Episode 104
“Lucy didn’t bully you, did she?”
Azaid carefully examined Serena, looking her over as if he were searching for any marks on her face. His gaze was so serious that Serena, finding it amusing, leaned back slightly and replied:
“Do you think I’m someone who would let myself be bullied? My face is perfectly intact, so don’t worry.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
As soon as Azaid responded with a relieved expression, he leaned in and kissed Serena’s lovely lips. It was brief, like a bird pecking for food, yet it was impossibly sweet.
Azaid, unsatisfied, kissed her a few more times before pulling back. Perhaps because he’d had a taste, he found himself repeatedly drawn to her lips, almost as if he were addicted.
Serena couldn’t help but laugh at Azaid’s affectionate gestures. He resembled an eager puppy greeting its owner, so much so that she felt an urge to pamper and pet him.
Of course, she held herself back, knowing it would only fan the flames of Azaid’s already burning affection. Almost out of habit, Serena carefully examined his expression.
“Your complexion seems to be improving lately.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m drawing energy from you.”
“No wonder I’ve been feeling chilly these days.”
Is His Majesty stealing my energy?!
When Serena jokingly teased him, Azaid grabbed her wrist with a serious expression.
“Really? That won’t do. Should I prepare some herbal medicine for you?”
“It’s a joke, just a joke.”
Though Serena waved her hands and smiled, Azaid remained serious.
How does someone with such small hands manage to work so much?
If Marie or Anna had overheard him, they would have exclaimed that His Majesty was completely smitten, seeing only what he wanted to see. The truth was, Serena was a master of self-discipline and had exceptional stamina.
But in Azaid’s eyes, Serena seemed fragile, someone he constantly wanted to protect and feed. He worried endlessly that her love for work might lead to overexertion.
Am I failing as her emperor-boyfriend by not taking better care of her?
Before he knew it, thoughts of beneficial medicinal herbs flashed through Azaid’s mind. Watching him drift toward overprotectiveness, Serena redirected the conversation.
“I’m perfectly healthy. I was just saying that because your seizures have decreased lately, and you no longer seem like a patient.”
Please stay this way and endure the remaining time without falling ill.
Serena gently touched Azaid’s cheek, silently wishing for him to still be alive next year. Azaid, in turn, pulled Serena closer to him and said:
“That’s because my girlfriend is a talented doctor. What else? And besides….”
Trailing off, Azaid began to softly kiss Serena’s neck and chin. The subtle contact made her flinch, and Azaid whispered in her ear with a low voice:
“How could I not be healthy when I’m thoroughly cared for every night?”
“Your Majesty!”
Startled, Serena covered his mouth with her hand. Even though they were alone in the study, she instinctively glanced around, worried someone might overhear.
He really has no filter!
Blushing, Serena fanned her face with her free hand, only for Azaid to teasingly nibble on her palm.
“Why are you so shy, Rena?”
“Can’t you be mindful of the time and place?”
She couldn’t exactly scold the emperor! Or maybe… this was her chance?
Suppressing her thoughts, Serena gave him a warning look. Azaid, now pouting, gazed up at her with a downtrodden expression.
“You don’t like it when I act this way?”
Although his blue eyes were tear-free, they sparkled intensely, as if a summer storm was about to break out, pricking Serena’s conscience.
“No, it’s not that I dislike it….”
Looking into Azaid’s blue eyes, Serena lost her train of thought. In the past, she would’ve scolded him without hesitation, but now even that felt impossible.
How can I reject those eyes?
This is all my fault for falling so deeply for him. Who else can I blame?
Resting her palm against his cheek, Serena lightly stroked Azaid’s face as he stared up at her. What am I supposed to do with this impossible man?
“You keep being so obvious about it, and now there are rumors that I have you wrapped around my finger. It’s unbecoming.”
“But it’s true.”
“Yes, it’s true… Wait, no, Your Majesty!”
Serena was startled by how naturally Azaid admitted it. He, however, simply smiled at her with playful eyes.
“It’s true, though. You’ve got me completely wrapped around your finger.”
“…Please don’t say things like that elsewhere.”
What if I end up going down in history as the most notorious seductress?
Oblivious to Serena’s flustered thoughts, Azaid whispered sweetly,
“If that’s what Serena wants.”
With those words, Azaid pressed his lips against Serena’s wrist. The situation felt surreal to Serena—the emperor of the empire was granting her permission to toy with him as she pleased.
