Episode 31: The Final Sweetness
The Eastern Wing of the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince’s quarters.
The soft light of a crystal chandelier illuminated the room, and bookshelves lined the walls, packed with thick volumes.
Scratch, scratch.
The faint sound of a pen moving echoed in the air.
The ebony desk at the center was covered with neatly arranged documents, and Crown Prince Fedelian quietly enjoyed the serene atmosphere as he processed the paperwork.
“Your Highness.”
A deep voice broke the silence behind him. Without even turning his head, Fedelian responded indifferently.
“Is it done?”
“Yes.”
“The result?”
“Well…”
The man, his figure obscured beneath a black robe, hesitated to answer.
“A failure, I see.”
“My apologies.”
“Hmm.”
Scratch.
The quill pen stopped, silencing the faint noise.
“Have you falsified the evidence?”
The shadowy figure lowered his head deeply.
“Yes. We arranged the bodies of mercenaries and bandits, including free knights from Sanburk, nearby to make it look like a fight had occurred.”
Fedelian gave a small nod. Those involved in Sanburk’s banditry and mercenary groups often had bounties on their heads, making their origins clear and convenient to use.
Acquiring the bodies of formally recognized knights from Sanburk’s territory to make it more convincing was an option, but that would have left a long trail, increasing the risk of exposure.
In that sense, using mercenaries and bandits with free knights among them was a suitable strategy for framing Sanburk.
“This could lead to war with Sanburk.”
Though Sanburk had done no wrong, they now had justifiable grounds for accusation. Their management failures had resulted in a great insult to the Empire's pride.
The empire would not merely demand compensation for the damage. They would make an example of what happens when their dignity isn’t properly respected.
Based on the known information, it was true that Sanburk had failed to treat the Empire’s envoy with due regard and had mishandled border security.
If conflict with Sanburk arose, it would also be an opportunity for Fedelian. It would allow him to elevate the Empire’s prestige while simultaneously solidifying his position.
The risks? There was no need to worry. Truly dangerous battlefronts could be left to Cassis Lenokhonen—the war demon.
Fedelian asked,
“What about the others?”
“The Imperial Guard have been killed.”
“Have the bodies been identified?”
“Yes.”
The shadow lowered his head even further. The Imperial Guards who had accompanied Rudella Bismarck for her protection were all found dead beneath the bridge.
Caught in an explosion and falling from a height of at least several dozen meters, survival was impossible.
“Only the bodies of Yohan Harsen and Rudella Bismarck remain missing, I take it.”
“That is correct. We scoured the area below the cliff but found nothing. There were no traces of magic either.”
“Yohan Harsen must have used some trick. That man knows many bizarre spells.”
Tap.
Fedelian set down his quill and leaned back, closing his eyes to relieve his growing fatigue.
“Erase all traces and recall the shadows you stationed there. Do not go near the area again. It’s time for the public officials to act. That is all.”
The shadow responded with a deep bow before vanishing like an afterimage.
Fedelian tapped his desk with his forefinger, frowning slightly.
“Yohan Harsen, always slipping away like a rat. This makes twice now.”
From the first incident with the special-grade beast to this moment. Both times, he should have been torn to shreds, yet he had survived unscathed.
While his skills were undeniably remarkable, it was also true that his luck was extraordinary.
“As expected, I don’t like it.”
Suppressing his small sense of displeasure, Fedelian returned his focus to his work. There was nothing he could do immediately, especially when even the shadows had been unable to find him.
***
Whoooosh.
The rain poured endlessly.
Rudella and Yohan sat side by side at the entrance of a cave.
Winter was approaching, and the cold wind and rain made the air chilly, but the steady sound of the rain brought a certain psychological comfort, making it not entirely unpleasant.
“How much longer?”
Rudella, hugging her knees, asked. Her smooth, pale thighs were exposed in her defenseless posture, prompting Yohan to avert his gaze slightly as he replied.
“One day. By tomorrow, the appointed time will have passed.”
“I see.”
Rudella nodded and buried her face against her drawn-up knees.
“…By the way, may I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“How do you usually spend time with your lover?”
Yohan paused for a moment, as if trying to guess the intent behind Rudella’s question, then looked up at the cave ceiling.
“Time, huh.”
While waiting for his answer, Rudella cautiously observed Yohan’s face. She was simply curious about what he usually did with his lover.
Swoosh.
The sound of rain echoed around them.
The relentless downpour created a silence within the cave. Yohan maintained a respectful distance, allowing Rudella’s warmth to faintly reach him, and finally spoke.
“I suppose it’s about sharing little moments to get to know each other. Usually, we take walks together or have dinner and talk about our day.”
Yohan smiled faintly. When his gaze met Rudella’s, she quickly turned her head, unable to hold his stare.
“I see…”
Spending time together, sharing small moments—it sounded romantic, like a simple yet heartwarming life.
Rudella suddenly found herself wondering what kind of warm smile Yohan would show his lover.
“How… how do you smile when you’re with Lady Fervache?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure. It’s not something I do consciously.”
Rudella rubbed her wrist awkwardly and spoke softly.
“Well, could you… smile at me as if I were Lady Fervache?”
“I… don’t see the point, but…”
Yohan’s expression hardened, prompting Rudella to stammer and quickly offer an explanation.
“It’s just, well, I’m curious. Didn’t I tell you before? I want to understand the life you’ve lived. This is just an extension of that…”
Rudella buried her face further into her knees, embarrassed and flushed. She couldn’t believe she had made such a request—or was now trying to explain it away.
