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

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Johan and Fransia walked hand in hand down the streets of the Royal Capital.

Unfortunately, with no festival taking place, there were fewer people and less to see, but the meaning lay in their togetherness.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever given Fransia a gift.”

As they strolled, Johan mentioned while admiring the jewels in a shop window, where various accessories sparkled.

“A gift?”

Fransia tilted her head.

“Something like a pendant or a ring, right?”

“Ah, something like that….”

Fransia turned her gaze toward the direction Johan was looking and admired the jewelry displayed in the shop.

“Since we’re out, why don’t we pick one? I’ll gift it to you.”

“Hehe, I would love anything from you, Johan.”

Fransia beamed in response. After all, the sentiment behind gifts between lovers is what truly matters, and she would be satisfied with anything received.

“Let’s go inside.”

Once inside the jewelry store, Johan looked around. Inside were meticulously crafted rings and pendants lined up neatly.

Among them were also uncut gemstones, intended for custom orders.

‘Should I go for a custom piece since it’s a keepsake?’

While looking at the jewels, Johan glanced at Fransia. Her face lit up with delight as she tilted her head.

“Are you not finding anything?”

“No, I was just thinking about what color would suit Fransia.”

“Ah-ha.”

“Stay still. I need to find a color that matches you.”

“Yes, yes…!”

Johan’s focus was solely on Fransia. His deep blue eyes fixed on her.

“……”

As their gaze locked for several seconds, Fransia’s eyes began to wander. She couldn’t find a place to look away from Johan’s piercing gaze.

Her heart raced. There was a feeling of breathlessness. It still felt unusual for her heart to swell every time she looked at him.

“Um, uh….”

Unsure of where to look, Fransia rolled her eyes around before shyly turning her face away.

“If you turn your head like that, I won’t be able to see you properly, you know?”

At Johan’s deep voice, Fransia’s face flushed again.

“Ugh. Please think of my position! When you look at me like that, it’s embarrassing….”

Covering her mouth with her hand, Fransia shyly muttered. The blush quickly spread across her entire face.

“There’s really no need to be embarrassed, especially since we see each other all the time and are lovers.”

Johan chuckled and leaned closer. Perhaps finding her reaction cute made him want to tease her more.

“This is all because Johan is too handsome. It’s hard to breathe when our eyes meet, you know….”

Fransia repeatedly pulled away, growing more distant as his face drew closer. With every inch, her eyes trembled.

“Is that so? I should thank your parents for giving you such good looks. They allow me to make your heart race.”

Johan grinned mischievously.

“Ugh….”

Fransia pouted, feeling defeated again. That was her last line of defense.

“Ah, I’ve got it! I’ve chosen the gem.”

“What is it?”

“Iolite.”

Iolite. A gem possessing various tones from blue to violet.

With Johan having dark blue eyes and indigo hair, and Fransia boasting black hair and ruby-red eyes, it would suit them both perfectly.

“Let’s make a ring and a pendant out of it.”

“A couple’s ring?”

“Of course.”

“A couple’s ring…!”

Fransia blushed again at the mention of couple’s rings and smiled shyly. Johan, charmed by her innocent demeanor, couldn’t suppress his delighted grin.

“Right, let’s have two clean designs made with iolite rings and small pendants.”

As Johan pointed at the iolite, a quietly waiting salesperson approached.

“Yes. How would you like the delivery?”

“To the Ferbache Royal Mansion.”

“Ferbache…!”

The mention of Ferbache’s name caused the salesperson to blink in surprise, but she swiftly regained her composure and smiled brightly.

“Yes. How would you like to pay?”

“Under the name Johan Harsen.”

Johan took a piece of paper out from his wallet, which was a certification check that could be brought to the bank to withdraw money.

“Understood.”

The salesperson nodded and then went to collect the iolite.

“Isn’t that expensive…? The source of iolite is…”

Fransia asked with a worried tone. Johan’s house was a barony, and he received no support.

“It’s fine. It’s a gift for Fransia after all.”

Unfazed, Johan gently stroked Fransia’s hair. She smiled softly, savoring his touch.

“Thank you. I’ll accept it gladly.”

“You know what you have to do if you’re grateful?”

Johan leaned down, presenting one cheek.

“Ah….”

Understanding what that meant, Fransia looked around and, realizing there were no eyes on them, pressed her lips against Johan’s cheek.

“Did, did that work…?”

After the kiss on the cheek, Fransia’s face turned bright red. She felt quite shy about public displays of affection since she was unfamiliar with them.

“Hmm, it feels a bit lacking. Can you do the other side too?”

Johan smiled playfully while teasing her hair.

“I-I can’t do more, it’s too embarrassing…!”

Fransia buried her head low, her ears turning a deep red.

“I’m just joking.”

Not wanting to push her over the edge of shyness, Johan smiled gently and straightened up.

“…It feels like I lost again.”

“Do I have to win every time?”

“It just feels like I’m the one who is head over heels for you….”

Fransia pouted again. Johan chuckled and swept her bangs to the side.

“Not at all.”

Pecking her forehead, Fransia trembled, quickly wrapping her arms around herself.

Her face felt like it would burst from the blush, and her pounding heart was quite the delight.

“…No matter how I think about it, I’m just too weak against Johan.”

Fransia murmured quietly, her face still flushed. Johan smiled, brushing her hair back.

