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In the depths of the eastern wing of the Empire, the Crown Prince’s quarters.

The crystal chandelier softly illuminated the room, and the shelves lined against the walls were packed with thick tomes.

Scritch scratch.

The sound of a pen moving produced a white noise.

On the central ebony desk were neatly stacked documents, and Crown Prince Fedelian was processing them while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, a deep voice came from behind him. Fedelian didn’t even turn around and spoke nonchalantly.

“Have you handled the matter?”

“Yes.”

“What were the results?”

“That is…”

A man cloaked in a black robe only showed his silhouette and evaded the question.

“Is it a failure?”

“My apologies.”

“Hmm.”

Scratch.

The feather pen paused, and the white noise vanished.

“Have the evidence been fabricated?”

The shadow bowed his head deeply.

“Yes. We arranged the bodies of a mercenary band and brigands from Sanburgh nearby to make it appear as though a fight occurred.”

Fedelian nodded slightly. It was appropriate to utilize those clearly identifiable from Sanburgh since they had bounties on their heads.

It was also possible to infiltrate Sanburgh and retrieve the bodies of legitimate knights, but that would leave a long trail and inevitably lead to discovery.

In that sense, using a mercenary band or brigands that included free knights was appropriate to pin the crime on Sanburgh.

“A war might break out with Sanburgh.”

Though Sanburgh hadn’t done anything wrong, they had provided the Empire with a reason to act. Their management failures had inflicted a great insult upon the pride of the Empire.

The Empire wouldn’t simply demand reparations; they would illustrate what happens when they aren’t properly treated as an example.

After all, it was true, based on known information, that Sanburgh had not treated the Empire’s envoy well, and they had also failed to manage their border.

If a conflict arose with Sanburgh, it would be an opportunity for Fedelian. It was a favorable option to bolster the Empire’s reputation while solidifying his own position.

There was no need to worry about safety; the truly dangerous front line was Kasys Lenokhnen. He could just send that battle-hardened warrior.

Fedelian asked.

“What happened to the others?”

“All of the Imperial Guard are deceased.”

“Have their bodies been confirmed?”

“Yes.”

The shadow bowed deeply again. The Imperial Guard who had gone with Rudella Bismarck to protect her were found dead under the bridge.

Caught in an explosion and falling from a height of several dozen meters, survival was impossible.

“It seems only the bodies of Johan Harsen and Rudella Bismarck could not be found.”

“That’s right. We searched thoroughly below the cliff, but they were nowhere to be seen. There was also no trace through magical tracking.”

“Johan Harsen must have pulled something. That fellow knew many bizarre spells.”

Tap. As Fedelian set the feather pen down, he tilted his head back and closed his eyes. It was meant to relieve the creeping fatigue.

“Erase all traces and recover the shadows we deployed. And don’t let anyone near that area. It’s time for the Public Affairs Officers to move. That will be all.”

The shadow bowed deeply in response before vanishing like an afterimage.

Fedelian drummed his fingers on the desk, frowning.

‘Johan Harsen, that slippery rat, how does he keep escaping? This is already the second time.’

From the Archdemon incident until now. Both times, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had been torn limb from limb, yet he survived unscathed.

While that spoke to his notable talent, it also spoke to considerable luck.

‘Indeed, I don’t like this.’

Fedelian swallowed his discomfort and refocused on his work. There was little he could do when even shadows couldn’t find him.

*

Swoosh.

The unending downpour of rain.

Rudella and Johan sat side by side at the entrance of a cave.

With winter approaching and the storm howling, the chill was felt, but the white noise provided a sense of psychological stability, making it not so terrible.

“How much longer?”

Rudella, hugging her knees, asked. Her smooth, white thighs were exposed in an unguarded manner, making Johan subtly avert his gaze as he answered.

“Just one more day. The promised date will arrive tomorrow.”

“I see.”

Rudella nodded, burying her face in her hugged knees.

“…But may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“How do you spend time with your lover?”

Johan paused for a moment, seeming to ponder the intention behind Rudella’s question as he looked up at the cave ceiling.

“Time.”

Rudella carefully admired Johan’s face while waiting for his response. She was simply curious about what one does with a lover.

Swoosh.

Rain continued to pour.

The sound of the heavy downpour created an atmosphere of silence in the cave.

Johan quietly maintained a distance where he could feel Rudella’s warmth and said,

“It would be a time to get to know each other in little everyday ways, wouldn’t it? Usually, we’d go for a walk together or share dinner, discussing the day’s events.”

Johan smiled faintly. As his gaze met Rudella’s, she shyly turned her face away, unable to meet his eyes.

“I see…”

Spending small moments together and sharing time. A romantic, heart-fluttering, simple life.

All of a sudden, Rudella became curious about how he smiled at his lover, Princess Ferbache.

“How do you smile at the Princess Ferbache?”

“Hmm. I’m not quite sure. It’s not a smile I put much thought into.”

Rudella absentmindedly rubbed her wrist and quietly spoke.

“Could I possibly imagine myself as Princess Ferbache and you smile at me?”

“…I don’t quite understand the meaning.”

As Johan’s expression stiffened, Rudella flusteredly stammered out excuses.

“I just, I was just curious about you. Didn’t I mention before? I was curious about the life you’ve lived. This is just an extension of that…”

Rudella buried her face deeper in her hugged knees. Why was she making such a request, and why was she making excuses? Heat rushed to her face from embarrassment.

