Episode 26: Rudella Bismarck
After finishing his official duties for the day, Yohan was on his way back to the Fervache mansion in the imperial capital.
Inside the carriage, Francia, seated beside Yohan, rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.
“I can’t believe I won’t see you for an entire week because of your mission starting tomorrow… It’s unbearable.”
Her downcast eyes reflected her dejection. Yohan gently stroked Francia’s hair and smiled softly.
“A week will pass quickly.”
“Even so…”
Francia puffed out her cheeks, placing both hands on Yohan’s face and turning it toward her.
“I’m not the only one who’ll miss you, right?”
“Of course not. I don’t want to be apart from you either.”
“Then should I go with you?”
“It’s a designated mission that I alone was assigned to. I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Ugh…”
Her shoulders drooped along with her expression, her lips pouting. Her mood was evident from her appearance alone.
Yohan spoke in a calm voice, as if to reassure her.
“Besides, it could be dangerous. It’s better if I handle this quickly on my own. Sanburk is an enemy nation, and there’s no telling what the crown prince might try.”
It was widely known in society that the crown prince had his eye on Francia. Naturally, Francia was aware of this as well.
However, she already had Yohan as her lover. The jealous crown prince was in a perfect position to make some underhanded move. Crossing the border into enemy territory only heightened the risk.
“Even so, there’s no need to worry about anything serious happening. After all, Lady Bismarck will be acting as Sanburk’s envoy.”
Francia tilted her head.
“Lady Bismarck? The crown prince’s fiancée? She’s the envoy?”
“That’s correct.”
“Hmm…”
Seeing Francia furrow her brows in thought, Yohan continued.
“With Lady Bismarck around, I doubt the crown prince will attempt anything. She’s a key figure in maintaining his current position.”
The Bismarck Marquisate, led by her family, was the main pillar of the crown prince’s faction among the nobles. Her family was too valuable to be discarded.
If the crown prince were to target both Rudella Bismarck and Yohan at the same time, it would be an act of sheer foolishness—or one guided by his lower instincts.
“There’s no need to worry too much.”
Yohan gave her a reassuring smile. Francia narrowed her eyes and playfully poked Yohan’s cheek.
“You’re not planning to charm Rudella Bismarck, are you?”
“…Charm her? What on earth are you saying?”
Yohan furrowed his brows, tilting his head in confusion. He genuinely couldn’t understand what Francia meant.
“You managed to win over Violet Ratalen, didn’t you? That woman had her eyes set on devouring you whole.”
“That wasn’t intentional…”
“I understand you’re just being polite in social situations, but you always seem to have this magic that attracts women. You need to be careful.”
“…”
“Violet Ratalen also fell head over heels for you and gave in just like that, didn’t she? Make sure Rudella Bismarck doesn’t follow suit.”
Yohan let out an awkward laugh.
“There’s no way someone engaged to the crown prince would show interest in another man.”
“You never know. Even Lady Ratalen, who adored Young Grand Duke Lenokhonen, ended up falling for you instead.”
“Wait… How did you know Lady Ratalen had feelings for Young Grand Duke Lenokhonen?”
Francia’s eyes widened, and she waved her hands in a panic.
“Th-that’s just common knowledge in social circles!”
“…Is that so?”
Yohan found it odd since it wasn’t particularly widespread information. But unable to recall clearly, he didn’t dwell on it.
“In any case, Yohan, you need to be cautious. You have this natural charm that captivates young ladies. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get Violet Ratalen to back off?”
Francia’s gaze was serious, clearly not joking.
“…I’ll be careful.”
“Good.”
Though he doubted anything would happen, Yohan nodded in agreement.
There was no way Rudella Bismarck would take an interest in him, unlike Violet Ratalen. The possibility was virtually zero. After all, her loyalty lay entirely with the crown prince.
Of course, that didn’t mean she genuinely loved the crown prince.
‘She’s a textbook example of gaslighting gone wrong.’ Johan thought.
From a young age, Rudella had been groomed to be the crown prince’s partner, trained to believe she had to love him and become empress.
Her emotions were twisted in some way.
“I always enjoy these moments.”
Francia smiled gently, resting her head on Yohan’s shoulder.
“Spending quiet time with you after work, sharing dinner when we get home—I wish we could live like this forever.”
“I feel the same. Peaceful moments like this are the best.”
“Exactly. Once everything is settled, I want to live quietly with you at the Fervache estate.”
Francia’s crimson eyes glimmered with determination, as if making a firm resolution.
“But I suppose life can’t always be this good.”
“…”
“I’ll do my best. So that I can always be with you, Yohan.”
Though she didn’t specify what she meant by “doing her best,” Yohan nodded and gently embraced her shoulders.
“Everything will work out. No matter what.”
Yohan chuckled softly, and Francia responded with a warm smile as she leaned closer.
“I need to recharge my Yohan-energy since I won’t see you for a week.”
“Go ahead.”
The two exchanged glances and chuckled lightly.
The moment of Yohan’s departure for his mission was drawing closer.
***
The Next Day.
Yohan entered the imperial palace, not as a public officer, but as part of an escort mission.
He needed to escort Rudella Bismarck from the palace itself, so they had to depart together.
“Oh my.”
“Wow…”
As Yohan stepped into the palace, the noble attendants couldn’t take their eyes off him, covering their mouths with their hands in astonishment.
He neither found it burdensome nor bothersome. He was used to such attention by now.
In any case, Yohan crossed the royal corridors and reached the drawing room where Rudella Bismarck was waiting. A knight from her house lowered his head slightly.
“My lady, Yohan Harsen, the Special-Class Mage, has arrived.”
—“Very well.”
Without delay, Rudella Bismarck stepped out of the drawing room.
Her black empire-style dress swayed lightly, blending perfectly with her snow-white silver hair.
