Episode 33: A Woman’s Intuition is Sharp
Rudella Bismarck, the woman destined to one day become the Crown Princess, resided in the Topaz Palace located in the western part of the imperial palace.
This was so she could learn the imperial rules and etiquette, attend royal events to interact with key nobles, and assist the Crown Prince with his official duties.
Tap. Tap.
A man strode purposefully down the hallway of the Topaz Palace.
His golden hair shimmered under the moonlight, and his eyes gleamed like precious gems.
It was the Crown Prince—Fedelian Rozino.
Through the gauzy curtains embroidered with delicate silver threads, the garden outside was visible.
The pathway exuded golden splendor and refinement. On both sides stood rows of white marble pillars, each adorned with intricately crafted topaz ornaments that sparkled brilliantly.
Fedelian arrived in front of a chamber in heavy silence. He knocked three times and then opened the door.
Inside was a room of elegant sophistication: a bed adorned with delicate lily motifs, a small birchwood table, and a candlestick emitting a gentle glow.
The room exuded a composed and graceful ambiance.
“Your Highness.”
Rudella, who had been sitting at the table gazing out the window, turned to look at Fedelian.
The faint scent of candles filled the room, creating a serene yet oddly cold atmosphere.
He spoke.
“Are you feeling well?”
“As you can see, I am fine.”
“That’s a relief.”
Fedelian smiled warmly and sat across from her.
“The treaty with Sanburk has been nullified. It was your responsibility, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
“All thanks to your favor, Your Highness, so it doesn’t bother me much.”
At her words, his brow twitched. Rudella’s statement carried a clear implication: she knew he was the one who orchestrated the incident.
“Is that a new joke? I didn’t think you were the type to make one.”
Fedelian forced a smile, but irritation simmered behind his golden eyes, ready to erupt. Even as he responded to Rudella’s sly quip, the corners of his mouth tightened slightly.
“Of course, it’s just a joke.”
Just as Fedelian’s stiff expression and darkening gaze threatened to fill the room, Rudella smiled faintly, diffusing the tension.
“…This is a side of you I haven’t seen before.”
“Well, I did survive near death.”
Fedelian turned his head slightly to gaze out the window.
“How was the work of Harsen, the Special-Class Mage?”
“Flawless.”
“Is that so.”
His golden eyes glimmered with intrigue.
“You seem unusually interested in him.”
“I heard rumors, that’s all.”
“Rumors that he subdued a special-grade beast on his own?”
“Precisely.”
The truth was, Rudella had other reasons for appointing Yohan Harsen as her guard, but she was not foolish enough to divulge them.
“Do you intend to call on him again in the future?”
“I do.”
“A wise choice. He’s quite capable.”
Feigning his usual pleasant demeanor, Fedelian smiled broadly, to which Rudella responded with an indifferent tone.
“So, what brings you here today? It’s rare for Your Highness to visit me personally.”
“How heartless. My fiancée nearly lost her life; of course, I came out of concern. Nothing more.”
Rudella nearly failed to maintain her composure at his overly courteous words.
To orchestrate everything and then feign innocence—truly, he deserved the title of the Two-Faced Crown Prince.
“I see. I apologize for causing you concern.”
“Haha, no need to be so stiff.”
Fedelian laughed lightly before standing from his seat.
“Anyway, now that I’ve confirmed your safety, I’ll take my leave. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
With that, he exited the room where Rudella resided. The soft moonlight streaming through the window illuminated his golden hair.
“Hm.”
Though he was dissatisfied with the current situation, it was something he had expected. After all, the bodies of the two were never found during the search.
No doubt Yohan Harsen had pulled off some clever trick to save their lives.
“Yohan Harsen, whenever you’re involved, my plans always fail.”
It was already the second time Yohan had flawlessly escaped a crisis. Fedelian’s golden eyes grew cold.
‘And Rudella… she knew, of course.’
Since childhood, she had been sharp and perceptive. He had expected her to realize he was the mastermind behind this incident.
She knew too many of his secrets, including his dealings with the Dark mages. This was precisely why he had tried to eliminate her this time.
“What a shame.”
He would have to wait for the next opportunity. Preferably a moment when he could deal with them both at once.
“I need to handle this before formally ascending the throne.”
A shadow briefly flickered across his golden eyes. Rudella’s keen intuition made her a blade too sharp to stand by his side as Crown Princess.
Of course, there was always the possibility that she might betray him. But Fedelian judged that possibility to be low.
She was, after all, a puppet of the Bismarck, a woman destined to become Empress.
***
The Fervache Mansion in the Zodiac District.
Yohan lay in bed, recuperating.
Although the wound on his abdomen had healed, symptoms of anemia made rest essential.
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better, it seems.”
Yohan, his complexion improved, smiled lightly.
“Still, you need to take it easy. You’ve only just returned.”
Francia caressed his arm with a concerned gaze. Her face bore a visibly gloomy expression.
“You kept the talisman I gave you with you, right?”
“Of course.”
“May I take a look at it?”
“Go ahead.”
Francia took the ruby amulet from Yohan’s hand and focused her gaze on it.
The spots where the stars engraved upon it had vanished felt eerily hollow, as if empty.
Two stars had disappeared. That meant it had saved his life twice—one of those times must have included Rudella.
“I knew it…”
She murmured softly, her fingers lightly tracing the space where the stars had vanished, her expression tinged with bitterness.
