IDED | Chapter 108

Episode 108

Colin nervously chewed his nails in the reception hall, clearly anxious.

In truth, he had tried to contact Marco before the ceremony began but couldn’t get close because Duke Greenwood had attended. Luckily, the duke had left immediately after the ceremony due to an external engagement.

‘Right. Even if the sky collapses, there’s always a way out.’

Colin, having infiltrated the reception, waited for the bride and groom, who had yet to make their entrance.

The scale of the reception was massive, featuring finger foods, a wine fountain, and a beautiful orchestra performance—a luxurious, even extravagant, event.

At that moment, a small commotion broke out in the hall. Tyler, who had been slightly intoxicated even before the ceremony, felt offended by Lydia’s indifference and drank excessively, causing a drunken scene.

“Hmph! They call this a special wine from the Temple of Agnes? It’s just watered-down nonsense!”

Without considering that his dulled taste buds were due to his drunkenness, he began criticizing the food. Naturally, people around him gradually moved away.

Colin, recognizing him as Lydia’s brother, Tyler Vincent, saw an opportunity and approached him.

“You seem to be in a good mood, now that your sister’s getting married.”

“Who are you?” Tyler slurred, his voice thick with drunkenness.

Colin rubbed his hands together and replied, “Ah, pardon my late introduction. I’m Colin, from the Colin Institute.”

“Oh, the Colin Institute.”

Tyler gave a sly smile, as though he had heard of it before, and patted the seat next to him.

“Fancy meeting someone important like you here. Come, have a seat.”

With an invitation to sit, Colin joined him and poured him a drink.

“Why are you drinking alone? It must feel a bit lonely.”

“There’s no noble who cares about a guy like me. Hmph. And I wouldn’t want their company anyway.”

Tyler spoke with a nasal voice, downing his drink in big gulps. Though the reception was in full swing, his drunken state was starting to look excessive, prompting Colin to comment.

“You must have drunk too quickly by yourself to be this intoxicated already.”

“I’m not drunk.”

As the saying goes, drunkards never admit their own drunkenness. Colin took out a hangover remedy from his pocket and joked lightheartedly.

“Of course, someone like you wouldn’t get drunk on just this much. But just in case, take this.”

“Thank you.”

Tyler readily accepted the hangover remedy. However, since the effects would take some time, Tyler began pouring out his grievances.

“I’m just so upset today that I had to drink a bit.”

“Why would you be upset on such a joyous day?”

“Hmph! Why should today be joyous for me? It’s only a good day for that annoying Lydia!”

Tyler, indignant, poured himself another drink and downed it.

“Hahaha, if only I hadn’t failed in business, I wouldn’t be treated like this.”

“So you’re in business?”

“Yeah. Though I had to quit because I had no luck, I was once a successful businessman.”

As Tyler reminisced about the past, he let out a rough burp. Colin struggled to keep his expression neutral and began to reveal his true intentions.

“From your demeanor, you seem like someone who can achieve anything.”

“Oh, stop it. I don’t take flattery.”

“Come on, I’ve been in business a few times myself. I can tell just by looking at someone’s face if they’re destined for success.”

“So, you’re saying I have the face of a successful man?”

“Absolutely.”

As Colin answered confidently, a smile spread across Tyler’s face. Colin watched him closely, taking note of how easily he responded to flattery.

Since he was already worried about whether Marco would help him, he felt the need to secure a new backup plan. Naturally, Tyler became his next target.

‘If I play this right, I can pin everything on this guy.’

Serena narrowed her eyes as she observed the strange scene.

‘Why are those two together?’

One of them was Colin, whom she had been searching for, and the other was her half-brother, Tyler.

“What is that hopeless man up to now?”

The combination of Tyler and Colin already gave Serina chills. From beside her, Azaid muttered in amusement.

“No need to look far. The noise makes them easy to spot.”

“How should we proceed?”

“It seems like they’re trying to make a move while the Duke is away.”

Azaid scanned his surroundings, checking for any sign of Jack and Lucy. Lucy blended naturally among the other young nobles, while Jack, true to his reserved nature, sat quietly alone, keeping a close watch on Colin.

It was clear that they were waiting for an opportunity when Colin would leave the banquet hall. Serena, deliberately avoiding their gaze, leaned closer to Azaid and whispered,

“What if we catch them and they end up like Sebastian?”