Even the black veil on her blooming-style hat couldn’t hide her beauty.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Harsen.”
Her eyes, as clear as the blue sky, looked up at Yohan.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Yohan Harsen, special-class Mage, and an official from the Bureau’s 2nd Division.”
Yohan gently took Rudella’s outstretched hand and kissed its back.
“I’ll be counting on you until we return to the palace.”
“Of course.”
Yohan naturally followed behind Rudella as she took the lead. A few knights accompanied them, all exuding an aura that suggested they were at least first-class knights capable of wielding mana blades.
“Have you been briefed on the mission details?”
Swish.
Rudella opened the black fan in her hand and asked, her silver hair shimmering softly under the sunlight.
“I understand that my role is to escort Lady Bismarck until her return from Sanburk.”
“Correct. From now on, your job is to ensure my safety.”
Click.
As they descended the palace stairs, Rudella suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yohan. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, though their thoughts were unreadable.
“Can you protect me no matter what happens during the mission?”
“Of course. That is my duty and what I must do.”
“…I see.”
Rudella nodded, her expression unchanged. For a moment, her lips seemed to curl slightly, but perhaps it was just an illusion.
“The road to Sanburk is rough and unpaved. I ask for your understanding, even if the journey tires you.”
“I’m aware of that, but will Lady Bismarck be all right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m concerned you might find it exhausting.”
“Hmm.”
Swish.
The black fan closed again. Tilting her head slightly, Rudella seemed to think for a moment before continuing her steps and speaking.
“This is my assigned role and something I must do. Naturally, I must endure it. Didn’t you just say the same thing? That it’s your duty and what you must do.”
She was essentially saying that one should not complain and must take responsibility for their role once it’s been assigned.
“…That makes sense.”
“Indeed.”
Click.
Her steps came to a halt. A carriage, ornately decorated with the imperial crest, awaited them. Behind it were cargo wagons loaded with gifts for Sanburk.
“Let’s depart.”
Yohan naturally stepped forward to assist Rudella as she climbed into the carriage. Escorting her, he ensured she was safely aboard before turning to head for his horse.
“Where are you going?”
Rudella called out to him.
“I’m going to ride my horse.”
“Get in the carriage. Your horse hasn’t been prepared.”
“Was this planned from the beginning?”
“Indeed. You will travel with me in the carriage.”
Though puzzled, Yohan nodded and boarded the carriage. There were other sensory-type mages among the escort, so it would be fine.
“We’re departing!”
Clatter.
The wheels of the carriage began to turn. Rudella sat with her legs crossed, her white calves peeking out, as she tilted her head back in a haughty manner.
“It seems we are not meeting for the first time.”
“Indeed. We met once at a social party.”
“Ah, I see.”
Rudella’s lips curled into a subtle smile.
“Would you tell me your story? I’ve always been curious about you. I wondered what kind of person would dare defy the crown prince so fearlessly.”
At that social party, Yohan had once crossed the line with the crown prince. Drunk at the time, Yohan had interrupted the prince’s speech and left the event with Francia.
“I don’t have much of a special story to tell. I simply stepped forward to protect my lover at the time.”
“Were you not afraid?”
“If I had been too fearful of His Highness’s authority to act, I wouldn’t have become romantically involved with Lady Francia in the first place.”
“Hmm.”
Rudella covered her mouth with her black fan and slowly nodded. Behind the fan, a faint smile lingered on her lips.
“I heard you graduated from Rozino Academy.”
“That’s correct. I studied social sciences.”
“Ah, so you’re my senior, then.”
Rudella Bismarck was twenty years old, the same age as Francia, and a year younger than Yohan. While they were alumni of the same academy, they had been in different grades and had no real connection or shared history.
“I hope we can see each other often. If I ever require a guard or face any special circumstances, I’ll make sure to call on you frequently.”
“Would that be for official reasons or personal ones?”
At Yohan’s question, Rudella tilted her head slightly and blinked slowly.
“Hmm. You could say it’s both. While I don’t harbor any special feelings for you, I do feel a peculiar sense of familiarity and comfort around you. Whether official or personal, I will summon you when needed.”
“…I see.”
Though his expression didn’t reveal it, Yohan felt deeply confused. This Rudella Bismarck seemed entirely different from the person he thought he knew.
It wasn’t about her personality or speech patterns—those were trivial details.
‘Why is she interested in me?’
This was a woman whose focus had always been on the crown prince or on elevating her family’s status.
This was their first proper meeting, their first real conversation.
Could her impression of him at the social party have been that strong? He couldn’t be sure.
“Tell me more about yourself. Even trivial stories from your academy days or childhood would do.”
Rudella gazed intently at Yohan, waiting for his response.
“…Understood.”
On the road to Sanburk, Yohan shared parts of his trivial past with Rudella—stories he hadn’t even told Fransia.
***
The carriage carrying Rudella and Yohan had just left the imperial capital when shadowy figures cloaked in black robes began tailing it, masking their presence.
They stayed at a distance far enough to evade detection by sensory magic but close enough to act immediately.
The figure leading the group spoke.
“Our target is an special-class mage skilled in both close combat and magic. Avoid leaving evidence, and ensure the two are completely eliminated without engaging directly.”
The others nodded in unison.
Although it was broad daylight, no one could spot their movements.
“The operation begins just before the carriage crosses the border into Sanburk territory. We’ll destroy the bridge, so be prepared.”
The shadowy figures continued to follow the carriage, moving silently in its wake.
Oh f*ck when Francia confronts Rudella, she's gonna pull out a story that Francia doesn't know
ReplyDeleteHa bro you fxked up he tells story that Francia didn't know ha jealousy and Yandere fl oh god good luck and assassin uh rip we had good time seeing you
ReplyDelete