episode_0056

The soft light of the chandelier seeped into the restaurant like the glow of dawn.

The light was beautiful, but on the other hand, it felt cold.

The silence felt on the surface of the clean, cool, shining marble floor made the stillness even thicker.

Even as the palace servants came and went quietly, preparing the meal, a sense of calm and dignity remained.

Lariana held her breath, rubbing her fingertips. Normally, she would not have come to the palace, but she came here because of her promise with the Emperor.

“Lariana.”

The Emperor’s words broke the suffocating silence. Lariana quietly raised her head and answered.

“Please speak.”

She always sought freedom and hated a rigid atmosphere, but she was different when she was with the Emperor.

The reason Lariana can freely roam the world and live as she pleases is because of the emperor before her.

“Do you know the name Johan Harsen?”

“Yes. You can’t not know him. Isn’t he the most famous person in the empire right now?”

Of course, Lariana had heard the news too.

The news that Johan Harsen had closed the den began in the civil service, spread to the nobles, reached the ears of the servants, and spread through the streets.

Because the repair of the cracks in the cave was such a miraculous and unprecedented event, many people could not help but be interested.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but if the Harsen Special Wizard’s ability is not a coincidence, and if he can really close the den, then the imperial family should possess it.”

The Emperor’s words meant only one thing: that he should be accepted as a member of the royal family. Lariana immediately understood why she had been called to this position.

“I heard you were in love with Princess Pervace.”

“Yes. It’s famous for being special.”

“But we’re not engaged yet.”

His golden eyes shone coldly. His gaze was filled with the arrogance and authority characteristic of royalty.

“If the Harsen Special Wizard repairs the rift in the cave this time, he will proceed with your engagement before your engagement with Princess Perbache proceeds.”

It was an engagement personally presided over by the Emperor, who was like the heavens of the empire. The other party was even of royal blood. There was no room for refusal.

Of course, the fact that Perbace was one of the four great families known as the best in the empire could have been a variable. However, as long as the emperor pushed for it, it was not something that could not be achieved.

“Can you do it?”

“Yes. I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Lariana slowly closed her eyes and nodded.

“There is more to say.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After that, the meal continued in suffocating silence.

The only sounds in the restaurant were the light clinking of dishes and muffled breathing.

A daughter and father sat across from each other, but there was only cold silence filling the table.

After finishing the meal, Lariana politely said goodbye and got up first.

Crunch. Crunch.

Sharp shoes trampled the moon reflected in the hallway.

As she walked down the palace corridors, soft moonlight streaming through the windows, Lariana’s face became deeply sunken and cold.

…Actually, she didn’t like the fact that it was like this with him.

Even if they were to propose marriage, it would not have been because he was attracted by her charms, but because he had succumbed to the pressure of the Emperor.

I thought I had finally found a man who was perfect for me in terms of ability, looks, and personality… but I never thought it would end up like this.

In fact, it was no different from being forced into an engagement. He would probably never open his heart again, because he had to break up with his lover under the pressure of authority.

However, I could not complain to the Emperor. For a royal family like Lariana, his will was the will of heaven.

“You don’t look like you’re in a good mood.”

At that moment, a young woman hidden in the shadows spoke. It was a familiar voice, but it was not welcome.

“Brother.”

Because the owner of that voice was Fedelian Rosino.

As the successor was clearly decided, Lariana and him were not on bad terms, but that did not mean they were on good terms either.

Because Lariana intentionally avoided him.

She really hated the Crown Prince’s two-facedness and hypocrisy, his two-faced, two-faced mask.

But… there was no need to show it in front of him.

“What are you doing this late at night?”

Lariana smiled awkwardly and tilted her head slightly, her golden hair falling gently over her shoulders.

“His Majesty seems to be very interested in your marriage with Johan Harsen.”

One corner of Pedelian’s mouth went up. To Lariana, it seemed like a smile that indicated he wanted something.

“Where did you hear that?”

“There are many eyes and ears in the palace.”

There was only one feeling I got from him. Discomfort. I don’t know what he wanted, but it wasn’t pleasant.

“As far as I know, Lariana. You seem to like Johan Harsen very much. To the point where you invite him to tea time on royal duties.”

Fedelian, with his arms crossed, lifted his chin stiffly.

“Yes. I like Johan Harsen. If you offer me a marriage with him, I will gladly accept it.”

Lariana nodded with a small smile.

“I’ll help you.”

“…Your brother?”

She narrowed her eyes and met Fedelian’s gaze, her suspicion of him clearly evident.

Even though Fedelian felt those gazes, he smiled softly as if nothing had happened.

“Yes. Even if it is impossible to close the cave and His Majesty pretends that it never happened, I will give you the strength to have Johan Harsen.”

“Hmm…”

An engagement that had the support of both the Emperor and the Crown Prince was bound to be a good thing for Lariana, who wanted Johan.

However… I couldn’t understand why Fedelian was helping me with my engagement.

Just as family? No, it’s not. There’s no way Fedelian would help without a reason.