“Is there a problem? Is the artifact damaged?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Francia’s expression, which had briefly stiffened, melted into a gentle smile as she looked at Yohan. Then, she pulled out a pendant.
“What is this?”
“Something good.”
Francia personally placed the pendant around Yohan’s neck.
“This is another treasure from the Fervache ducal family. It’s an artifact that glows red when there’s a nearby threat.”
“This is such a precious thing…”
“I’m giving it to you because you seem to encounter danger so often. So that you can always come back to me safely.”
Francia squinted playfully as she admired how Yohan looked wearing the pendant. He truly suited any accessory he wore.
“It looks good.”
Yohan fiddled with the pendant around his neck and smiled.
“Thank you.”
“This is nothing.”
Francia, who had given him the pendant, smiled and leaned her face against Yohan’s chest. She inhaled deeply and looked up at him with a satisfied expression.
“Was everything alright while you were hiding in the cave?”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh… um…”
Francia averted her gaze slightly before continuing.
“I mean… was there anything unusual with Lady Bismarck? You were alone in a cave together, after all. It’s possible, isn’t it?”
“…”
Yohan stroked his chin as he recalled. He didn’t think anything had happened, but he did remember her odd behavior.
“Well… She did avoid my gaze, fidget a lot, and blush. But considering the unfamiliar wilderness and the campfire, that might explain it.”
The sharp instincts of a woman kicked in, and Francia’s eyes grew colder.
“Is that so…”
In her brief murmur, a subtle tension arose. Francia mulled over Yohan’s words about Rudella Bismarck frequently blushing and fidgeting, her lips tightening into a thin line.
Though it was just suspicion, her eyes carried a peculiar sharpness.
“Yohan.”
Francia spoke in a low voice.
“Yes?”
“I told you, didn’t I?”
“Told me what?”
“Not to seduce other women.”
“I was just focusing on the mission, though?”
Yohan tilted his head. He had no idea why Francia was suddenly acting like this. He had only focused on the mission—what seduction? What was she talking about?
“A woman’s instincts can’t be ignored. It’s clear as day that Rudella Bismarck has fallen for you.”
“She’s supposed to become the crown princess, the future empress, though…”
“Still, you never know. She could abandon everything and choose you instead.”
Yohan had been extra kind to Rudella Bismarck to ease any unnecessary anxiety she might have felt, but could that really lead to such a scenario?
Judging it to be absurd, Yohan chuckled lightly and patted Francia on the head.
“No way.”
“Hm…”
Francia rubbed her chin and furrowed her brows. Her crimson eyes dimmed, a sign that her thoughts were growing deeper.
“Yohan.”
“Yes.”
“Let me tell you something.”
She spoke while lightly trailing on Yohan’s thigh with her fingertips—a strangely suggestive gesture.
“I don’t think you’d betray me, but if something happened with another woman, I’d want you to tell me honestly.”
“…What brought this on all of a sudden?”
“It’s just… Yohan, you’re too handsome, and you unconsciously have this charm that draws women in.”
Francia’s fingers, which had been trailing lightly at his thigh, slowly traveled upward until they rested against his chest. Along with a ticklish sensation, there was a peculiar pleasure.
“Something is bound to happen. For example, when you’ve had a drink or two.”
It was true that Yohan was weak to alcohol, and since their first night together had also been because of it, he couldn’t say much in response.
“When that time comes, please tell me honestly.”
“……”
“I won’t get angry.”
Her eyes were firm. This wasn’t a joke.
“To be honest, I don’t think I can protect you completely, Yohan. One day, something will happen. You do have alcohol as a weakness, after all…”
As Francia spoke, her voice gradually softened.
“Of course, I don’t know what I’d do to the woman involved… But if your feelings ever change, I want you to tell me.”
“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, but…”
To reassure Francia, who was brimming with suspicion, Yohan gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and laid back on the bed.
“Huh?”
Francia’s eyes widened at Yohan’s sudden action.
“Enough with the strange talk. Let’s just take it easy and rest today.”
“Alright…”
When Yohan held her close and stroked her hair, Francia’s tense expression softened immediately. She buried her face in his chest.
And then.
“Huuuup.”
She took a deep breath.
“Haaaah…”
With a blissful expression, she exhaled, basking in his scent.
Her ears flushed red as she hesitantly looked up at Yohan and opened her lips.
“…Is the wound on your abdomen okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“You’re not feeling dizzy or anything?”
“Resting seems to have helped. I feel alright.”
Hearing his response, a satisfied smile appeared on Francia’s lips. Her breathing grew heavier, and her face flushed.
“Shall we do it today?”
“……”
“Don’t you want to?”
“That’s not it, but…”
When Francia stared at him with her crimson eyes, Yohan averted his gaze slightly.
“My body isn’t in the best condition, so I’m not sure I’d be able to move well.”
“That’s okay.”
With a smooth motion, Francia slid the straps of her dress down, her lips curving upward slightly. Her crimson eyes shimmered mischievously as they locked onto Yohan.
“Because today, I’ll be taking the lead.”
Francia climbed onto Yohan, almost pouncing on him. She pressed down on his arms to keep him from moving and pressed her entire body against his.
“Just stay still. I’ll take care of everything.”
Her whisper was accompanied by a gentle touch as her hand glided down, firmly but delicately overpowering him.
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