“Um…”

Johan seemed to be considering something for a moment before he finally nodded and looked at Rudella.

Even though he was focusing on a target that was a bit anxious, this much he could do.

“Alright. Then look at me.”

“…Do I have to look?”

“…I can’t show you my smile if you don’t look.”

“Oh.”

Rudella awkwardly cleared her throat and looked at Johan. Their gazes met. Just as her face was about to turn away from his warm gaze, Johan grasped her chin.

“If you turn away, I can’t show you.”

“…”

At that moment, Rudella felt heat rush to her face. Surely, her face must have turned bright red. But contrary to her worries, it seemed Johan didn’t notice.

“How is it?”

With such a bright smile, he asked. His smile was warm and comforting, sending shivers to her heart.

“…”

Rudella’s heart skipped a beat. Her heart throbbed, filled with the desire for that smile to be directed only at her.

In his casual smile, she felt as though she were chosen.

“I smiled as if I was looking at Lady Bismarck… or rather, Princess Ferbache. I hope you’re satisfied with that.”

Johan awkwardly scratched his cheek as he let out an awkward laugh. He felt quite embarrassed as the smile was only meant for Fransia.

“I… was very satisfied.”

Rudella whispered to herself in a barely audible voice.

“What?”

So Johan didn’t hear her.

“Cough, cough. No, no.”

Clearing her throat, Rudella turned her head. With the heat rising, her ears and cheeks flushed bright red.

“Would you… hold my hand?”

Suddenly, Rudella carefully spoke up. Even she swallowed when she said it, as it was impulsively blurted out.

“Are you cold?”

“Y-Yes.”

Now that she thought about it, she did feel cold. Finding the right excuse, Rudella released a sigh of relief in her mind that he didn’t find it suspicious.

“Lets hold hands then.”

Johan extended his hand. Rudella carefully grasped it.

At the moment their hands met, she unconsciously tightened her grip. As warm magic spread, she could feel her fingers trembling slightly under his touch.

A desire crept up to get just a bit closer, yet that thought tangled with the resolution not to, causing her face to flush.

“It is quite cold. Winter is drawing near, and the downpour is fierce.”

Unconsciously intertwining her fingers with Johan’s, he spoke.

It was a habit created from always holding hands with Fransia.

“…”

Because of that, Rudella stiffened completely. It wasn’t merely holding hands; the sweet sensation of contact meant for lovers crawled up her neck.

If only now…

Could she step just a little closer?

That desire rose inside her. Rudella felt dizzy, overwhelmed by the warmth in her head.

“Lady Bismarck?”

“W-w-what is it?”

She ended up stuttering as she responded.

Johan tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

“…Why are you suddenly like this?”

“Ah, no! I’m just… feeling a little dazed…”

“Would you like to lie down?”

“I’m fine! I just… want to stay like this.”

Rudella gripped Johan’s hand even tighter, burying her face in her knees. Her heart raced madly, and her breathing grew shallow.

“…”

Swoosh.

Amidst the sound of rain, Rudella prayed that her heartbeat wouldn’t be audible to Johan. Surely, if he heard it, he would find it strange.

Perhaps others wouldn’t notice, but she didn’t want him to think it was strange.

“Your face is red.”

Johan placed his hand on Rudella’s forehead. She felt warmth radiate through his touch.

As his hand touched her forehead, Rudella completely froze.

All her senses were concentrated on his hand, and her breathing halted.

Her heart wavered.

“…You have a fever. We should be careful since it’s cold. Shall we go inside? Let’s go where there’s a bonfire.”

Johan spoke with a worried look.

Rudella shivered slightly. Did this man know? That his various acts of kindness resonated with her heart, tugging at her tightly?

…He probably didn’t.

“…I’ll go inside then. I’d feel unfair if I caught a cold after enduring this much.”

Desperately maintaining her composure, Rudella suppressed her desires and longings as she released his hand and stood up.

She could still feel the warmth on her fingertips. It felt rough but unexpectedly soft and warm.

“…I’m feeling tired, so I’ll take a quick rest.”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

As Rudella laid her body against the shrubs, Johan kindled a fire in the bonfire.

Crackling.

As the fire began to blaze, warmth spread.

Rudella, even though the contact with him had disappeared and the distance widened, her heart still raced.

She unconsciously caressed her wrist with her fingertips, and while twirling her long silver hair with her fingers, she tried to express her embarrassment outwardly.

“Let’s endure just one more day, Lady Bismarck.”

“Yes, I will.”

Crackling.

The burning bonfire warmly lit their faces, but at the same time, the cold air from outside and the violent sound of the rain concealed the strange distance between the two.

“…”

Rudella tightly shut her eyes. While wishing this moment would last longer, she also guarded against herself for wanting it so much.

What if she crossed the line now?

Fear and anticipation wrapped around her simultaneously.

“I hope tomorrow doesn’t come…”

She whispered without even realizing it. She hoped this soft voice wouldn’t reach Johan.

Yet, at the same time, she was curious about how he would respond if he heard.

But that was just a passing thought.

‘…I must be going crazy, Rudella Bismarck.’

Rudella swallowed and scolded herself for how she had been. Being too honest about her desires and longings had led her to ludicrous thoughts.

She was truly on the verge of crossing over to him. No, perhaps in her heart, she may have already given way to him.

Thus, another day passed.

The time to part with Johan drew near.