Episode 45: Raeliana Rozino
After handling the orders issued from the higher-ups, Yohan’s daily life became tranquil.
He spent time with Francia, shared affectionate moments, and at the Bureau office, bantered with the female officers about trivial matters.
It was a life without much eventfulness.
The crown prince, who had been a nuisance to Yohan and Francia’s relationship, was currently tied down and unable to act.
Cassis Lenokhonen managed to escape execution through trial but was stripped of all his powers and rights, reduced to a fallen noble in name only.
Even the Grand Duke of Lenokhonen was forced to abandon Cassis for the time being and had to leave him alone, which is why there has been no news of him until now.
The clingy Violet Ratalen, who used to persistently pursue Yohan, started avoiding him at some point.
It was peaceful, to say the least.
Occasionally, news about Rudella came through the crown prince, and it was said that she remained in a dazed state for days without recovering.
However, she had not summoned Yohan for any assigned missions. It was understandable, as not even a month had passed since the last one.
“Special-Class Mage Harsen.”
While Yohan was seated and processing various documents, Deputy Commander Ricard came to see him personally.
“Deputy Commander? What brings you here?”
It was rare for Ricard himself, not any other knight, to seek him out, so Yohan’s expression hardened slightly.
“You need to report to the Commander’s office.”
“…To the Commander’s office?”
“Yes. It’s an imperial mission.”
An imperial mission.
Unlike special missions or designated missions, these were the highest-priority orders issued by royal decree and had to be executed immediately.
“Understood. I’ll head there right away.”
“Yes.”
After Ricard left for the office, Yohan pushed the documents he was working on aside and stood up.
“…It’s not something dangerous, is it?”
Francia, who had been quietly eavesdropping, grabbed Yohan’s sleeve with a worried look on her face.
“It’s my first time handling an imperial mission, so I can’t guarantee anything… but it shouldn’t be too dangerous. If it were truly perilous enough to require a royal decree, the entire Division would have mobilized.”
Yohan brushed his hand gently across Francia’s furrowed brow and gave her a soft smile.
“Let’s hope it’s nothing serious.”
Reassured by his touch and smile, Francia eased her stiff expression.
“I’ll be back.”
Yohan then followed Ricard, who was waiting for him in the hallway.
“Deputy Commander, if this is an imperial mission, it must be something significant. Do you know what it’s about?”
On their way to the office, Yohan asked.
“It’s called an imperial order, but it’s often nothing major. Sometimes, it’s just a result of the royals’ whims.”
Imperial missions varied. They could involve retrieving rare materials or serving as escorts during a royal’s travels—most of them trivial matters.
“…That’s a relief.”
Yohan, who had been slightly tense from the mention of a Imperial order, relaxed his stiff expression.
“Here we are. Please, go in.”
Click.
The door to the office opened. With a slightly reluctant expression, Yohan stepped inside. Fedelian greeted him with a grim face.
“You’re here.”
“I heard it’s an imperial mission.”
“Yes, and an utterly trivial one at that.”
Fedelian seemed accustomed to these kinds of Imperial orders. From his expression alone, Yohan could tell it was something insignificant.
“The third princess, Raeliana Rozino, has issued a royal decree for Special-Class Mage Harsen.”
Fedelian, looking weary, tossed a document onto the desk.
“She’s ordered you to come to the Diamond Palace immediately and have tea time with her.”
“……”
Yohan was momentarily at a loss for words. Tea time? Did he really have to accept such trivial tasks under the guise of a Imperial order?
“…Is that really what an imperial mission amounts to?”
“Don’t say ‘just.’ It’s a royal decree, after all.”
Despite his words, Fedelian seemed to somewhat agree with Yohan’s sentiment.
“She’s my sister, but her eccentric personality makes her unpredictable. It seems she’s taken an interest in your title as Special-Class Mage, so you’ll have to entertain her.”
At this, Yohan furrowed his brows slightly. Receiving attention from the Imperial family was never a good thing.
He was already attracting too much attention from various places, and now being in the third princess’s sights could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Until he could finalize his engagement with Francia, he wanted to avoid creating any new variables, but he had no choice. Refusing an order issued under royal decree was unthinkable.
“…Understood. Shall I leave immediately?”
“Right. You must have a hard time.”
If even Fedelian, who always looked at him with disdain, was saying such things, it must mean he was tangled up in something quite bothersome.
“Then, I’ll head to the Diamond Palace.”
Fedelian didn’t reply, only nodding his head. Then he waved his hand dismissively, as if to say, “Hurry up and leave.”
Yohan left the office. Before departing for the Diamond Palace, he returned to his desk to pack his things. Francia, who was visibly tense, immediately asked,
“How did it go? What kind of mission is it?”
“It’s nothing major. Her Highness, the Third Princess, has summoned me to join her for tea.”
“…For tea? Are you saying something so trivial was issued as a Imperial mission?”
“Yes. From what the Deputy Commander said, it doesn’t seem all that unusual.”
“Oh…”
Francia, like Yohan, blinked in bewilderment upon hearing the mission details.
“It seems my worries were pointless… I’m relieved, but also dumbfounded.”
Having only joined the Imperial Bureau not long ago, Francia must have been encountering such a situation for the first time. At most, she had joined just a few months before Yohan.
“Her Highness instructed me to come immediately, so I must leave now. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to go home alone today.”
They always left work together, but since he had to go to the Imperial palace and didn’t know when the mission would end, he had no choice but to send her home first.
“…If it’s for a mission, there’s no helping it.”
Francia’s shoulders drooped at the thought of returning to the mansion alone. She had grown so accustomed to his company that the idea of going home without him filled her with loneliness.
