I Took the Female Lead’s First Time in a Romance Fantasy

Chapter Twenty-Five: Dealing with a crazy woman

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Right after the joint training.

Although Yohan's overwhelming victory seemed to ignite the enthusiasm of the 2nd Division, it was quickly subdued.

There was nothing to gain from openly discussing today's events.

After all, Cassis Lenokhonen was not only a battlefield demon who crushed the southern barbarian front but also the heir to the Grand Duchy of Lenokhonen.

It was essential to be cautious and avoid being noticed, even for the future.

It was wise to avoid getting on his bad side, even for the future.

"Yohan, you were amazing today!"

However, such concerns were meaningless to both Yohan and Francia.

Neither of them needed to care about the opinions of the Grand Duchy of Lenokhonen.

"Was I?"

"Was I really?"

"Yes! I've wanted to put that annoying guy in his place for so long, and you did it so perfectly! It was so satisfying!"

Francia seemed genuinely happy about Yohan's victory, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.

"It's only because the special-class Knight Lenokhonen went easy on me. That's the sole reason I was able to win."

But Yohan didn't allow himself to grow arrogant. He knew that if Cassis had been serious, he wouldn't have stood a chance.

"You're too humble."

"One should always remain humble."

"Fufu, I like that about you."

Just as Francia and Yohan exchanged glances and smiled brightly—

"Sir Harsen, the Special-Class mage?"

Merdin called out to him.

"The commander has summoned you, Sir Harsen. I don't know the reason, though."

Yohan tilted his head in confusion.

"The commander wants to see me personally? I can't even imagine why."

"Haha, no need to worry. It's probably a designated mission."

"A designated mission, you say?"

"Yes. Outstanding bureau officers often receive designated missions. The commander reviews them and then passes them on."

Surprisingly, the bureau operated with a system similar to an adventurer's guild, allowing individuals to be nominated for missions.

'It must involve someone important.'

The royal palace's asymmetrical power—the knights. To assign a mission to an officer from such a place, the requester must be quite influential.

"Understood. I'll go see the commander right away."

"Yes, Good luck."

After exchanging a brief salute with Merdin, Yohan turned to Francia.

"I'll be back soon."

"Hmm."

Francia quickly glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, then whispered to Yohan.

"You never know what tricks they might pull."

"I'm aware."

"Please be careful, okay?"

"Of course."

After their short exchange, they nodded at each other.

"I'll see you later."

"Alright. I have things to do as well, so see you later."

With that, Yohan parted ways with Francia and headed toward Crown Prince Fedelian's office, located in the innermost part of the building.

Knock, knock, knock.

After knocking three times, he opened the door and stepped inside. Crown Prince Fedelian Rozino stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing outside.

"You're here."

Fedelian turned to face Yohan, his expression indifferent.

"I heard you summoned me."

"Yes, I have a mission to assign to you."

Rustle.

With a soft rustle, Fedelian picked up a document and moved to the central sofa in the office, gesturing for Yohan to sit across from him.

"Take a seat."

Yohan sat across from him as Fedelian slid the document onto the table.

"You've been given a designated mission. Read it."

Yohan looked at the document with a curious expression.

"The mission involves traveling to the capital of Sanburk, a nation bordering our eastern frontier, alongside the Empire's envoy. Given their status as a hostile nation, strong protection is necessary."

The document detailed the following:

[Destination: Sanburk]

A small country located to the east of the Empire.

The mission was to escort the envoy for the duration of their stay in Sanburk and ensure their safe return.

The mission was scheduled to begin the very next day.

"I'm counting on you. If it's you, I can entrust my fiancée to your care."

Hearing this, Yohan's eyes widened slightly.

"When you say 'fiancée'…?"

"Yes, that's right."

Fedelian answered with a faint smile.

"The Empire's envoy is Lady Rudella Bismarck, daughter of Marquis Bismarck."

[Rudella Bismarck.]

The crown prince's fiancée, the future empress, and one of the top individuals on Yohan's list of people to watch out for, alongside the two men who had been scheming against him.

Spending several days with such a person was not exactly a pleasant prospect for Yohan either.

"The mission will be over in a week. It's not particularly dangerous. After all, who would dare threaten the Rozino Empire, even if it's a hostile nation? Haha. There's no need to worry."

Noticing Yohan's stiff expression, Fedelian chuckled warmly. However, his sharp eyes gleamed with something entirely different.

"What happens if I refuse?"

"I'm afraid refusal is not an option when it comes to designated missions."

"I see. Understood."

Faced with no other choice, Yohan nodded and tucked the document into his inner pocket.

"Then I'll leave my fiancée in your capable hands."

"…Understood."

Yohan bowed respectfully and exited the crown prince's office.

'A mission to escort Rudella Bismarck…'

There was unlikely to be any major trouble. The engagement between Fedelian and Rudella Bismarck was laden with political considerations.

Even if Fedelian didn't genuinely love Rudella, he wouldn't risk losing someone who bolstered his position.

If he tried anything this time as well, there truly would be no fixing him.

"Let's finish this with as little trouble as possible."

***

After Yohan left the office.

Fedelian smirked to himself unconsciously.

"Haha. Rudella, I didn't expect you to help me out like this."

Once they crossed the Empire's border, it would be possible to discreetly eliminate Yohan Harsen without a trace.

It would also be an opportunity to get rid of Rudella Bismarck, who had been a thorn in the side of his engagement with Francia.

As for any aftermath? He already had it planned out. Using his shadow agents, he would fabricate evidence to pin the blame on the hostile nation of Sanburk.

