Episode 44: Date
Yohan and Francia walked hand in hand through the streets of the imperial capital.
Though there wasn’t a festival, so the streets were less crowded and there wasn’t much to see, the significance lay in the fact that they were together.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never really given you a proper gift, Francia.”
While strolling along, Yohan noticed a jewelry shop and made the remark. Through the glass display, various sparkling ornaments caught his eye.
“A gift?”
Francia tilted her head curiously.
“Like a pendant or a ring.”
“Oh, something like that…”
Francia turned her gaze to the jewelry displayed in the shop’s window.
“Since it’s a special occasion, how about we pick one out? I’ll gift it to you.”
“Hehe, I’d love anything as long as it’s from you, Yohan.”
Francia smiled brightly. For her, a gift between lovers was all about the sentiment behind it. She’d be happy with anything Yohan gave her.
“Let’s go in.”
Entering the jewelry store, Yohan looked around. Inside, intricately crafted rings and pendants were neatly arranged.
Among them were uncut gemstones meant for custom orders.
‘Should I go for something custom since it’s for a special memory?’
As Yohan browsed the jewelry, he glanced at Francia. She tilted her head slightly, smiling as if everything delighted her.
“Not seeing anything that catches your eye?”
“No, I’m just trying to decide what color would suit you best, Francia.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Stay still for a moment. I need to figure out which color suits you.”
“O-okay…!”
Yohan focused his gaze on Francia. His deep blue eyes studied her intently.
“…”
After a few seconds of their eyes meeting, Francia’s gaze wavered. Her eyes darted about, unable to find a place to rest to avoid his.
Her heart raced. It felt like she couldn’t breathe. The sight of him always made her chest swell with emotion—a sensation she could never get used to.
“Uh, um…”
Francia fidgeted nervously, unsure where to look. She eventually turned her head shyly, her cheeks flushed.
“When you turn away like that, I can’t get a good look at you.”
Yohan’s low voice made Francia to blush even more.
“Ugh. Think about how I feel! When you look at me like that, it’s embarrassing…”
Francia mumbled softly, covering her mouth with her hand as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.
“You’ve seen my face countless times already, and we’re lovers. There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
Yohan chuckled, leaning in closer. Perhaps her cute reactions made him want to tease her even more.
“This is all because you’re too handsome, Yohan. Every time I meet your gaze, my heart races so much I can barely breathe…”
Francia leaned back to put some distance between them, her eyes trembling as he got closer.
“Is that so? I should thank my parents for giving me this face since it makes your heart race.”
Yohan grinned mischievously.
“Ugh…”
Francia pouted, her lips jutting out slightly as if trying to retaliate in her own way.
“Oh, I’ve decided. I’ve found the gemstone.”
“What is it?”
“Iolite.”
Iolite—a gemstone with hues ranging from deep violet-blue to reddish-purple.
Its colors perfectly complemented Yohan’s dark blue eyes and navy hair, as well as Francia’s jet-black hair and ruby-red eyes.
“Let’s make a ring and a pendant out of it.”
“A matching set?”
“Of course.”
“Matching…!”
At the mention of matching accessories, Francia blushed again and smiled shyly. Yohan found her innocence endearing and couldn’t help but smile warmly.
“Here, make a pair of simple rings and small pendants with this iolite.”
Yohan gestured toward the iolite, and the attendant who had been quietly waiting approached.
“Understood. How would you like them delivered?”
“To the Fervache estate in the capital.”
“The Fervache…!”
Hearing the name, the attendant’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself and smiled.
“Yes. And the payment?”
“Charge it to Yohan Harsen’s account.”
Yohan pulled a slip of paper from his wallet—a certified bank draft that could be exchanged for money.
“I understand.”
The clerk bowed their head and went inside to retrieve the iolite.
“Um, isn’t that expensive…? Iolite is rare…”
Francia asked with a worried tone. It was likely because Yohan’s family was a viscount household and they didn’t receive much financial support.
“It’s fine. I’m buying it as a gift for you, after all.”
However, Yohan didn’t seem to mind as he gently stroked Francia’s hair. She enjoyed his touch and smiled softly.
“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”
“If you’re thankful, you know what to do, right?”
Yohan said, leaning in and tilting his cheek toward her.
“Ah…”
Understanding what he meant, Francia looked around nervously. Confirming that no one was watching, she placed a light kiss on his cheek.
Smooch.
“Is… is that enough?”
After the cheek kiss, Francia’s face turned bright red. She wasn’t used to showing affection in public and was clearly embarrassed.
“Hmm, it’s a bit lacking. How about the other side?”
Yohan teased her with a playful grin as he toyed with a strand of her hair.
“N-no more… It’s too embarrassing…”
Francia lowered her head, her ears burning red.
“I’m just kidding.”
Seeing that she might faint from embarrassment, Yohan smiled lightly and straightened his posture.
“…I feel like I lost again this time.”
“Do you really have to win?”
““It feels like I’m the only one completely head over heels for you…”
Francia pouted again, and Yohan chuckled, brushing her bangs aside.
“That’s not true at all.”
Smooch.
When he kissed her on the forehead, Francia shivered slightly, pulling her side hair over her face with both hands to cover it.
Her heart pounded so loudly she thought it might burst.
“…No matter how I think about it, I’m so weak when it comes to Yohan.”
Francia murmured quietly, her face flushed. Yohan smiled softly as he ran his fingers through her hair.
“I feel the same way.”
“See? You’re teasing me again…”
“I’m not teasing you, though.”
“Liar.”
