Episode 149: The Greatest Mage #2
Yohan entered the audience chamber and greeted the emperor with the proper imperial etiquette.
“I pay my respects to the Sun of the Empire.”
Unlike before, he no longer lowered himself by kneeling on one knee. Now, Yohan was considered an equal to the emperor—or perhaps even above him.
The emperor was well aware of this, so he accepted Yohan’s attitude without question.
“Duke Lahart, you have done exceptionally well in this matter.”
The emperor leaned forward slightly and looked at Yohan, who inclined his head in response.
“It is an honor.”
Hearing Yohan’s textbook response, the emperor nodded. He rested his arm on the throne’s armrest and continued speaking.
“However, the imperial family can no longer grant you any further rewards. Neither in title nor in land.”
Yohan agreed with the statement.
The Lahart territory, personally bestowed upon him by the emperor, was vast and fertile—a land the imperial family had kept under its ownership for a reason.
Receiving another territory would only be a burden, especially when the Lahart lands were not yet fully managed.
The same applied to titles. Yohan was already the second duke of the empire, a king in his own right, standing just below the emperor. There was no higher position left to ascend to.
“Therefore—”
The emperor’s expression hardened as he gazed at Yohan. His golden eyes, a unique trait of the imperial family, flickered.
“From now on, the imperial family will support you.”
His expression was one of firm resolution.
“I shall grant you military privileges and economic benefits.”
Economic benefits likely referred to tax and trade advantages, while military privileges meant Yohan would have authority over not only his knight order but also a private army under the Lahart name.
This was a significant development. Having the right to maintain private troops despite not being in a demonic beast-infested region meant that Lahart’s power would only grow stronger.
“And honor.”
The emperor slowly closed and reopened his eyes before continuing.
“The name Yohan will be recorded in the history of the Rozino Empire as a guardian and the continent’s strongest mage. Furthermore, the Lahart family will be recognized as the most honorable house in the empire.”
Honor was like a star—something one could desire but not always obtain. And it was precisely what Yohan needed right now. He had to expand his influence so that no one would dare challenge him.
“Therefore, I shall bestow upon the House of Lahart the title Lahart of Nobility.”
Lahart of Nobility.
It had a pleasant ring to it.
“As Your Majesty’s radiance illuminates the world, may your grace spread boundlessly.”
From this day forward, the word Noble would precede Yohan’s name.
***
As Yohan stepped out of the audience chamber, the soft glow of moonlight bathed the palace corridors.
The still and gentle air enveloped him completely. He liked this feeling.
‘This is comfortable.’
All those insane male protagonists were dead, and there was no one left to target Francia. Moreover, the House of Lahart had grown so powerful that no one could touch it.
Now, at last, he could let his guard down.
Yohan exhaled a breath of relief as he walked—
“…Yohan.”
A woman’s soft voice, damp with emotion, called out from the far end of the corridor leading to the palace’s main entrance.
“Your Highness, the Princess.”
It was Raeliana.
“…I’m truly glad you returned safely.”
She gazed at Yohan with a faint, bittersweet smile. Her golden hair and eyes shimmered under the pale moonlight, exuding an almost chilling beauty.
But at the same time, she looked unwell. Dark shadows lingered beneath her eyes, and her skin, usually flawless, seemed dull and dry. Even her once-lustrous hair lacked its usual shine.
“Perhaps it is thanks to Your Highness’s trust in me.”
Yohan met her gaze and gave a small smile. He needed to reassure Raeliana—he couldn’t let her worry herself sick over him.
“No, it’s you who is amazing, Yohan. All I did was anxiously wait for the results.”
Raeliana carefully averted her gaze and rubbed her wrist.
“The truth is…”
She swallowed hard.
“I couldn’t eat or sleep, afraid that you might disappear from this world.”
She had tossed and turned through sleepless nights. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t fall asleep. She had no appetite. She couldn’t go about her daily life as usual. The fear that she might never see him again sharpened her nerves.
“Even when I slept, you vanished in my dreams. Even when I ate, I couldn’t swallow. No matter where I went or what I did…”
Her eyes turned red.
“There was nothing I could do.”
She clenched her hands tightly.
Yohan silently watched her.
Her feelings weren’t just simple affection.
It was an all-consuming obsession with her first love.
“That was when I realized—I still haven’t sorted out my feelings. That no matter how much time passes, they won’t disappear.”
Raeliana lowered her head. She couldn’t bring herself to look up at him. She was both anxious and terrified of what his response would be. She felt as if he would truly turn away from her now.
“I… I still like you, Yohan.”
Her voice trembled.
A soft, tearful tone.
