Episode 96: The Reason She Exists as She Is Now #2
1.
Under Yohan’s guidance, Francia entered the estate and was able to enjoy some peace and comfort.
She washed away the grime from her long, wandering life, tidied her disheveled hair, and let her weary body sink into a soft bed.
All of this was possible thanks to Yohan’s kindness. Considering her situation, such luxuries would ordinarily be out of the question.
And so, lying comfortably on the bed, she closed her eyes. Her nerves were still sharp out of habit, but the exhaustion weighing on her managed to dull even that.
“…Ah.”
At some point, Francia regained her senses. The moment she had laid down and closed her eyes, she had practically passed out. That was how much the fatigue had been crushing her.
“Are you awake?”
Hearing a voice nearby, Francia turned her head quickly. Yohan sat with a calm expression, slicing fruit.
“Yes… Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to rest well.”
“I extend this courtesy to all newcomers.”
“Is… that so?”
“Yes. By tomorrow, everyone has to work together.”
Yohan handed her the fruit he had sliced.
“You must be hungry. Eat this for now.”
“Uh…”
“It’s precious. We can’t go outside right now.”
As Francia bit into the small fruit, its tangy sweetness filled her mouth. Yohan, without saying a word, continued to slice the remaining fruit quietly.
Silence filled the space.
Why doesn’t he say anything?
Francia found it strange.
Most men she encountered would try to make conversation or couldn’t stop talking around her. Yet, this man seemed to have little interest in her.
Disliking the awkward tension and heavy silence, Francia turned her gaze to Yohan, who was focused on slicing the fruit.
“Are you… the lord of this place, by any chance?”
Francia asked.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then, you can speak more casually with me…”
“I wouldn’t dare speak informally to a lady.”
The moment he said those words, Francia’s body tensed up. Could he know who I am?
That would be a problem. Those four men had issued a bounty on her.
The reasons were varied.
A heinous criminal, a witch, a practitioner of forbidden magic… the list went on.
He’s surely planning to turn me over to those men.
‘No…!’
Francia’s heart raced with anxiety and fear. Meanwhile, Yohan finished slicing the fruit and let out a light laugh.
“Well, I don’t know your name yet, though.”
“W-What?”
“I only guessed.”
His small, warm smile seemed to reach Francia’s heart.
“The elegance in your every movement and the flow of mana around you. It was clear to me right away that you are a high-ranking noble.”
The fact that he could read the flow of mana meant Yohan was at least at an advanced level.
“So, let me ask. What is your name?”
“I…”
Francia found herself unable to speak. It was as though her tongue had frozen. Her lips refused to move. She feared he might change completely once he learned her name.
Lying about her name… was pointless. Yohan already knew she was a high-ranking noble. He likely knew she is Francia Fervache as well.
After all, she was the only high-ranking noble with jet-black hair as dark as obsidian.
“…Francia. Francia Fervache.”
“I see. Well, I actually already knew that, too.”
As expected, Yohan already knew.
Francia lowered her gaze and asked him, her voice trembling.
“Will you… report me to the imperial court?”
“Report you?”
Yohan tilted his head with a puzzled expression. Then, he let out a chuckle and made a lighthearted joke.
“Why would I hand over the obsidian saintess to those lunatics? You’re a great worker.”
“A… worker?”
Francia stared at Yohan with a bewildered expression.
“A person who can use healing magic is a rare asset. In times like these, that ability is the most valuable resource in this estate.”
The empire was currently being uprooted by a tyrant, and the rampaging beasts, which had gone unchecked, now outnumbered humans.
Healers, already a rare sight, were almost revered as divine beings.
“If you have nowhere else to go, stay here. As long as I’m here, you’ll be safe. Of course, you’ll need to work. Most of it will be treating the sick.”
Yohan smiled lightly. With his sharp, chiseled features, his refreshing smile made Francia’s heart race. And above all, it made her feel at ease.
How long has it been since I’ve felt this relaxed?
