ALL NOVEL Chapter 19
Violet is a beauty who can be said to have the best appearance in social circles.
With an alluring yet strangely seductive look, and a flawless figure.
Even her voice seems to cling to your ears in a sticky manner.
Not quite as captivating as Fransia, but any man would inevitably fall for her beauty.
However, upon hearing Violet’s whispers, one thought lingered in Johan’s mind.
‘Is she insane?’
He thought it was a jealousy ploy by a woman to catch Cassis’s attention, but it turned out she was after him.
‘I don’t know what she’s thinking…’
There was no way he would fall for her tricks. He didn’t want to betray Fransia either.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Johan steadied his gaze and let the words slip. Finally, as he turned away to leave, Violet tugged at his collar.
“Are you really going to leave just like this? You might never get another chance like this again.”
“Yes. I’m leaving. If my shoe is broken, call a servant to handle it.”
“Really? Am I the only person you can sneak away with?”
This woman is quite persistent. Johan let out a deep sigh and met her gaze.
“I have no interest in you. I’m not some hormonally-charged mutt, you know.”
“……”
Violet’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Johan. They held a gaze that was impossible to decipher. Johan locked eyes with her momentarily, then hardened his expression and spoke.
“To be honest, I don’t understand why you’re interested in me, Violet. If it were pure intentions, I might think it was unfortunate and move on, but your feelings aren’t pure, are they?”
At the very least, if I knew why someone liked me, I wouldn’t be so on guard.
There’s nothing as pure as falling for someone.
However, Violet’s feelings—something was off there. It felt like there was an ulterior motive.
“Hmph. What if I’m showing you kindness with a truly pure heart?”
“…That makes even less sense. There’s no reason for that.”
Johan continued.
“You’re using me as a means to an end. Kindness born from a pure heart aims at the essence, not at using someone as a tool.”
In relationships, intent and means are crucial. Someone who sees people as mere tools will only end up like Crown Prince Fedelian.
“Violet, you’re targeting me for some goal. Am I wrong?”
“Hmph……”
Violet smiled enigmatically, her eyes revealing nothing.
“I get what you’re saying. You think my feelings aren’t sincere, right? If they were sincere, would you join me in cheating?”
“That’s not it.”
“Really? Still, it feels unfair if this just ends. I’ll show you my true feelings.”
Suddenly, she grabbed Johan by the collar and pressed her lips against his. Before he could react, her tongue intertwined with his awkwardly.
“…!”
Johan’s eyes widened in shock. To think this would happen while someone was tipsy!
He quickly pushed her away from the kiss. Then he scanned the surroundings. Thankfully, it seemed no one had seen.
“…What the hell are you doing?”
“I thought you wanted to see my sincerity.”
Violet laughed while toying with her own lips, a dreamy look in her eyes.
“Did you know? That was my first kiss.”
“……”
“You must understand that my feelings are sincere, right? I like you.”
Violet tilted her head. Her red hair cascaded down effortlessly.
“I’ve thought about it too. Why do I like you? Why am I so drawn to you?”
Johan frowned as he covered his mouth. Violet’s lingering scent was still around.
“There’s no clear answer, perhaps because complicated reasons are intertwined. It’s just… the eldest son of the Lenokhnen Duke is quite charming.”
Violet chuckled softly again.
“Her face, her body, thinking of her lover while elevating her worth. Everything appealed to me so much that I wished your feelings were for me.”
Johan felt his temper rising. It wasn’t that this woman’s confession of love was sweet. It was her drunkenness mixed with panic that made it overwhelming.
“Well, do you really need grand reasons to fall in love? When feelings develop, it could lead to romance. Heh.”
“……”
Johan sighed deeply as he swept his dark brown hair back. His expression was as hard as stone.
‘What do I do about this?’
His mind was racing. With the alcohol coursing through him, he felt heated, and his breaths were uneven.
He was struggling to find the words and feeling overwhelmed.
“Phew…”
Johan exhaled.
‘Let’s think calmly. Even if I come on strong here, Violet won’t be able to spread it around.’
The blame lies 100% on Violet. She was the one who brazenly suggested cheating on her partner. Using somewhat harsh expressions shouldn’t be a problem.
Besides, behind Johan was the formidable Ferbache Duke House.
With that in mind, Johan spoke frankly.
“Are you seriously crazy?”
“…What?”
Violet blinked in shock at Johan’s confrontational words.
“You casually suggest cheating and then wonder why I don’t understand your feelings? A surprise kiss? Is that real? Have you lost your mind?”
Johan glared at Violet, jabbing his finger at her.
“I became an archmage with tremendous effort and stepped into this insane social circle for Fransia, not for you.”
“……”
“If you really want me, tell Fransia. Ask if she can let you have me, because I can’t see that happening.”
Violet looked at Johan’s dazed eyes. There was something oddly sexy and cool about them, making her heart race.
With an icy expression, Johan warned her.
“Be careful; there’s a limit to rudeness. If you do something like this again, it won’t end the same way.”
“Yes, yes…”
“Consider yourself lucky that my title is merely the third son of a viscount. I’m leaving.”
Having given her a stern warning, Johan slowly moved away, clutching his head.
“Aah…”
Violet felt shivers wash over her as she watched his retreating back.
‘He’s exactly my type.’