“Hmm…”
Yohan appeared to think about it for a moment before finally nodding. He looked at Rudella. For someone he was tasked with protecting, this much didn’t seem like a big deal.
“Alright. Then, look at me.”
“Must I really look?”
“If you don’t, I can’t show you a smile, can I?”
“Ah.”
Rudella cleared her throat and hesitantly looked at Yohan. Their eyes met. Just as she was about to turn away from his warm gaze, Yohan gently held her chin.
“If you look away, I can’t show you properly.”
“…”
At that moment, Rudella felt her face grow hot. Surely, her face must be bright red. But contrary to her worries, Yohan didn’t seem to notice.
“How is it?”
He smiled—a bright, warm smile that was both comforting and heart-stirring.
“…”
Rudella felt her heart stop. Her chest ached with a sweet pain, and she was filled with a desire for that smile to be meant only for her.
His simple, unintentional smile made her feel as though she were chosen, a fantasy she couldn’t shake.
“I imagined you were Lady Francia… no, Lady Fervache, and smiled accordingly. I hope it was satisfactory.”
Yohan scratched his cheek awkwardly, clearly feeling self-conscious. After all, this was a smile meant only for Fervache.
“I… I was very satisfied,”
Rudella whispered to herself in a barely audible voice.
“Pardon?”
Unsurprisingly, Yohan didn’t hear her.
“Ahem. It’s nothing.”
Rudella cleared her throat and turned her head away. Her flushed cheeks and ears were now visibly red.
“Could you… could you hold my hand?”
Out of nowhere, Rudella cautiously asked. She immediately swallowed hard. It was a spur-of-the-moment request.
“Are you cold?”
“Y-yes, that’s it. Cold.”
Ah, of course, the cold. Rudella inwardly sighed in relief, glad she’d found an appropriate excuse. It was fortunate he didn’t seem suspicious.
“Here, take my hand.”
Yohan extended his hand, and Rudella hesitantly took it.
The moment their hands met, she unconsciously tightened her grip. Warmth spread through her as her trembling fingertips lightly brushed against his.
She felt a sudden urge to move closer but fought against it, her face growing even hotter.
“It is quite chilly. Winter is approaching, and the rain doesn’t help,”
Yohan remarked casually as he laced his fingers with hers without a second thought. It was a habit from holding Fervache’s hand often.
“…”
Rudella said nothing, her heart pounding as she silently savored the warmth of his hand.
Because of that, Rudella froze completely. It wasn’t just a simple hand-holding; it was a kind of contact that lovers might share, and the sweetness of it crawled up the back of her neck.
At this moment…
Couldn’t she get just a little closer?
Such desires began to creep into her heart. Rudella felt as if her head was spinning, likely because of the heat rising to her head.
“Lady Bismarck?”
“W-W-What is it?”
Rudella stammered, her words tumbling awkwardly. Yohan tilted his head, puzzled.
“…Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”
“N-No, it’s nothing. I just… feel a bit lethargic.”
“Would you like to lie down?”
“No, it’s fine. I’d prefer to stay like this.”
Rudella tightened her grip on Yohan’s interlocked fingers, burying her face in her knees. Her heart was pounding wildly, and her breathing grew uneven.
“……”
The sound of rain poured down outside.
As the rain filled the silence, Rudella prayed that the sound of her heartbeat wouldn’t reach Yohan’s ears. If he heard it, he would surely find it strange.
She wouldn’t have cared about others, but to him, she didn’t want to appear odd.
“Your face is red.”
Yohan reached out, placing his hand on Rudella’s forehead. He felt warmth radiating from her skin.
The moment his hand touched her forehead, Rudella froze completely. All her senses focused on his touch, and her breathing seemed to stop. Her heart quivered violently.
“…You have a fever. The cold weather and rain must have taken a toll. Shall we move inside? Let’s head to where the fire is.”
Yohan spoke with concern in his voice.
Rudella’s shoulders trembled slightly. Did this man know? Did he realize that his gentle actions, born out of kindness, were shaking her to the core of her being?
…He wouldn’t know.
“…Let’s go inside. It would be foolish to catch a cold after enduring so much.”
Fighting to keep her composure, suppressing her desires and longing, Rudella released Yohan’s hand and stood up.
The sensation of his touch lingered on her fingertips—a rough, yet surprisingly soft and warm feeling.
“…I’m tired, so I’ll rest for a while.”
“Yes, please do.”
Rudella reclined onto the foliage, while Yohan started a fire.
Crackle, crackle.
The fire roared to life, spreading its warmth through the cave.
Even though the physical contact and their closeness had ended, Rudella’s heart continued to race.
She unconsciously rubbed her wrist with her fingertips, fidgeting with her long silver hair to expel her embarrassment.
“Just one more day, Lady Bismarck.”
“Y-Yes, just one day.”
The firelight warmly illuminated their faces, yet the cold air outside and the relentless sound of rain concealed the subtle tension between them.
“……”
Rudella closed her eyes tightly. She wished this moment would last longer, yet at the same time, she feared the part of herself that wished for it.
What if she crossed the line now?
Fear and anticipation tangled together, enveloping her.
“May tomorrow never come…”
She unknowingly whispered to herself, hoping her words wouldn’t reach Yohan’s ears.
And yet, a part of her wondered—if he did hear, how would he react?
But the thought lasted only briefly.
‘…You’ve truly gone mad, Rudella Bismarck.’
Rudella swallowed hard, chastising herself for what she had just thought. She had let her desires and longing get the better of her, entertaining absurd ideas.
She had been so close to falling for him completely. No, perhaps she had already fallen, deep in her heart.
And so, another day passed. The time to part ways with Yohan drew nearer.
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