episode_0019

Violet is a beauty with looks that could be said to be top-notch even in high society.

A charming yet strangely alluring appearance and a body without any frills.

Even the voice that seems to stick to my ears.

A beauty that any man would fall for, although not as much as Francia.

However, there was only one thing that lingered in Johan’s mind as he heard Violet’s whispers.

‘Are you crazy?’

I thought it was a jealous tactic by a woman to get Cassis’ attention, but it turned out it was aimed at me.

‘I don’t know what you’re thinking, but… … .’

I have no intention of falling for her tricks. I don’t want to betray Francia either.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

John let his words flow away with a calm look in his eyes. Then he turned his head and stood up, and Violet grabbed his collar.

“Are you really leaving like this? You might never have another chance like this.”

“Yes, I’ll go. If your shoe is broken, call the servant and take care of it yourself.”

“Really? Yohan is the only person I can secretly flirt with?”

This woman is quite persistent. John let out a deep sigh and met Violet’s gaze.

“I’m not interested in you. I’m not a horny little shit with a penis in my lower body.”

“… … .”

Violet’s eyes narrowed as she looked at John. Her eyes were unreadable. John met her gaze for a moment, then hardened his expression and opened his mouth.

“Honestly, Violet, I don’t know why you’re interested in me. If you were pure-hearted, I would have felt sorry and let it go, but your heart isn’t pure, is it?”

At least, if I could know why you like me, I wouldn’t be so wary now.

Because there is nothing as pure as liking someone or falling in love with someone.

However, Violet’s heart – there was something strange. Didn’t it seem like she was doing it for a purpose?

“Huh. What if I really show you favor with a pure heart?”

“… That doesn’t make any sense. There was no reason for that.”

John continued speaking.

“You are using me as a means to an end. Kindness born of a pure heart does not use the object as a means, but as an end.”

In a relationship, the ends and means are important. If you are someone who sees people as a means, you will end up like Crown Prince Fedelian.

“Violet, what purpose are you targeting me for? Am I wrong?”

“Ugh… … .”

Violet smiled an incomprehensible, meaningful smile. Her eyes were not smiling.

“I know what you’re saying. You’re saying that I don’t feel sincere. If I did, would you cheat on me with me?”

“That’s not it.”

“Yes. But if it ends like this, it would be unfair, so I will show you my true feelings.”

She suddenly grabbed John by the collar and pulled him towards her, then locked lips with his. Before he could react, her tongues went in and entangled with his. It was a clumsy movement.

“… !”

John’s eyes widened as he came to his senses.

Who would have thought that he would do something like this while he was briefly relaxed and in a daze from drinking?

John pushed Violet away, his lips quickly pressed together and his tongue stuck in.

Then I quickly looked around. Fortunately, it seemed like no one had seen it.

“… What the hell are you doing?”

“I think you wanted to show your sincerity.”

Violet smiled, her lips caressing her eyes with rapt attention.

“Did you know that? That was my first kiss.”

“… … .”

“You know I mean it, right? I like you.”

Violet’s head tilted to the side. Her red hair flowed down in waves.

“I thought about it too. Why do I like you, why am I so drawn to you?”

John furrowed his brow and covered his mouth with his hand. The scent of violets still lingered at the corners of his mouth.

“There is no clear answer, perhaps because the reasons are complicated. Was it just that Prince Lenokhonen was very attractive as the lover of a woman he fell in love with?”

Violet laughed again, walking away.

“I liked everything about his face, his body, and how he thought of his lover to raise his own value. It was enough to make me wish that Yohan’s heart was for me.”

John’s head was hot. It wasn’t because the woman’s confession of love was sweet. It was because he was drunk and in a daze, and even embarrassed.

“Well, do you need a grand reason to fall in love? If you continue to feel good, it will develop into affection. Hehe.”

“… … .”

John sighed deeply and ran a hand through his dark brown hair. His expression was set as stone.

‘What should I do with this?’

My thinking isn’t working very well.

As the intoxication sets in, the fever rises and breathing becomes irregular.

The brain is not receiving enough oxygen and is not replenishing its moisture, so the person feels mentally unstable.

My heart feels heavy with the frustration of having to speak as positively and carefully as possible.

“Hoo… … .”

John exhaled.

‘Let’s think calmly. Even if I come out strong here, Violet won’t be able to spread it.’

The fault lies 100% with Violet. She didn’t hesitate to suggest cheating on her lover. There’s no problem using somewhat extreme language.

Moreover, behind Johan there exists a huge family called the Duke of Perbace.

John spoke honestly, as soon as he remembered.

“Are you really crazy?”

“… Yes?”

Violet blinked her eyes wide open, flustered by John’s aggressive words and actions.

“You casually say you want to cheat on me, and when I say you don’t know why you like me, you surprise kiss me to prove it? Are you serious? Have you lost your mind or something?”

John glared at Violet with both eyes wide open.

“I clenched my teeth and climbed to the top level to become a top-class magician, and I entered this crazy cult, all for Francia. Not for you.”

“… … .”

“If you really want me, tell Francia. She wants her lover so badly, can you give in? I doubt that.”

Violet looked into Johan’s languidly relaxed eyes.

It was secretly sexy and cool, and it made my heart race.

John warned Violet with a cold face.

“There’s a limit to being rude. If you do something crazy like this to me again, it won’t end like this.”

“Yes, yes… … .”

