Episode 160: Rudbeckia’s Resolve #5
The faint chirping of birds could be heard beyond the window. Gentle sunlight seeped through the gap in the curtains, warmly illuminating the room.
Rudbeckia slowly opened her eyes as she woke up. However, it was far from a refreshing morning.
“Ugh.”
Not only did her back ache, but her entire body was sore. Even the slightest movement made her feel as if her muscles were about to shatter. A groan escaped her lips as she tried to sit up.
“You’re awake.”
A calm, deep voice reached her ears. Startled, Rudbeckia turned her head. Sitting leisurely by the bedside, Yohan held a teacup in his hand.
“Uh…”
When her eyes met Yohan’s, who was smiling softly, memories of the previous night flooded back—how she had shamelessly moaned and begged for more. Her face flushed hotly, and she quickly averted her gaze.
“Ahem. Good morning…?”
Her tone was strangely awkward. It wasn’t as if this was their first time, yet for some reason, she felt embarrassed.
‘No, this isn’t strange, right…?’
After all, it was the first time she had received genuine love from Yohan, not just simple affection.
“…Was yesterday not good?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You seem uncomfortable.”
“Oh.”
Rudbeckia finally understood what Yohan was getting at.
“Well, it’s not what you’re thinking. I really enjoyed last night. It was so incredible that I don’t think I’ll ever experience such bliss again…”
She glanced away as she spoke, her cheeks tinged red. Had she been too honest? Now, she felt strangely self-conscious.
‘What if he thinks I’m too lustful?’
A sudden worry crossed her mind. She had to be a woman worthy of Yohan…
“I’m relieved, then. I was afraid you might resent me.”
Click.
Yohan carefully placed his teacup down and slowly closed the distance between them. Rudbeckia instinctively flinched.
“W-Wait! Please don’t come any closer…!”
“…Why?”
Yohan blinked in confusion. The atmosphere had been pleasant just moments ago, so her sudden rejection baffled him.
“B-Because if we stay close, we might end up doing it again…?”
Rudbeckia shuddered as last night’s memories replayed in her mind. Of course, she wanted to be with Yohan again, but not right now. Her body simply couldn’t handle it. She was sure she’d break.
“…Was I too rough since it was your first time? I’m sorry.”
Yohan smiled awkwardly. Worried he might misunderstand, Rudbeckia quickly reassured him.
“N-No…!? I really enjoyed it!”
She widened her eyes, emphasizing her words.
“So much that I’d love it if you did it like that every time! That’s how happy I was…! It’s just that my body hurts too much right now. My back feels like it’s about to break…”
It was natural to be sore after a first experience. Although she had been with Yohan in her previous life, it was still technically her first time in this body.
The main reason was tension. First experiences made muscles unconsciously contract too much, making it difficult to relax. That inevitably led to exhaustion.
And Yohan had completely lost control last night. He hadn’t held back at all as he devoured her.
Not that Rudbeckia minded. In fact, she loved it.
“…I was a bit too intense last night, wasn’t I?”
“Yes. I even blacked out in the middle.”
“You passed out a few times, actually.”
Yohan chuckled. They had been together six times in total. After the third time, Rudbeckia had succumbed to overwhelming pleasure and lost consciousness.
“Do you usually go this far with others?”
“I usually stop after three rounds. But last night… you were too enticing, and I lost control.”
“Oh?”
That meant he had been far more excited with her than with anyone else, even more than with Francia Fervache and Rudella Bismarck! Rudbeckia nodded in satisfaction.
“Hmph. Since it was because you like me too much, I’ll forgive you this time.”
“Thanks for that.”
Yohan let out a small laugh and slowly moved closer, positioning himself beside Rudbeckia.
“I’ll give you a massage.”
“…A massage?”
Rudbeckia half-opened her eyes, suspicion evident in her gaze.
“This much should be fine, right?”
“Hmm…”
She wasn’t naïve enough to trust that easily. He’d probably start touching her here and there, and before she knew it, they’d end up doing it again…
“Rudbeckia, I’m not some sex-crazed monster.”
Yohan chuckled lightly at the blatant doubt on her face.
“…Alright, I’ll trust you.”
“Good choice. Just relax.”
Rudbeckia closed her eyes and let her body go slack. Yohan gently ran his fingers over her thighs.
“Mmnh.”
With her eyes shut, his touch felt even more distinct. Was she the one who actually wanted a sensual atmosphere? Her face was already heating up.
Swish… swish…
Yohan’s hands kneaded her soft skin gently. From the concentrated look on his face, it seemed like he genuinely intended to give her a proper massage.
“Hmm…”
Rudbeckia subtly parted her legs. The smooth expanse of her bare skin caught Yohan’s gaze.
“…”
Yohan forced himself to clear his mind, struggling to suppress his desires. Last night had been her first time—he shouldn’t push her too hard.
When he didn’t react, Rudbeckia decided to provoke him further. She shifted slightly, allowing her cleavage to become visible. At the same time, she loosened the strings of her garment just enough to expose more of her pale skin.