The reason this feeling is emerging is simple.
He wasn’t looking at her as a woman.
When a woman like Francia receives the attention of many men, she can usually tell how they feel about her just from their gaze.
So, she knew that Yohan didn’t have any romantic interest in her.
“Alright.”
Francia smiled softly and nodded.
“I’ll be the healer of this estate.”
2.
After some time, Francia adapted to her new life. She followed Yohan as he toured the estate.
Every time Yohan appeared in the street…
“Lord! Good morning!”
“The fruit looks great today.”
“Because it’s the seed you brought, my lord. Haha!”
“Right, I do have a good eye.”
The villagers welcomed him with laughter…
“Lord! The meat’s looking great today!”
“Is it?
We should throw a feast.”
“Ah, you’re joking, right?”
“Of course.”
With warm, friendly gazes, he made light-hearted jokes…
“Lord Yohan! The beasts seem less aggressive today.”
“I dealt with them yesterday.”
“Hahaha! As expected, it’s the lord!”
Even the soldiers exchanged cheerful banter with him.
“…”
Simply walking through the estate, Francia could tell how important Yohan was to the estate and how good of a lord he was.
“You’re quite popular.”
“Well, I suppose it’s because I’m capable.”
“Hmm, it certainly looks that way.”
Francia smiled softly.
“By the way, with the current situation, is it possible to find crops or meat? It doesn’t seem like there’s a food shortage.”
She asked, a reasonable question given the circumstances.
Except for a few kingdoms with fewer beasts, most of the world was in a bad state.
“We’re entirely self-sufficient.” Yohan explained.
“Self-sufficient… Is that even possible?”
“Yes.”
Step by step, they walked side by side down the street. There wasn’t a single piece of trash to be seen.
“I designed this estate to be self-sufficient. Of course, it’s maintained with my magical power, so without me, it would be hard to keep it going. But for now, it’s the best we can do.”
Francia listened quietly to his explanation. The details were too complicated for her to understand fully, but even she could sense that the agricultural and livestock technologies Yohan had implemented were revolutionary.
Of course, there was the downside that his magical power was needed, but it wasn’t a major issue. After all, without Yohan, the estate would collapse immediately.
“…That’s impressive.”
Francia nodded, genuinely impressed. Yohan, seeing her sincere gaze, awkwardly changed the subject.
“…Well, enough of that. Let’s head inside.”
Yohan led Francia into a small building. As they entered, the room was filled with medical tools, and a cozy atmosphere surrounded her.
“This is the medical room.”
“Oh…”
Francia’s red eyes sparkled. It wasn’t just because the medical room was satisfactory. For someone who had lost her place, this was a new refuge that had appeared in her life.
‘This is my new beginning…’
Her once cold heart began to stir again, fluttering with feelings she couldn’t put into words, tangled with a complex mix of emotions.
“You are now the healer of the Freeche Estate. At least in this estate, no one will harm you, not even the emperor.”
Yohan smiled gently.
“I’ll make sure of that.”
Francia’s heart suddenly swelled with emotion.
No one would harm her.
That promise touched her deeply.
“Sniff…”
Tears slowly began to flow from Francia’s eyes. She clutched her chest with both hands, feeling the heavy pain dissolve with Yohan’s words.
How much had she suffered?
How many heartaches had she endured?
How long had she trembled in fear, unable to sleep, during those times…?
“…Why are you crying?”
As she quietly sobbed, Yohan, unsure of what to do, wiped her tears with a handkerchief. The handkerchief was embroidered with the petals of a Rudbeckia flower.
Francia looked up at him and asked.
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
“Well…”
“It’s not just because I’m a valuable worker, is it?”
“….”
It was true that Francia was a rare asset. Not only could she use healing magic, but she was also a high-ranking mage capable of purification.
However, that alone wouldn’t have been enough to make Yohan protect her, especially since she had refused the emperor’s orders. Even though the empire had collapsed, Freeche Estate was still under the rule of Rozino.
