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One day, Rudella Bismarck, who is destined to become the Crown Princess, resides in Topaz Palace, located in the west of the Imperial Palace.

She is learning the discipline and etiquette of the Imperial Court, attending royal events to interact with important nobles, and assisting the Crown Prince with his duties.

Thud thud.

A man strides down the corridor of Topaz Palace.

His golden hair shimmers under the moonlight, and his golden eyes sparkle like jewels.

It was the Crown Prince—Fedelian Rojino.

Beyond the window draped with slender silver-threaded curtains, the garden looms.

A pathway flows with golden elegance. On either side, white marble columns stand in a line, each adorned with glimmering topaz decorations.

After arriving at the front of the quarters amidst a heavy silence, Fedelian knocked three times before entering.

A luxurious bed with intricate lily patterns etched into it. A small birch table. Candleholders radiating a gentle glow.

The ambiance exudes both simplicity and dignity.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Rudella, seated at the table while gazing out the window, looked up at Fedelian.

The room was filled with a fragrance reminiscent of subtle scented candles, creating a serene yet oddly cold atmosphere.

He spoke.

“Are you feeling well?”

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Fedelian replied with a gentle smile before taking a seat across from her.

“The agreement with Sanburgh has been canceled. It was your responsibility, and it’s quite unfortunate.”

“It’s all due to your grace’s antics, so I don’t worry too much about it.”

At her words, his eyebrows twitched. There was a clear implication in her statement; she knew the culprit behind this incident was him.

“A new joke, perhaps? I didn’t know you had it in you to jest with me.”

Fedelian forced a smile, but within his golden eyes, displeasure bubbled just beneath the surface. While he countered Rudella’s clever joke, the corners of his mouth hardened slightly.

“Of course, it’s merely a jest.”

Just as his mouth was stiffening, Fedelian’s gaze began to lower, but then Rudella smiled, shifting the atmosphere.

“…This is a new side of you.”

“I’ve been reborn.”

Fedelian casually turned his head to look out the window as he spoke.

“How was the skill of Harsen, the Archmage?”

“Perfect.”

“Oh.”

He illuminated his golden eyes with curiosity.

“Strangely, you seem quite interested in him.”

“I heard it through rumors.”

“The rumor that he single-handedly handled the Archdemon?”

“That’s right.”

In truth, there was another reason Rudella assigned Johan as her escort, but she wasn’t foolish enough to voice it directly.

“Do you plan to call on him again in the future?”

“I do.”

“A good choice. He is quite capable.”

As Fedelian’s friendly smile cloaked his insincerity, Rudella asked with a deadpan expression.

“So, what brings you here today? It’s rare for the Crown Prince to come in person.”

“You’re talking nonsense. Your fiancée almost lost her life; naturally, I came out of concern. It holds no other significance.”

Rudella almost failed to maintain her composure at his blatantly insincere words.

How brazen he was to act this way while being the one to orchestrate it all. No wonder he’s called a two-faced Crown Prince.

“Is that so? I apologize for causing you worry.”

“Haha. Don’t be so stiff.”

Fedelian smiled and stood up.

“Anyway, since I’ve confirmed that you are safe, I shall take my leave. Take care of yourself.”

“Yes.”

He said that and left Rudella’s quarters.

The gentle moonlight streaming in through the window illuminated his golden form.

“Hmm.”

He wasn’t pleased with the current situation, but he had anticipated it would end up this way. The shadows searched, yet they could not find the bodies of the two.

Surely, Johan Harsen must have used some clever tactic to survive.

‘Johan Harsen, whenever you get involved, you always fail.’

This was the second time Johan Harsen had perfectly escaped a crisis. Fedelian’s gaze grew cold.

‘By the way… Rudella knew all along.’

She had always been perceptive since childhood. It was hardly a surprise she’d figure out that he was the mastermind behind this incident.

She knew several of his secrets and that he was colluding with magic practitioners, and had intended to deal with her this time…

‘What a pity.’

He’d have to bide his time for the next opportunity.

Aim for both of them simultaneously if possible.

‘I want to take care of it before I officially ascend to the throne.’

A shadow briefly crossed Fedelian’s eyes. Rudella had always possessed keen insight, and as the Crown Princess, she would be far too sharp a blade to have by his side.

Of course, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of Rudella betraying him.

But Fedelian judged that possibility to be quite low.

She was a puppet of Bismarck and someone destined to become the Empress.

*

Royal Ferbache Mansion.

Johan lay in bed, recovering his strength.

The wound on his abdomen had healed, but due to signs of anemia, rest was essential.

“How’s your condition?”

“I feel considerably better.”

Johan, with restored color in his face, smiled faintly.

“Still, you need to take it easy. You’ve just returned.”

Fransia gently stroked his body with a worried look in her eyes. She appeared rather downcast.

“Have you been carrying the talisman I gave you?”

“Of course.”

“May I see it?”

“Certainly.”

