IDED | Chapter 136

Episode 136

Ophelia avoided Leonard’s gaze and murmured softly.

“We have to return to the castle. If I disappear like this, my people who remain behind might get hurt.”

“If we wait here, our side will bring you back safely. His Majesty has already considered the possibility of being discovered.”

“But Lydia is staying in my bedroom in my place. Even if she’s a foolish girl, she’s still my handmaid. I can’t just leave her behind.”

“That’s…”

“Besides, she has a loose tongue. I’m worried that she might say something careless and cause harm to our side.”

“Young Lady Greenwood, you don’t have to worry about that.”

Serena interjected into their conversation, drawing their attention.

“I gave Lydia a listening device. She won’t be able to reveal information about our side so easily. I also instructed her on what to do in case she’s discovered.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. Out of all of us, I know Lydia best. I can predict her behavior patterns perfectly.”

The tense atmosphere gradually settled in response to Serena’s calm demeanor.

Serena didn’t trust Lydia. She had learned the hard way that people don’t change easily—Lydia had taught her that lesson well. That’s why she had secretly set a trap in preparation for this situation.

‘If the Duke catches you? Then whether you die by my hands or by the Duke’s, it’s all the same, isn’t it?’

‘In that case, you can leak the information that I’m an Awakened to the Duke. With that level of information, he won’t be so quick to kill you.’

From the start, the only piece of information Lydia knew that could entice the Duke was the fact that Serena was an Awakened. Beyond that, Lydia knew nothing.

Serena had made sure to blindfold her so she wouldn’t know the location of their hideout, and she had kept her in the dark about the details, using her only as an informant.

Serena spoke calmly.

“In case she gets caught, I told her it’s okay to tell the Duke that I’m an Awakened.”

“Serena! What are you saying?”

Azaid, who had been listening in silence, suddenly stood up in shock. The thing the Duke wanted to find the most right now was an Awakened who had broken free from magic.

The reason Azaid hadn’t wanted to send Ophelia back to the castle was, in truth, to protect Serena. If the Duke found out that Serena was an Awakened, she would become his target.

To Azaid, Serena’s safety was far more important than preventing their information from leaking. He ran a hand over his face and gave an order to Jack.

“Jack, bring Lydia Vincent here immediately.”

“No.”

Serena stepped in front of Jack, blocking his path, and defied Azaid.

The tension in the air grew icy once more. Azaid suppressed his unease and grasped Serena’s shoulders gently, without hurting her.

“Why are you acting so recklessly? You could have discussed this with me.”

“If I had, you wouldn’t have allowed it.”

Serena knew just how much Azaid cherished the people around him. He would rather risk himself than use someone else as bait.

But while they hesitated, the Duke would find a way to escape. To fight against a cunning and devious opponent, safe methods weren’t enough.

They had to be just as cunning, deceiving the enemy in return to even stand a chance. Serena spoke stubbornly.

“You said I could do whatever I wanted.”

“That…! That didn’t mean you could throw yourself into danger.”

“I haven’t put myself in danger.”

“You told Lydia to reveal your power to the Duke—how is that not throwing yourself into a death trap?”

As Azaid’s voice rose, Serena placed her hand over his.

“Your Majesty, you’re making a grave mistake right now. I do value my life.”

Serena instinctively felt it—she might not be able to return again. Now that the tangled threads between her and Azaid had been unraveled, Mydia’s blessing must have lost its effect.

Even if she somehow got another chance to return, Serena didn’t want to go back.

Here and now… she wanted to live with Azaid.

That’s why she wasn’t acting like a reckless moth throwing itself into flames.

She had simply mustered the courage—to protect and help Azaid.

“You claim to value your life! But when we first met in the imperial palace, you told me to go ahead and cut off your head without hesitation.”

Azaid signaled Jack with his eyes to hurry and bring Lydia. As Jack hesitated, Serena shouted.

“I never act recklessly without something to rely on!”

“Serena.”

“Think about it carefully, Your Majesty. Lydia doesn’t know that I can use magic.”

“…!”

“I have never used my power in front of her. You saw it yourself, didn’t you? I only used Izring.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Azaid realize what he had overlooked.

“I deliberately set a trap for Lydia without her knowing. I wanted the Duke to believe that I unconsciously used my power.”

