Episode 128: The Greatest Hurdle
A heavy, antique-style room exuded an air of sophistication.
Dark wooden furniture filled the space, and above the fireplace hung an ornate mirror framed in gold. The soft glow of the fire reflected in the mirror, casting a gentle golden hue throughout the room.
On one side of the room stood a sturdy bookshelf, while in the center, a table adorned with intricate carvings sat alongside a leather armchair, creating an atmosphere both serene and dignified.
Yohan sat in the chair, staring blankly into space as he tapped his fingers against the table.
It wasn’t because he had the leisure to enjoy a holiday.
“…”
Rudbeckia Freeche.
She had been occupying his thoughts lately.
He knew he had to reject her. He had to. And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to push her away.
It wasn’t just because he was soft-hearted.
The moment he turned her down, it felt as though he would lose something irretrievable.
And so, Yohan had been unable to refuse Rudbeckia.
‘…I can’t let this go on any longer.’
His worries deepened.
He was already aware that Rudbeckia harbored romantic feelings for him—he had realized it during their last date.
Knowing that, yet failing to reject her beforehand while already having decided not to accept her feelings… wasn’t that just leading her on?
That was even crueler than cutting things off decisively.
And that was something Yohan despised the most.
Playing with someone’s emotions, not out of genuine affection but to maintain dominance in a relationship—how selfish, how cruel could one be?
‘No matter how hard it is, I have to do it.’
There was no other way.
“Yohan?”
Lost in thought, his eyes closed, he heard a familiar voice. Yohan opened his eyes and turned toward the door. Rudella stood there, smiling softly.
“Rudella, what’s the matter?”
“No particular reason. I just wanted to see you.”
Rudella stepped into the room, her footsteps light, and nestled herself in Yohan’s embrace.
She was small and delicate—holding her felt like embracing a cloud. She avoided perfumes and scented oils due to health concerns, yet even the faint scent of her skin was soothing enough.
“Yohan, I like how big you are. It makes me feel at ease.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“But we should stop here. I might not be able to hold back.”
With a soft chuckle, Rudella ended the embrace and took a seat across from him. She was so light that her movements made no sound.
“You look like you’re deep in thought.” she said, resting her chin on her hand. Her sky-blue eyes gazed at him intently.
“If it’s a problem you can’t solve, tell me. I might be able to help.”
Her lips curved into a subtle smile, her expression filled with warmth as if merely looking at Yohan brought her joy.
“Well… how should I put it…”
After a brief pause, Yohan adjusted his posture and confessed his concerns.
“A friend who recently became my aide seems to have feelings for me… but I can’t bring myself to reject her.”
“And why is that?”
“I keep getting this strange feeling. Like… I shouldn’t hurt her.”
Yohan pondered over his emotions toward Rudbeckia.
Simply put—he only saw her as an aide, a colleague he could work well with.
“I do have some fondness for her, but it’s not romantic. If anything… my feelings for her are closer to guilt.”
Rudella listened attentively, nodding slowly before continuing.
“Then why do you want to reject her?”
“Because I have to.”
“Do you have a clear reason?”
“Well…”
Yohan opened his mouth to answer but hesitated. He had no satisfying response to that question.
He was only rejecting her because he thought he should.
“Did she approach you just because of your looks? Or does she have ulterior motives—trying to gain something from you?”
Again, Yohan couldn’t answer.
Rudbeckia had no such intentions.
Her words and actions were sincere.
Perhaps he was mistaken, but he had honed his intuition since childhood. The chances of him being wrong were slim.
“In that case, this must be it. You’re avoiding her because of me and Lady Fervache. You think you must reject any woman who approaches you.”
Rudella lightly laughed.
“I can’t say what Lady Fervache would think, but if you’re avoiding her just because of me, don’t worry. I respect your choices.”
In truth, Rudella wasn’t thrilled about Yohan taking in a new woman, but what bothered her more was the thought that he couldn’t do as he wished because of her.
And even if a new woman came in, Yohan would give her equal love. He was already giving her more love than she deserved as just a concubine.
Thus, Rudella wasn’t too worried.
In fact, she hoped Yohan would do as he pleased.
“Is that so…”
Yohan chuckled softly.
Now that he thought about it, whenever he looked at Rudbeckia, he only felt a strange and unfamiliar emotion, but he wasn’t looking at her. He just thought he had to reject her.
“Have you solved your dilemma?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“I’m glad.”
Rudella smiled gently. Yohan looked at her, and suddenly a feeling of affection arose. If it were the old him, he wouldn’t have dared to think such thoughts. Life was unpredictable.
Yohan asked.
“Is there anything uncomfortable?”
“Well, actually, there’s one thing.”
“What is it?”
Hearing the unexpected response, his voice trembled, and Rudella, with her chin resting on her hand, smiled slightly. Her eyes, as if holding the sky, were filled with love.
“Your kiss is insufficient.”
“Haha.”
Yohan couldn’t help but laugh. As time passed, her requests were becoming bolder and more shameless.
“Then I’ll give it to you.”
With a small laugh, Yohan kissed the back of Rudella’s hand, which was resting on the table, and slowly traveled up her arm.
***
In the evening.
Francia came out of the bathroom, her body still moist.
Her damp hair stuck lightly to her forehead, and small drops of water sparkled on her warm skin. A soft, rose-like fragrance surrounded her, and her slow movements as she wiped her skin seemed languid.
