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After finishing work as a Public Affairs Officer, on the way back to the Ferbache Royal Mansion.

Inside the carriage, Fransia, occupying the seat next to Johan, leaned her face on his shoulder and sighed.

“I can’t believe I won’t see you for a whole week starting tomorrow because of my mission…”

Her drooping eyelids looked quite pitiful. Johan chuckled lightly and ruffled Fransia’s hair.

“A week goes by quickly.”

“But still…”

Fransia puffed her cheeks and held Johan’s face with both hands, meeting his gaze.

“I’m not the only one feeling sad, right?”

“Of course not. I don’t want to be apart from you either.”

“Then can I go with you?”

“I’m the only one designated for this mission, so I don’t think that can happen.”

“Ugh…”

With her eyes downcast, her shoulders slumped too. Yet her lips were pouted, clearly reflecting her feelings.

Johan spoke in a low voice.

“Actually, it might be quite dangerous. It’s better for me to go alone. Sanburgh is an enemy state, and who knows what the Crown Prince might do.”

The fact that the Crown Prince had his eyes on Fransia was well-known in high society. It was something Fransia naturally knew too.

But she had Johan as her lover. The Crown Prince’s jealousy was the perfect trigger for trouble, especially when crossing the border into enemy territory.

“But I’m sure nothing major will happen. Lady Bismarck is going as the envoy to Sanburgh.”

Fransia tilted her head.

“Lady Bismarck? The Crown Prince’s fiancée? She’s the envoy?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Johan continued as he watched Fransia, who was stroking her chin and narrowing her eyes.

“With Lady Bismarck there, the Crown Prince won’t try anything. After all, she’s someone who needs to maintain the Crown Prince’s standing.”

Currently, the head of what could be called the Crown Prince’s faction among the nobles was the Bismarck family. Since her family was of great assistance to the Crown Prince, they wouldn’t want to cut ties.

If the Crown Prince were to eliminate both Rudella Bismarck and Johan at the same time, that would be a true level of idiocy. Or simply thinking with his lower half.

“You don’t need to worry too much.”

Johan smiled brightly.

Fransia squinted her eyes and poked Johan’s cheek.

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to seduce Rudella Bismarck too?”

“…Seduce? What are you talking about?”

Johan frowned and tilted his head, genuinely confused by what Fransia was saying.

“You charmingly captivated the first-class wizard from Ratalen, didn’t you? That woman seemed ready to devour you with her eyes burning bright.”

“I didn’t intend to…”

“Socializing is one thing, but you always seem to be wrapped in magic that attracts women, so you need to be careful.”

“…”

“Lady Violet Ratalen, she was enchanted by your smile and just fell for you, didn’t she? Make sure Lady Bismarck doesn’t end up like that.”

Johan awkwardly smiled.

“Surely, someone engaged to the Crown Prince wouldn’t look at someone else.”

“You never know. Lady Ratalen used to adore the Duke of Lenokhnen but fell for you.”

“Hmm? How did you know Lady Ratalen had feelings for the Duke of Lenokhnen?”

Fransia’s eyes widened in surprise, and she waved her hands frantically.

“Th-They’re famous in high society!”

“…Is that so?”

Johan felt an unusual doubt but didn’t pry further since his memory was hazy.

“Anyway, you should be careful with women. You have this innate charm that naturally captivates young ladies. Do you know how hard it was keeping Lady Ratalen away from you?”

Fransia’s serious gaze seemed sincere, unlike a jest.

“…I’ll be careful.”

“Hehe, good.”

Johan deemed it unlikely, but he responded affirmatively for the time being.

Could Rudella Bismarck really take an interest in him like Violet Ratalen? The chances were zero, she was solely devoted to the Crown Prince.

Of course, that didn’t mean she truly loved him.

‘It’s a bad example of gaslighting.’

Having been decided from childhood to be the Crown Prince’s partner, she underwent training to become empress, with lessons on having feelings for him.

Her heart was somehow twisted.

“I always love this time.”

Fransia, resting her face on Johan’s shoulder, smiled brightly.

“I want to leisurely head home with you after work, arrive at the mansion, and share a meal while facing each other. I wish every moment could be like this.”

“Me too. I like peaceful times.”

“Exactly. I hope everything settles down quickly, so I can live quietly with you in the Ferbache Mansion.”

Fransia’s crimson eyes dulled slightly as if her determination had solidified.

“But good things can’t happen all the time, right?”

“…”

“I’ll work hard. So I can be with you.”

What she meant by “working hard” was unclear, but Johan nodded and embraced her shoulder.

“It’ll all work out somehow. Whatever it is.”

As Johan made a soft chuckle, Fransia raised her mouth corners, leaning against him.

“I need to recharge my Johan power since I won’t see you for a week.”

“Do as you wish.”

As they met each other’s eyes and exchanged smiles, the time left before Johan had to head for his mission was short.

*

The next day. Johan entered the Imperial Palace, not as a Public Affairs Officer, but to escort Rudella Bismarck.

He had to start alongside her since he would be her guardian from the Imperial Palace.

“Oh my.”

“Wow…”

Upon entering the palace, the aristocratic servants covered their mouths with their hands and couldn’t take their eyes off Johan.

It wasn’t burdensome or annoying; he was used to it by now.

Anyway.

As they crossed through the royal halls and arrived at the reception room where Rudella Bismarck awaited, a family knight lowered his head slightly.

