Chapter Nineteen: Is this woman crazy?
---
Violet was a beauty who could be called one of the finest in high society.
With an alluring yet mysteriously seductive appearance and a flawless figure, Even her voice clung to the ears like honey.
Though not quite on par with Francia, she was still a woman no man could resist.
But the only thought that lingered in Yohan's mind after hearing her whispers was:
'Is she insane?'
At first, he thought it was just a jealous woman's ploy to grab Cassis's attention, but it turned out she was targeting him.
'I don't know what she's thinking…'
Still, he had no intention of falling for her tricks. He didn't want to betray Francia either.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Yohan dismissed her words, his gaze steady, before turning away and standing up. However, Violet grabbed his sleeve.
"Are you really leaving just like this? You might not get another chance like this again."
"Yes, I'm leaving. If your shoe is broken, call a servant to handle it."
"Are you serious? You're the only one I can have a secret affair with, Yohan."
This woman was relentless. Yohan let out a deep sigh and met Violet's gaze.
"I'm not interested in you. I'm not some lustful dog with his brain in his pants."
"…"
Violet's eyes narrowed as she stared at Yohan. Her thoughts were unreadable. Meeting her gaze, Yohan's expression hardened, and he spoke.
"To be honest, Violet, I don't understand why you're interested in me. If it were pure feelings, I'd let it pass with pity, but your feelings aren't pure, are they?"
At the very least, if he understood why she liked him, he wouldn't have been so wary.
Liking someone or falling for someone is one of the purest feelings there is.
However, Violet's feelings—something was off. It felt like there was a purpose behind them.
"What if I'm truly showing you pure affection?"
"…That makes even less sense. There's no reason for it."
Yohan continued.
"You're using me as a means to an end. Genuine affection seeks the person as an end, not as a means."
In relationships, the distinction between purpose and means is crucial. Anyone who views people as tools ends up like Crown Prince Fedelian.
"Violet, you're targeting me for some purpose. Am I wrong?"
"Hmm…"
Violet smiled enigmatically. Her eyes didn't reflect her smile.
"I get what you're saying. You think my feelings aren't sincere, right? If they were, would you have an affair with me?"
"No, that's not it."
"Still, if it ends like this, it would be unfair. Let me show you my sincerity."
Without warning, she grabbed Yohan by the collar and pulled him into a kiss. Before he could react, her tongue slipped into his mouth intertwining with his in a clumsy but aggressive motion.
"…!"
Yohan's eyes widened in shock.
Taking advantage of his momentary lapse, while his senses were dulled by alcohol, she had pulled this stunt. Yohan quickly shoved Violet away, breaking the kiss.
He glanced around frantically. Thankfully, it seemed no one had seen them.
"…What the hell are you doing?"
"You said you wanted proof of my sincerity."
Violet laughed softly, her eyes gleaming with ecstasy as she touched her lips.
"Did you know? That was my first kiss just now."
"…"
"Now you know my feelings are sincere, don't you? I like you, Yohan."
Violet tilted her head, her crimson hair cascading like a waterfall.
"I've thought about it too. Why do I like you? Why am I so drawn to you?"
Yohan furrowed his brows and covered his mouth with a hand. Violet's scent still lingered on his lips.
"It's hard to pinpoint a clear reason, but perhaps it's because you're so attractive—exactly like the kind of lover a woman like Francia would have,"
she said with a soft laugh.
"Your face, your body, your loyalty to elevate your lover's worth—everything about you. I wanted all of that devotion to be for me instead."
Yohan felt heat rush to his head. It wasn't because her confession was sweet. He was dizzy from the alcohol and flustered by the situation.
"Does love really need some grand reason? When attraction deepens, doesn't it simply grow into affection?" she said, chuckling softly.
"…"
Yohan let out a deep sigh, brushing his dark brown hair back. His face was stony.
'What am I supposed to do with this?'
His thoughts were clouded.
The alcohol was making him lightheaded, his breath was uneven, and his body felt overheated.
He couldn't think clearly, his brain deprived of oxygen and hydration. Even his chest felt tight with the pressure to respond carefully and appropriately.
"Haa…"
Yohan exhaled slowly.
'Stay calm. Even if I come on strong here, Violet won't spread rumors.'
The fault lay entirely with Violet. She had suggested cheating on his lover without hesitation. Using somewhat aggressive language wouldn't be a problem in this situation.
Moreover, Yohan was backed by the powerful Fervache duchy.
Yohan spoke bluntly, saying whatever came to mind.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"…Excuse me?"
Violet blinked repeatedly, her eyes wide with surprise at Yohan's aggressive tone.
"You casually suggest cheating on my partner, claim you like me without even knowing why, and then kiss me without warning to prove your so-called sincerity? You call that genuine? Are you insane?"
Yohan glared at Violet, pointing a finger at her.
"Everything I've done—the blood, sweat, and tears I've shed to reach the pinnacle and become an special-class mage, the reason I even set foot in this crazy social circle—was for Francia. Not for you."
"…"
"If you're really so desperate to have me, go talk to Francia. Tell her you're dying to have her lover and ask if she's willing to step aside for you. Not that it would ever happen."
Violet gazed at Yohan's hazy eyes, which were softened slightly by his tipsy state. Oddly, they made her heart race—he was sexy and captivating in that moment.
But Yohan, his face now icy cold, gave Violet a harsh warning.
"Even shamelessness has its limits. Try pulling a stunt like this again, and I won't let it slide as easily as I did this time."