“And… since I’m not sure when I’ll return, if it gets late, it would be best if you go to bed first.”
“Yes…”
“Don’t feel too lonely. It’s just for today.”
With those words, Yohan kissed her forehead and gave her a small smile.
“Huh…?”
Francia stared at him for a moment, as if frozen, before hurriedly turning her head away. A blush spread like a wave, coloring her face a deep red.
“I’ll be going now.”
“…Yes. Please be careful.”
Yohan donned his outer coat and left the Bureau.
To meet the Third Princess, Raeliana Rozino.
***
The wheels came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived.”
“You’ve done well.”
Yohan stepped out of the carriage and looked around.
The Diamond Palace, as its name suggested, shone brilliantly like a gem filled with light.
The palace featured marble columns adorned with diamond embellishments, making the entire structure resemble a luminous fortress.
“Impressive. Is this the pinnacle of power?”
Yohan kept walking.
At the heart of the Diamond Palace was its inner garden, known as the Garden of Radiance.
Every leaf and petal in the garden sparkled like jewels, imbued with magical power. A crystalline bridge spanned over a clear, transparent artificial pond.
The palace felt timeless, as if bathed in eternal light and silence.
“You’ve arrived.”
A soft voice broke the tranquility. Yohan turned to see an attendant approaching through a meticulously crafted wooden tunnel.
Her footsteps were quiet, but her elegance blended seamlessly with the radiance of the garden, capturing his attention.
“Yes. Where is Her Highness the Princess?”
“She is waiting in the Garden of Radiance.”
“Lead the way.”
“As you wish.”
Yohan followed the attendant into the garden. As expected of a Imperial residence, there wasn’t a single area that wasn’t meticulously maintained.
White and silver flowers bloomed, their petals swaying gently and shimmering like a blend of silk and powdered jewels.
The garden, serene and peaceful yet overwhelmingly beautiful, seemed to offer the Royals moments of noble solitude and contemplation.
Perhaps due to its long history, it was incomparable to the Topaz Palace he had visited when meeting Rudella.
“We’ve arrived.”
While Yohan had been distracted by the surroundings, they had reached the inner area.
“You’ve come?”
A woman holding a teacup sat at a table. Yohan quickly lowered his head.
“I greet Your Highness the Princess.”
It was his first meeting with the princess, with whom he had little connection. Knowing how important first impressions were, Yohan offered a respectful bow.
“There’s no need to be so stiff. I detest that sort of thing. If you’re bound by rules and order, you lose flexibility, don’t you?”
The Third Princess shrugged and curved her lips into a smile. Despite her radiant aura, she seemed like a surprisingly carefree individual.
“Nice to meet you, special-class mage Harsen. You probably already know this, but it’s polite to introduce myself, isn’t it? I am the Third Princess, Raeliana Rozino. A person as vast as the empire’s sky.”
Only then did Yohan get a proper look at the woman named Raeliana Rozino.
Her golden hair shimmered like strands of sunlight woven together, and her golden eyes instantly revealed her royal lineage.
Her clear, delicate skin and a smile that seemed to soften the surrounding air only enhanced her elegance, exuding an aura of dignity and confidence in every move. Her very presence radiated a dazzling golden brilliance that was overwhelming.
“Hm, I see now. No wonder they call you the trophy of the social scene. Perfect proportions, sculpted features, clear and flawless skin, striking eyes, a sharp nose…”
Raeliana examined Yohan’s face with great interest, offering her candid appraisal.
“Your overall aura is refreshing and sophisticated. It’s the kind of unreal beauty, isn’t it? I can see why all the ladies in the social circles are smitten with you.”
Yohan bowed slightly.
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. I’m not sure I deserve such praise.”
“Come on, you must hear this all the time, don’t you?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Exactly, handsome men should be confident.”
Raeliana chuckled lightly. She already seemed thoroughly captivated, having barely looked at his face.
“You’re very beautiful too, Your Highness,” Yohan said. Normally, he avoided complimenting women on their appearance, but he didn’t deny an honest impression.
While the Imperial family was known for their exceptional looks, Raeliana was exceptional even among them.
Raeliana shrugged nonchalantly.
“I know. But thank you anyway.”
“……”
Her shameless yet bold demeanor left Yohan momentarily at a loss for words.
“Oh, I’ve made you stand too long. Please, have a seat.”
“…As you wish.”
Yohan cautiously sat across from her. Raeliana’s calm, golden eyes studied his face, as if savoring every detail.
“Wow, you’re really handsome…”
She blurted out her thoughts plainly.
“Could you smile for me just once? I’d like to see your smile.”
“My… smile?”
“Yes, a smile. I think it would look amazing.”
Though he wasn’t particularly eager, it was a simple request. Surely, it wouldn’t hurt to oblige. After all, it was just a smile.
“Understood. If that’s all you wish.”
Following her request, Yohan forced a smile. His lips curled upward, but his eyes remained cold—an artificial smile at best.
“Wow… Even an insincere smile looks like art on you.”
Raeliana let out a sigh of admiration. Her golden eyes sparkled as she gazed at him, as if piercing right through him.
“Up close, you’re even more captivating.”
Her comment made Yohan sigh inwardly. It was clear that Raeliana’s interest wasn’t just casual curiosity.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Yohan replied, keeping his emotions in check and maintaining a polite tone.
Still smiling, Raeliana softly murmured, “I like you, special-class Mage Harsen.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Their eyes met. Raeliana tilted her head slightly, her golden hair cascading gently over her shoulder.
“I like you. A lot.”
Incoming nobility war of nerves: Princess vs Duchess
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