Just as his lips brushed against her fingertips and his face inched closer, Serena blocked his mouth and brought up the reason she had come.
“Not today.”
“How do you know what I was going to do?”
“You’d do anything. Anything!”
At Serena’s stern warning, Azaid chuckled and stopped what he was doing. She always acted bold, but whenever Azaid showered her with affection, she’d get flustered like this.
Had it been nighttime, he might have teased her further, calling her cute, but since it was daytime, Azaid straightened himself up, knowing Serena would nag him about maintaining his dignity as an emperor. He decided to change the topic.
“So, did you have a good talk with Lucy?”
“Yes. Since I’m the only one invited, I thought I’d attend quietly.”
At Serena’s murmured reply, Azaid spoke gently.
“Won’t it be dangerous for you to go alone?”
“About that—can I bring Jack along?”
The moment Serena brought up Jack’s name, the smile on Azaid’s face slightly faltered.
“Why Jack, of all people?”
“Well, I can’t exactly ask Sir Leonard to accompany me, can I?”
“No, but there are plenty of others.”
Azaid’s face lit up with a hint of expectation as he urged her to think of someone else. Serena furrowed her brows and gave him a pointed look.
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of coming along yourself.”
“If you want me to, I—”
“No.”
Before he could finish his sentence, Serena firmly shut him down.
“Your Majesty, sometimes I think you forget what your position is.”
“I know perfectly well.”
“And yet you’re suggesting that you accompany me? Do you even know where it is?”
It was the wedding of a daughter from the Vincent family, recently merged with the Greenwood family. If the emperor showed up, the political implications would be obvious.
Afraid he might actually try to come, Serena put on a stern face and adamantly dissuaded him. However, contrary to her concerns, Azaid merely chuckled leisurely, as if to say it wasn’t a big deal.
“So, it’s not that you don’t want me to come; it’s just that I shouldn’t, right?”
“It’s not that I don’t want you there—it’s that you can’t go.”
“Don’t worry. Even if I go, no one will recognize me except you.”
“You can’t be serious.”
As Serena stared at him in disbelief, Azaid smiled lazily and said,
“Didn’t you say I look good with black hair?”
***
Lydia’s wedding was held in the grand ceremonial hall of the Agnes Temple. As the temple of the empire’s official religion, its scale was unmatched by any other.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers, and a variety of finger foods delighted both the eyes and the palate. Securing such a prestigious venue, which was notoriously difficult to book, had been made possible thanks to the Duke of Greenwood’s influence.
To Lydia, having her wedding in this dreamlike setting felt almost surreal.
“Hmph.”
Counting the stream of arriving guests, she reminded herself that this was real. Just months ago, the nobles who had ignored her were now filing in one after another.
The bridal waiting room was piled high with gifts, and well-known nobles came by to offer their congratulations. Lydia’s smile stretched from ear to ear, as if she were the center of the universe.
Then it happened.
“Well, well.”
Tyler strolled into the waiting room, waving lazily. At least he hadn’t forgotten his sister’s wedding. As he embraced her with exaggerated gestures, the smell of alcohol wafted over.
“Oh, my dear sister, Lydia! Congratulations on your marriage!”
“Ugh, you reek of alcohol! Stay away; you’ll make my dress smell!”
When Lydia pushed him away in disgust, Tyler’s gaze fell on her dress.
“So, this is the masterpiece by the Greenwood family’s designer you’ve been bragging about? Huh, the details are impressive.”
“Of course! And don’t touch it with your dirty hands—it’s made of fabric so luxurious you’ll never get to wear it.”
When she shook her hands at him as if he were a germ, Tyler’s smile froze. Lydia, however, was too annoyed to care.
I should’ve banned him from coming! Ugh, what a nuisance.
The euphoria she’d felt moments ago plummeted. It was embarrassing enough to have him drunk in the middle of the day.
“If you’re going to cause a scene, just go back to the castle! Don’t ruin my perfect wedding!”
“What am I, a germ? You don’t have to overreact. I am the heir of the family, after all.”
Ignoring his wounded pride, Lydia pointed firmly toward the door.
“Don’t act like you’ve ever contributed to the family.”
“That’s a bit harsh.”
“Want me to be harsher? The best help you can offer is to stay quiet and out of sight. Got it?”
At Lydia’s sharp words, a vein bulged on Tyler’s forehead. Just as the situation grew tense, the Baroness entered the waiting room.
“Tyler, so this is where you were.”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
If you want to support the translation and the translator, you can buy a coffee~
