Episode 127: To Win His True Heart… #3
“Let’s have dinner together.”
Rudbeckia’s words were not just a simple invitation to a meal. It was an obvious date proposal, a clear way of saying, “I am very interested in you.”
As if the suggestion wasn’t already romantic, what time was it now? It was just past noon. That meant she was asking to spend time together until sunset…
‘What is this?’
Yohan opened his mouth awkwardly but then closed it. Up until now, they had only exchanged brief conversations while he quietly observed her from a distance, and now, out of nowhere, she was asking him out on a date? He was taken aback.
Of course, he was used to women showing interest in him. As arrogant as it might sound, he was considered the “trophy” of high society due to his exceptional looks.
That was why he usually rejected such advances outright. But Rudbeckia was different. When he looked at her, his heart softened for some reason—perhaps because she was his aide.
And also because there was an undeniable sincerity in her gaze.
Still, accepting her date proposal was not an option.
Not only was Rudella, who was pregnant, waiting for him at the Lahart estate, but accepting a date when he had no romantic feelings for her would be no different from leading her on.
The problem was, he didn’t know how to turn her down.
“…Is it not possible?”
When he didn’t immediately respond, Rudbeckia looked up at him hesitantly. Her eyes trembled. Her eyelids fluttered nonstop, and her fingers fidgeted restlessly.
Just from her expression and posture, it was clear she was extremely nervous. She was likely wondering if her invitation had been too sudden or if she had been too transparent about her feelings.
“…I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can today.”
Yohan awkwardly smiled and shook his head slightly. Rudbeckia’s face turned as if her world had just crumbled.
“W-why not?”
“Someone is waiting for me.”
“…”
Who could be waiting for him? In the past, she would have assumed it was Francia Fervache, but now, Rudbeckia knew better.
Rudella Bismarck.
The woman carrying Yohan’s child was waiting for him.
Because of that, Rudbeckia couldn’t argue against his rejection. She understood all too well how important a husband’s presence was for a pregnant woman.
But if she always yielded to such circumstances, she would never get a chance.
“…Would it be too much to ask if we could at least have lunch together?”
Rudbeckia asked in a barely audible voice. She wasn’t asking for much. Work had ended early today, so couldn’t he at least share a meal with her?
“Hmm…”
Yohan averted his gaze, looking troubled.
He wanted to see Rudella as soon as possible, but at the same time, he couldn’t just coldly push Rudbeckia away.
It wasn’t because he had any special feelings for her. He just had a strange soft spot for her.
She was his aide, after all.
“Having lunch together should be fine.”
With a faint, complicated smile, Yohan nodded.
“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“Oh…!”
As soon as he agreed, Rudbeckia’s face, which had been clouded with gloom, brightened in an instant.
She wanted to punch the air in excitement and cheer out loud, but she held back that urge, smiling instead.
“I have a place in mind!”
***
The Rozino Empire, with its vast territory, also had a massive capital.
The city was laid out in a radial pattern centered around the Imperial Palace, with noble residences, administrative districts, commercial districts, academic institutions, and military fortresses all systematically arranged.
The place where Yohan and Rudbeckia arrived was the empire’s commercial district.
It was a perfect spot for a date. Renowned chefs operated restaurants that could make the stars dance, and with so many goods available, there was plenty to see.
“This is the place.”
Rudbeckia smiled and led the way to one of the most famous and highly-rated restaurants in the Rozino Empire.
Yohan had looked into this place before, hoping to visit with Francia, but the waiting list was always too long to get a reservation.
The restaurant’s name was Magnolia.
It was well known for its exquisite seafood dishes.
“…How did you manage this?”
Yohan blinked in surprise.
This restaurant was officially sponsored by the current Empress of Rozino, making it nearly impossible for even high-ranking nobles to secure a table. Yet, somehow, Rudbeckia had done it.
“Take a guess who the head chef here is.”
“…A personal acquaintance?”
“Correct. He told me I could come anytime I needed.”