Yohan wasn’t so dense that he wouldn’t notice Raeliana was crying.
What should he do?
Unconsciously, he slowly raised his hand, intending to brush her golden hair—but then, he hesitated.
Would comforting her like this really be the right choice?
That question made his fingers pause.
He couldn’t accept her feelings. He had no way to reciprocate them.
Then—shouldn’t he cut things off now, before the moment deepened?
Raeliana was a captivating woman. Her chillingly beautiful appearance was undeniable. Her status and background were perfect. Her personality had some flaws, but she was still growing.
Would it be right to hurt someone like her?
If he gave it more time… perhaps he could accept her feelings.
That thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Her expression.
Her eyes.
The way she trembled, the desperation in her voice—
These emotions wouldn’t easily fade away.
“Your Highness.”
Yohan called out to her in a low voice.
Raeliana didn’t lift her head. She couldn’t. She was too afraid to meet his eyes. Afraid that she would be rejected again.
But Yohan continued speaking.
“Most people don’t end up with their first love. Because they’re inexperienced. That’s why, for many, it remains as a cherished memory. Sometimes, that makes it even more beautiful.”
Raeliana’s shoulders trembled slightly. She was struggling to hold back her tears.
“But as time passes, feelings can change. I’m not denying Your Highness’s emotions. I only mean to say… that time is necessary right now.”
Even without looking up, without meeting his gaze, she knew.
Yohan was smiling.
He could have coldly turned her away, but he wouldn’t. Because he had both strength and kindness in his heart.
“Your Highness is still growing. That’s why you need time. Time to sort out your feelings and reflect on yourself.”
Why did his voice sound so steady, so comforting, even in this moment?
Raeliana hated herself for it.
She should let go, but she couldn’t.
She still loved him.
The reasons were complicated, but she didn’t want to think about them. Even if her royal upbringing told her this wasn’t rational, she couldn’t stop herself.
First love was like a poisonous mist.
It was merciless in how it destroyed people.
She was slowly becoming addicted. And by the time she realized it, she was already too far gone.
That was exactly the state Raeliana found herself in now.
Yohan couldn’t escape from this woman.
“So, let’s take some more time to observe. Right now, the possibility of my death has confused Your Highness.”
Raeliana slowly lifted her head.
“Is that… a rejection?”
“For now, it is.”
“For now…?”
Her large eyes blinked, filled with doubt and confusion, as if she couldn’t understand.
“If, even after time passes, your feelings do not fade but instead grow even stronger—”
Raeliana swallowed hard. A mixture of fear and anticipation bloomed inside her. She realized that his answer was not a firm rejection. Clenching her hands, she waited for Yohan to continue.
“In that case, I will come to find you, Your Highness.”
In that moment, a heavy weight dropped into Raeliana’s heart. She parted her lips slightly, not knowing what to say, simply gazing at him intently with her golden eyes.
“Now, you’re finally looking at me properly.”
Yohan smiled gently.
“Just like when you first realized your feelings for me.”
Raeliana felt as if her breath had stopped. Her heart pounded wildly, as if a spell had burst inside her mind. She swallowed her tears and parted her lips.
“Ah…”
A quiet laugh slipped out.
“As expected, I like you, Yohan.”
***
On the way back to the mansion in the carriage.
Yohan lowered his gaze. Outside the window, the landscape quietly scattered into the darkness. The dim glow of the streetlamps flickered past.
He couldn’t help but wonder whether his answer and his choice had truly been the best for Raeliana, whose heart was still growing. His thoughts grew complicated.
He didn’t want her to crumble. And it wasn’t just because he felt uneasy about it. Yohan wanted her to grow stronger and to see the world from a broader perspective.
Honestly, it was unnecessary meddling.
But Yohan wasn’t cold-hearted enough to cruelly push away a woman who had fallen for him so sincerely. If anything, it was because he had started seeing her differently, because he had begun to feel some affection for her.
His eyes, which had been fixed on the passing scenery, wavered slightly.
Was this truly the best choice?
What if she really waited for him?
What if she became even more steadfast?
The thought crossed his mind, but he hoped she wouldn’t foolishly spend her days waiting for him in vain. Surely, there would be someone better for her than him.
“This is complicated.”
Leaning against the carriage, Yohan slowly closed his eyes.
For now, he had postponed things with Raeliana. It wasn’t a problem he needed to think about at this moment.
The wedding with Francia was imminent.
And then there was the northern demonic lair in the Fervache territory.
Once that was taken care of, his role would be complete.
All that remained was deciding what path he would take next.
“Sigh…”
Yohan took a slow breath.
Time would solve everything.