Episode 99: The Reason She Exists as She Is Now #5
1.
“Ah…”
Francia opened her eyes.
It was a familiar ceiling. Naturally so—it was the ceiling of the Fervache mansion where she had grown up all her life, a place she could no longer see.
“Ah…”
Lying in bed, she gazed at the ceiling for a long time without saying a word. Nostalgia overwhelmed her. The emotions were a mix of joy and sorrow that tugged at her heart. Tears felt ready to spill at any moment.
But there wasn’t much time to dwell on her emotions.
‘I need to check the date.’
Francia quickly got out of bed. Outside the window, the sun was just rising, and the servants were busy preparing for the morning.
Rustle.
She stood in front of a mercury-coated mirror. The person reflected was unmistakably different from before.
Her once damaged hair now gleamed like polished obsidian, and her previously dull red eyes sparkled like radiant jewels.
She touched her face with her fingertips. Her skin, once weathered by years of wandering, was now white and smooth.
‘I’ve really come back… to the past.’
Francia slowly closed her eyes.
‘…It doesn’t seem like I’ve gone too far back.’
Although Francia had woken up in the Fervache mansion, judging from her appearance, height, and the mana she could feel, the time she had returned to appeared to be shortly after her coming-of-age ceremony.
This was… not very ideal.
After her coming-of-age ceremony, she had immediately entered the Imperial Bureau. By now, she had likely already encountered those two men—even if she hadn’t yet met the Tower Master or the Archbishop.
‘Other than that…’
Suddenly, a thought struck Francia. Returning to the past meant she could see her father again.
‘Father!’
Bang!
Without even changing her clothes, Francia rushed out of her room and ran toward the Duke’s chambers.
“Oh, Lady Francia?”
The startled servants flinched. At this point in time, she had always been calm and composed, brimming with elegance, so their surprise was understandable.
But right now, dignity and decorum were the least of her concerns. Nothing mattered more than the fact that she could see her father again.
Bang!
“Father!”
Francia burst into the bedroom without hesitation, shouting.
“…Francia?”
The Duke looked at her with a disheveled face, having just woken up.
“Father…”
Clear tears streamed down Francia’s cheeks.
She had resolved not to cry, but the flood of emotions from seeing her family again overwhelmed her.
“Why—what’s wrong?”
Surprised by his daughter’s sudden tears, the Duke of Fervache hurriedly got out of bed. He knelt beside her as she sobbed uncontrollably.
“Hic…”
As she felt his warm hand on her shoulder, her tears only flowed harder. Her father—her only family, the person she loved more than anyone—
“What happened?”
The Duke held Francia in his arms, gently stroking her head.
“I had a nightmare, a nightmare…”
The Duke chuckled softly.
“Aren’t you too old to cry over a nightmare?”
“It was a nightmare straight out of hell…”
“Hahaha.”
He let out a hearty laugh and embraced the sobbing Francia.
“Alright, cry as much as you need to. If it helps ease your fears.”
The tears wouldn’t stop.
It finally felt real—hell was over.
2.
A few days passed.
Everything was exactly as Francia remembered. Her father was healthy, the servants always wore smiles, and the world itself seemed as vibrant as ever.
It didn’t feel real.
But it wasn’t a dream.
He Had Truly Sent Her Back to the Past.
“Yohan…”
Inside the carriage headed for the imperial capital, Francia rested her chin in her hand and thought of Yohan.
If the world itself hadn’t been sent back to the past, and she alone had come to another timeline…
Then he must have—
“…”
Francia closed her eyes. She didn’t even want to imagine it. The thought that the first man she had ever loved had died for her was… unbearably painful.
‘Can I make the opportunity Yohan gave me worthwhile…?’
Recalling the life she lived before her regression, Francia’s shoulders slumped. Though she had been given another chance, she lacked confidence in her ability to do well this time.
The only resources she had were the Celestial Mage’s library and the relic repository she’d discovered during her years on the run.
Knowing what events would happen in the future could serve as a weapon, but it wasn’t as helpful as one might think.
The people she would face couldn’t be defeated, not even with the strength of a prestigious ducal family like Fervache. Training wouldn’t make her capable of defeating them, either.