According to the information Ophelia had gathered, Duke Greenwood had been meticulously researching Awakened beings.

His research included cases where individuals had failed to awaken properly and cases where they lost consciousness and used magic involuntarily.

Serena’s case was unusual, but not unheard of. The experimental subjects in the Duke’s long-term project would have shown similar symptoms.

While Serena and Nocturne tried to understand the problem through theoretical analysis, the Duke was different.

He had firsthand experience from his experiments. The moment he heard Lydia’s report, he would immediately conclude that Serena was unconsciously using her power.

“Do you know why biological experiments are so terrifying? Because they’re precise. And that precision will be what traps the Duke.”

As Serena spoke with confidence, Azaid’s hands fell weakly to his sides. Serina quickly grabbed one of his hands and brought it to her lips.

“I promise. I will never die before you, Your Majesty.”

“You keep talking about death—that’s what worries me.”

“Alright. I’ll stay by your side for a long, long time, until my hair turns white, my back bends, and my lips grow thin.”

“…Why are you being so specific?”

“Let’s just call it an occupational habit. You always have to explain things simply and clearly to patients.”

“I’m not your patient anymore. I’m your lover.”

“That’s right. So shouldn’t I treat you even better? You’re not just a patient—you’re my lover, after all.”

Serena’s quick-witted response left Azaid grumbling under his breath before he pulled her into a tight embrace.

She had always been lovable, but now she was becoming someone he could lean on.

Azade muttered under his breath, unsure of the extent of Serena’s charm.

“I really can’t just tie you up so you can’t go anywhere.”

“That’s a crime.”

“I didn’t mean it literally. Are you going to keep nitpicking?”

“I have a condition where I die if I don’t say what I want to say.”

“……”

Azaid stared at her, as if wondering how she could joke even in this situation.

It wasn’t entirely untrue. Ever since she started speaking her mind, Serena’s life had begun to take a turn for the better.

Of course, Azaid didn’t know about her regression, so she decided to brush it off.

“Your Majesty, just trust me and follow my lead. Okay? I’ve been doing really well so far, haven’t I?”

When Serena met his eyes with a bright smile, Azaid let out a hollow laugh.

Looking into those eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to stop her. No, from the beginning, Azaid had never been able to stop Serena from doing anything. He always ended up getting caught up in whatever she was doing.

Azaid leaned his head against Serena’s shoulder, mumbling like a child seeking attention.

“You’re so unpredictable that I can’t take my eyes off you for a second. You keep driving me insane.”

“Oh my, that’s exactly what I’ve always wanted to say to you, Your Majesty.”

“Not letting me win even once, huh?”

As if frustrated, Azaid lightly bit Serena’s neck. He didn’t even notice Jack, standing behind Serena, his pupils practically shaking from shock.

He bit down just enough to leave a faint mark, but not enough to hurt. It was like a teething puppy gnawing away.

“Have you turned into a tiger now, biting and all?”

Serena responded playfully, gently stroking his broad back. In response, Azaid tightened his embrace around her.

Watching the two from a distance, Ophelia muttered to herself.

“I don’t think even the Duke will be able to defeat Miss Serena. She set up a trap so flawlessly that even we were fooled.”

“A genius isn’t called a genius for nothing. I’m honestly surprised as well. I’m sincerely glad we’re not on opposing sides.”

Leonard said this while turning his gaze to Ophelia. She tilted her head and asked,

“Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just relieved that you’re safe.”

“Oh.”

“And since I assume you wouldn’t want to get in the way of our work, Lady Ophelia, who knows quite a lot, should stay here with me. I’ll protect you.”

“Yes. I’ll leave it to you, Leo.”

Ophelia lowered her head slightly, her cheeks turning red.

“Hah. My eyes are burning.”

Nocturne, unable to watch his sister and his friend acting so affectionate, turned his head away.

That was when he met Jack’s blazing gaze. Letting out a dry chuckle, he took in Jack’s expression.

Jack wasn’t even trying to avoid it—he was glaring intensely, practically sparking with frustration.

“I’m the only one, aren’t I? The only one without a match. Was my partner even born? If they were, they should at least send me a sign or something.”

Watching him, Lily clicked her tongue in exasperation and smacked Jack on the head.

“There. Here’s your sign.”