Honestly, she had been confident that he would come to her. If Violet showed her true feelings, there would be no man who wouldn’t fall for her except for Cassis Lenokhnen.
In fact, she felt more genuine right now than when she had thrown advances at Cassis Lenokhnen. Her first kiss, combined with bold words, had been a daring step she had not taken before.
But he didn’t reciprocate.
That only stirred Violet’s heart deeper. A man who would not betray his lover despite such significant temptation—where else could she find someone like him?
Although she had heard many harsh words in the end, she had long since forgotten those. She had no intention of dwelling on it.
“Haah…”
The excited Violet recalled Johan from earlier and let out a ragged breath as she brought her legs together.
Tonight might stretch out longer than she thought.
*
There were a man and a woman in the midst of a heated argument.
“I don’t want to! Why should I be your partner?”
“Because the princess’s one and only partner betrayed her.”
“Do you have any evidence? Johan betrayed me? That’s a joke!”
“There is clear evidence, but it wouldn’t be good to show it to you. It could hurt you.”
Fransia protested hotly. And blocking her way, Cassis responded with a blank expression.
“Fransia. You were here?”
Just then, Johan’s voice rang out.
“Oh, Johan!”
As Fransia’s face lit up, Cassis’s body twitched. He turned around to face Johan.
“How did you…?”
Cassis’s brow furrowed.
Whether he mumbled or not, Fransia smiled and asked.
“Did you drink too much? Your face is all red.”
“I only had two drinks, but I’m not feeling well. It seems the alcohol is strong.”
“Oh, the drinks at today’s party are indeed strong… I forgot to mention that. I’m sorry.”
Fransia’s prickly attitude and sharp gaze had softened, turning warm and gentle.
At that moment.
“Oh, what a rare combination. Duke Lenokhnen, Princess Fransia, and Young-Sik Harsen.”
The Crown Prince and his partner, Rudella Bismarck, emerged from the lounge.
“Greetings to the Empire’s little sun.”
“Greetings to the Empire’s little sun.”
If it were a public official event, one might not know, but here, they had to greet him as the Crown Prince. Thus, everyone present bowed respectfully.
“Don’t be so stiff. It’s a party after all. Enjoying is what matters.”
Fedelian grinned as he looked at Fransia.
“Are you enjoying the party, Princess?”
“It’s none of your concern, Your Highness.”
“You’re still prickly. Though, that’s part of your charm.”
Listening quietly to their conversation, Rudella Bismarck felt displeasure as she watched Fedelian’s demeanor.
‘So, the Ferbache princess is the woman who has the Crown Prince smitten.’
She was undeniably an attractive woman. With hair as dark as night and ruby-like red eyes, it was impossible to look away.
But how pure was her appearance? Even if you gathered the top nobles of today’s social gathering, she would overshadow them all.
However,
‘…it’s unpleasant.’
That wasn’t a valid reason to ruin Rudella’s planned marriage.
“How about it, Princess Ferbache? Shall we share a seat?”
“Excuse me, but the Princess Ferbache is my partner.”
Just then, a noble interrupted Fedelian’s speech, catching Rudella by surprise and widening her eyes. It was unwise behavior to cross the Crown Prince.
“…Young-Sik Harsen.”
“We’ll be leaving now. I believe the Crown Prince, with his generous heart, will understand.”
He added, pulling Princess Ferbache’s shoulder along.
“As you can see, we’re in the heat of passion as lovers.”
The man, referred to as Young-Sik Harsen, smirked and bowed politely after his provocation.
Then he firmly gripped Fransia’s hand and passed by Fedelian and Rudella.
“Haha…”
Rudella glanced away, stifling a laugh as she observed Fedelian’s cold expression.
He must have been annoyed by the noble’s provocation earlier.
“……”
Rudella thought Young-Sik Harsen was foolish and arrogant for crossing Fedelian’s mood.
Yet at the same time, his bold choice stirred something deep within her.
He didn’t hesitate or fear stepping up for his partner, did he?
Of course, it was an unwise decision. Surely, the Young-Sik Harsen was aware of that fact too.
However, Rudella felt drawn to him not solely because he stood up for his partner.
‘…Do I have someone like that?’
Her mind drifted to the family that had treated her like an object since childhood and had normalized that treatment. They always said.
“Your emotions are not important.”
What mattered to them was only the political gain of the Bismarck House.
In that life, she had never truly been protected by anyone. Yet still, Rudella had this foolish dream that someone would step forward for her.
‘Regardless of who it is, just someone to protect me.’
Rudella’s gaze fixed on the man called Young-Sik Harsen and Princess Ferbache.
Not only did she have someone like that around her, but she also envied Princess Ferbache, who was not just a lover but also held that position.
Deep inside her heart, a whirlwind of complex emotions swirled chaotically.
“Lady Bismarck?”
“Oh, yes. Your Highness.”
“Let’s be off.”
“Yes.”
Rudella hurriedly followed Fedelian. She had momentarily forgotten the Crown Prince beside her.
In her heart, the man called Young-Sik Harsen was slowly seeping in.
“Was it Johan Harsen?”
Rudella inscribed his name on one corner of her heart that no longer existed, now crumbling.
Amidst the fragments of her breaking heart, Johan Harsen’s name was etched deep.