“Miss, Harsen Archmage has arrived.”

– Right.

Rudella Bismarck promptly emerged from the reception room.

Her black empire dress fluttered elegantly, complementing her snowy white hair. Even the veil of her black hat couldn’t hide her beauty.

“Pleasure to meet you, Harsen Archmage.”

Her clear, sky-like eyes looked up at Johan.

“It’s an honor. I am Johan, the Second Public Affairs Officer and Harsen Archmage.”

Johan gently took Rudella’s outstretched hand and kissed the back of it.

“I’ll depend on you until we return to the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes.”

Johan naturally followed Rudella, who stepped ahead. Several knights accompanied them, all giving off strong mana blade vibes, equivalent to first-class knights.

“Have you heard about the mission’s details?”

With a flick, Rudella opened her black fan and inquired, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight.

“I understand that Lady Bismarck’s mission is to escort during her return from Sanburgh.”

“That’s right. Your role now is to ensure my safety.”

Clop.

As Rudella descended the palace stairs, she suddenly stopped and turned to face Johan. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, but her expression was unreadable.

“If something happens during the mission, can you protect me?”

“Of course. That’s the job, and what I must do.”

“…I see.”

Rudella, nodding, showed no change in expression. But maybe her lips curled up slightly, though it might have been an illusion.

“The road to Sanburgh is quite rough since it’s not paved. I hope you’ll bear with me, even if it gets tiring.”

“I understand, but are you alright, Lady Bismarck?”

“What do you mean?”

“I was concerned you might get tired.”

“Hmm.”

With a flick, the black fan was closed again. Rudella tilted her head slightly as if in thought, then began walking and finally spoke.

“This is the role entrusted to me, and it’s my duty, so it is something I must endure. Isn’t that what you just said? It’s both your mission and your responsibility.”

The implication was clear: once given a task, one must not complain and take responsibility for it.

“…Understood.”

“That’s how it is.”

Clop.

Her steps ceased before a splendid carriage adorned with the imperial insignia awaited. Behind it, a baggage cart filled with gifts from the empire for Sanburgh awaited.

“Let’s go.”

Johan naturally took Rudella’s hand as she stepped up into the carriage, assisting her. Escorting her safely inside, Johan turned to mount his horse again.

“Where are you going?”

Rudella called Johan to a halt.

“I’m going to ride my horse.”

“Get in the carriage. Your horse isn’t prepared.”

“Was this planned from the start?”

“That’s right. You will move with me in the carriage.”

Johan was perplexed, but he nodded and climbed into the carriage. It was fine since there were not just knights but also detection-type wizards among the escorts.

“We’re setting off!”

Clatter. The carriage wheels started rolling. Rudella, sitting with her legs crossed, proudly raised her head, revealing her pale shins.

“I know we’re not strangers.”

“That’s right. We met at a social party.”

“I see.”

The corners of Rudella’s mouth subtly turned up.

“Would you share your story with me? I’ve always been curious about you, like what kind of person would dare cross the Crown Prince’s temper.”

At the social party, Johan had indeed angered the Crown Prince while intoxicated, stepping in to take Fransia out.

“I don’t have anything particularly special to share. I was merely acting to protect my lover at that time.”

“Weren’t you afraid?”

“If I was too afraid of the Crown Prince’s glaring presence, I wouldn’t have become the lover of Princess Ferbache.”

“Hmm.”

Rudella, covering her mouth with her black fan, nodded slowly. A faint smile seemed to linger at the corners of her lips.

“I hear you graduated from Logino Academy.”

“That’s right. I majored in social studies.”

“You had a senior that I knew.”

Rudella Bismarck was twenty years old, the same age as Fransia but one year younger than Johan. Though they attended the same academy, they couldn’t have much intersection due to different years.

“There’s no special connection between us.”

“I wish I could see you more often. If I ever need your escort or if something special arises, I’ll be sure to call upon you.”

“Is that for public or private reasons?”

When Johan asked, Rudella tilted her head slightly and blinked slowly.

“Hmm. It could be seen as both. While I don’t harbor any special feelings for you, I feel a peculiar familiarity and comfort, so whether for public or private reasons, I will say I’ll always call on you.”

“…Is that so?”

Though she didn’t express it outwardly, Johan was fairly confused. She was quite different from how he had known Rudella Bismarck.

It wasn’t just about her personality or way of speaking.

‘Why is she interested in me?’

Other than the Crown Prince and boosting her family’s standing, she seemed uninterested.

It was also the first real conversation between them.

Perhaps the impression he had left at the social party was more profound than he thought?

He couldn’t figure it out.

“Do share your story. Small happenings from the Academy or tales from your childhood would be good.”

Rudella gazed at Johan, waiting for his response.

“…Alright.”

On their way to Sanburgh, Johan began sharing trivial stories from his past that even Fransia didn’t know.

*

As Johan and Rudella’s carriage just left the Royal Capital, shadowy figures clad in black robes stealthily trailed the carriage.

They stayed just out of detection range, close enough to follow directly.

The leading shadow spoke.

“The opponent is an Archmage capable of close combat. We should avoid any commotion that might leave evidence and handle them perfectly without conflict.”

The shadows all nodded in agreement.

Despite it being bright daytime, no one could see their forms.

“The operation will commence just before the carriage crosses the border into Sanburgh. We plan to blow up the bridge, so prepare yourselves.”

The shadowy figures followed closely behind the carriage.