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

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With the help of Count Ekarshi, Johan returned to his duties as a Public Affairs Officer after three days.

As soon as he arrived back in the Royal Capital, what he did wasn’t meeting Fransia or taking a break.

“There was an ambush during the dungeon inspection?”

It was a report.

In the Head’s Office, Fedelian frowned. Was there someone after him as well? That puzzled him.

“Yes. I have brought evidence.”

Johan placed a dagger used by hyenas on the desk in the office. Upon confirming it, Fedelian narrowed his eyes and observed it closely before rubbing his chin.

“A hyena affiliated with a specific house.”

As the Crown Prince, it was something he couldn’t be unaware of. Hyenas frequently employed by high-ranking nobles were always a headache.

“The dagger differs based on affiliation, but at least among the pack, it is consistent. While it’s not easy to find, it’s better than having nothing.”

It would be nice to know which house they serve based on the dagger, but they were shrouded in secrecy, and there were too many in the pack.

Identifying which house they served with just a single dagger wasn’t easy. Of course, it was better than having nothing.

“And this.”

Johan placed another rusty dagger on the desk. This was the dagger used by them during the first ambush led by Kasys.

Fedelian’s eyes narrowed.

“What is this?”

“This isn’t the first time they’ve ambushed me.”

With a cold expression, Johan continued.

“On the day of the social party, I was ambushed by the same group on my way back.”

“…That time when I returned with Princess Ferbache?”

“Exactly.”

Fedelian’s expression darkened. Remembering that incident made him quite uncomfortable.

But that didn’t mean he would let this matter slide.

Now that he knew it involved Fransia.

“It’s obvious they’re targeting him.”

Fedelian’s voice was low, but a chilling anger seeped through. Johan met his gaze and raised his tone slightly.

“Yes. Just like someone is targeting the Princess Ferbache. I would be the biggest obstacle.”

“……”

The sharpness of Johan’s words made Fedelian lightly tap his fingers on the desk. Anger was subtly rising at his fingertips.

“…I will personally investigate this matter.”

Fedelian nodded, forcing down his uncomfortable feelings. He wasn’t particularly inclined to help Johan, but knowing Fransia was involved, he couldn’t back out.

“Yes. Then I shall head to the First Public Affairs Officer.”

“The First Public Affairs Officer?”

“I figured I should inform the Head of the First Public Affairs Officer as well.”

“……”

Hearing that, the puzzle pieces that had been vague in Fedelian’s mind clicked into place. He now knew exactly who the culprit in this matter was.

“I see. So that was it.”

“Then I will take my leave.”

Leaving Fedelian, who nodded slowly, Johan respectfully bowed and exited the office.

As he stepped out of the Second Public Affairs Building, female officers approached him.

“Harsen Archmage!”

“You don’t look so well. Is something wrong?”

They were the female officers who usually showed him interest and kindness. Johan relaxed his stiff expression and gave a light smile.

“No, it’s just that the last mission was a bit tiring.”

His casual smile utterly took their breath away, but suppressing their urge to confess, they continued the conversation.

“By the way, I heard you single-handedly stopped the demon beast outbreak during the last mission!”

“Oh my, is that true? You truly are the Harsen Archmage.”

Suppressing a demon beast outbreak early is easy—when a group of officers is present, that is.

No matter how promising Johan was as the most capable archmage of the Second Public Affairs, suppressing a demon beast outbreak alone wasn’t an easy task.

“You’re truly amazing!”

“This will definitely raise your reputation even higher!”

The female officers giggled and relentlessly praised Johan. Their actions were overtly intended to win his favor.

Johan, who was familiar with them, awkwardly smiled.

“Thank you. However, I have business to attend to. May I take my leave?”

“Oh, yes! Sorry for holding you up.”

“Continue your work comfortably!”

“Then, goodbye.”

Johan gave a slight nod as a farewell and headed toward the First Public Affairs Building.

Upon entering the First Public Affairs, knights and wizards stared at him intensely.

Part of it was due to his appearance, but most of the curiosity stemmed from the fact that Johan, a wizard, had triumphed over the Deputy Head of the First Public Affairs.

“…Harsen Archmage.”

Not long after entering the building, he encountered Kasys Lenokhnen. Perhaps realizing that the previous operation had failed, he appeared rather grim.

“Lenokhnen, my esteemed knight. I received the gift you sent not long ago.”

Johan smiled gently. It was a soft smile, yet his gaze was sharp.

Kasys’s expression slightly contorted, but he quickly composed himself.

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”

His voice held a subtly strained tone.

“How astonishing that you seem utterly unmoved. Ha ha.”

On the surface, Johan’s words appeared harmless, but within the noble dialect, he was clearly holding Kasys accountable.

“……”

Kasys, feeling the urge to draw his sword from his waist, struggled to suppress that desire.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I must get back to work, as I doubt this conversation is going to go anywhere.”

Kasys chose to avoid confrontation. There was nothing to gain from continuing this exchange.

“I never expected to witness you retreating like this. Truly unexpected.”

Yet Johan didn’t stop speaking while watching Kasys turn his back. It was the noble rhetoric he had learned during his academy days from young ladies.

“The cautious demeanor you display suggests that this is no ordinary matter. Might there be something weighing on your mind?”

A tone of gentle prodding. Johan, who was frequently on the receiving end of such remarks in his youth, understood just how infuriating they could be.

“……”

However, Kasys chose not to respond. It was a wise decision. He likely realized that prolonging the conversation would yield no benefit.

Watching his retreating figure, Johan shrugged and moved toward the office of the Head of the First Public Affairs.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

After three knocks, he opened the door to find the Head of the First Public Affairs, Duke Lenokhnen.

