I Took the Heroine’s First Time in a Romance Fantasy Novel

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As time passed, Johan, having recovered, went to work as a Public Affairs Officer just like any other day.

When he finally showed up after a long time, the atmosphere in the Public Affairs Office brightened as if it had been waiting just for his return.

“Oh, you’re here!”

As he opened the door and walked in, multiple gazes immediately turned toward him. Even the lights seemed to shine a bit brighter.

Several female officials waved their hands cautiously, while the male officials nodded slightly and greeted him.

“Harsen Archmage. You’ve had a tough time.”

“It’s been a while!”

“Have you been taking care of yourself?”

The officials welcoming him were a mix of genders, but the ratio of women was notably higher.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t friendly with the male officials; it’s just that the female officials were much more interested in him.

“It’s good to see everyone. I’m honored that you all remembered me even after such a long time away.”

As Johan spoke with a charming smile, the female officials squealed with delight.

“What’s this!”

“Have you become more playful while we weren’t around?”

Their hands playfully poked at Johan’s body, creating some minor physical contact.

Johan hadn’t meant to be playful with his greeting. He just thought it would be awkward to be too stiff, so he opted for a softer approach.

“I’m relieved to see that everyone seems healthy.”

“Oh my, now you’re worried about us?”

“Heh, we’re doing just great!”

After he smiled once more, their reactions became even more animated.

Is this what they mean by a fun guy (handsome man)?

In the past, he might have enjoyed it too, but after 21 years since his reincarnation, it was a familiar feeling.

“Well then, I’ll just…”

As Johan left with an awkward smile and returned to his seat, Fransia was watching him intently from the side.

“Fransia…?”

“Johan.”

Her voice felt cold. It seemed she was unhappy about him giggling with the other women.

“Why are you here, Fransia?”

Realizing the mood was shifting, Johan quickly changed the subject.

“They reshuffled while you were away. I made a slight adjustment at that time.”

Fransia winked, not realizing Johan had intentionally shifted the topic.

“That’s nice. Now I can work with you.”

“Heh. Johan, you really do have a way with sweet talk.”

She sat down and began organizing the various documents on the table, subtly closing the distance by leaning against Johan.

“Today, we’ll be working together.”

“Sounds good.”

Johan and Fransia exchanged glances for a few seconds before bursting into small smiles. It was a nice time just to look at each other.

“I’ll take a moment to review some documents.”

“Oh, okay. Don’t mind me and just focus on your work.”

While smiling brightly, Fransia kept her focus on Johan, who began reviewing the papers.

Public Affairs Officers had various tasks under the Imperial’s asymmetric power Knights, but what was at hand were just these.

First, drafting surveillance reports.

Public Affairs Officers monitor the movements of each noble family, compile them into documents, and report to the Imperial Court.

They analyze the political maneuvers of nobles, secret alliances, and rivalries to promote the stability of the Empire.

Secondly, there are records for managing magic and weaponry.

As an organization consisting of wizards and knights, they need to manage and record the special weapons and magic artifacts they use.

Regular inspections and documentation are one of their paperwork duties.

Thirdly, documenting military strategies and defense plans.

They prepare documentation of the Empire’s major defense strategies and troop deployment plans for specific areas so they can be quickly distributed when necessary.

This includes recording important diplomatic matters and military responses.

Currently, there was a strange atmosphere with Sanburgh, making this the most pressing task at the moment.

There were also parts concerning tax-related issues with the nobles, like monitoring for tax evasion, but those weren’t urgent tasks for Johan to handle.

“Right now… military documents, huh?”

Even though the Emperor had personally declared that there would be no war, it was still possible that Sanburgh could launch an attack for territory.

It would be insane for such a thing to happen, but the world is unpredictable, so they needed to prepare in advance.

“…”

As Johan drafted the documents, suddenly—

Swish.

A warm hand brushed against his thigh. Startled, Johan looked toward Fransia.

She showed no signs of worry as she flipped through documents but let her soft fingertips glide over Johan’s thigh.

It felt like a light scratch from her nails. Slowly grazing his skin, she secretly stimulated his nerves.

“…Fransia?”

Johan whispered, cautiously looking at her. He felt his heart racing, unable to process how to handle the situation.

“Johan, were you glad to meet the female officials again earlier?”

It seemed she had let that moment pass easily just for later conversation.

“…What’s there to be happy about? It was just a greeting.”

Johan’s dry voice emphasized that there was no deeper meaning in that recent exchange.

“From what I can tell, it looked pretty lively. You even joked a bit. It’s rare for serious Johan to make such jokes. Oh, this isn’t an insult, by the way.”

Even while questioning, her added words in concern pretended not to care. Johan couldn’t help but chuckle.

