him a newspaper.  

“This is…”  

As soon as Yohan began reading the headline, he unconsciously clenched his fingers. The sound of paper crumpling quietly echoed in the room.  

[The Hero Who Sealed the Demon Rift, Count Lahart and Princess Laryana’s Betrothal?!]  

[Count Lahart and Princess Laryana’s Engagement Has Long Been Planned!]  

The article was filled with news of Count Lahart and Princess Laryana discussing marriage, with their engagement said to be imminent.  

‘…As expected.’  

It was clear they couldn’t force him to accept, so they resorted to this tactic.  

‘They want to provoke me into action. Fine, I’ll play along.’  

Yohan folded the newspaper to the side, his expression calm, though his heart had turned icy cold.  

The Imperial Family.  

The absolute authority of the Rogino Empire.  

But they didn’t realize just how arrogant they truly were.