Episode 63: Gossip
“I’ll inform the lady myself.”
“Yes, My lord.”
After the butler left the room, Yohan walked to the window. His gaze lingered on the distant mountains for a moment before returning to the newspaper in his hand.
The slow movement of his fingers turning the pages reflected his thoughts. The article wasn’t simply the Imperial family subtly expressing their will.
It was a calculated maneuver designed to leave Yohan no choice but to accept a marriage proposal with the Imperial family.
By spreading the notion far and wide, they were engraving the idea in the minds of the nobility: “Yohan will marry Princess Raeliana.”
This strategy ensured that if Yohan were to defy the Imperial family’s intentions, he would risk being perceived as a traitor opposing the Emperor.
“So this is the best course of action you’ve chosen.”
A wry smirk played on Yohan’s lips.
His lover was the heir of the House of Fervache, one of the Empire’s Four Great Houses. A family that stood on equal footing with the Imperial family.
Moreover, Francia was highly respected in the Senate revered as the ‘Saintess of the Empire.’
Not to mention, it was well known that they were exceptionally close, leaving no room for interference.
“Hmm.”
Yohan stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Gossip often had little to do with the truth. Yet, mere rumors could alter public perception significantly.
If the phrase “Count Lahart will marry the Princess” became engraved in noble society, breaking free from that image would be no easy feat.
Once the rumor solidified, it would eventually transform into a “fact.” This was precisely what the Imperial family desired, and they were now laying the groundwork for it.
Thud.
Yohan tossed the crumpled newspaper onto the table without a care.
“Once the groundwork is complete, they’ll formally bring it up.”
The Imperial family had to monopolize Yohan’s power at all costs—not merely because they coveted his strength.
If Yohan were to join House Fervache, the delicate balance among the Four Great Houses would collapse.
House Fervache could become a formidable force, a sharp blade threatening the Imperial family’s supreme authority.
If other nobles aligned with House Fervache, it would no longer be just a noble house—it would evolve into a full-fledged faction.
If such power slipped beyond the Imperial family’s control, it would disrupt the Empire’s order at its core.
“Hmm…”
While Yohan was lost in thought, Francia, who had been sleeping soundly, began to stir. She clutched the white blanket around her and looked around, searching for Yohan.
“Ah… there you are.”
Upon spotting him, she smiled bashfully. Even freshly awakened, her beauty was undiminished.
“You’re awake.”
“Yes… Ugh, I slept too long.”
Francia rubbed her eyes and let out a big yawn. Noticing Yohan’s hardened expression, she asked,
“Did something happen?”
“The Imperial family is playing a petty tricks.”
“A tricks?”
Tilting her head in confusion, she wrapped herself in a white robe and approached Yohan. She picked up the newspaper from the table and began to read.
“What… is this?”
Francia’s expression instantly darkened as she scanned the front page. Rather than anger at the imperial family’s actions, disbelief filled her face.
“It seems His Majesty wishes to marry me to Princess Raeliana.”
Yohan let out a dry chuckle.
“Hmm…”
Francia paused for a moment, holding the newspaper, and let out a low hum. Soon, a slight smirk crossed her lips.
“Unbelievable. The imperial family stooping to such tricks.”
She placed the newspaper back on the table and looked at Yohan. The usual warmth in her eyes was replaced with a cold, sharp resolve.
“This is something we cannot let slide.”
Her chilling voice crept up his spine like a whisper.
“My father will be arriving soon, so we’ll need to have a proper discussion then.”
Despite being entangled with the imperial family, Francia showed no signs of agitation. Instead, her calm calculation only grew sharper.
“What do you plan to do?”
Yohan asked. There were many ways to respond, but he decided to hear her thoughts first.
“We’ll discuss the details with my father, but I intend to end this engagement before anything else.”
Francia believed there was no need for immediate action. After all, the Duke was on his way to the capital, and time was on their side—impatience would only unsettle the imperial family further.
The key was to handle this before rumors spiraled out of control and solidified into “truth,” but not to act rashly. That was the core of their strategy.
“For now, we should stay quiet until my father arrives in the capital. I think that’s the best course of action.”
When Duke Fervache arrived, the matter would inevitably escalate. There would be open conflict with the imperial family.
“Very well. Let’s do that.”
Aware of this, Yohan readily agreed to her suggestion.
***
The Garden of Diamond Palace.
Raeliana sat at a table, taking in the crisp air of the garden. Though it was winter, the garden of Diamond Palace remained warm.
The garden’s enchantments, along with magical artifacts that heated the ambient mana, kept it comfortably warm.
However, the magical warmth enveloping her failed to thaw the chill in her heart.
Sip.
Lifting her teacup, Raeliana took a slow sip. The rich aroma grazed her nose, but the deep furrow in her brow didn’t ease.
“They say a marriage proposal is in discussion?”
Javella, seated across from her, asked.
“Yes, that’s how it seems.”
“Are you satisfied with it?”
“Not really…”
Raeliana let out a small sigh and shook her head.