"That would lead to war, of course, but we can simply send the First Division's battlefield demon to deal with it."

Sanburk, despite being a neighboring hostile nation, was neither powerful nor influential.

Even if the Empire waged a half-hearted war, they could conquer it within a week.

The reason the Empire hadn't already taken Sanburk was simple: the losses outweighed the benefits.

"Rudella Bismarck, I owe you my thanks for presenting me with this opportunity."

The resulting war would lead to many casualties, but Fedelian didn't care.

His own goals were far more important.

"Hahaha."

Fedelian's sly smile deepened further.

***

Meanwhile, Francia was searching throughout the Bureau office for a certain woman.

'Where on earth has she gone now?'

The woman she was looking for was Violet Ratalen. Francia was determined to settle the score for what had happened before.

'She was here earlier. Where is she hiding now?'

It was as if Violet had vanished into thin air, moving with uncanny stealth. Francia quickened her pace, her anger boiling within.

Then—

'Finally. There she is.'

Francia spotted Violet Ratalen behind the Bureau office building, chatting with a fellow mage.

With a cold expression, Francia strode up to Violet. Her face had turned icy.

"Ratalen, First-Class Mage."

"Oh my, if it isn't Special-Class Mage Fervache?"

The moment Violet recognized Francia, her expression shifted. Her face darkened, cold and filled with tension.

"Sersi, Second-Class Mage Sersi? Let's continue our conversation later. There's something important I need to discuss."

"Oh, of course…"

Sersi, sensing the gravity of the situation, quickly excused herself.

"Ratalen, First-Class Mage."

"Yes?"

"Why are you answering me so casually?"

"Fufu, then how should I respond?"

Violet's tone was laced with sarcasm—a clear provocation. Francia's brows furrowed harshly.

"I know what you've done."

"And what exactly did I do?"

"You went after my man."

"Oh, so you found out."

Violet tilted her head with a nonchalant smile, as if it was no big deal.

"Isn't the real problem that you're trying to monopolize such an attractive man?"

"So that's how you're going to play it?"

"Why shouldn't I? Fufu. It's not like I've done anything terribly wrong."

Francia's anger surged, her ruby-like eyes glinting coldly.

"Ratalen, First-Class Mage. If you apologize now and promise never to lay a hand on Yohan again, I'll let this slide."

"No thanks. I want Yohan for myself. I don't like the idea of you keeping him all to yourself."

"…"

Violet grinned slyly, her fiery red hair fluttering in the wind. She showed no intention of backing down, even in the presence of Francia, Yohan's lover.

"Hah."

Francia let out a deep sigh. She didn't like resorting to force, but it seemed she had no choice.

"You crazy bitch."

"…?"

For a moment, Violet blinked in disbelief, wondering if she'd misheard. Did the words she just heard really come from the noble Fervache heiress?

"How can you shamelessly act like this after going after someone else's man? You're crazier than I thought."

Francia grabbed Violet's chin in a firm grip. Too stunned to respond, Violet could only blink.

"Did you think I wouldn't know about all the crimes your Ratalen marquis family has committed?"

Her words came with a murderous gleam in her eyes.

"Tax evasion, leaking state secrets to enemy nations, illegal slave trading—all without royal approval. Every single one of these crimes could bring your family to ruin."

Violet's eyes widened in shock.

"H-How do you know about that…?"

"There are ways to find out."

Francia's piercing gaze locked onto Violet's.

"I could destroy your family, the Ratalen Marquisate, right now if I wanted to. The only reason I haven't is because you haven't done anything to personally cross me—yet."

A chill ran down Violet's spine as she felt the deadly intent emanating from Francia. Her entire body trembled with fear.

"But if you keep this up, I won't hold back. You'll pay dearly for daring to go after the Fervache heiress's man."

The Ratalen Marquisate was a family that had grown powerful through heinous crimes—tax evasion, selling national secrets to hostile nations, and illegally capturing and selling slaves to neighboring countries.

Every single crime was enough to bring down the family.

Violet, still reeling, quickly regained her composure and lashed out in desperation.

"Do you even have proof? Do you have evidence that my family did any of that?"

"Of course I do. Did you think the Ferbache Duchy was so easy to fool?"

"…"

"The fact that I know all of this in such detail should already tell you I have evidence, don't you think?"

"This can't be…"

Violet's lips trembled as she struggled to find the words. Francia, her voice calm and low, continued speaking.

"I could have sent you and your family to ruin from the start. But I didn't. Do you know why?"

"T-That's because…"

"Because you hadn't caused me any harm yet. I didn't see the point in wasting my time destroying your family when it wasn't necessary."

"…"

"And because the Ratalen Marquisate holds significant influence and handles many public duties, I chose to let it be."

Francia released her grip on Violet's face. Completely drained, Violet slumped without putting up much resistance.

"If I hear so much as a whisper of you going after Yohan again, I won't let it slide. Be prepared for your entire family to face annihilation."

Her ruby-red eyes bore into Violet, who sat there, defeated. The warning was clear enough.

"I trust you've understood."

Feeling a sense of satisfaction, Francia exhaled deeply and turned away.

"I need to do things properly from now on."

The two men pestering her—the crown prince and Grand Duke Lenokhonen—were more difficult to deal with due to their status and authority. But people like Violet Ratalen required no such finesse.

She had to be ruthless in cases like this, so she could focus her efforts on breaking free from those two men.

'I don't like resorting to such measures, but I had no choice.'

It was exhausting to act out of character, though it wasn't entirely without sincerity.

'With that troublesome fox dealt with, let's go.'

Francia quickened her steps. She couldn't wait to see Yohan.