‘If I can benefit from being connected to Johan Harsen…’

With her eyes slightly open, Lariana was able to quickly arrive at the answer.

“Aha? Do you want Princess Perbache, Lord?”

It was Francia Perbache.

It was well known in high society that Crown Prince Fedelian was after her. Many people had witnessed his one-sided courtship.

I had almost forgotten about it because it was a rumor that had gone under the surface.

“Yeah.”

“Ugh…”

The corners of Lariana’s mouth twitched. In fact, Princess Pervace was a headache for her as well. She was clearly stealing the man from her side.

But what if Johan Harsen and Princess Pervace had fallen out for their own gain? There would be no need to fight with the four great families, and they would have gotten everything they wanted.

“Okay. Let’s do that. My brother has Princess Pervace, and I have Johan Harsen.”

Lariana nodded with a bright smile. She didn’t like Fedelian, but there was no reason to refuse when the benefits were clear.

“Okay. Then I’ll prepare it.”

“What?”

“Engagement ceremony.”

Fedelian continued.

“Their engagement ceremony is just around the corner. Before that time comes, we have to strike first.”

That was true. If Princess Pervace’s engagement were to come to fruition, things would get quite complicated.

“Okay, then I’ll leave that part to you.”

“Can you convince Johan Harsen?”

“Of course. Who am I?”

A smile appeared on both of their lips.

* * *

Immediately after the audience, John returned from the palace to the Perbace mansion.

“John…!”

As I got out of the carriage, Francia ran up to me and greeted me.

“Why are you out in this cold weather?”

“I’m worried about John…”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No, I just got out.”

“I don’t think so?”

John stroked Francia’s cheek, where the tip of her nose had turned red. Her skin, which had always been warm and soft, was now as cold as ice.

“Your face is cold.”

“This much is okay.”

“It’s okay. Let’s hurry and go in.”

“Yes.”

I entered the mansion with Francia and headed to my room. I lit a fire in the fireplace and sat down, and she got straight to the point.

“What happened?”

“The imperial edict has come down.”

John continued speaking.

“I’m going to go to the Ekarsi County as soon as I’m ready after getting my body warmed up a bit. I’m going to close the cave.”

If you really close the cave this time, many things will change. You won’t just be a special magician, you’ll be the hope of the empire.

“Are you going with the civil servants?”

“Yes.”

“Phew. Then I’ll go too.”

Francia smiled bashfully as she felt the heat from the fireplace.

“This time, it doesn’t seem that dangerous. Since the first and second officers are going to the same cave.”

The power of the second civil servant alone is enough to manage several caves without any problems.

However, if a first-class public servant with a lot of experience and excellent fighting skills also went with them, it was not dangerous at all unless a bunch of special-class demons came out.

“So I’m not really worried. I just… wonder if I can actually close the cave.”

John said with concern. It wouldn’t really matter if I failed, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

Because that’s how the human mind is.

“You can close it. John is more special than anyone else.”

But Francia smiled and assured. It was an answer that went beyond simple trust, it was a response filled with conviction.

“Haha…”

At her words, John just laughed awkwardly.

“Please take a rest! You must be tired, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Lie down! I’ll put you to sleep today.”

Francia, who had been warming herself by the fireplace, got up from her chair and headed to the bed.

“Come here.”

She patted the bed with her hand, spreading out the fluffy bedding.

“Hmm…”

John smiled meaningfully. Francia flinched and threw her head back.

“What, what is it…?”

“What do you mean?”

“You smiled sinisterly.”

“Well?”

The corners of his lips went up playfully. His eyes were mischievous, but there was affection for Francia inside.

“I wonder if you’re really just sleeping.”

“Um…!”

Francia, whose face suddenly turned red, gently pushed Johan’s chest.

“Oh, you shouldn’t do that now…! You’re tired.”

She glared, but one side of her lip curled upward. She couldn’t hide her smile, even though she was embarrassed.

“Is Francia okay?”

“I’m okay.”

“Really?”

“Really…”

Francia blushed and turned away. Johan smiled naturally and hugged her as he lay down on the bed.

Francia relaxed her body and fell into John’s arms.

“There’s not much time left until the engagement.”

“Yes. I just need to get through this winter.”

John and Francia wanted to hurry up and get engaged, but the Duke of Perbace’s circumstances forced them to wait for a while.

Because there were so many things that had to be taken care of first, such as managing food and resources, eliminating demons, and checking borders with other countries, due to the seasonal nature of winter.

However, it was impossible to proceed with the engagement without Duke Perbace.

Francia is the only daughter of the Duke, and since it is something to be celebrated, there must be festivals and banquets…

There were things that could only be done if there was some work involved.

“Haha, if we officially get engaged, Yohan will completely become my man.”

“Francia is officially becoming my woman.”

“That’s right.”

Francia, who smiled bashfully, dug deeper into Johan’s arms.

“I wish that day would come soon.”

There were still many who tried to separate the two, and there was a constant stream of women who kept eyeing John.

Francia didn’t care at all.

As long as ‘she’ doesn’t come through time like him, John’s heart won’t waver.