Rudbeckia, who had been looking at the restaurant, slowly shifted her gaze back to Yohan.
“Aren’t you curious how I got this reservation?”
“I am.”
“Hehe, I’ll tell you.”
She smiled softly and puffed out her chest proudly.
“The reason the head chef was able to start cooking here is thanks to my father, Count Freeche.”
Rudbeckia’s eyes shone with quiet pride.
“When the chef was young, he ambitiously opened a restaurant, but it went bankrupt, leaving him buried in debt. My father tasted his food, paid off his debts, and even set up a restaurant for him.”
While searching for a place to go on a date with Yohan, Rudbeckia had immediately contacted Magnolia Restaurant.
Thankfully, the chef had assured her that a place to host esteemed guests would always be available, so she could visit whenever she wished.
“And as a result, he became the most famous chef in the capital?”
Finding the story interesting, Yohan nodded in agreement, and Rudbeckia shrugged her shoulders.
“Hehe, that’s right.”
“Oh…”
Yohan’s gaze toward the restaurant building changed.
Falling to the bottom but soaring to the skies after meeting a benefactor—if this were a fictional world, it would be a classic cliché.
‘Well, this is a fictional world.’
Though, after reincarnating, it was no longer just fiction but his reality.
“Shall we go in?”
“Let’s.”
His anticipation soared.
He especially loved seafood—how would the empire’s most renowned restaurant fare?
“Welcome.”
Upon entering the restaurant, a waiter dressed in a black suit greeted them with a friendly smile.
“I’m Rudbeckia Freeche.”
“Haha, I know. My lady, don’t you remember me?”
“Hmm?”
Rudbeckia studied the waiter’s face carefully, then widened her eyes in surprise.
“Oh, could it be Sedin?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow! It’s been so long!”
Sedin had been a boy who followed the head chef since the opening of his first restaurant.
She had known he had changed, but in her previous life, the world had ended, making her completely forget about him.
“Haha…”
At Rudbeckia’s bright smile, full of delight, Sedin scratched the back of his head, looking bashful.
“And the gentleman beside you?”
“Oh, he’s the Director of the Purification Bureau.”
“Ah…!”
Sedin hurriedly bowed in apology.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t recognize you, Director!”
“No need for that. It’s a bit much.”
Yohan chuckled awkwardly, trying to stop him.
Since the Purification Bureau was established and the Duke Lahart had become famous for closing demonic lairs, he often encountered people reacting this way.
“Then, please allow me to guide you…!”
Following Sedin, they took a magical lift to the upper floor, a level reserved for high nobles and royalty.
Before taking his seat, Yohan first pulled out a chair for Rudbeckia.
Having done this countless times since their academy days, the gesture had become second nature to him.
Seeing his effortless kindness, Rudbeckia’s ears turned red.
“T-Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Yohan gave a light chuckle and shrugged before sitting across from her.
Sedin handed them the menu with a warm smile.
“Here is the menu. Please take your time with your order.”
“Hmm…”
Yohan nodded and glanced at the menu. There were various fish dishes, as well as a wide range of shellfish.
As expected from a restaurant famous for seafood, the selection was abundant.
‘It must not have been easy to transport all this to the capital.’
With the Empress’s support, they probably had magical tools from the Mage Tower with freezing capabilities.
Yohan asked,
“Does Lady Rudbeckia have anything she’d like to eat?”
“I’m happy with whatever you choose, Director.”
Rudbeckia smiled brightly, tilting her head slightly.
Her eyes were filled with a sweet warmth.
Feeling slightly burdened by her affectionate gaze, Yohan turned to Sedin and asked,
“…What do you recommend?”
“If you like shellfish, I’d suggest Course C. If you prefer fish dishes, Course A would be a great choice.”
“So the courses are divided between shellfish and fish?”
“Yes. Both courses include a bit of each, but their main focus differs.”
Yohan nodded and looked back at Rudbeckia, who was still gazing at him with an intense expression.
“…I’d like to try Course C. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes, of course.”