“We won’t apprehend them immediately. First, we’ll locate their hideout, then assign watchers to monitor them.”

“So, you’re planning to gather definitive evidence?”

“Exactly. There seems to be some sort of forbidden word or secret between them.”

The sudden deaths of the administrator’s family and Sebastian were riddled with suspicious circumstances. Both appeared to know something critical, and in Sebastian’s case, he died while trying to reveal it.

Given how meticulous Duke Greenwood was, it seemed he had placed a curse to silence anyone on the brink of revealing the secret. If a forbidden word were spoken, they would risk losing a valuable witness.

Tracking witnesses and gathering evidence and context, rather than relying solely on testimonies, was undoubtedly the key strategy for resolving this case.

“Forbidden word?”

Serena, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, reached subtly for her wine glass.

“Yes, for now, we’ll observe and pinpoint their base,” Azaid replied calmly, smoothly taking the glass from Serena and replacing it with orange juice.

The act was so seamless that Serena simply stared blankly at the retreating wine glass for a moment. Then, with a sulky expression, she muttered,

“Excuse me, Your Majesty, but a little wine is fine.”

“That’s a strong drink, you know.”

“Liar.”

I know full well that’s the weakest drink here.

Though Serena didn’t voice her thoughts, her glare made them clear. Azaid smirked slightly and responded,

“Who are you trying to get drunk in front of?”

“I don’t have to get drunk.”

“No.”

Azaid firmly refused, transferring finger foods to a plate and handing it to her.

“Drink only when we’re alone.”

His blue eyes, softened slightly by the mask he wore, seemed to glimmer. Serena wanted to argue but stopped, recalling the time she had acted out in front of him after drinking. Letting out a deep sigh, she thought,

‘Fine. My fault. Totally my fault.’

Given her history, she couldn’t blame Azaid for being so strict. Still, feeling a little aggrieved, she asked,

“Moderate drinking is good for the body. Isn’t that why medicinal wine exists?”

“You already had one moderate glass earlier, didn’t you?”

When did he see that?

As Serena gaped in surprise, Azaid replied,

“You can’t hide from my eyes. You know where my attention is focused.”

“…You’re really into this bodyguard role, aren’t you?”

“It’s the perfect role to keep an eye on you.”

Azaid smiled openly, his gaze fixed on Serena. Without his title as emperor weighing him down, Azaid seemed freer, which made Serena uneasy. Still feeling rebellious, she pursed her lips.

“If you keep stopping me, I might just drink to excess when we’re alone and show you every possible drunken antic.”

How about that?

At her brazen threat, Azaid dismissed it with a short remark,

“Adorable.”

“…”

“You were pretty adorable back then too.”

With a soft smile that reached his eyes, Serena lost the will to fight. She didn’t dare push further, unsure of what he might say next.

But Azaid, seemingly enjoying her flustered state, added,

“You get bolder when you drink, you know.”

“Uh…”

“What kind of thoughts are you harboring for that to happen…?”

“Zed, why don’t you go grab some macarons?” Serena interjected loudly, her voice rising.

Azaid chuckled and bowed his head slightly. His low voice lingered near her ear.

“As you wish, my lady.”

Since when did “my lady” sound so suggestive?

Realizing the hidden affection in his words, Serena suddenly felt parched. She coughed awkwardly and downed her remaining juice, but the heat in her face didn’t subside. She fanned herself lightly as Azaid returned with the macarons.

“Thank y—”

Just as Serena reached for the plate, his sultry voice brushed her ear again.

“If you really want to drink, have some with me later.”

“Ah.”

“Whatever you do, as long as it’s in front of me, it’s fine.”

“…Zed.”

“Yes, my lady. Say the word. I’m ready to listen to anything you desire.”

A faint smile graced Azaid’s lips as he spoke with a feigned air of loyalty.

Though their proximity was far too close, no one around them seemed to notice. The other guests were too engrossed in their own revelries.

“My lady?”

Prompted again, Serena unintentionally lifted her gaze and was startled. The pale bluish-gray eyes staring back at her burned with intensity, shaking her heart to its core.

Though the face was unfamiliar, the gaze was not—it was a look that was deeply familiar, one that churned her emotions.

Realizing her own expression mirrored his, Serena tightly shut her eyes.

“I want to go to the terrace.”

At her command, Azaid promptly escorted her outside. When they stepped onto the terrace, their lips met—as if it had been inevitable all along.