Chapter 52: An Uncomfortable Encounter
“Talk?”
Yohan narrowed his eyes. Violet, who had been avoiding him recently, suddenly wanting to talk… It was suspicious.
“…There’s something I want to tell you.”
Violet’s voice trembled softly. She clasped her hands together, her green eyes subtly wavering.
“May I come in?”
“Go ahead.”
As she entered the tent, she carefully took a seat. In the silence that filled the space, only Violet’s faint breathing could be heard.
“Please speak.”
She lowered her head slightly and whispered,
“…I want to apologize.”
“Apologize?”
Yohan’s eyes narrowed further. Violet fidgeted with her fingers, her voice calm but tinged with tension.
“Our relationship isn’t exactly good right now, is it? Because of the disrespect I’ve shown you…”
Her voice cracked slightly, perhaps due to nervousness.
“So you’re aware.”
“Yes… after how things ended last time, how could I not be?”
Yohan remained silent, his gaze sinking as he observed her. Violet kept her head bowed.
“Why are you apologizing now? As far as I know, you and Young Grand Duke Lenokhonen share the same goals.”
Yohan’s icy voice filled the tent.
The ambush by the hyenas at the social gathering must have been ordered by Cassis, but it was hard to believe Violet wasn’t involved.
“…The Young Grand Duke targeting your life has nothing to do with me. It wasn’t something I could control.”
Violet met Yohan’s gaze, her green eyes trembling slightly.
To her, it was an unfair situation. She had joined forces with Cassis simply to win Yohan’s favor, but Cassis had crossed the line on his own.
“…Do you not believe me?”
When no reply came, Violet cautiously looked at him. Yohan’s face was cold, filled with doubt.
“Wouldn’t it be strange if I did? It’s only natural that I don’t trust you.”
Yohan’s low voice carried his suspicion. There was no reason to believe her, especially since she was someone he needed to remain wary of.
“I never wanted things to escalate to this point. When I realized what Young the Grand Duke was plotting, I frantically searched the hall to warn you, but by then it was too late.”
Violet spoke bitterly, continuing her explanation. Yohan remained silent, listening to her words.
“I’m not foolish enough to play games with House Fervache. I know that if I make the wrong move, I’ll lose my head.”
The Fervache family was one of the Four Great Houses. While the prestige of the Ratalen Marquisate couldn’t be ignored, provoking a ducal family was a completely different matter.
“…So, are you hoping I’ll overlook everything?”
His voice was cold and sharp. Violet hesitated, averting her gaze. The air in the tent grew heavy.
“What do you want from this apology? Surely, there’s a purpose behind it.”
When Yohan asked, Violet furrowed her delicate brows as if ashamed to admit it, and responded,
“…I want to restore our relationship.”
“Why?”
“If things continue as they are, I’ll never have another chance.”
As she spoke, Violet quietly lowered her gaze. She still harbored feelings for Yohan.
“……”
The tent was enveloped in silence. Yohan wasn’t silent because he didn’t understand her words.
Should he accept her apology? Reconciling with Violet could be advantageous for him as well, as it would ensure she wouldn’t try anything reckless.
However… He was reluctant.
To be honest, who would want to maintain a good relationship with someone who viewed them as nothing more than a tool?
‘Still… Considering the future, accepting her apology, mending the relationship, and keeping things ambiguous is probably the right move.’
He could keep rejecting her while leaving room for ambiguity. That way, Violet’s attention would stay focused on him.
While the idea of feigning mutual feelings to gain the upper hand in the relationship felt uncomfortably close to manipulation, but..
She was the one who started this.’
Violet had made the first move. It was her who approached him with ulterior motives in the first place.
Moreover, Yohan had no desire to entangle himself with yet another woman. Only days ago, he had endured a confrontation with Rudella.
“Very well. I accept your apology.” Yohan said, his face hardening as he came to a calculated decision.
“…Thank you.” Violet replied, finally lifting her bowed head. A faint smile touched her lips as though a weight had been lifted.
Though her true intentions remained uncertain, Yohan decided not to delve deeper. Keeping a safe distance while maintaining an ambiguous relationship seemed the wisest choice.
“Is there anything else you wanted to say?”
“…No, that’s all,” Violet answered.
“I see. Understood.”
As Yohan nodded slowly. Violet stood and turned toward the tent’s entrance. She paused and said,
“See you next time.”
“Yes.”
With that, Violet exited the tent. As she stepped into the open air, a chill wind brushed against her skin.
Though the torches scattered throughout the base camp offered warmth, Violet could feel little of it.
***
“This should do it.”
Judging by the atmosphere, Yohan still harbored some suspicion toward her, but that was irrelevant. For now, the immediate threat had been mitigated.