“…Harsen Archmage? What brings you here?”

Duke Lenokhnen, who recognized Johan by name and face due to his somewhat fame, narrowed his eyes as he removed his magnifying glass.

“I have something to show you.”

Undeterred by the pressure from Duke Lenokhnen, Johan walked boldly to the desk in the office and placed the hyenas’ dagger on it.

“This is…….”

The Duke’s face turned icy. He knew this dagger well. It belonged to the hyenas that served his house.

“I have been ambushed twice by the hyenas using this dagger. Once while I was with Princess Ferbache, and once while scouting a dungeon that appeared in Count Ekarshi’s territory.”

As he spoke, Johan raised one corner of his mouth meaningfully.

“As a gentleman, the conduct of your children reflects directly upon your house. It is indeed an admirable house; I hope it preserves such a reputation.”

His words were simple. Interpreting them in everyday language meant, “Please manage your son well.”

“……”

Duke Lenokhnen’s face grew cold as he glanced at the dagger. His fists clenched tightly. Blood was probably rushing to his head.

“…I warned them so thoroughly.”

The Duke’s voice was low but filled with an overwhelming pressure that seemed to stifle the air. The tension was palpable.

“The culprit in this incident is clearly targeting Princess Ferbache. However, there must be an obstacle, and they likely intended to deal with that first. Naturally, that obstacle would be me, as I am dating Princess Ferbache.”

Even in the chilling and heavy atmosphere, Johan remained unfazed. Instead, he provocatively continued speaking.

“It’s quite interesting to see someone you thought upright being swayed by emotions and making one mistake after another. Truly, the heart seems to surpass reason.”

Interpreting this statement meant, “How amusing it is that you keep acting foolishly due to a woman.”

“…I understand your intent. Harsen Archmage, I will handle this matter personally.”

The Duke, forcing down his rising anger, spoke. If things continued as they were, his son would not avoid imprisonment. Thus, it was necessary for him, the Duke, to handle it personally.

“Regrettably, that’s not feasible. I have already informed His Highness, the Crown Prince, I mean, the Head of the Second Public Affairs Officer. He mentioned he would investigate personally.”

However, Johan had no intention of keeping this matter quiet. It was to swiftly deal with Kasys, who could not separate his personal feelings from his public duties.

Moreover, he couldn’t forget the revenge for the knights who lost their lives during this incident.

Of course, if this situation escalated, it wouldn’t bode well for Johan either.

The enraged Duke Ferbache might declare a fief war, and given the significant influence of the Lenokhnen family, it could cause a major commotion within the Empire.

It could even lead to civil war.

“Truly a headache…….”

Duke Lenokhnen pressed his fingers to his temples. It seemed he was developing a headache from the incident caused by his son.

“…I understand what you’ve said, so you may take your leave.”

“Yes.”

Johan held back the urge to cheer and bowed politely.

Click.

As he left the office of the First Public Affairs, he smiled slyly.

‘Has this dealt with Kasys?’

While sending him to prison would be ideal, unfortunately, that was unlikely because the Lenokhnen family stood behind him.

Still, he would lose considerable authority.

Moving forward, the hyenas and even the Black Knights would be unable to act.

The battle-hardened incarnation of fear that descended upon the southern barbarians was now over.

*

As the sun set that evening.

As soon as she returned home from work, Fransia strode into Johan’s room.

Sweat was beading on her forehead, and her breath came in quick pants.

“Johan!”

Fransia’s voice carried urgency.

“Oh, Fransia. You’re here.”

However, in stark contrast to her worried expression, Johan was smiling leisurely.

Fransia hesitated for a moment at his carefree demeanor, but her concern remained.

“What on earth happened? A demon beast outbreak…”

Fransia carefully positioned herself at his waist, suppressing her trembling fingers as she met Johan’s gaze.

“You don’t have to worry that much. The demon beast outbreak was suppressed early on.”

He gently stroked Fransia’s limp hand. As Johan’s touch met her, her nervous fingers began to calm down a bit.

“See? I’m fine, aren’t I?”

Johan opened his arms. Taking refuge in his embrace, Fransia gently patted his back. The warmth and unblemished skin she felt reassured her.

“…You’re truly okay, right?”

Fransia checked Johan’s neck and shoulders once more, a hint of worry lingering in her eyes.

“Of course.”

To ease her concerns, Johan gently brushed her hair.

At that, she shyly turned her head away and then smiled, nodding.

“Really, I’m glad.”

Leaning against Johan’s arms, Fransia nestled her face against him.

“I like that you’re so dependable.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I do worry, but it makes me feel reassured.”

“Then, I’m relieved.”

“…But that doesn’t mean you should take risks, okay?”

“I know.”

“You’re truly aware of that, right?”

Fransia puffed her cheeks, looking at him as he gave a lackluster answer. Johan gazed at her dissatisfaction with loving eyes.

“I’m aware of everything. Your feelings, your worries. All because you like me so much.”

As Johan playfully ruffled her hair, she blushed and whispered shyly.

“It feels like I am the only one falling for you each time.”

“That’s impossible.”

“You do like me, right, Johan?”

“Of course, that’s a given.”

“Fufu.”

Fransia giggled and tenderly brushed her fingertips against Johan’s thigh. Her gaze glowed softly.

“Tomorrow is a holiday…”

“That’s right.”

“Tonight… I want to think only of you.”

Fransia’s whispers grew increasingly soft. Her gaze sparkled gently as her fingers inched closer to him.

“What a coincidence. I feel the same way.”

At the moment their eyes locked, Johan slowly cupped Fransia’s face and gently pressed his lips against hers.

“Mm…!”

Her breath quivered slightly, and the air in the room warmed.