“To be honest, I’m not fond of the situation.”
Although she had long shown interest in Yohan and wanted him for herself, the circumstances of this marriage proposal didn’t sit well with her.
“What about it bothers you?”
“It feels forced.”
Raeliana spoke firmly as she set down her teacup.
The reason this proposal had progressed wasn’t because she had swayed Yohan’s decision with her own charm. It was because of pressure from the Emperor and Crown Prince.
The very Idea of someone else’s interference was against Raeliana’s nature. She, a free spirit, despised meddling of any kind.
“Hmm… Now that I think about it, this is precisely the kind of situation you hate most, Your Highness.”
Familiar with her nature, Javella gave a soft laugh. She could tell from Raeliana’s peculiar expression just how much this situation displeased her.
Just as Yohan wasn’t pleased with the current state of affairs, Raeliana also found it deeply unsettling.
“So, what will you do?”
“What can I do? I don’t have any options.”
Previously dismissed as no more than a “flower of Rozino” Raeliana now had a purpose due to the emperor’s changed attitude.
To bring Yohan into the imperial family, she had become a necessary tool.
“It seems neither party is happy with this arrangement.”
Neither Yohan, who had a lover, nor Raeliana, who had wanted to win him over solely through her own charms, found this situation agreeable.
“Well… but I don’t see it as entirely bad either.”
Raeliana picked up her teacup again. The white steam rose and spread its fragrance.
“Because the outcome is in my hands.”
With the Emperor personally leading and preparing this proposal, its success or failure carried significant weight—not just for prestige, but for much more than that.
“It seems like this marriage arrangement is really starting to get on my nerves. Should I just break it off entirely?”
When Raeliana spoke with a light laugh, Jevella flinched and hurriedly looked around. Fortunately, the attendants had already been dismissed, so no one else overheard.
“…Please be careful. Even in the Diamond Palace, there could be ears listening.”
“Who would bother spying on you and me having a casual chat?”
To Jevella, the words Raeliana had just spoken were quite dangerous. Rejecting the Emperor’s will was no trivial matter.
Furthermore, this marriage arrangement was intricately tied to the prestige of Rozino’s noble society and the authority of the imperial family. It wasn’t a topic to be taken lightly.
“Pfft, I was just joking.”
Raeliana chuckled lightly and shrugged her shoulders. Though her words contained a hint of sincerity, there was no need to reveal it outright.
“…Has a date been set for the proposal?”
Letting out a sigh at her nonchalant demeanor, Jevella decided to change the subject.
“Not yet. It seems they’re waiting for the rumors to spread a bit further.”
The gossip about Raeliana and Yohan being involved in a marriage discussion was already making its rounds smoothly. It was too juicy a topic for high society to overlook.
Given that the fate of the imperial family was hanging in the balance, the matter required careful deliberation—not too rushed, but not delayed either.
“Still, it’s strange how quiet the Fervache family has been despite the rumors spreading like wildfire. It’s been almost a week now.”
Raeliana smiled faintly.
“…Indeed. They must know our intentions, yet they’ve shown no response.”
Jevella nodded slowly.
“Well, that’s a matter for Father and Brother to handle. I don’t need to concern myself with it, nor do I have any reason to.”
Raeliana chose not to dwell on it too much. Her curiosity about the Fervache family’s silence held little weight in Rozino’s imperial palace.
“Do you think the marriage will be successfully arranged?”
Jevella posed a new question. Raeliana gazed into the air for a moment, lost in thought, before smiling and shrugging her shoulders.
“Who knows? I can’t say for sure, but Yohan Lahart won’t easily dismiss me, will he?”
The third princess, Raeliana Rozino, was renowned as the “Flower of the Imperial Family.” a woman of breathtaking beauty and the finest imperial lineage.
How many men could truly resist her allure?
Even without the radiance of the imperial family, her charm alone was more than sufficient.
“But… I’ve heard before that he is incredibly loyal to his lover. First, I’ll need to figure out his preferences.”
Raeliana met Jevella’s gaze with a serene expression.
“Yohan Lahart won’t be swayed simply by appearances or the authority of the imperial family. He’s a man with strong convictions and his own set of standards. To shake his heart, I’ll need to approach him In a way that aligns with those standards.”
Her golden eyes sparkled as she added,
“I need to find out what he likes, his values, and, most importantly, his weakest points. Charging in recklessly won’t work.”
While Raeliana was fully aware of her almost ethereal beauty, she didn’t place blind trust in it.
After all, outward appearance might help inspire affection, but it wasn’t enough to win someone’s heart.
“It’s good to see Your Highness feeling more confident again. As always, your determination is inspiring.” Jevella said with a faint smile, lifting her teacup.
“I’ve always been confident.”
Raeliana’s golden hair, cascading over her shoulders, shimmered even more brilliantly in the sunlight.
“I do feel a little sorry for the Fervache lady. After all, I’m stealing her man.”
She didn’t believe it would be easy to win over Yohan’s heart, but neither did she think it would be impossible.