Episode 170: Wedding Preparations #2
The long-awaited wedding preparations were finally complete.
The ceremony was set to take place at the Lahart Ducal Estate.
Now that Francia had completed her government service, all that remained was to hold the wedding.
But before that, there was a conversation that needed to happen.
“Yohan? What is the meaning of this?”
“Hmm, looks like another competitor has appeared.”
“Playboy…”
At the dining hall of the Lahart estate.
With silverware and dishes laid out before them, Francia, Rudella, and Rudbeckia all looked at Yohan with clear disapproval. Sitting between them, stiff and anxious, was Eris.
“Eris confessed her feelings to me, and I did not dislike the sincerity she showed.”
Facing their sharp gazes, Yohan attempted to push through with sheer audacity.
“And so… I asked her to be my fourth wife.”
The moment he said those words, the eyes of the three women turned noticeably colder. A chill ran down Yohan’s spine, making him break into a cold sweat.
Gulp.
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.
This situation was different from when he had accepted Rudbeckia. Back then, he had consulted with the other two in advance.
“…It feels like the love I should receive is being divided more and more. Yohan, can you truly love me the same way as before? Now that there are four of us?”
Francia spoke, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Four does seem difficult. If no one is to feel neglected, you’ll have to divide your time carefully.”
Rudella agreed.
“I… don’t mind…? If it’s Yohan, he’ll make time for us somehow.”
Rudbeckia withdrew from the battlefield.
“Hmm.”
“Ugh…”
Francia and Rudella both let out low sighs.
But at this point, it was too late to undo what had already happened with Eris.
“I promise. No one will feel left out—I will give equal love to each of you.”
Taking a deep breath, Yohan hardened his expression.
“So please… trust me.”
Francia furrowed her brows, resting her chin on her hand as if deep in thought.
Then, Rudella spoke.
“If our husband asks us to trust him, we should. That is what a wife does. I will trust you, Yohan.”
Her sky-blue eyes curved into a soft arc. She wouldn’t deny that she felt a tinge of regret, but as his wife, she chose to respect Yohan’s decision. After all, she herself had once been a concubine.
“…I’ll agree as well. If Yohan is willing to say that, then I believe him.”
Francia, too, eventually relented.
“But… you do understand that she can’t have a child before I do, right?”
However, agreement and compromise were two different things. Her sharp gaze bore into Yohan, tightening around his conscience like a noose.
“I understand…”
Yohan, knowing he had no room to argue, quietly lowered his head.
“Then that’s fine.”
With the conversation settled, Yohan let out a sigh of relief. At least he had gained the approval of his fiancées.
“But… are you all really okay with not having a wedding ceremony? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Francia asked.
Rudella, Rudbeckia, and Eris had all decided not to hold a wedding. They were concerned that it might become a burden for Yohan.
“I’m fine with it, Lady Francia. A wedding is indeed a precious moment, but if my name is mentioned, people won’t look kindly upon Yohan.”
Rudella shook her head. She was the daughter of the Bismarck family, which had been a leading house in the Crown Prince’s faction. Though time had passed, public opinion was still unfavorable toward them.
The remnants of the Crown Prince’s faction were still in a precarious state.
“…I’m fine with it as well.”
“I have no objections either.”
Rudbeckia and Eris had little desire for an extravagant wedding.
Of course, saying they didn’t want one at all would be a lie, but they were more concerned about how the public would perceive Yohan.
“Let’s not overthink this. Let’s have a group wedding,” Yohan suggested.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I believe everyone should have this experience. And why should we care about public opinion? As long as we’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
He smiled lightly.
Naturally, the public’s reaction wouldn’t be favorable. But it would only be temporary.
What did anyone stand to gain by opposing Lahart, the newly rising grand duke of the East?
‘Father-in-law is going to curse me out for this…’
Yohan wanted to give his lovers the experience of a wedding. And it wasn’t impossible.
After all, Lahart was now the most powerful noble in the empire.
“If that’s what Yohan wants…”
“I’ll follow your decision.”
“I’d like to have a wedding too.”
The three women nodded simultaneously.
Yohan turned to Francia and asked,
“Francia, would it be all right to proceed with a group wedding?”
“I’d prefer it that way too. We’re going to be one family now, after all.”
With her agreement secured, all that remained was the ceremony itself.
***
Yohan listened to the butler’s report. The man was a seasoned veteran who had even served in the imperial palace.
“The imperial descendants of Rozino, key figures, and a significant number of distinguished guests from foreign nations are all attending. Many have traveled long distances, so some have arrived early.”
The butler continued,
“Normally, the esteemed guests would stay at hotels within the territory, but there are no hotels in Lahart’s domain that can accommodate them.”