Assassination wasn’t an option.
Sure, the artifacts of the Celestial Mage could make assassinations possible, but she didn’t have the time to decipher the rune inscriptions described in their manuals.
Each one took an exorbitant amount of time to understand, and there were hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts.
“Hmm…”
As Francia pondered a solution, Yohan’s words right before her regression came to mind.
- “Yohan Harsen, That was my name before my arranged marriage.”
He had told her to seek out Yohan Harsen before the arranged marriage bound him, and to convince him to follow Francia Fervache. He had promised to take care of the rest.
She felt guilty relying on Yohan so much, but she needed help. This was her second—and final—chance at life.
‘What could I do…?’
Francia touched her chin and thought deeply. The best way to make him follow her would be to make him a knight.
He had already demonstrated excellent swordsmanship before her regression.
From the way he used mana blades, he was at least a First-Class swordsman.
But…
‘Yohan wasn’t a knight or a mage.’
At this point in time, it was impossible to appoint him as a knight.
Although she hadn’t asked him directly, she had learned from the residents of the Freeche territory that he had only recently started handling a sword.
Before the end of the world, he had been someone completely unrelated to combat.
Becoming a knight, let alone her escort knight, was out of the question.
‘Isn’t there a better way…?’
Francia touched her chin, lost in thought.
“Ah.”
It hit her.
And it was a very good idea.
‘…Instead of making him follow me, I’ll make him fall in love with me.’
Her plan was to make Yohan the consort of the Fervache family. That way, she could gain his help while also repaying him for his sacrifice.
Francia closed her eyes and nodded to herself. It was a flawless plan, no matter how she looked at it.
Of course, Yohan probably hadn’t told her to seek him out with this in mind…
“Ahem. This isn’t about personal feelings.”
Feeling a bit self-conscious, Francia awkwardly cleared her throat and rubbed her neck.
It was true that she had fallen in love with Yohan, but she was perfectly capable of separating public and private matters. Yes, this decision wasn’t driven by personal desires.
‘Rudbeckia, I’m sorry.’
This time, Yohan would be hers.
A cold smile formed on Francia’s lips.
3.
A few more days passed.
“Milady, here is the information about Yohan Harsen.”
Her escort knight handed her a sealed envelope and several mana canvases.
“Thank you.”
Francia accepted the documents and reviewed the contents.
Yohan Harsen.
Age: 21.
He had graduated at the top of his class from the sociology department at Rozino Academy and was currently managing various tasks for his family. Despite his extraordinary talent in swordsmanship and magic, he had chosen not to pursue those fields academically.
And…
Though there were talks of marriage between him and Rudbeckia, the eldest daughter of the Count of Freeche, it was nothing more than speculation from the families. Yohan himself wasn’t yet aware of the matter.
Francia’s eyes narrowed.
‘…If I had been just a little later, he might’ve been taken.’
If word of the engagement had already reached Yohan, the marriage would have progressed without a hitch. After all, the Yohan of the future had willingly accepted this political union.
‘That can’t happen.’
Francia furrowed her brows.
She had to win Yohan’s heart, no matter what. For that, a natural meeting was essential.
If he sensed any ulterior motives, he would be on guard.
‘…But this isn’t an ulterior motive, is it?’
Francia tilted her head slightly as she reviewed the documents again.
How could making someone fall in love with her be considered ulterior? This was an expression of pure intent. She truly loved Yohan with all her heart.
“Hmm, there’s no problem at all.”
With her arms crossed, Francia nodded to herself and returned to the documents.
As she skimmed through them, one detail caught her eye.
‘He’s attending a party hosted by Lady Barodo?’
Yohan was planning to attend a party. Francia’s brows furrowed once more.
‘This might be my best chance.’
The corners of her lips curled ever so slightly upward.
A natural meeting.
Making him fall for her.
Marrying Yohan.
She came up with a plan to accomplish all three at once.
4.
Francia attended Lady Barodo’s party disguised as a modest young woman from the countryside.
She didn’t reveal her identity. This was too important an event to risk attracting insignificant pests who might interfere with her plans.
Naturally, her striking beauty drew the attention of several noble gentlemen, but since she didn’t even spare them a glance, they quickly lost interest and left.