“I’m fine.”
Francia smiled softly and approached Yohan, who was sitting next to the bed. A gentle scent lingered in the air.
“I also respect your choice, Yohan. I know your love for me hasn’t changed this time.”
Just like he had spoken to Rudella, Yohan confided his worries to Francia as well. What she had just said was her answer to him.
“I thought you would refuse.”
“Hehe, I trust you, Yohan.”
Francia smiled sweetly.
She was truly okay with it.
Of course, Francia wasn’t thrilled about the idea of a new concubine entering, but she respected his choice. After all, Yohan didn’t show favoritism.
And knowing that Yohan was talking about Rudbeckia, she actually hoped that Yohan would accept her.
But the first place should still be hers.
“By the way, I’m a bit disappointed that you told Rudella first.”
“…I’m sorry. It just came up.”
“Well, it’s okay. Those kinds of things usually come up randomly.”
Francia finished drying off and placed the towel down before sitting next to Yohan.
“Oh, by the way, a letter arrived.”
“A letter?”
“Yes, it’s from my father.”
“…”
Her father.
Duke Fervache.
Yohan’s body stiffened.
Now that winter had ended, Duke Fervache would finally have some time to relax, and since Francia’s service period was about to end, the long-postponed discussion about their marriage would inevitably come up.
But…
‘How am I supposed to explain this…?’
There was no proper way to explain Rudella to his future father-in-law.
He hadn’t even married Francia yet, and he already had a concubine? Not only that, but the concubine was the first to bear a child?
And this was happening in one of the Four Great Houses, which strictly adhered to monogamy? Duke Fervache’s fury would surely pierce the heavens.
Even Yohan himself would have exploded with rage in such a situation.
‘The real question is… will I survive this?’
Yohan’s face turned grave. His tense eyes blinked incessantly, and a sudden headache started creeping in.
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to my father.” Francia reassured him, observing his expression closely before clasping his hand comfortingly.
“If I explain what has happened, my father will understand.”
“…Will he, though?”
Yohan wasn’t so sure.
When he first met the duke, the man had been barely restraining himself from killing him on the spot.
A daughter who had never been in a relationship before, and the man who took her first time? Yohan himself wouldn’t have tolerated it either.
In fact, the duke’s patience in merely keeping an eye on Yohan all this time was impressive.
There was only one possible course of action.
He would have to throw himself to the ground in penance.
“…I suppose I have no choice but to meet him.”
Yohan’s voice shrank to a whisper.
Honestly, he doubted that explaining the situation would make any difference…
***
The North.
As winter drew to an end, the once-harsh winds had softened, and the rampant surge of demonic energy had subsided. The frenzied demonic beast outbreaks had lessened as a result.
Thanks to this, Duke Fervache and his knights no longer had to constantly patrol the North, finally allowing them some breathing room.
“It’s time to proceed with the wedding.”
Inside the study of House Fervache’s estate, the duke casually set down his teacup as he spoke.
“Then I will begin preparations immediately. I’ve scouted a few potential locations. Where would you like it to be held?”
His aide, Enrique, responded promptly. As a highly capable aide, he had already anticipated the duke’s intentions and made the necessary arrangements.
“I originally intended to hold it here in the North, but now that our son-in-law has become a duke himself, I can’t be too selfish. We also have to consider public perception.”
Rising from his chair, the duke gazed out the window. The snow-covered ground stretched before him, pristine and untouched, like the first snowfall of winter.
“Then Lahart Territory would be a good choice.”
“Yes, holding it in the imperial capital would only attract unnecessary scrutiny.”
Hosting the ceremony in the capital wasn’t necessarily a bad idea. However, it could easily become entangled in political affairs, making it seem as if the wedding were arranged for the imperial family’s benefit.
After all, this was the union of two ducal houses.
If the wedding were held in the capital, the imperial family would be obligated to attend.
“Still, I never expected things to turn out like this. Our dear Francia managed to sever ties with that bothersome crown prince and the grand duke’s heir so cleanly.”
The duke chuckled in satisfaction.
Back when he first met Yohan, he had seriously considered locking him in the underground prison and torturing him. But now, they stood as equals.
“Indeed. To think he was awarded a count’s title for his unprecedented abilities… and then went on to execute traitors and earn a dukedom. It was truly unimaginable.”
Enrique nodded in agreement.
For someone to be granted a dukedom outside of wartime was an event unheard of in the entire continent’s history.
“Well, it was a combination of luck and skill that led to this outcome.”
The duke smirked.
He was proud of his son-in-law.
“By the way, how do you plan to handle the issue of succession?”
Enrique’s question was inevitable.
Since Yohan could no longer enter House Fervache as a consort, the matter of succession had to be reconsidered.
With Francia being the only heir, it was a pressing issue.
“We can’t look for another successor. The only choice is to raise their child as the heir.”
“That means you’ll have to give up the retirement you’ve been longing for.”
“Haha, for my daughter’s sake, I can go without a little rest.”
Even without looking at the duke’s face, Enrique could tell that he was in an exceptionally good mood.
“You must be quite proud of your son-in-law.”
“How could I not be? He’s the empire’s second duke.”
Duke Fervache gazed at the snow-filled sky with a deep sense of satisfaction.
The wedding was just around the corner.