Episode 151: Clearing Things Up
In front of the Lahart Imperial Capital Estate.
Standing before the front gate, Rudbeckia found herself fidgeting anxiously, biting her lip slightly.
She blinked repeatedly, lifted her heels only to lower them again—unconsciously displaying her unease. Her heart pounded in her chest.
After all, she had come without any prior notice.
It was an impolite thing to do. But she couldn’t hold back—she wanted to see Yohan. And she also needed to apologize for how things had turned out.
Of course, it wasn’t certain that the sudden actions of the Tower Master were because of Rudbeckia.
However, the moment she regressed, there was a high likelihood that Yohan had regained his memories as well. After all, the mana she used to return had been imbued with the Tower Master’s magic.
“Phew…”
Rudbeckia let out a deep sigh.
Though worries flooded her mind, she had no intention of turning back now.
She hadn’t seen Yohan for days. She didn’t want to leave empty-handed after coming all this way.
‘Alright, Rudbeckia.’
She needed to be brave.
After all, they say fortune favors the bold. That saying wasn’t just for men—women, too, had to seize their chances.
With that thought, Rudbeckia took a step forward. As she approached the front gate, the guards recognized her face and nodded.
“Young Lady Freeche, have you come to see His Grace?”
“Yes. Is the Duke inside?”
“Yes, I will inform him right away.”
One of the guards quickly entered the estate.
Moments later, he returned to the gate and spoke.
“You may enter.”
“Thank you.”
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Rudbeckia stepped forward, making her way inside the estate.
The head butler greeted her with a warm smile.
“His Grace is waiting for you in the drawing room.”
Guided by the butler, she entered the drawing room, where Yohan was seated on a sofa, waiting.
“Rudbeckia.”
“…It’s good to see you, Minister. Are you hurt anywhere?”
Conscious of the butler still present in the room, Rudbeckia addressed Yohan formally as “Minister.”
Only after the butler left and they were alone did her tense expression relax slightly.
“I’m fine. I have no injuries, and I’m in good health.”
“Phew, I’m relieved.”
Finally, she exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over her. Then, she quietly offered her apology.
“First… I want to apologize.”
Yohan tilted his head in confusion.
“For what?”
“For… everything that happened.”
Her fingertips trembled. She felt unbearably guilty. It was no different from causing harm due to her own selfishness.
“I can’t explain everything in detail… but the Tower Master’s actions were likely because of me. I wanted to apologize for that. I’m truly sorry…”
Yohan blinked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’m sorry. I just… can’t explain it in detail…”
If only she could tell him everything.
But that was impossible. She couldn’t ignore the warning from the Celestial mage written in the regression magic book.
She had no idea what consequences would follow.
Perhaps she might even be forced back to the past.
Yohan chuckled softly.
“Well, I’d like to say that I’m fine. And no matter what you did, the decision was ultimately made by the Tower Master. The culprit is clear—why should you be the one apologizing?”
Even after hearing his reassurance, Rudbeckia lowered her head, unable to shake off her guilt.
She couldn’t bring herself to feel at ease. The weight of her remorse refused to fade.
“I’m sorry…”
“That’s enough of that now.”
Yohan gently stroked the handle of his teacup.
“So, you’ve come by unexpectedly today.”
“Well… I just wanted to see you…”
“I figured as much.”
Yohan chuckled lightly as he lifted his teacup. Sitting with his legs crossed, he looked straight at Rudbeckia.
“Hm. Since I can’t keep making you wait every time something happens, I think it’s about time you moved into the Lahart estate.”
Rudbeckia’s eyes widened in shock. Her pupils wavered slightly.
“W-What? You mean… move into the Lahart estate?”
“That’s right. Do you not want to?”
“N-No, it’s not that…!”
She struggled to shake off the countless thoughts flooding her mind and barely managed to respond.
“Isn’t there… a proper sequence for things like this?”
She and Yohan were not in a romantic relationship—she was fully aware of that. But now, he was suggesting that she move in? It felt way too fast.
“I thought you’d want to move in right away.”
“Well… I do want to…”
“Then there’s no issue, is there? What’s the problem?”
“B-But we’re not even officially together yet…”
Her delicate fingers fidgeted nervously, intertwining with one another.
Click.
Yohan set his teacup down and stroked his chin.
“Speaking of that… When exactly are you planning to give me that final confession? I’ve been waiting.”
She had expressed her feelings several times before, but Rudbeckia had promised to confess to Yohan properly. She had made it clear that it wouldn’t count otherwise.
Flustered, she blushed and lowered her head awkwardly.
“W-Well… the atmosphere and timing are important, you know?”
“Is that so? Hmm, at this rate, I might lose interest while waiting.”
“That’s—!”
Rudbeckia’s face crumbled as if the sky were falling. Seeing her expression, Yohan couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Do you not like me after all?”
“…Of course I do. Way more than you probably think.”
“Then I’d say moving in would be a good idea.”
Rudbeckia seriously pondered over it. Wouldn’t moving in give her more opportunities? She furrowed her brows and rubbed her chin in thought.
Her face showed deep contemplation.
Yohan smirked as he watched her. She was fun to tease. Of course, his suggestion wasn’t made in jest.
“I-I’ll think about it…”
“Is that so? What a shame.”