“Is there something you want from me…?”
Francia asked. She could have taken his kindness at face value, but after all the scars she had, she couldn’t accept it that easily.
“I don’t really want anything.”
Yohan lightly smiled, wiping away the transparent tears from her pale cheeks.
“It’s simply atonement for the consequences of my choices.”
For some reason, there was a hint of sorrow in his smile.
3.
“Um…”
Francia, going about her usual day, glanced at Yohan as he entered the medical room and fidgeted with her fingers. Her cheeks were flushed, a deep red.
“What is it?”
Yohan asked as he set down some items, and she, avoiding his gaze, mumbled in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Would you like to have a meal with me today?”
After much hesitation, she had finally gathered the courage to ask. She had been debating over this suggestion for days. But after saying it, she was so embarrassed that she wanted to take it back.
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t think I can.”
“W-Why not?”
It was the first time she had ever been rejected. Francia’s large eyes blinked in surprise. She had thought Yohan felt the same way about her, but was she wrong?
“Today is a day I spend with my wife.”
“…Your wife?”
Thump!
In that moment, it felt like a huge rock had dropped inside Francia’s heart. His wife? She had seen no signs of this at all. What was going on? The peaceful lake of her thoughts suddenly surged with a huge wave.
“Yes. Rudbeckia Freeche. She is the true owner of this estate and my wife.”
Rudbeckia.
A flower like a sunflower.
Francia’s mind instantly recalled the embroidery on the handkerchief she had seen before. The flower’s name had been Rudbeckia. The flower language was said to mean eternal happiness…
‘No…’
This is not the important thing right now.
Wife? Wife???
Francia’s face instantly turned pale.
“Y-You’re married?”
“Yes. But it hasn’t been long.”
“When…?”
“About five years ago, I think.”
Francia calculated quickly. She is 25, and Johan is 26.
“So, you got married at 21?”
“Yes. It was a political marriage.”
Yohan gave a bitter smile and slightly tilted his head. The emotions visible in his eyes were deep and somber.
“Well, it was a typical noble marriage. The Freeche family wanted me, and I accepted for the sake of the family, so we both benefited.”
Being born a noble and expecting love was a luxury. Francia understood that well.
“It was a marriage based on mutual interests, but I am trying to love her. A marriage cannot be without romance, after all.”
Even so, Yohan was someone who sought romance. He was someone who took responsibility for his choices and worked toward a good outcome.
“I see…”
Francia’s shoulders drooped. Was this heartbreak? The shock was overwhelming. She felt as though she could die from embarrassment.
“…Should we find some time tomorrow?”
“Ah, no… Haha…”
Francia answered in a barely audible voice and awkwardly smiled.
“It’s fine…”
Her voice lacked strength. She suddenly felt her enthusiasm completely drain away.
She didn’t want to do anything…
“…Tomorrow I—”
Just as Yohan was about to continue, creak! The door to the medical room opened, and a woman entered.
“Yohan! So this is where you are!”
“Rudbeckia?”
She quickly rushed over and hugged Yohan’s broad chest. His well-trained body enveloped her like a fortress.
“Ah…”
Francia, who had been watching them, tried to look away, but her attention was already fixed on the two of them. The warmth, the sense of security, and the moment of being bound as a married couple all seemed so enviable.
“…”
Rudbeckia, in Yohan’s arms, squinted and gave Francia a sharp, assessing look. Her gaze was far from friendly.
“And you are?”
“I, I am—”
“She’s the new healer who came to the estate.”
Before Francia could finish her answer, Yohan spoke up for her.
“I found her wandering outside and brought her here.”
“Hm…?”
“Shall we head back?”
“Sure.”
As if to flaunt her status as his wife, Rudbeckia lightly kissed Yohan’s cheek and smiled gently. But as her gaze slowly shifted toward Francia, her expression grew cold.
He’s mine.
Her expression said it all.
“…”
Francia’s red eyes grew darker and sank deeper.
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| Rudbeckia Freeche |