NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
Under a star-filled night sky, the grand party hall shone brightly in golden light.
Flowers displayed along the walls emitted rare fragrances, and the radiant crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over the marble floor, decorating the space.
Gathered nobles adorned themselves with luxurious items like jewels, laughing lightly as they engaged in conversation.
But it wasn’t merely a venue to enjoy a party.
This hall served not just as a space for social exchanges but as a political stage where status and honor were affirmed, and whispered intentions flowed freely.
A social event regularly hosted by the royal family.
It was a gathering that young noble scions and nobles working in the palace had no choice but to attend.
“Certainly, there are many people here.”
Johan sipped his wine, knowing he shouldn’t drink too much, so he only took a small sip.
“Oh, Johan, it’s your first time at a royal social event, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It seems I don’t get invited to places like this….”
A party attended solely by high-ranking noble heirs. The lowest status here was that of a Count.
Of course, noble rank doesn’t say everything about status, but still.
“Don’t worry. Johan is my lover, so no one will easily touch him.”
Since the last dungeon reconnaissance mission, it had become common knowledge that Johan and Princess Ferbache were lovers.
Nobody could dare to mess with Johan, who had the backing of the Ferbache Duke House, one of the great houses.
Unless one was from a group that disregarded titles like royal officials, at least in this place, they had to be wary of Fransia.
Even if they held an overwhelming status like the Crown Prince.
“…It’s strange to think of being protected by Fransia.”
“Lovers are meant to look out for each other.”
Fransia said this while giggling.
Johan tilted his head slightly and asked.
“But, don’t you have to greet the other young nobles? Given the occasion, you should be mingling around.”
The reason the royal family regularly opened such a silent battleground for power was simple.
To give experience to the nobles who would be the future of the empire, filtering out the incompetent ones.
It wasn’t the time for Fransia to be so relaxed.
“Right. At the very least, I should greet the other great houses and engage in useless chatter. Hoo.”
Feeling frustrated by this, she let her shoulders droop and lowered her head.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait right here.”
“Yes. Oh, and don’t drink too much! Especially in front of the ladies.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As Johan smiled softly, Fransia finally seemed relieved and nodded a few times before stepping away.
“I’ll be back.”
With that, Fransia left to engage in trivial conversations with the young heirs of other great houses.
Johan squinted as he surveyed the party hall. He was watching for Kasys and Fedelian.
“……”
Both were attending the party as scheduled with the partners Johan knew: Rudella Bismarck and Violet Ratalen…
Johan’s eyebrows subtly furrowed.
‘Violet, what’s she up to?’
Did she want him? He had thought, yet as the party approached, she had seemingly partnered with Kasys without a care.
‘Was she trying to use him?’
Was this a jealous woman’s tactic? Johan couldn’t fathom her intentions but didn’t concern himself too much. After all, Violet wasn’t that threatening of a figure for now.
‘As for Fedelian…’
He was paired with Rudella Bismarck. While he wore a friendly smile, Johan could see through the façade.
His mouth wore a smile, but his eyes were devoid of it. They hinted at a tedium that suggested he found this gathering bothersome.
‘Cunning little rat. He must be plotting something again.’
Always wearing a mask, a man of two faces. Kasys was a nasty fellow, but Fedelian’s distinct gloomy aura was unbeatable.
‘Well, he doesn’t seem to have intentions of approaching Fransia so far.’
Feeling at ease, Johan took another sip of wine.
“Oh my, Harsen Young-Sik! Long time no see!”
Just then, a rather welcoming voice rang out.
“Lady Barodo. It’s been a while.”
It was none other than Jesia Barodo, the daughter of the Marquess Barodo, who had personally invited Johan to the party.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Harsen Young-Sik.”
“Neither did I.”
Johan smiled lightly. Jesia tilted her head slightly as she asked.
“Don’t you have a partner?”
“They’ve stepped away for now.”
“Oh, you had a partner! What a pity.”
Jesia pouted, her pink lips slightly pouting out.
“I came with my escort knight since I don’t have a partner. If I had known, I might have tried to invite you, Harsen Young-Sik.”
“Haha, that would have been an honor. But since I came with my lover, I wouldn’t be able to accept Lady Barodo’s invitation.”
At the mention of a lover, Jesia’s eyes widened.
“Y-you have a lover? Harsen Young-Sik, you have a lover now?”
“It turned out that way.”
“Wait, the one who never dated anyone in the academy…?”
Jesia shook her head as if that wasn’t even important and continued.
“Who is it? When did you meet?”
“Princess Ferbache.”
“Really, no way…?”
“The ‘really’ is indeed correct.”
As Johan awkwardly smiled, Jesia clutched her head and wobbled.
“Oh my, I’m playing Cupid? Harsen Young-Sik, I was aiming for you too…”
Unconsciously letting out such ludicrous words, Johan didn’t mind as he was already aware.
The reason Johan maintained his distance from Jesia Barodo, despite her interest, was simple.
‘Because she’s so easygoing.’
She didn’t play pointless games, so she was easy to deal with, and since there was no aftermath, there wouldn’t be troublesome events either.
“It’s a pity. How did you two meet?”
“Well….”
Johan explained the events that had transpired, filtering out any stimulating details as much as possible.
“Is that true?”