“I think so too.”

“See? You’re teasing me again….”

“I’m not teasing.”

“You’re lying.”

Fransia puffed her cheeks, narrowing her eyes. Even that was cute, which led Johan to laugh out loud.

“Seeing you makes me smile.”

“…I feel the same way.”

While looking at the iolite, Fransia quietly whispered.

“I’ll always think of you when I look at the ring and pendant….”

At her words, Johan smiled and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Then I should do the same. I already think of nothing but you anyway.”

“Ugh….”

Fransia turned red again at his words. She had intended to hit back, but it didn’t come through at all.

While she found it unfair to be caught up in Johan’s clever banter, she simultaneously enjoyed his playful affections.

“……”

“……”

“……”

Then, Johan sensed piercing gazes around them. He casually turned his head to check the store and saw all the salespeople looking their way and smiling.

“…Shall we head out?”

“Yes…!”

Unaware of the attention, Fransia remained joyful, intertwining her fingers with Johan’s as she grinned widely.

*

In the Imperial Palace, there were three main palaces.

On the left was the Topaz Palace, which showcased the imperial nobility, authority, legitimacy, and credentials.

In the center was the Imperial Palace itself, where the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince resided, symbolizing the empire’s power and legitimacy.

To the right was the Diamond Palace, representing purity and solidity, the most sacred residence for the royal family.

Among these three palaces, in the garden of the Diamond Palace, a woman was enjoying her tea time with a bored expression while holding a teacup.

“Hmm, is there anyone interesting around?”

It was the Third Princess, Raliana Rojino.

“Are you feeling bored again?”

A woman sitting across from Raliana, holding her teacup with a blank expression, asked.

Her name was Zebella Highlander.

She hailed from a noble family of great knights, a member of a prominent family that could comfortably sit alongside royalty.

“Zebella, I told you. I’m always on the lookout for fun. Since I was born a royal, I should enjoy the world to the fullest, right?”

Placing her teacup down, Raliana squinted one eye and shrugged her shoulders.

Zebella laughed lightly at her mischievous demeanor and nodded.

“Hehe, that’s true.”

“See, Zebella understands me.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

The Third Princess Raliana, who was acting like a spoiled child, and Zebella, who entertained her, had grown up together. They spoke formally but were practically friends.

“Anyway. Is there anything fun happening?”

Raliana rested her chin in her hand, reflecting her true boredom.

“There is some interesting news.”

“News? What is it?”

“The new Archmage of the Public Affairs Office.”

“A new Archmage has arrived?”

Zebella expanded on the topic as Raliana tilted her head in curiosity.

“It’s said he reached the status of Archmage with overwhelming grades and even single-handedly took down an Archdemon during his first dungeon reconnaissance mission.”

Hearing the intriguing tale, Raliana’s previously dull eyes began to sparkle with life. Zebella casually observed her reaction before continuing.

“That’s not all. Recently, an Archdemon outbreak occurred in Count Ekarshi’s Territory, and he stabilized it all by himself. Isn’t that impressive?”

Indeed. For a new Archmage, it was quite the remarkable feat, enough to captivate Raliana’s interest.

“Interesting. What’s the name of that officer?”

“Johan Harsen.”

Raliana’s eyes lit up.

“Johan Harsen? The trophy of high society?”

“That’s right.”

With the look of a child who had found a fascinating toy, Raliana leaned forward with a smile.

The trophy of high society was famously known, and since she was quite fond of handsome men, Raliana had heard of him as well.

“With looks that can earn the title of a trophy in high society, plus great abilities? It sounds like he was born to be my husband!”

Imagining a sweet future, Raliana spoke with a bright smile, but Zebella shook her head.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think that will happen.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Because he has a girlfriend.”

“Oh, that doesn’t matter.”

Raliana shrugged her shoulders. The fact of having a girlfriend was no issue for her as a member of royalty. After all, she could just tell him to break up and come to her.

“If I speak, they’ll have to break up. Right?”

“Unfortunately, that’s also not possible.”

“Eh? Why not?”

“His girlfriend is Princess Ferbache.”

“Oh….”

However, if it was Fransia Ferbache from the Ferbache family, which was one of the notable noble families, it was different.

She was a rare authority on healing magic and regarded as the saint of the empire, recognized even by the Imperial Senate.

“Hmm, the competition is quite strong.”

“Wait, are you trying to pursue Johan Harsen?”

“I’m still pondering.”

Unlike Zebella, whose expression stiffened, Raliana remained nonchalant, even shrugging her shoulders as if to say, “What’s the problem?”

With a playful smile, Raliana added,

“The fact that I’m interested means destiny has already set its course, right?”

“…I suppose. That makes sense. Probably.”

Zebella sighed inwardly, anticipating a messy love rivalry from her words, but she didn’t show it.

“By the way, I’ve heard of the trophy of high society, but I haven’t actually seen his looks.”

Raliana playfully tapped her finger on her red lips.

Though Raliana and Johan were of similar ages, there was no chance for them to cross paths due to the separation between royalty and a minor noble.

How handsome could he truly be if he received such a title? What would his personality be like? Would he truly make her heart race?

A huge anticipation swelled within her. The more she thought about him, the more excitement bubbled up.

“Hehe, I must see him sometime.”

The smile adorning Raliana’s face deepened.