The reason Violet had taken the risk of approaching Yohan despite being threatened by the Young Lady of Fervache was simple:
She needed to make it very clear that her ties with Cassis Lenokhonen were entirely severed.
Currently, Cassis stood accused of crimes bordering on treason and had been stripped of all authority and rights.
While his past contributions and the Lenokhonen family’s influence had spared him from execution, his crimes were undeniable.
If she didn’t act, Violet risked being branded a criminal alongside him. To avoid that, she used this apology as an excuse to approach Yohan.
This was her way of proving she had no connection to Cassis Lenokhonen.
‘…I’ll make sure not to get involved with him again.’
It was hard to believe that Cassis had made such a foolish decision, blinded by his feelings for the Young Lady of Fervache.
But considering his character, Violet found it understandable.
All he could do was swing a sword on the battlefield, and the only redeeming qualities he had were the Lenokhonen prestige and his good looks.
“…Hah.” Violet sighed deeply as she returned to her tent.
The humiliation she had endured at the hands of the Young Lady of Fervache still stung vividly, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
Her only hope for achieving her goals had been Cassis Lenokhonen, and he had fallen.
***
The march continued without pause.
Skirmishes erupted on the frontlines, and there were occasional assaults targeting medical units, but none of these posed significant problems.
The organization and strength of the Empire’s Bureau were overwhelming. Furthermore, the difference in skill levels between knights and mages was starkly apparent.
Sanburk, a kingdom of modest size, stood no chance.
After all, Sanburk was merely a small kingdom. It stood no chance, especially not against an empire determined to end the war within a week by deploying all its forces.
Moreover, Sanburk’s location, situated directly next to the Empire’s territory, meant that critical strategic points were easily reachable.
Traveling leisurely by carriage, one could reach their destination in under a week.
The outcome of this war was a foregone conclusion, and the end was fast approaching.
***
“Ugh…”
Riding on horseback, Francia let out a pained groan as discomfort wracked her back.
“Are you struggling?”
Yohan, riding behind her, asked.
“Y-Yes… The rough path makes it even harder.”
Francia’s voice was tinged with exhaustion. The winding, camel-like mountain paths weighed heavily on both her body and mind.
The marching route was designed to reach Sanburk’s key stronghold as quickly as possible.
Because of that, the journey included treacherous mountain trails and unpaved roads. Naturally, it was a grueling march.
“Still, once we reach the next stronghold, the Second Division will be able to stand by. Let’s hold on a little longer.”
Fortunately, Sanburk’s remaining forces were limited, and the war could likely be concluded with just the Bureau’s First Division, supported by knights and soldiers.
The Second Division’s role was to establish a base at the next key stronghold.
“I’ll do my best.”
Encouraged by Yohan’s words, Francia took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. Compared to the hardships she had faced in her previous life, this march was nothing.
Though she was initially taken aback by the sudden outbreak of war, she realized it was a natural consequence of altered events and a changed history.
Her life, which had once been filled with helpless suffering, had drastically improved thanks to Yohan. Everything going well now was entirely due to him.
“Hehe.”
Francia chuckled softly, her heart filled with gratitude. She owed him so much—before her regression and even now. Without Yohan, she would have faced a grim fate.
“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”
“Just because I’m happy.”
“Hmm.”
Yohan glanced around, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“Aren’t you the one who said we should refrain from affection in places like this, Francia?”
“Ah.”
Francia turned her gaze away, pretending to fix her collar out of embarrassment. She had let her words slip out of habit.
“I’m just joking. I don’t mind it anytime, so feel free.”
Yohan chuckled lightly, his cheerful smile lifting her spirits.
“Yohan, I think your smile is truly wonderful.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. Yes. It’s like… you’re glowing.”
It was just a metaphor, but for her, it felt entirely true.
“I’m glad you like it, then.”
“Umm, is that all you have to say in response?”
“What do you mean?”
Francia gazed into the distance and continued.
“I thought Yohan would respond with a joke.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yohan shrugged casually.
“From now on, I’ll refrain from smiling.”
“What? Why?”
“I wouldn’t want Francia to go blind.”
“Pfft…”
As she had expected, his response made her burst into laughter.
“Isn’t this what you wanted to hear?”
“Yes, it’s just what I had in mind.”
“Honestly, I thought it was a bit much, so I avoided saying it…”
Francia couldn’t help but enjoy his playful humor. She appreciated how he always tried to reassure her, even in situations like this.
“Hehe, I like it, so it’s fine.”
“…Then I’m relieved.”
As the two chuckled and continued their march—
“─Ambush!!”
In an instant, the sound of the air being torn apart filled the atmosphere, and the sky turned a fiery red.
“…!”
Yohan’s eyes sharpened as he saw what was happening. Fiery arrows, dozens—no, hundreds of them—blazed down like torrential rain from the sky.
“Everyone, defensive positions!”