Episode 97: The Reason She Exists as She Is Now #3
1.
“Haaah…”
The quiet infirmary.
Francia slumped over the desk.
Sighs kept escaping from her lips.
‘To think I wouldn’t even get a chance…’
It was the first time she had taken an interest in a man, but before that interest could blossom into affection, it was cut short.
She could have accepted it, of course—if that wife of his had truly been a “good” person and if Yohan had genuinely loved her.
‘But it didn’t seem like Yohan really liked her that much.’
Francia could tell at a glance from Yohan’s expression.
Though they were married, to be honest, it seemed more like a one-sided infatuation on Rudbeckia’s part.
What were the chances that it was all just her imagination? Practically zero. Considering how many men had shown interest in Francia over the years, her instincts in such matters were sharp.
‘Isn’t there a way…?’
She wished Yohan were her man. She wanted those gentle eyes to always be directed at her. She wanted to have all of Yohan to herself.
Both his body and his heart. Entirely, exclusively hers.
‘He said he got married when he was 21, didn’t he?’
At the time, Francia had also been 20.
It was right around the time she had just entered the Imperial Bureau.
If only she had met him first back then…
‘He would have been my man.’
A cold shadow crossed Francia’s eyes.
If only they had met earlier.
He wouldn’t have been just a mere rural count’s lord, but the Duke of Fervache.
He wouldn’t have had to do any work at all, not like now.
He wouldn’t have had to do anything for the rest of his life.
She could’ve given him expensive clothes, delicious meals, a grand home, vast lands, even a ducal title.
All he’d have to do was smile at her.
“…”
But suddenly, Francia’s eyes widened as she shook her head vigorously.
‘What am I even thinking…!’
He’s a married man.
He might not have children yet, but he was, without a doubt, someone’s husband. Wanting a man like that—how shameless!
But feelings weren’t something governed solely by reason. Francia was no exception. She couldn’t suppress her impulses and desires.
‘…As long as I just like him, it should be fine, right?’
It’s not as if she was committing adultery. Wasn’t it harmless to keep liking him from afar? Francia sincerely convinced herself of this. A justification.
‘Yes, as long as it’s just that, it’s okay, isn’t it…?’
After all, wasn’t Rudbeckia also in a one-sided love? Sure, they were married, but Yohan’s heart wasn’t truly with her.
Eventually, a chance would surely come to Francia as well.
And…
‘Rudbeckia.’
Francia hadn’t forgotten the gaze that woman had given her. The look of unmistakable wariness, as if regarding a rival.
‘So, you’re feeling guilty too, aren’t you?’
If they were truly a loving couple, Rudbeckia wouldn’t have been so cautious around her. Francia wouldn’t have had any opportunity to get involved in the first place.
But Rudbeckia was clearly on guard, afraid Yohan’s heart might waver.
And Francia? She wasn’t just anyone. Once renowned as the Obsidian Saintess, she was the kind of beauty who had captured the hearts of countless men. It was no wonder Rudbeckia felt uneasy.
“Huhu.”
A slightly mischievous smile crept onto Francia’s lips.
What had seemed like an entirely hopeless love now felt like it held a glimmer of possibility.
2.
It was the day Yohan returned injured after dealing with beasts that had surged from the flood.
“What are you reading? It seems like a book I’ve never seen before.”
He asked.
“It’s… a magic tome.”
Francia murmured softly, unable to meet his gaze. She was too embarrassed to look at Yohan directly.
It was because his upper body was entirely exposed. Though wrapped in bandages, there was still plenty to see.
His beautifully sculpted muscles, as if carved by a master artisan. His pale yet firm skin. The faint scent emanating from him… Everything about him was far too stimulating for Francia.
Even though it was for the sake of treating his wounds, to be touching and gazing at the bare body of the man she liked for the first time—it was all too much.
As a result, Francia’s face turned a deep shade of red. Knowing this herself, she buried her face in the unreadable magic tome.
“Hmm…”
Yohan narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on the magic tome. Soon, he tilted his head with a curious expression.
“Regression?”
“…What?”
“The cover. It says ‘Regression.’”
“You… read it?”
Francia’s eyes widened in shock.
This was a record by the Celestial Mage, written in runes, which even she, who prided herself on her knowledge of runes, couldn’t decipher. And he had read it?
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I could just read it.”
“What?”
Francia stared at him, dumbfounded, her mouth slightly agape. Yohan chuckled lightly and added,
“I’m just kidding. There was a time when I studied runes. I wanted to use some basic household magic.”
But at his explanation, Francia’s expression grew even more incredulous.
“You’re telling me you can read the runes in this magic tome with just that level of study…?”
“…Was it difficult?”
Yohan blinked innocently, as if he genuinely didn’t understand.
But how could someone be this good-looking? And his body—absolutely stunning. Just looking at him made her smile…
‘No!’
Francia snapped herself back to reality. She had nearly lost control of her thoughts in the middle of an important conversation.
“Um, would you like to take a look?”
“Sure.”
Cautiously, she handed him the book. Yohan furrowed his brows slightly and focused on the tome, his deep blue eyes darting across the pages.
“This is…”
“What does it say…?”
“It’s exactly what it says—regression.”
Regression.
A magic to turn back time.
“Where did you find this?”
“Oh… in a library at the center of the continent…”
“…There’s a library there?”
“Yes, yes.”
“That’s strange.”
After skimming through the tome, Yohan shook his head slightly and returned it to Francia.
