Episode 68: Two Women
Right after sending her letter, Rudella headed directly to the Fervache mansion in the capital.
Her only companion was Vera, her long-time servant who had served the Bismarck family for years and had grown up with her since childhood.
Because this meeting needed to be as discreet as possible, Rudella did not inform the Topaz Palace that she was visiting the Fervache lady.
Click.
Rudella set down her teacup and looked around. She was the only one in the room, which exuded a stately and classic atmosphere.
Although she had been guided there by the servants, it was not a drawing room. At a glance, it appeared to be a private space used by the lady of the house.
“……”
She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but Rudella decided not to overthink. Perhaps the lady wanted to have a conversation in a more personal setting rather than a formal one.
Still… a flood of complicated emotions suddenly surged through her. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and her fingertips grew increasingly cold.
The moment she entered this space, it felt like a place she did not belong.
The space was imbued with Lady Fervache’s presence. If it were only her presence, it might have been fine, but Yohan’s traces were here too.
The coat hanging on the wall—it was undoubtedly the same one Yohan had been wearing during her previous visit when she met him as an envoy.
And the lavender scent permeating the room—it was the same fragrance that always accompanied him.
It was as though this room was a vivid display of the life the two of them shared.
Moreover, it felt intentionally arranged to showcase their life together to anyone who entered.
The warmth radiating from this room seemed to confirm Yohan’s “true place,” one that she could never reach.
With that thought, it felt as if the objects in the room were silently looking down on her. An invisible mockery spread through the air.
A heavy wave of jealousy and alienation rose from deep within her chest, climbing up her throat. She felt like an uninvited guest.
Like an invisible barrier, this space gently but firmly pushed her away.
‘…It’s fine.’
Rudella repeated the words to herself, trying to appear unaffected. She had been prepared for this the moment she decided to become his second woman.
‘It’s fine…’
She pressed her lips together tightly to maintain her composure, though her trembling fingertips betrayed her emotions.
‘…This is the path I chose. Don’t feel sorrow.’
She clenched her lips harder, waiting for the turbulent waves of emotion inside her to subside.
It was only natural to feel this way.
After all, who would readily accept sharing the man they love with someone else?
But surely the Lady Fervache felt the same emotions. Rudella reminded herself to steady her heart and focus on her purpose here: persuasion.
“Hoo…”
Rudella took a deep breath, trying to suppress the ugly feelings swirling inside her.
Click—
At that moment, the door opened, and the Lady Fervache finally appeared.
Her attire was not the formal dress expected for such meetings but a light and casual indoor outfit.
The luxurious silk fabric flowed gently around her, subtly revealing her elegant silhouette. Her waist was loosely tied, and her pure white neckline was gracefully exposed.
There was a sharp intent hidden beneath her understated elegance, as though she was drawing a line—this was her domain.
And the space bore Yohan’s unmistakable presence.
“I’m sorry, Lady Bismarck. Have you been waiting long?”
The lady greeted Rudella with a subtle smile. It was at that moment Rudella clearly understood why she had been guided to this room instead of the reception hall.
‘…I see.’
It was obvious. Lady Fervache intended to make it undeniably clear that she was Yohan’s lover. This space itself was her proof.
“I haven’t been waiting long. The atmosphere here is quite comfortable.”
Rudella replied calmly, masking the icy tension that began to creep into her heart.
“Isn’t it? This is the place Yohan and I spend our time together.”
Francia said, her eyes glinting coldly despite the sweetness of her smile.
“This room is a special space shared only between Yohan and me.”
Rudella’s eyes narrowed. Those words struck her heart like frost, leaving an icy chill.
“Shall we get started then?”
Francia took a seat across from her, her poised smile radiating sharp authority. Rudella was perceptive enough not to miss it.
“…Of course.”
But it was understandable. Yohan must have already told Francia about everything that had happened.
How could someone view a woman who approached a man with a lover in a favorable light?
“This is the first time we’ve sat face-to-face for a conversation.”
Rudella began cautiously, picking up her teacup. It was a warm-up before diving into the main topic.
“…Is it?”
“We’ve never had a proper introduction before.”
Though Rudella, as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, had attended countless parties and interacted with many nobles, there had never been any contact with Francia.
There had been no reason for it, and the Crown Prince had made sure they never crossed paths.
Thus, Rudella only knew of Francia’s existence but had never spoken with her or exchanged greetings.
The Bismarck and Fervache families weren’t particularly close, after all.
“Well, I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk about trivial matters, so let’s get to the point. Yohan has told me a lot about you. Not only did you confess your feelings to a man who already has a lover, but you also claimed you’d be able to persuade me. Is that right?”
Francia’s crimson eyes flickered intensely. Her gaze at Rudella was anything but kind.
“…That’s correct.”
“And you have nothing else to say for yourself?”
“I offer my apology.”