This allowed her to quietly observe Yohan from a corner of the party hall.
‘Yohan…’
Francia’s gaze, brimming with sweetness, followed Yohan. He was smiling as he caught up with friends he hadn’t seen in a long time.
With his clean and graceful movements, he raised a glass, though it was clear his alcohol tolerance was low—his face was already flushed after only a few sips.
Even so, he firmly rejected the advances of the young ladies vying for his attention. The way he remained steadfast, even while slightly drunk, suggested it was second nature to him.
‘This isn’t good…’
Francia fell into thought.
Even if she approached him, the result wouldn’t change. Yohan wasn’t someone who let himself be swayed by appearances.
It had been the same before her regression. He had helped Francia out of pure goodwill, not because he loved her or expected something in return.
‘Hmm…’
Her crimson eyes turned to the wine in her hand.
Could this be the key to breaking through his defenses?
5.
Click.
The sound of Francia’s heels echoed softly through the now noisy and lively party hall.
Click.
She walked gracefully toward the terrace.
When she opened the glass door, she saw him standing there, enjoying the cool breeze.
“A guest is already here, I see.”
“…”
When Francia spoke with a gentle smile, Yohan turned to look at her. She found herself holding her breath for a moment. His face, flushed from the alcohol, and the drowsy, relaxed expression he wore had an oddly seductive air.
“I was just about to leave. Don’t stay out too long; it’s cold.”
Yohan nodded slightly, then staggered toward the door. Francia called out to him urgently.
“Could we talk for just a moment…?”
“…”
Yohan paused and turned to look at her.
Despite his hazy expression from the alcohol, his eyes gleamed coldly.
There was no reply. As expected, his guard was still up.
But Francia knew something about him. Even though he appeared cold, his heart was soft.
Looking up at him with her large, earnest eyes, Francia forced an awkward smile.
“I’m new here from the outskirts, and I don’t know anyone… Could you please just spend a little time with me? If I leave too early, I won’t be able to face my parents…”
Her voice was soft and timid, but Yohan heard it clearly. Francia then let out a shy laugh, rubbing her wrist with her fingertips.
“I-I’m sorry for saying something so strange. Please excuse me…”
She turned her back to him, all the while praying silently.
‘Please stop me. Please stop me…
It was a gamble. Her heart pounded nervously.
What if she failed? There wouldn’t be a more perfect opportunity than this.
If she didn’t succeed, Yohan would end up in a political marriage with the Count Freeche’s daughter…
Just as Francia’s anxiety was reaching its peak-
“…Wait.”
Yohan called out to her.
“What is your name?”
“D-Dorothy.”
Francia quickly gave him the alias she had used when entering the party, careful not to raise suspicion.
“Alright. I’ll stay with you until the party ends.”
6.
“Hah…”
Yohan, flushed from the alcohol, exhaled a heated breath. He was sprawled across the hotel bed Francia had brought him to, completely dazed.
Francia carefully loosened the strings of her dress.
Rustle.
The black dress slipped to the floor.
Her deep cleavage, toned and slender waist, and smooth, white thighs were revealed.
“Yohan.”
She called his name softly, but there was no reply.
He was well and truly drunk.
Smiling faintly, Francia leaned onto the bed and pressed against Yohan. Her soft chest met his body, causing him to stiffen. It was as if even his breathing had stopped.
“Uh…?”
As Yohan groggily reacted, Francia awkwardly began to undo his clothes, her hands moving slowly.
“What are you doing…!”
“Stay still.”
“You can’t…!”
As Yohan, barely regaining his senses, tried to sit up in shock, Francia wrapped her arms around him and whispered.
“It’s okay…”
Her sultry, suggestive voice tickled his ears, making Yohan flinch. His shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
“You’ve done nothing wrong…”
Her hand trailed downward. Slowly, Yohan’s pants slid down, and his hardened length was revealed.
“It’s fine…”
Francia’s breathing grew heavier, a mix of joy at the thought of being with the man she loved and the thrill of forbidden desire. Her cheeks burned a bright red.
“It’s all my fault…”
Francia’s crimson lips stole Yohan’s breath.