Francia puffed out her cheeks and furrowed her brows. Even that expression was adorable to Yohan, who finally let out an amused laugh.
“Just looking at you makes me smile, Francia.”
“…It’s the same for me.”
Francia whispered softly as she gazed at the colors of the iolite.
“I’ll think of you every time I see the ring and pendant…”
At her words, Yohan smiled and raised one eyebrow slightly.
“Then I should do the same. Though I already think of you all the time.”
“Ugh…”
Francia’s face flushed again at his remark. She had intended to get back at him, but it didn’t work at all.
She felt frustrated about always falling into Yohan’s playful traps, but at the same time, she loved his teasing affection.
“……”
“……”
“……”
It was then that Yohan noticed subtle, piercing gazes from around them. Turning his head slightly, he saw the clerks inside the store all watching them with amused smiles.
“…Shall we leave?”
“Yes…!”
Unaware of the situation, Francia happily intertwined her fingers with Yohan’s and beaming brightly as they left.
***
The imperial palace consisted of three distinct palaces.
On the left stood the Topaz Palace, symbolizing the nobility, authority, legitimacy, and justification of the imperial family.
At the center was the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince. It represented the core of imperial power and legitimacy.
On the right was the Diamond Palace, embodying purity and fortitude. As the most sacred residence, it housed the imperial family members.
Among the three palaces, in the garden of the Diamond Palace, a woman was sipping tea with a bored expression.
“Hmmm, isn’t there anyone interesting around?”
It was the Third Princess—Raeliana Rozino.
“Is it your boredom acting up again this time?”
Sitting across from Raeliana, a woman with an expressionless face and a teacup in hand asked.
Her name was Jevella Highlander.
A member of one of the four great families, descendants of a lineage of great knights, and someone who could sit comfortably in the presence of Imperial family member.
“Jevella, I’ve told you before. I’m always in search of fun. Since I was born into the Imperial family, I should enjoy the world to the fullest, shouldn’t I?”
Raeliana set down her teacup, winking with one eye as she shrugged her shoulders.
At her nonchalant demeanor, Jevella let out a soft laugh and nodded.
“Well, that’s true.”
“See? You always understand me, Jevella.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
The third princess, Raeliana, acting spoiled, and Jevella, humoring her.
Though they addressed each other formally, they had grown up together since childhood and were practically like friends.
“Anyway, isn’t there anything interesting going on?”
Raeliana rested her chin on her hand with a bored expression—a gesture that appeared whenever she was genuinely feeling dull.
“There is some intriguing news.”
“News? What is it?”
“A new special-class mage has joined the Bureau.”
“A new special-class mage?”
Raeliana tilted her head curiously as Jevella leisurely continued speaking.
“Not only did they achieve the rank with overwhelming scores, but on their first reconnaissance mission in a demonic Lair, they defeated a special-grade beast single-handedly.”
Raeliana’s previously dull eyes began to sparkle with newfound interest at the fascinating tale. Noticing her reaction, Jevella continued.
“That’s not all. Recently, when a demonic lair in Count Ekarsi’s territory caused a beast outbreak, they single-handedly stabilized the situation. Quite impressive, don’t you think?”
It was remarkable for someone who had just been granted the title of special-class mage to achieve such feats—enough to capture Raeliana’s attention.
“Interesting. What’s this mage’s name?”
“Yohan Harsen.”
Raeliana’s eyes gleamed.
“Yohan Harsen? Isn’t that the so-called trophy of the social circles?”
“That’s correct.”
A smile spread across her lips as Raeliana leaned forward like a child who had just discovered a delightful new toy.
The moniker “trophy of the social circles” was well-known, and Raeliana, who had a particular fondness for handsome men, was no stranger to it.
“A man with such striking looks that he’s called the social circles’ trophy, and he’s exceptionally skilled to boot? He’s practically born to be my husband, don’t you think?”
As Raeliana grinned broadly, imagining a sweet future, Jevella shook her head.
“Unfortunately, that won’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“He already has a lover.”
“Eh, and so what?”
Raeliana shrugged. The fact that he had a lover was of no concern to her. As a princess, a single word from her could change that.
“If I say the word, he’ll have to break up, won’t he?”
“”I’m afraid that’s also unlikely.”
“Why not?”
“His lover is the Lady of the Fervache family.”
“Ah…”
The mention of Francia Fervache from one of the four great families changed things entirely.
Francia was not only had a rare talent in healing magic but was also regarded as the Empire’s saint by the Imperial Council of Elders.
“Hmm, the competition is a bit fierce.”
“Are you seriously considering going after Yohan Harsen?”
“I’m still thinking about it.”
Unlike Jevella, whose face stiffened, Raeliana remained nonchalant, even shrugging as if to say, What’s the problem?
Raeliana added with a playful smile.
“If I’m interested, it means fate has already been decided, doesn’t it?”
“…Indeed, that’s one way to look at it.”
Though Jevella foresaw a messy love triangle in the making, she sighed deeply to herself and refrained from showing her thoughts.
“By the way, I’ve only heard the title ‘trophy of the social circles,’ but I’ve never actually seen his face.”
Raeliana tapped her red lips with her finger.
Although they were of similar age, as a princess and the third son of a viscount, there had been no opportunity for her to encounter him at social events.
How handsome could he be to earn such a title? What kind of personality did he have? Could he make her heart flutter?
A large sense of anticipation swelled in her chest. The more she thought about him, the more curious she became.
“Well, I’ll have to see him for myself someday.”
Raeliana’s smile deepened as excitement sparkled in her eyes.
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