“…Pardon?”
Rudella bowed her head deeply.
Francia, caught off guard by Rudella’s immediate apology, hesitated for a moment before Rudella continued speaking.
“However, I do not regret falling in love with him. Even if I could turn back time, I would fall for him again. He is the one who taught me so much and made me feel emotions for the first time in my life.”
Rudella…
She had always been an emotionally detached person who had never truly confronted her own feelings.
Her life decisions had always been dictated by her parents, and her life itself was devoted entirely to her family’s benefit.
She had given up on her own life. She had abandoned herself.
But that wasn’t the case after meeting Yohan. At least, not since that day.
For the first time, she could be honest with herself.
For the first time, she felt like a real person.
“That’s why I have no intention of backing down. No matter what, I am determined to persuade you.”
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Rudella was resolute in her decision to convince Francia and secure her position as Yohan’s second woman.
“…I see. I can understand your feelings.”
Francia said, secretly impressed by Rudella’s sincerity. Before her regression, she had thought Rudella was a cold, emotionless woman. But now, she saw a completely different side of her.
“But those feelings alone are not enough to convince me. Lady Bismarck, I’m curious to know what made you so confident you could persuade me.”
Still, her understanding of Rudella’s feelings didn’t equate to a reason for Francia to accept her.
“I know who your greatest obstacle is right now, Lady Fervache. Even as you are, it’s not easy to deal with someone like him. He’s like a small sun of the empire.”
A small sun. It was a metaphor for the Crown Prince. Francia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I know how to bring that sun down. I also have all the evidence necessary to do so.”
Francia’s voice grew heavier as she asked,
“And why should I trust you?”
Rudella Bismarck was the lady of the Bismarck family, a prominent supporter of the Crown Prince, and his betrothed.
It was natural to be suspicious of her. Not being wary would have been stranger.
“I will share the evidence with you.”
Rudella replied smoothly, as if she had anticipated the question.
“He colluded with the dark mages, sold Rozino’s information to foreign nations for immense profit, and secretly recruited soldiers behind the Imperial Family’s back in preparation for unforeseen events.”
The information spilling from Rudella’s lips was enough to threaten the Crown Prince’s position, even if only one of the accusations were true.
“I have records of these activities in a ledger, enchanted recording devices, and even mana-captured canvases that depict those moments. I am willing to share all of it with you, Lady Fervache.”
“What in the world…”
Francia was too stunned to finish her sentence. Her lips trembled as her wide, shocked eyes fixed on Rudella.
The weapons in Rudella’s possession could shake the very foundations of the Empire. If this were to be exposed, a massive purge of those connected to the Crown Prince could follow.
“And you? Do you think you’ll escape unscathed? A lot of blood will be spilled in this…”
It seemed nearly impossible for Rudella, the Crown Prince’s fiancée, to avoid the consequences. After all, the Bismarck family was practically the leader of the Crown Prince’s supporting faction.
“…Thank you for your concern, but I am not worried. I plan to sever ties with the Bismarck family and have someone else handle this matter.”
Naturally, Rudella already had a plan in place.
“…Unbelievable.”
While minor disputes had been brewing with the Imperial Family, something far more catastrophic that could engulf the entire Empire in bloodshed was unfolding beneath the surface.
“What do you say? If you grant your approval of my relationship with Yohann, I can bring down the ‘little sun’ who has tormented you for so long.”
“……”
Francia closed her eyes tightly and folded her arms across her chest.
It was undoubtedly an enticing offer. If the Crown Prince was removed, there would be no one left to interfere in her and Yohan’s relationship.
This wasn’t just about removing the Crown Prince. It was about dismantling his remaining forces, boosting Fervache’s authority, and ensuring the Imperial Family fell entirely under her control.
But could she really accept this so easily? It involved Yohan, her beloved. Was she prepared to share him with another woman?
What if Yohan abandoned her and poured all his affection into Rudella? What if she ended up regretting this decision, harboring resentment and bitterness later?
Rudella Bismarck was a woman even Francia, as a fellow woman, couldn’t help but acknowledge. She was elegant, flawless in etiquette, and possessed striking beauty.
While Yohan wasn’t the kind of man to be swayed solely by appearances, that didn’t mean Francia could let her guard down.
A woman’s beauty was a weapon powerful enough to cloud a man’s rational judgment.
Countless thoughts raced through Francia’s mind.
…But there’s no more perfect way to bring down the Crown Prince than this.
If Prince Fedelian Rozino wasn’t utterly destroyed, he would inevitably rise again.
In her previous life, he had gone so far as to sell out the country and incite civil war just to claim her as his possession.
If there was a chance to obliterate him completely, she had to take it.
“Phew…”
Francia let out a deep breath as she opened her eyes. Rudella, hiding her trembling hands, looked at her intently.
“…Very well. I will accept Lady Bismarck’s proposal.”