“…Why are you laughing?”

Fransia asked, puzzled. There was a hint of wariness in her gaze.

“Because you’re just too cute.”

“M-Me…!”

Johan’s usual formal tone shifted to a more casual one, mixing in a low chuckle, causing Fransia’s eyes to widen before her face turned beet red.

“Ah…!”

Realizing she had made a strange sound, she suddenly looked around. Luckily, no officials had heard her.

“If you suddenly throw that at me, I’d be surprised too.”

“Aren’t we allowed to say such things?”

“Ugh…”

As Johan grinned mischievously, the momentum had completely shifted. Fransia trembled indignantly while her ears flushed with pleasure.

“I like that side of you, Johan.”

“I know.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you tell me you like me all the time.”

“…I feel like I keep losing.”

Saying that, Johan smiled brightly as their eyes met. She quivered slightly, shrinking her shoulders.

“…That smile, don’t give it out to just anyone.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a smile that charms women.”

“Then I should keep a straight face all the time.”

“With me, you can smile.”

“……Fair enough.”

“Did you understand what I said?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Oh, come on!”

“I understood.”

Judging that their conversation could go on forever, Johan smirked.

Fransia probably just spoke out of jealousy, so it wouldn’t hurt to let it slide.

“Ah! Just now, you were just half-listening!”

“I didn’t, though.”

“Your face totally shows it…”

“Rest assured, that never happened.”

Johan gently ruffled Fransia’s hair, which was sticking out slightly. She accepted his touch, closing her eyes slowly like a cat surrendering to its owner.

“I’m frustrated that I keep falling for this.”

“So, you dislike it?”

“…I like it.”

Fransia whispered softly, turning her head away to hide her flushed face.

Still, did she realize that her ears were turning bright red with heat? Probably not.

*

Under the pale moonlight, the night at Topaz Palace was serene.

Always stationed here, Rudella was working again today just like any other day.

Despite being the Crown Princess, she had so many responsibilities that if she didn’t strictly manage her time, she’d be stuck working late into the night.

“Phew.”

Rudella sighed deeply, gripping her hands resting on the desk. Her mind was completely jumbled.

It wasn’t the workload’s fault. It was the image of Johan Harsen, his voice, his touch, which completely captivated her.

She tried to focus on work, but thoughts of him consumed her, leaving her unable to move forward.

So, she continued dealing with her duties into the late hours.

The moment’s impulse was on the verge of morphing into an eternal longing.

Feeling a sense of crisis, she grabbed onto her work, but concentration eluded her.

Feeling parched, Rudella lifted her teacup. As the gentle aroma of the new tea brushed against her nose, she stalled unknowingly.

What would Johan think of this scent? Wouldn’t he say it’s just like the fragrance of lilies blooming by his side? She caught herself pondering such trivial thoughts.

‘…This is insanity.’

Setting down her teacup, she gazed out the window. The garden she had meticulously arranged, filled with blooming lilies, was visible.

As she watched the lilies glimmer silver under the moonlight, Rudella paused once more, imagining Johan’s voice dancing between the fluttering petals.

Her thoughts reached out to him again.

Rudella finally realized the gravity of her situation.

This was a dreadful and serious illness.

According to the designs of the Bismarck family, she was meant to become the Crown Princess and eventually an Empress who would care for the Empire.

However, everything had twisted since she had met that man. To be precise, it was her own surrender to him that troubled her.

“Ha.”

Unable to focus on her daily routine, Rudella pressed her fingers to her temples.

He kept popping into her head.

‘…If I’m just going to endlessly think about him, I might as well call for him.’

She didn’t see it as a nuisance. Didn’t he say it? To be cunning and take breaks? And every time, he would say to call for him.

Rudella was simply following through with that. So this was neither a nuisance nor a trivial obsession.

Pushing her documents aside, Rudella left her office and made her way to her bedroom.

Through the corridor’s windows, she caught a glimpse of the starry deep night sky. Gazing at its vast and serene expanse made her wonder what it would be like to look at the sky with Johan.

“Ugh…!”

Slightly startled by her own line of thought, Rudella was once again taken aback. No matter what she did or looked at, it was inconvenient how he kept popping out.

‘…At this rate, my feelings will only deepen. I need to meet him tomorrow.’

Rudella had always been wary of love’s attributes. She knew that the more she craved it, the weaker she became.

However. The longing for him never ceased. The desire to be held by Johan and stay by his side tightened around her heart, crumbling her resolve.

‘This is indeed a serious illness.’

As winter approached, the air grew colder, but the tremors in her chest only intensified with warmth.

Under the moonlight filtering through the window, Rudella stepped towards her bedroom, deliberately suppressing her desire for Johan.

She planned to meet him in person the next day.