“Indeed.”
“Wow….”
Jesia clutched her head once more. For a brief moment, the thought crossed her mind that she should have done the same if she had known.
“Have a good, good meeting…”
She decided to give up. It was already too late.
“Thank you.”
Seeing Johan smile gently made Jesia’s heart race, but she had no choice but to retreat. What could she do with someone who had a lover…?
As Jesia Barodo left to greet another guest, Johan focused his gaze back on Fransia.
Fransia seemed to have finished all the necessary conversations and was slowly approaching.
“Fran—”
Just as Johan was about to call her, an attendant, not looking ahead, spilled wine on Fransia’s dress.
“Oh…! I’m so sorry! I’m so ashamed!”
“Uh….”
Fransia, now covered in wine, blinked blankly. Johan hurried over and offered a handkerchief.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I’m fine. Thank you for the handkerchief.”
Fransia wiped the wine off with the handkerchief, showing a benevolent smile to the attendant, who kept bowing repeatedly.
“It’s alright. You may go. There are clothes prepared for you to change into.”
“I’m so sorry…! I’m so sorry…!”
The attendant bowed her head repeatedly at light speed until, after a while, she finally left at Fransia’s insistence.
“I’ll go change. Don’t drink too much, alright?”
“I know.”
Johan waved as he watched Fransia head to the break room with the attendant.
At that moment.
“Johan?”
A familiar voice reached him. Johan naturally turned his head in that direction. As expected, there was Violet.
“What’s going on?”
“Are you not allowed to speak to me anymore?”
“Where did the Lenokhnen viscount go?”
“He said he had something to do and left me alone. Leaving a partner alone like this is just too much, don’t you think?”
Violet giggled as she placed her hand on Johan’s shoulder.
“How about it? Shall we have a drink since our partners are absent?”
“Not too much wine today.”
“Don’t be like that, just one drink. Alright?”
Violet raised her glass with one eye squinting.
“……”
Johan observed her and thought. If the conversation drags on, it wouldn’t be good. It was best to just grant the request once and send her away.
“Just one drink. But promise to go somewhere else right after.”
“Haha, am I that undesirable to you? Or is it that you don’t want to betray your lover?”
“Both.”
“Alright, fair enough.”
Having heard this, Johan quickly downed the contents of his glass in one go. He felt his face flush, but he didn’t show it in front of Violet.
“Is that enough?”
“You didn’t even toast. That’s just rude.”
Violet puffed her cheeks and drank from her glass.
“Now, go on. A promise is a promise.”
“Understood.”
Just as she stepped away, there was a ‘crack’ sound. The back of her shoe broke.
“…!”
Johan instinctively pulled Violet’s waist, wrapping her in an embrace.
“Oh my…?”
Violet felt the sensation of his arms embracing her waist. The solid bulk of well-defined muscles, contrary to appearances.
And the pair of blue jewel-like eyes met hers, deep and calm as a lake, pulling anyone who looked into them.
Violet’s heart raced.
“…What’s this all about?”
“……I didn’t see this coming either.”
Violet awkwardly laughed as she instinctively placed a hand on Johan’s shoulder, leaning in.
“What to do? My shoe broke, and there’s no one to assist me. I can’t walk barefoot at the party.”
She glanced around casually and looked at Johan with wide eyes.
“Huh? Johan? What a twist of fate! Please help me?”
“……”
Johan, feeling a chill from her audacity, knew several pairs of eyes were now focused on them.
Leaving a troubled woman like this would damage his social standing in this gathering.
After all, many were already grinding their teeth over the fact that he was with Fransia.
It would be better to indulge her just this once than to fall prey to their complaints.
‘Social functions are so exhausting at any time.’
Johan sighed deeply.
“Hoo. Just this once.”
With that, he lifted Violet in a princess carry and took her toward the seating area.
“Now, call an attendant and sort it out yourself. I’m leaving.”
“Wait.”
Violet tugged at Johan’s collar.
“Are you really leaving me alone? It feels lonely.”
“Don’t make silly jokes.”
“Haha, you’re a bit prickly.”
Violet, whose hand had been on Johan’s shoulder, moved it down to stroke his chest.
“You seem to really dislike me. What’s the reason?”
“Do you really need to ask?”
“Of course. I’ve always been loved, so I don’t quite understand.”
Violet tilted her head playfully, her red lips curving.
“I have a lover. I can’t help but be on guard against someone approaching me without hesitation.”
“Is that really all?”
“What do you mean?”
As Johan narrowed his eyes and asked, Violet gave a cunning smile.
“No. I thought there might be another reason?”
“There is no other reason. I stated everything already.”
“Ha, that’s a lie.”
Violet laughed lightly and added.
“Truth is, I was very much interested in you, Johan. I mean, your face, your personality, and even your efforts to be with your lover.”
She caressed her own lips with her fingers.
“A man like you is my type. Someone continuously trying for his lover while fiercely protecting her, right?”
At that moment, Violet suddenly leaned in, her red lips moving close to Johan’s ear.
“How about it? Spending a forbidden night together with me behind your lover’s back?”
“What the—”
“I’ll keep it a secret. Let’s have an affair together where no one will know.”
Violet whispered into Johan’s ear with a sultry voice.
“I’ll give you my virtue.”