"Y-yes…"
"Be grateful my title is merely the third son of a viscount. I'm leaving now."
With that final, stern remark, Yohan pressed a hand to his head and slowly walked away from Violet.
"…Ah."
Watching him leave, Violet felt her entire body tremble.
'He's exactly my type.'
To be honest, she had been confident she could win him over. When Violet put her heart into it, no man could resist her charms—aside from Cassis Lenokhohnen.
Even with Cassis, she had never been as sincere as she was now. Today, she had gone so far as to give her first kiss and utter daring words she'd never said before.
Yet, Yohan had not succumbed.
Instead of frustrating her, it only inflamed her feelings. A man who refused to betray his lover despite the temptation—where else could she find someone like that?
Though his final words had been harsh, Violet wasn't one to hold grudges. She had already let them go.
"Haah…"
Thinking of Yohan, Violet exhaled heavily, closing her legs as she trembled with excitement.
It seemed like tonight might be a long one.
***
Elsewhere, a heated argument was unfolding between a man and a woman.
"I said no! Why do I have to partner with you?"
"Because your only partner has betrayed you, Lady Francia."
"Do you have proof? Yohan betrayed me? Don't joke about things like that!"
"There is clear evidence, but showing it to you might be…unwise. It could hurt you."
Francia, bristling with anger, glared at Cassis, who blocked her way with an indifferent expression.
"Francia, is this where you've been?"
At that moment, Yohan's voice broke through.
"Ah, Yohan!"
Francia's face lit up, while Cassis flinched, his body trembling slightly. Turning around, he looked at Yohan's face.
"How are you…?"
Cassis's brows furrowed.
Unbothered by Cassis's muttering, Francia smiled brightly and asked, "Did you drink too much? Your face is so red."
"I only had two glasses, but I don't feel well. It seems the alcohol was stronger than expected."
"Oh, I should've warned you. The drinks at this party have a much higher alcohol content. I'm sorry."
Francia's sharp tone and wary eyes softened into a warm, caring gaze.
It was then that another voice rang out.
"Well, this is an interesting group—Lord Lenokhohnen, Lady Francia, and young Lord Harsen."
Crown Prince Fedelian appeared with his partner, Rudella Bismarck, emerging from a nearby lounge.
"I greet the rising sun of the Empire."
"I greet the little sun of the Empire."
In formal settings, the prince had to be addressed with utmost respect, and so everyone present bowed politely.
"There's no need to be so formal," Fedelian said with a grin. "It's a party. You should enjoy yourselves."
Then, his eyes fell on Francia.
"Are you enjoying the party, Lady Francia?"
"That is hardly your concern, Your Highness."
"You're as prickly as ever. Though I suppose that's part of your charm."
Standing silently beside him, Rudella Bismarck glanced at Fedelian with a look of displeasure.
'So, the Lady of Fervache is the one His Highness is so infatuated with.'
She was certainly a captivating woman. Her jet-black hair and ruby-red eyes, so rare in the Empire, made it nearly impossible to look away.
And what about her physical appearance? Even if all the prominent nobles of today's social party were gathered, she would outshine them without effort.
Still.
'…How unpleasant.'
That did not justify the disruption of Rudella's carefully planned marriage.
"How about it, Lady Fervache? Shall we spend some time together?"
"Pardon me, but Lady Fervache is my partner," interrupted a nobleman, cutting off Fedelian mid-sentence.
Startled, Rudella widened her eyes as she glanced at the man. To interrupt the Crown Prince was not a wise move.
"…Lord Harsen," Fedelian muttered.
"We'll be taking our leave. I trust the magnanimous Crown Prince will understand," said the nobleman as he pulled Lady Fervache closer by the shoulder.
"As you can see, we're a passionate couple."
The man, called Lord Harsen, added this provocation with a smirk and a polite bow before taking Francia's hand firmly and walking past Fedelian and Rudella.
"Ha…"
Rudella turned her gaze slightly to observe Fedelian, who let out a dry chuckle. His face had turned cold.
It must have been the man's insolence that grated on his nerves.
"…"
Watching Lord Harsen openly provoke the Crown Prince, Rudella thought him foolish and arrogant.
Yet, at the same time, she couldn't help but admire his boldness. He hadn't hesitated or shown fear in stepping forward for his partner.
Of course, it was an unwise decision—there was no denying that. Surely even Lord Harsen knew it.
But Rudella's growing interest in him wasn't solely because he had defended his partner.
'…Do I have anyone like that?'
Her thoughts wandered to her own family, who had treated her as little more than a tool since childhood, deeming her feelings irrelevant.
To them, only the political benefits of the Bismarck marquisate mattered.
In such a life, Rudella had never truly been protected by anyone. Yet deep down, she had always held on to the foolish dream that someone would stand up for her.
'Someone who will protect me, no matter who they are.'
Her gaze fixed on Lord Harsen and Lady Fervache as they walked away. She envied Lady Fervache—not only for having such a person by her side but for being in love with him as well.
Deep within Rudella's heart, a whirlwind of emotions churned, leaving her confused.
"Lady Bismarck?"
"Oh, yes, Your Highness."
"Shall we leave as well?"
"Yes."
Hurriedly, Rudella followed Fedelian. For a moment, she had forgotten about the Crown Prince walking beside her.
Her thoughts were consumed by the man called Lord Harsen, who was slowly seeping into her heart.
'Yohan Harsen, was it?'
In the tattered remnants of her broken heart, she etched his name.
Amidst the crumbling pieces of her emotions, the name Yohan Harsen became engraved.