Yohan tilted his head slightly.
“So that’s why all the guest rooms were full.”
“Yes, but there’s no issue. The Lahart ducal estate was built on a grand scale.”
Even compared to the imperial palace, the ducal estate was not lacking. There were enough guest rooms to house dozens of people comfortably.
“I see. The food and banquet preparations are being handled by the administration, correct?”
“Yes, everything is proceeding smoothly.”
“Then I’ll leave it to them.”
Yohan nodded, concluding the conversation. The butler bowed respectfully before leaving the office.
“Haa…”
Left alone, Yohan gazed out the window and let out a deep breath.
He hadn’t realized how much time wedding preparations would take.
‘I’ve invited everyone I should. I didn’t forget my family either.’
Of course, he had also invited the people of the Harsen Viscounty. It had been a long time since he’d seen them, so things might be a bit awkward.
‘I wonder how they’ve been. They never even sent a word, even when I was making a name for myself.’
He could understand his father, Viscount Harsen. The man had always been strict about keeping personal and professional matters separate. Since he couldn’t provide support, he had likely chosen to cheer for Yohan quietly.
And the fact that his brothers never used the Lahart name for their benefit meant they were the same. Their family’s motto had always been to avoid unnecessary meddling.
‘Well, I’ll find out tomorrow.’
Yohan stretched his stiff body as he rose from his chair.
After spending the entire day at his desk, his shoulders and legs felt sore and tense.
Click.
As he stepped out of his office, the moonlight streaming through the windows cast long shadows along the corridor.
A deep stillness enveloped him, bringing a quiet sense of peace.
Just as he was about to take a leisurely stroll to shake off his fatigue—
“…”
At the far end of the corridor, someone stood leaning against the window frame.
Their golden hair shimmered in the moonlight, swaying gently in the breeze.
“Your Highness.”
It was Raeliana Rozino.
“It’s nice to see you, Yohan.”
Raeliana smiled softly and tilted her head slightly. The breeze coming in from the window carried her scent, filling Yohan’s mind with the fragrance of flowers.
Yohan hardened his expression as he took a step forward.
“The night air is cold.”
“Is it? I think it’s nice and cool.”
Step.
With each step he took, her scent grew stronger. The aroma of osmanthus—rich, intoxicating, and sweet.
“What if you catch a cold?”
“I won’t fall ill over something like this.”
Step.
Finally, the distance between them disappeared completely. In the silent corridor, Yohan could hear Raeliana’s heartbeat echoing in his ears. He could feel the tremor within her.
Yohan cast his gaze toward the night sky that Raeliana had been looking at. A navy canvas dotted with twinkling white stars stretched above them.
“Are you unable to sleep?”
“Of course not. The man I love is getting married. I might seem strong, but I have a tender heart, you know?”
Raeliana giggled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
“…Your feelings haven’t changed, have they?”
Yohan leaned against the wall and glanced at her. She was still staring at the night sky, the corners of her lips slightly lifted.
“Of course not. How could I forget? You’re my first love. And because I know we can never be together, it makes me long for you even more.”
She turned her head to meet his gaze. Her golden eyes shimmered under the moonlight.
“Yohan, you once told me… If I still couldn’t let go of my feelings in the future, you would come find me then.”
“I did.”
Yohan nodded.
Raeliana turned back to the night sky.
“Back then, those words made me so happy. But now that I think about it… I wonder if that was the kind of love I truly wanted. It felt like you were accepting me not because you loved me, but out of pity.”
It was the truth.
Even though Yohan had grown fond of her after she changed, a large part of his decision to accept her had been driven by sympathy.
“Would I truly be happy in that kind of relationship? Of course, being with the person I love would make me happy.”
Raeliana took a deep breath and continued.
“But in the end, that happiness would fester and rot, revealing itself in an ugly form—jealousy and envy. I would envy the women you truly love.”
No matter how fairly Yohan tried to love all of them, if his heart leaned more toward some than others, the difference would be inevitable. And Raeliana knew she wouldn’t be able to bear it.
She understood herself better than anyone.
“So, I’ve decided. I will grow stronger as a person—strong enough that when I return, you will truly love me. Strong enough that one day, you will be able to look at me the way you look at them.”
Raeliana smiled at him.
Though she was smiling, she was on the verge of tears.
“…Please, don’t forget me.”
“How could I ever forget?”
Yohan closed his eyes and nodded. Then, as he opened them again, he gently wiped away the clear tear rolling down her cheek.
“How could I ever forget a woman who truly loved me?”
Raeliana laughed silently.
She vowed to herself once again that she would one day earn his love.
And it wouldn’t take long.