“It’s well-founded and thoroughly documented. This doesn’t seem like a prank or a fake tome. Still, I don’t know if it’s truly possible to turn back time.”
Yohan chuckled softly.
His expression showed he wasn’t fully convinced.
“…What were the requirements to use the spell?”
Francia asked cautiously, her voice trembling slightly. If it were truly possible to turn back time, perhaps things wouldn’t have to be like this…
Such vague fantasies filled her mind.
“The conditions are far too demanding. It requires an immense amount of mana, and it must also be of the highest purity. Even most transcendental mages wouldn’t be able to activate it. They wouldn’t even be able to experiment with it.”
But Yohan’s answer was pessimistic.
“I see…”
Francia’s shoulders drooped.
“Do you want to turn back time?”
“Of course. In a way, it’s not an exaggeration to say my actions are partly why the country ended up like this…”
“Hmm…”
Yohan rubbed his chin for a moment before looking at her with a puzzled expression.
“The perpetrators are someone else. Why are you burdened with guilt?”
“…”
“They’re the ones who are at fault. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Thump.
His simple words struck her heart deeply.
No one had ever told her that before. Francia had always believed that the situation was her fault and carried the guilt with her.
But Yohan had denied that outright, saying the words she had desperately wanted to hear the most.
“I can assure you—it’s not your fault. So don’t blame yourself.”
With a soft yet somewhat sorrowful smile, Yohan gently patted Francia’s head.
Thump.
Her heart pounded again.
Deep within her, she felt something stirring. It was desire, yearning, and impulse.
Thankfully, she didn’t shed tears this time. She suppressed them with all her might. Though her chest felt tight, she didn’t want to cry in front of Yohan.
She only wanted to show him her smiling face. To show him how well she was doing, thanks to him. To repay him.
Francia spoke in a quiet voice.
“…Thank you for saying that.”
“It’s the truth, so there’s no need to thank me.”
Yohan smiled faintly and removed his hand from her head, stretching his body slightly.
“I think I’m feeling better now. Quite some time has passed, so I’ll be on my way.”
“Yes, yes…”
“Please take care of yourself today, as always. You’re the sole healer of the Freeche territory.”
“Of course! Just leave it to me…!”
Francia saw Yohan out as he left the infirmary, then collapsed into a chair, covering her face with both hands. Her ears were burning bright red.
“Ah…”
What should she do?
She had truly fallen in love.
3.
It was a day like any other.
The weather was sunny, and the laughter of the territory’s people could be heard.
Bang!
The door to the infirmary burst open. Francia jumped in surprise and turned toward the entrance. Yohan stood there, panting, and shouted in her direction.
“We have to leave!”
“What? Why?”
“They’ve found out.”
“…What?”
Francia’s eyes widened in shock. If Yohan was referring to them, it could only mean those men.
“W-where are we going?”
“I don’t know. We just have to move right now.”
Yohan strode over and grabbed Francia’s wrist. Even so, his grip wasn’t forceful—he was mindful of her.
Francia’s heart thudded heavily, and she felt a brief flutter of excitement, but this wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
Yohan continued speaking.
“We need to leave the Freeche territory immediately. A decree has been issued to hand you over, and they’re already bringing an army.”
“Oh my god.”
Francia’s crimson eyes trembled violently.
“An army? Does that mean the Grand Duchy and the Empire are involved?”
“The Magic Tower and the Holy Knights are included as well.”
Yohan urged her.
“Let’s go. Do you have anything to pack?”
“Yes! I have a few artifacts that might help.”
“Gather them quickly. I’ll prepare.”
Once Francia had finished gathering her essentials, Yohan was waiting on horseback, holding out his hand to her.
“Get on.”
Without a word, she took his hand and climbed onto the horse behind him.
Just as they were about to leave—
“Y-Yohan! Where are you going?!”
Rudbeckia came running, out of breath, her green eyes darting in panic. Her face was pale, and her expression stiff with tension.
Francia immediately understood.
Rudbeckia was trembling with anxiety.
There could be many reasons for her fear, but the greatest one was likely the worry that Yohan would be taken away from her.
“I’m going out for a bit. Stay put.”
“Where are you going?!”
Even as Rudbeckia raised her voice, Yohan didn’t answer her question. Instead, he looked at her with a light smile.
“The army will come. If they ask, just say you don’t know anything. If they claim you knew, tell them it was all the lord’s doing.”
He intended to shoulder all the blame by himself.
“That’s…”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Rumble!
The castle gates opened. Yohan tugged on the reins and moved the horse forward.
Clop clop clop!
The sound of hooves echoed endlessly. Though the wind swept past them, Francia didn’t feel the chill—Yohan’s broad back shielded her from it.
“Where are we headed?”
“For now, as far away from here as possible.”
“I know a good place to hide.”
“Where?”
“The Celestial Mage’s library.”
“…The Celestial Mage?”
Even without seeing Yohan’s face, Francia could tell he was confused—it was evident in his voice.
She quickly explained.
“There’s a massive ruin at the center of the continent. Beneath it is a library. I know the way, so as long as we get close, we’ll have no problem finding it.”
Without being drawn by mana, the Celestial Mage’s library couldn’t be located. Francia was certain of that.
“…Understood. Let’s head there immediately.”
Without rest, the two raced toward the Celestial Mage’s library at the heart of the continent.
The Emperor, the Grand Duke, the Master of the Magic Tower, and the High Priest—
─Four men were leading armies in pursuit of Francia.