Checking his pocket watch, Yohan asked,
“Well, let’s set that aside for now. Have you eaten yet?”
“No… I haven’t had anything since morning.”
“Then perfect. I was just about to have lunch.”
Yohan smiled gently and looked at Rudbeckia.
“Let’s head to the dining hall. It should be ready by now.”
“Yes…!”
***
Under the golden chandelier, a marble dining table was lavishly adorned with intricate silverware and an opulent feast. Crystal glasses shimmered under the light, and attendants moved silently, tending to their duties.
Clink.
The soft sound of silverware filled the room.
An awkward silence loomed over the dining hall.
Amidst it all—
Rudbeckia sat still without saying a word, feeling as though she didn’t belong. It was as if her chair were covered in thorns.
She had already met Francia Fervache before, so that was fine. But Rudella Bismarck was also here.
Rudella’s piercing gaze was terrifying and suffocating.
Those sharp sky-blue eyes looked as if they could see right through a person.
Before her regression, Rudella Bismarck had been the very embodiment of fear among the nobility. Any aristocrat who so much as hinted at rebellion against the imperial family was immediately purged.
So Rudbeckia had no idea how to handle her.
It was their first meeting after her regression, after all.
Yohan was well aware that Rudbeckia felt uncomfortable in this situation. However, it was necessary. It would be troublesome if conflicts arose later.
Clink.
As sharp gazes were exchanged and assessments were completed to some extent, Rudella carefully set down her silverware and asked. She had already finished her appetizer.
“Yohan, is this the woman you mentioned before?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm…”
Rudella’s calm gaze flickered toward Rudbeckia. It was impossible to tell whether her expression was friendly or hostile.
‘I feel like I’m going to choke…’
Rudbeckia felt breathless. It would be much easier if Rudella would make her stance clear—whether she was being friendly or antagonistic. But Rudella Bismarck’s thoughts remained unreadable.
In the meantime, Francia nodded slightly.
“Then, I suppose you will soon be living in the same residence.”
“That seems likely.”
Of course, Francia and Rudella had already accepted Rudbeckia. Yohan had discussed it with them in advance, consulting them about his concerns. Neither of them had any intention of rejecting her.
Francia, in particular, had been helping Rudbeckia from the beginning.
“…It may seem strange for me to say this, and I do feel somewhat apologetic, but I sincerely hope that we can all get along.”
Yohan spoke softly.
“Things may have gotten a little complicated unintentionally, but since we have all decided to live together, it is important to show consideration and respect for each other.”
Then, lowering his head slightly, he continued,
“I will always do my best, so I hope that our relationships do not deteriorate.”
It was up to the women to sort out their order, but ensuring that conflicts did not arise was his responsibility. No matter how their relationships had come to be, he was still their husband.
“Don’t worry, Yohan. There will be no fighting.”
“Indeed. Yohan promised to love us all equally, so there is nothing to be concerned about.”
“I-I… As long as Yohan looks at me, I’ll be fine.”
The three women smiled awkwardly, trying to reassure Yohan.
However—
“…”
“…”
“…”
Despite their words, the way they looked at each other was subtly sharp.
‘Who will be the second to bear Yohan’s child?’
‘The first spot is impossible, but I must be the second.’
‘I have to claim the second position no matter what.’
All of them were thinking the same thing.
Francia assumed that Rudella, having already conceived Yohan’s first child, held the first position. On the other hand, Rudella believed that as the legal wife, Francia was the true first wife, and thus, she needed to secure the second position.
Rudbeckia also thought that Rudella was first, so she aimed for the second spot. While she was in an alliance with Francia in other matters, this was something she had to be clear about.
However, in this race, Rudbeckia was at a disadvantage. Unlike the other two, she had neither deepened her relationship with Yohan nor shared an intimate bond with him.
Of course, before her regression, they had shared many moments together. But that was in the past. Now that everything had changed, it no longer held any real meaning.
‘I’m the most disadvantaged right now, so I have to find a way to get closer to Yohan.’
Rudbeckia fiddled with her fingers and cautiously raised her gaze. Despite feeling as though her insides were burning with nerves, she carefully managed her expression.
Even so, she had confidence. She knew most of Yohan’s likes and dislikes. If the atmosphere ripened, she was certain she could make him desire her.
As for Rudella—
‘There’s no point in being wary of them. I just need to make Yohan love me more.’
She glanced subtly at Francia and Rudbeckia. The two of them were strong competitors. Even in Rudella’s own eyes, they were incredibly attractive women.
That meant she had to be more proactive and ensure that Yohan desired her the most.
And Francia—
‘Yohan said I was his first, but in reality, the first is Lady Rudella. To secure the second position, I need to conceive a child before anyone else.’
With a determined smile, she narrowed her eyes. Right now, the one to be wary of was not Rudella, but Rudbeckia. Though she may not have shared a deep love with Yohan before, she had spent five years married to him. She undoubtedly knew Yohan’s heart well.
Rudbeckia, Rudella, and Francia.
As the three women’s gazes intertwined, an invisible spark crackled between them.
The dining table became suffocating.
A battlefield tangled with emotions and desires.
“…Let’s eat.”
Forcing himself, Yohan picked up his silverware.