Rudbeckia’s smile deepened.
“You can eat as much as you like.”
“Then, I’ll have Course C…”
As Yohan placed his order, she gazed at his face intently.
Sitting here like this, old memories suddenly came to mind.
At a social party attended by central nobles, she had been ridiculed as a country bumpkin from the frontier and had nearly burst into tears. To cheer her up, Yohan had accompanied her around the imperial capital.
They had entered a jewelry shop, where he had a piece of jewelry made with a gemstone that resembled her eyes. They had tasted street food, explored unfamiliar places in a tavern, and visited the imperial art museum, where he explained the artworks to her in his calm voice.
Since Rudbeckia had been left out of the tea party, Yohan had taken her to a dessert shop so they could have their own tea time together.
Yohan had nurtured Rudbeckia’s character, helping her grow as a person when she was still clumsy and naïve. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Rudbeckia of today existed because of him.
This restaurant was the same.
Magnolia was a place filled with memories of Rudbeckia and Yohan.
Knowing that Yohan liked seafood, Rudbeckia had often visited this restaurant whenever she came to the capital. He would always order Course C, which included shellfish. Even though many things had changed due to the regression, his preferences remained the same.
That fact was both comforting and heartbreaking.
So many things were just as they had been back then, yet the only one who didn’t remember was Yohan.
Moments that only she cherished.
Memories that only she still held on to.
They were too precious, and yet, for that very reason, unbearably cruel…
‘No, don’t think about it.’
Rudbeckia shook her head. She felt like she might cry at any moment, but she held back.
Wasn’t this a rare opportunity to start over?
Even if she could not be his first, this time, she could truly be loved.
“…By the way, Assistant Rudbeckia.”
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Yohan called her name in a quiet voice. He was tilting a glass of water to his lips, as if his throat had gone dry.
Sedin, who had taken their order, had already left.
“Yes, what is it?”
Rudbeckia smiled as she met his gaze. Her green eyes trembled faintly.
“…May I ask why you wanted to have this meal with me?”
Yohan asked cautiously. In truth, he already had an idea of her intentions, but he wanted to hear it directly from her.
Rudbeckia traced the rim of her water glass with her fingertip and answered,
“That’s a secret.”
“Why?”
“Because I already know what answer you’d give me.”
“…”
So, she had expected his rejection.
“Then—”
“No.”
Before he could say another word, Rudbeckia cut him off.
Her voice was resolute, as if she refused to hear any response.
She met Yohan’s gaze head-on. In her green eyes, emotions swirled—indescribable, complex, and intense.
“Give me time.”
Her voice trembled slightly. Was that why she sounded uncertain and hesitant?
“Just a little of your time, so that I won’t regret this. So that when you finally give me an answer, it will be a definite one.”
Even so, she continued speaking.
“…Then, I will accept it.”
Beneath the table, her fingertips quivered.
The anxiety made her heart ache, but she did not let it show.
She only wanted to show Yohan her most positive self.
“…Assistant Rudbeckia, you and I haven’t known each other for long. Why are you going this far?”
Yohan asked, looking bewildered.
Honestly, he couldn’t understand her. Rudbeckia seemed far too sincere.
He was certain.
She was different from the young noblewomen who clung to him only for his status and appearance.
There was genuine emotion in her eyes, in her every movement.
“Because I like you.”
Under the table, Rudbeckia clenched her fingers into a trembling fist.
“Even if you don’t remember, I do.”
‘Don’t remember?’ What did she mean by that?
Yohan parted his lips as if to speak, but no words came out.
“Oh, by the way, this isn’t a confession.”
As silence fell between them, Rudbeckia suddenly smiled brightly and tilted her head slightly.
Her long golden hair cascaded gently over her shoulder.
“I wasn’t planning on confessing just yet. That means I still have a chance, doesn’t it? You understand, right?”
Her gaze softened, her smile tinged with longing.
Facing that fragile yet hopeful smile, Yohan found that he could not push her away.