“I am glad that my title is only the third son of a writer. I am going.”

John, who had made a firm threat, slowly moved away from Violet while holding his head.

“Ahh… … .”

Violet felt her whole body tremble as she looked at his back.

‘It’s just my style.’

To be honest, I was confident he would come over. If Violet was sincere, there was no man who didn’t love her, except for Cassis Lenokhonen.

Even more sincere now than when he flirted with Cassis Lenokhonen. He even said something bold on their first kiss, which he had never done before.

But he didn’t come over.

That touched Violet’s heart rather. A man who does not betray his lover despite considerable temptation. Where else in the world can you find a man like that?

Although she had heard a lot of harsh words towards the end, she had already forgotten him a long time ago. She had no intention of harping on it.

“Haa… … .”

An excited Violet recalled John from earlier and let out a ragged breath while simultaneously folding her legs.

Tonight might get dark.

* * *

There was a man and a woman arguing.

“I don’t like it! Why should I be your partner?”

“Because the princess’s only partner betrayed her.”

“Do you have any evidence? John betrayed me? You should joke around a little.”

“There is clear evidence, but I don’t want to show it to you. It might hurt you.”

Francia grumbles and argues. And Cassis blocks her path and responds with a blank expression.

“Francia. Were you here?”

And then John’s voice is heard.

“Ah, John!”

As Francia’s face brightened, Cassis’s body trembled. He turned around and looked at Johan’s face.

“How did you… … .”

Cassis’s eyebrows furrowed.

Whether he muttered or not, Francia smiled and asked.

“Did you drink too much? Your face is bright red.”

“I only had two glasses, but I don’t feel very well. I think it’s strong.”

“Ah, the alcohol served at the party today is stronger… …I didn’t tell you. Sorry.”

Francia’s prickly attitude and sharp gaze gradually softened and became affectionate and warm.

At that time.

“Wow, this is a rare combination. Duke Lenokhonen and Princess Francia. And Harsen Youngsik.”

The Crown Prince and his partner, Rudela Bismark, who were nearby, came out of the lounge.

“See the little sun of the empire.”

“See the little sun of the empire.”

It might be okay in a public office, but here, he must be greeted as the crown prince. That is why everyone present bowed their heads respectfully.

“Don’t be so stiff. Isn’t this a special party? Enjoying it is the priority.”

Fedelian looked at Francia with a smirk.

“Is the princess enjoying the party?”

“It is none of His Highness the Crown Prince’s business.”

“Here too, the roughness remains. Well, that’s part of the charm, I guess.”

Rudela Bismark was quietly listening to their conversation.

I felt uncomfortable as I watched Fedelian right next to me.

‘Was Princess Pervace the woman that His Highness the Crown Prince was deeply in love with?’

Certainly, she is an attractive woman. With her black hair and ruby red eyes, which are not easily seen in the Empire, it is hard to take your eyes off her.

What about her pure looks? Even if you gathered all the nobles of the social party held today, she would crush them.

but.

‘… It’s unpleasant.’

That was no reason to let Rudela’s planned marriage fall through.

“How about it, Princess Pervace? Would you like to make room for me?”

“Excuse me, Princess Pervace is my partner.”

At that moment, a nobleman interrupted Fedelian’s words and entered. Rudella, startled, looked at him with wide eyes. It was unwise to do something that would displease the Crown Prince.

“…Harsen Youngshik.”

“We will go now. I believe His Majesty the Crown Prince, who has a generous heart, will understand.”

He added, pulling Princess Pervace’s shoulder.

“As you can see, they are lovers at the height of their passion.”

The man, known as Harsen Youngsik, bowed his head politely and smiled after the provocation.

Then he passed by Fedelian and Rudela, holding Francia’s hand tightly.

“Haha… … .”

Rudella glanced around and looked at Fedelian, who was laughing in vain. His face had turned cold.

I guess the nobleman’s provocative attitude earlier was irritating.

“… … .”

Rudel thought that Harsen Youngsik was foolish and arrogant for offending Fedelian.

But at the same time, his strong choice moved her heart.

Isn’t it true that you step forward for your partner without hesitation or fear?

Of course, it was undeniable that it was a foolish decision. I, Harsen Youngshik, must have known this fact as well.

However, the reason Rudella looked at him with sympathy was not only because he had stepped forward for his partner.

‘…I wonder if I have someone like that.’

She thought of the family that had treated her like a tool since she was little and that had taken it for granted. They always said,

Your feelings don’t matter.

All that mattered to them was the political interests of the Marquis of Bismarck.

In such a life, she was never truly protected by anyone. But even so, Rudel always had a foolish dream that someone would stand up for her.

‘No matter who the opponent is, someone who will protect me.’

Rudel’s gaze was fixed on the man called Harsen Youngsik and Princess Perbache.

Not only was it not enough to have such a person around him, but he was even jealous of his lover, Princess Perbache.

Deep inside her heart, many complex emotions were jumbled together in a confusing way.

“Lady Bismark?”

“Ah, yes. Your Highness.”

“Let’s go now.”

“Yes.”

Rudel followed Fedelian in a hurry, momentarily forgetting about the crown prince right next to him.

The man called Harsen Youngsik was slowly seeping into her heart.

‘Your name is Johan Harsen, right?’

Rudel wrote his name down in a tattered corner of her heart that no longer existed.

Among the pieces of my crumbling heart, the name of Johan Harsen was engraved.