The visual temptation was intense. His heart pounded wildly. To regain control of himself, Yohan asked her a question.
“By the way, can I ask about yesterday?”
“What about it?”
Rudbeckia tilted her head in confusion.
“…Your fertile period.”
“Oh.”
He was asking about the possibility of pregnancy.
It wouldn’t be a problem if she got pregnant. The cleansing of the demonic lairs was nearly complete, and all that remained was returning to the Lahart territory. That was why he hadn’t used contraception with Francia either.
However, if Rudbeckia got pregnant before Francia, that would cause trouble. Especially since Rudella had already conceived first, and Francia had been waiting impatiently for her turn.
Rudbeckia’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
“Well, who knows? What do you think?”
“…Don’t joke about this.”
“Hehe.”
Her deepening smile made Yohan’s heart thump. He needed to hold onto his reason, but with pleasure clouding his mind, his judgment was slipping.
“Hehe, why do you think I invited you to my house yesterday?”
“…Because you simply wanted to spend time with me?”
“No way. Well, that was part of it, but I had a goal in mind.”
Rudbeckia grinned sweetly.
“I was in my fertile period.”
“…”
“The peak of my fertility, in fact.”
“…”
Yohan slowly closed his eyes. This was why men needed to be careful. He had completely lost his senses in the heat of the moment.
Rudbeckia playfully brushed her toes against Yohan’s thigh.
“Whether it’s once or twice more, I don’t think it makes much difference… Maybe you should just do as you please?”
It was a subtle provocation. And she was right. There was no doubt she was already pregnant. He had released inside her six times on the most fertile day of her cycle.
“Damn it.”
“Eek?!”
Thud!
Yohan pinned Rudbeckia beneath him.
“Rudbeckia, you’re the one who seduced me.”
“Hehe.”
She smiled softly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
***
Lahart Imperial Capital Mansion.
Cold air lingered in the dining room.
But it wasn’t just because of the weather—winter was coming to an end, after all.
The real reason was—
“You stayed out last night without saying a word.”
Francia was clearly upset. Yohan focused on moving his utensils, feeling her icy gaze on him. He had nothing to say.
“And on top of that, you didn’t return in the morning but in the evening.”
Yohan was guilty as charged. Not only had he spent the night with his concubine without informing his official wife, but he had also failed to return until the following evening. He knew exactly how serious this was.
So, he said nothing.
“Did you have fun?”
Francia asked with a smile. But it wasn’t a real smile.
“…I have no excuse. I’m sorry, Francia.”
At this point, there was nothing to do but apologize.
“Well, I’m not angry at you. If she’s your lover now, she has the right to be loved. But I can’t deny I’m disappointed.”
And she had every right to be. She had accepted polygamy, overlooked countless mistakes, and still stood by him.
“So, where did you do it?”
“…”
“Did you finish inside?”
“…Yes.”
His sins were growing heavier by the second.
“Hmph… You must have really lost yourself in her.”
Francia nodded to herself a few times before setting down her utensils. There was still food left on her plate. She was always a light eater, but today, she had eaten even less than usual.
“That woman was probably in her fertile period. That’s why she seduced you. Hah, so she made her move, huh?”
Francia’s eyes narrowed, her crimson pupils darkening ominously. That cunning fox—she hadn’t expected her to play her hand so soon.
“In any case, don’t expect to sleep tonight.”
“I figured as much. Hahaha…”
Yohan forced out a laugh.
Honestly, he was already exhausted. He had done it multiple times with Rudbeckia. And now Francia was suggesting more? But he didn’t dare say that aloud. Her wrath would be terrifying.
“But soon, we’ll be heading north.”
Francia changed the subject to ease the tense atmosphere. Yohan nodded.
“Yes. How is the Duke’s health?”
“He’s doing well. No lingering side effects at all.”
“That’s a relief. I was quite worried.”
“Haha, it’s all thanks to you, Yohan.”
Those wretched men were all dead. There were no more obstacles in their way. Francia could feel the end approaching.
All that remained was to purify the demonic lairs of the north. After that, they could return to Lahart’s territory and live in peace.
“Thank you, Yohan. Let’s give it our all for this last mission in the north.”
***
A Snowy Mountain in the North.
Every time a beast prowled through the area, the snow beneath its feet let out a sharp crunch. But the harsh, biting cold here did not suit such gentle sounds.
Deep within the mountain lay a cave, where the chill seeped into one’s very bones. The space was heavy with thick, dark mana, and in its depths, an ancient figure sat in the shadows.
It was the form of an old woman.
Slowly, she smiled meaningfully.
You’re coming, Obsidian Saintess.
The crone, seated on the ice, rose to her feet and wandered slowly through the cave.
You must not be the only one to claim everything through regression.
Her blue eyes glowed eerily.
“Obsidian Saintess… Did you think you would claim it all? No. Just like me, you will lose everything…”