ALL NOVEL Chapter 10
Johan slowly opened his eyes. The sunlight streaming through the window was warm and dazzling.
“Ugh.”
Still in a daze, he turned his head to the side and saw Fransia sound asleep.
‘…I accidentally drank more than what I planned last night.’
Since he had just reached his limit, he wasn’t hungover, but his whole body ached.
‘It’s always a mess when I drink.’
Though he would usually lose half his mind and act on impulse, he remembered the sweet night he had spent with Fransia clearly.
As soon as they entered the hotel room, he held her close, laid her on the bed, tossed his clothes aside, and took everything from Fransia.
She did ask for a break halfway, saying she was tired, but Johan, with only half his reason intact, ignored her pleas.
As a result.
“Ugh…”
Even as lunch time approached, Fransia was still asleep. Given how deeply she slept, it seemed she had really exerted herself.
‘… I guess I should hold back a bit.’
It seemed he had overdone it just because it was a holiday.
‘Shall I try to gather my wits?’
Johan entered the bathroom to wash himself off lightly and, looking in the mercury-coated mirror, combed his disheveled hair.
Swish—
As he finished tidying up and stepped out, Fransia, with her eyes almost shut, started to wake up.
“Did you wake up?”
“Yes…”
Fransia’s neck was covered in red bite marks. They were the marks Johan had made throughout the night.
Feeling awkward, Johan quietly poured water into a cup and handed it to her.
“You must be thirsty, drink this.”
“Aah. Thank you, Johan.”
Fransia, still slightly disheveled, smiled and drained the cup in one go. It seemed her throat was dry from the moaning she couldn’t stop through the night.
Johan asked, “Do you have any plans for today, since it’s a day off?”
“Uh, plans…? Not really…”
Fransia grinned mischievously as she exclaimed, “Just spending the whole day with Johan, perhaps?”
“Sounds like we have the same plan,” he replied.
“Hoho… Haaah.”
She giggled but suddenly let out a yawn. Her voice was slurred, as if she was still half asleep.
“If you’re tired, you can sleep more.”
“Nooo… I have to get up…”
With her eyes half-closed, she struggled out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Seeing her clutching her waist and staggering, a pang of guilt surged through him.
“Should I help you?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a bit creaky.”
Disheveled Fransia looked at Johan and flashed a bright smile before entering the bathroom.
Click.
Once her figure vanished from sight, Johan recalled what had happened the previous night.
‘Getting bold while drunk, huh.’
He had firmly gripped the Crown Prince’s hand while shaking it. A signal. Don’t touch Fransia.
If that observant guy noticed, he must have picked up on it.
At that moment, Fedelian had smoothly transitioned through without issue, but he’d surely be carrying some feelings about it.
‘I don’t regret it.’
On the contrary, it felt like the right move. The Crown Prince’s priority must have shifted from Fransia to himself now.
‘If that guy’s going to stir up trouble…’
The dungeon reconnaissance in a few days. That would be the perfect opportunity for Fedelian. After all, it’d be a prime time to take down even an Archmage without any fuss.
‘Better tackle the schemes head-on.’
If he managed to slip out of the traps set by Fedelian and hinted he knew who was behind it, even the Crown Prince wouldn’t be able to act easily.
He’d turn those schemes against him.
‘Even just placing some restraints should make it easier to handle Kasys or Rudella.’
As Johan shaped his plans, wearing a serious expression and stroking his chin, the bathroom door swung open. Steam billowed as Fransia stepped out.
She adjusted her slightly askew white robe and tilted her head.
“Is something wrong? You look serious.”
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about what to have for lunch today.”
“Hmm, is that so? Johan also has such simple thoughts.”
Fransia let out a chuckle and sat down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
“I was so happy being filled with Johan yesterday.”
“So was I.”
“Well, it can’t be helped.”
Although she showed a cold and sharp demeanor to others, she revealed her softer side only to Johan.
Fransia asked, “What shall we do for the meal?”
“Since it might be uncomfortable for you to walk, it’d be better to eat at the hotel.”
“Hmm. I like that thoughtful side of yours. You gain extra points for that.”
As she smiled, Johan immediately reached for the summoning magic tool beside the bed.
“In that case, I’ll order right away.”
“Yes.”
She was soaking in joy, wondering if she even deserved to enjoy such a happy everyday life.
*
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
A woman walked down a corridor that seemed heavy and steeped in silence.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
Her footsteps carried no hesitation or fear. With a cold expression, she crossed the corridor toward a certain room.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
Under the dim light of the moon filtering through, the sound of her heels echoed coldly.
Her flowing white hair resembled the softly shining moonlight, and her greenish, shimmering eyes were like the moon rising clearly in the night sky.
Clack!
An arched door opened wide, revealing a luxurious room. She stepped boldly inside and pulled back the duvet from the bed.
On the bed lay a man and a woman entangled in each other, naked.
“…Rudella?”
The man frowned and glared at her, startled from his sleep.
“Crown Prince, did you enjoy your entertainment?”
The woman—Rudella Bismarck—alternated her cold gaze between the Crown Prince Fedelian Rojino and the woman next to him.
“Hii, hiii…!”