Fransia took the ruby gem from Johan’s hand, fixing her gaze upon it.

The spots where the stars inscribed on the ruby had faded appeared empty, hollow.

Two stars had disappeared. This meant he had been saved twice, which must involve Rudella.

“As expected…”

She whispered softly, her gaze turning anxious as she stroked the remnants where the stars had vanished. A hint of bitterness shadowed her actions.

“Is there a problem? Perhaps the ornament is damaged?”

“No, not at all.”

Fransia, who had briefly hardened her expression, smiled brightly at Johan before pulling out a pendant.

“What about this?”

“It’s a precious item.”

Fransia personally placed the pendant around Johan’s neck.

“This is also one of Ferbache Duke House’s treasures. It glows red if there’s a threat nearby.”

“Such a precious thing…”

“It’s because dangerous things keep happening to you, Johan. I want you to return to me safely every time.”

Fransia was satisfied watching Johan wear the pendant. She squinted one eye. Indeed, he looked good in whatever ornament he wore.

“It’s nice.”

Johan fiddled with the pendant around his neck and smiled.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing really.”

Fransia smiled softly and buried her face in Johan’s chest.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up at his face with a satisfied expression.

“Were there no incidents in the cave where you were hiding?”

“What do you mean by an incident?”

“Uh, you know… Did something strange happen with Lady Bismarck or something like that? You were alone in the cave, after all.”

“…”

Johan stroked his chin, reminiscing. He couldn’t recall anything particularly strange, but he did remember her odd behavior.

“Well, there were moments where she shied away and her face reddened while avoiding my gaze, but it was an unfamiliar wilderness, and there was a bonfire, so I suppose that might have contributed.”

Fransia’s eyes, heightened by her womanly intuition, cooled as she absorbed his words.

“Is that so…”

A subtle tension filled the air amidst her brief muttering. Fransia pondered over Johan’s mention of Rudella blushing and fidgeting, pressing her lips into a straight line.

Though it was merely a simple suspicion, there was a sharpness lingering in her eyes.

“Johan.”

Fransia said softly.

“Yes?”

“I’ve told you before.”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t tempt other women.”

“I was solely focused on the task at hand.”

Johan tilted his head, unsure why Fransia was suddenly acting this way. He had only focused on the mission; it didn’t make sense to say he was tempting women.

“A woman’s intuition shouldn’t be dismissed. It’s clear that Rudella Bismarck has feelings for you.”

“She’s going to be the Crown Princess, the future Empress…”

“Still, you never know. She might throw everything away to choose you.”

Johan had been overly kind to ensure Rudella wasn’t caught up in any baseless anxieties, but could that even make sense?

He deemed it unlikely, chuckling lightly as he patted Fransia’s head.

“Surely not.”

“Hmmm…”

Fransia gently stroked her chin, narrowing her brows. Her red eyes sank, indicative of her deepening worries.

“Johan.”

“Yes?”

“About me…”

She lightly grazed Johan’s thigh with her fingertips. It was an inexplicably sensual touch.

“I don’t think you’ll betray me, but if anything were to happen with another woman, I’d appreciate your honesty.”

“…What are you suddenly saying?”

“It’s because you’re too handsome and possess an unconscious charm that captivates women.”

Fransia’s fingers, which were lightly tracing his thigh, began to climb, finally reaching his chest. A tickling sensation intertwined with a strange thrill arose.

“Surely, something will happen. For instance, maybe when drinking alcohol.”

It was true Johan had a weakness for alcohol, and since his first night with Fransia was facilitated by drink, he found himself at a loss for words.

“Just be honest about it when that time comes.”

“…”

“I won’t be angry.”

Her gaze was resolute. She wasn’t joking around.

“To be honest, I don’t think I can perfectly protect you, Johan. Something will happen eventually. You have that weakness with alcohol…”

Fransia’s voice diminished as she spoke.

“While I don’t know what could happen with that woman… if your feelings change, I hope you’ll tell me.”

“I don’t exactly understand what you’re trying to say…”

To reassure the suspicious Fransia, Johan wrapped his arms around her shoulders and sank back onto the bed.

“Huh?”

Fransia’s eyes widened at Johan’s sudden action.

“Let’s stop talking nonsense for now. Let’s relax today.”

“Yes…”

As he held her and stroked her head, Fransia quickly eased her stiff expression and buried her face into Johan’s chest.

And then…

“Hmmmm.”

She took a deep breath.

“Haah…”

A look of ecstasy washed over her as she exhaled. She was reveling in his scent.

Her ears flushed red as she stealthily looked up at Johan and parted her lips.

“…Is your abdomen wound alright?”

“Perfectly fine.”

“No dizziness or anything?”

“Perhaps due to the rest, I’m feeling alright.”

Fransia’s lips curled upward in delight at Johan’s response. Her breath grew heavier, and her face flushed.

“Shall we do it today?”

“…”

“Are you not in the mood?”