The woman lying on Fedelian’s arm quickly started gathering her clothes, fright clear in her eyes.
“….”
Rudella Bismarck watched the woman in silence. Her glare was cold, filled with disdain. The woman’s hands moved faster in panic.
“I-I’m sorry!”
The woman hurriedly fled, and Rudella opened her crimson-stained lips.
“Are you not tired of this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you genuinely not understand what I’m saying?”
“I have no clue what you mean.”
“I’m talking about welcoming another woman into your quarters.”
The blue eyes flickered. The reflections of the moonlight held no emotions whatsoever.
“Haha, I was wondering what you were saying. Was that it?”
Fedelian flipped his hair and nodded.
“Isn’t it because you rejected me? It’s not solely my fault.”
A grinding noise echoed as Rudella clenched her teeth, but Fedelian, unperturbed, leaned casually against the headboard of the bed.
“So, what did you come to see me for today?”
“I heard you gathered the mage practitioners.”
Fedelian tilted his head, puzzled.
“Why is that?”
“Do you truly not know?”
Rudella silently swallowed a sigh and continued.
“…Crown Prince, you must keep your distance from the mage practitioners. You are meant to be the Emperor who will rule this great empire, after all.”
“Ah, spare me the lectures.”
Her lips curled in annoyance at his apathetic attitude.
He continued.
“Do you know why I dislike you? It’s because you are so rigid. As my fiancée, you refuse to spend the night with me due to chastity, and you nitpick at everything I do.”
Having said that, Fedelian shook his head in disgust.
“If you continue like this, even someone like me would grow tired of you. Who would like a woman with such a stiff personality?”
His sharp words pierced her heart like a dagger.
“Well, I can at least overlook your looks.”
Rudella Bismarck unconsciously bit her lips, her fists clenched tight. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.
“…Crown Prince.”
“Ah, enough.”
Fedelian waved his hand dismissively.
“If you’re just going to keep lecturing me, I won’t listen. Give up and leave.”
The blue eyes had cooled down. Rudella Bismarck, the Crown Prince’s fiancée—who was to be the future Empress—took a deep breath and lowered her head quietly.
“…I hope you safely return from today’s dungeon reconnaissance.”
With those words, she exited the room.
In the moonlit corridor, a deep sigh echoed.
*
The next morning.
At the training ground, knights and soldiers gathered to check their weapons.
At a glance, it seemed like a peaceful scene, but their faces were tense.
“Everyone, pay attention!”
At that moment, the Crown Prince—Fedelian—stood on the central dais and shouted loudly.
“Today is the usual dungeon reconnaissance mission! It’s time to work for the rights of our empire and its people!”
The eyes of the knights and soldiers fixed on him.
“The mission is dangerous and could cost you your lives, but you are the brave knights and soldiers of the empire! Do not be afraid! I, Crown Prince Fedelian Rojino, will protect you!”
He drew his sword and held it high. The hilt glinted golden in the sunlight, and the light at the blade’s tip resembled a supernova.
“Waaaah!!”
“Long live the Crown Prince!”
Fedelian went on.
“You will survive! You will see your families again! You will return to your cozy homes! Are you all ready?”
The spirits of the knights and soldiers soared with his speech, and they shouted back excitedly.
“Yes!!”
Fedelian grinned.
“Prepare for departure!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the knights and soldiers began to move in a disciplined manner. Their previously stiff faces were now relaxed.
‘…He can give such a speech, huh.’
While Johan, who had finished his preparations ahead of time, waited for Fransia, he had a serious expression.
‘So he’s not just a foolish prince.’
In the story, he seemed just like a madman obsessed with Fransia, but apparently he wasn’t a complete scoundrel in public.
‘Well, he must have skills as an Arch Knight too.’
Just then, someone tapped Johan gently on the back.
“Hehe, it’s me!”
It was Fransia. She smiled brightly and met Johan’s gaze.
“Are you all set?”
“Yes. I’ve packed my gear and potions.”
Johan turned his attention to her supply bag. It didn’t hold too much, but the knights would protect them, so it should be enough.
“By the way, it’s unfortunate we’re in different units. Is it because I’m an Archmage?”
“That must be it. There’s no need for two Archmages in the same unit.”
In fact, the Crown Prince’s feelings probably played a role.
While it was reasonable not to place two Archmages in the same unit, that didn’t justify completely flipping the unit’s direction.
“Oh, speaking of which, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Be careful of Duke Kasys Lenokhnen.”
Fransia’s eyes narrowed.
“…Why is that?”
“I’ve heard some bad rumors.”
“Rumors about him being a battlefield demon?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm…”
She looked momentarily puzzled, but since it was Johan saying it, she nodded.
“Okay. I’ll be careful.”
“Good.”
Johan smiled warmly and glanced ahead. The dungeon reconnaissance was about to begin.
“……”
Fransia watched his back, lost in thought.
‘How did he know that Kasys Lenokhnen was dangerous?’
Of course, he had that notorious reputation for being ruthless.
But was that the only reason to warn her? No, Johan doesn’t seem like the type to believe just any rumor.
Fransia formed a hypothesis.
‘…Could it be that he faintly remembers his lost past?’