IDED | Chapter 146

Episode 146

“……Why not? I’m not someone to be looked down on either.”

Jack grumbled, feeling his pride wounded. But Azaid had no hesitation in stomping on his pride even further.

“That’s because Lily said she absolutely despises womanizers like you.”

“I’m not that bad of a guy, you know?”

Jack muttered a small protest, but Azaid unleashed a merciless critique.

“You’re not a good guy either. Isn’t being obsessed with women the worst trait?”

“What are you talking about? I may look like this, but I’m a romantic at heart. Anyone would think I’m a playboy.”

“You may not cheat, but it’s a fact that you fall in love easily, date, and then break up. You call every woman you make eye contact with your destiny.”

“Come on, that’s not fair. I’m a victim too! Every single woman I date turns out to be two-timing me. What do you expect me to do about it? Just put up with it?”

“Bragging about your poor taste in women now, are you?”

“Hey!”

Leaving the fuming Jack behind, Azaid moved toward the door. Then, as if he couldn’t resist teasing him further, he turned back and added,

“Ah, right. Lily doesn’t like guys who are weaker than her.”

“So what?! I didn’t ask! I don’t need that kind of advice, so get lost! Worry about your own love life, you bastard!”

Jack erupted in fury, barking out his words. Seeing this, Azaid put on a mock dignified expression and asked,

“Oh? Are you addressing me, your emperor, in this manner? What a disloyal subject.”

“…So now you decide to act like an emperor?”

Jack glared at him with wide eyes. But Azaid, his lips curled into a smirk, continued his taunts without mercy.

“If you confess to Lily, I bet my afternoon nap tomorrow that you’ll be rejected.”

“You son of a…!”

“Pfft!”

Jack, his face turning red, scratched the back of his head in frustration. Finding it amusing, Azaid burst into laughter just as he opened the door to leave.

“Ouch!”

Someone who had been about to knock on the door ended up hitting their head against it and let out a small yelp.

“Hmm?”

Azaid looked down at the child in front of him. He wondered why a kid was wandering around the trading company, staying silent in curiosity. But then, Jack, who had followed him out, recognized the boy and greeted him.

“Levin, what brings you here?”

“Ah, I came on an errand for my father, and when I heard that Sir Jack was here, I thought I’d stop by to say hello…”

Levin rubbed his forehead and glanced at Azaid hesitantly, unsure whether he should greet him or not since he didn’t know who he was.

Azaid widened his eyes slightly upon hearing the boy’s name. It was a name too familiar, almost unsettlingly so.

“Your name is Levin?”

“Yes.”

Although Levin was wary, he answered clearly. Jack ruffled the boy’s hair.

“This kid keeps coming up with ways to play instead of focusing on becoming a doctor.”

“I’m not playing! I told you, I came on an errand!”

“Oh, sure, sure. And yet, weren’t you the one who got caught skipping academy lessons by Elda and got scolded?”

“Ugh! How long are you going to bring that up?! Just wait! I’m going to grow up and become a royal physician like Serena!”

Levin, bristling with determination, pushed Jack’s arm away roughly. But the moment the name “Serina” left Levin’s lips, Azaid’s eyes widened even more.

“Serena?”

“Oh? Do you know Serena?”

Levin blinked, looking surprised.

“How do you know Serena?”

“She’s a regular at our apothecary. She’s been close to my parents since before I was born.”

Levin answered smartly, relaxing his guard a little. Seeing that Azaid knew Serina, he decided there was no need to be overly cautious.

Azaid stared at Levin intently. Now that he thought about it, he remembered Serena casually mentioning the apothecary owners, Elda and Genzo, before.

He had also seen those names among the suppliers that provided medicinal herbs to the palace.

“A regular apothecary, huh?”

Azaid, struck by a realization, looked directly at Levin and asked warmly,

“You speak very well. How old are you?”

“I’m twelve! I’ll be thirteen soon. I’m growing taller every day!”

Levin puffed out his chest proudly, boasting about his upcoming birthday.

Azaid estimated the years and let out a soft chuckle. Somehow, he felt like he now understood why she had chosen the alias “Levin.”

“I see.”

Azaid murmured to himself, and Levin tilted his head in confusion. Then, Azaid lightly patted his shoulder and said,

“Take good care of that name.”

“Huh?”

Levin was about to ask what he meant, but when he saw Ajade’s smile, he went slack-jawed.

Ajade, smiling as he recalled someone, looked as radiant as a carved angelic statue. Levin had never seen someone so dazzlingly handsome before.

“Wow…”

Before he realized it, he let out a small exclamation. Meanwhile, Azaid straightened up.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Safe travels, Your Majesty.”

“Mhm.”

Without looking back, Azaid waved his hand and disappeared. Levin, snapping out of his daze, suddenly widened his eyes at the title “Your Majesty.” Moments later—

“Y-Y-Your Majesty?!”

Levin let out a shriek, covering his mouth in shock. He had never imagined he would randomly run into the emperor in passing.

Azaid, hearing Levin’s commotion behind him, simply ignored it and leisurely exited the trading company.

The final day of the Founding Festival banquet.

Azaid and Serena had secretly slipped out of the palace and, as always, climbed the hill where the maple tree stood.

Below them, the bustling atmosphere of the marketplace could be felt. The area was brightly lit, so much so that it almost seemed like daytime despite it being night.

Serena, delighted by the rare chance to go out at night, took a deep breath. The night air was refreshing.

She was about to sit down on the grass when Azaid took off his coat and laid it on the ground.

“It’s already early winter, and it’s quite chilly. You might catch a cold.”

“Thank you.”

Serena smiled brightly at Azaid’s thoughtfulness and plopped down on the coat. Had she sat down without it, as he said, the ground would have been quite chilly.

Azaid then draped the shawl he had brought over her shoulders. Ever since Serena had woken up after being unconscious for so long, it felt as if their roles had reversed.

Now, it was Azaid who followed her around, trying to take care of her.

Finding the shift amusing, Serena rested her face against her raised knees and gazed at Azaid.

“This is the first time we’ve come up here together, isn’t it? One of us was always here first.”

“That’s true.”

Azaid followed her lead, resting his face against his knees as well, their eyes meeting. The night breeze, gentler than before, hinted that early winter was, indeed, still winter.

“I didn’t expect the autumn leaves to still be here.”

“If it rains tomorrow, they might all fall.”

“It’s supposed to rain tomorrow? I’m glad we came today, then.”

Serena tilted her head back, looking up at the maple tree. The thought of all the leaves falling because of the rain left her feeling regretful.

Wrapped in soft, twinkling lights, the tree glowed like red stars clustered together in the night sky.

Serena chuckled at the unexpected display and turned to Azaid.

“When did you think of putting lights on the tree?”

“I thought it would look beautiful.”

Azaid met her gaze, his voice dropping to a whisper. After a brief pause, he added,

“And it does.”

His gaze was so deep that it was hard to tell if he was talking about the tree or about her. Somehow, it felt like the latter. Serena lowered her gaze and scratched her cheek, feeling a little flustered.

“Thank you. This is why you asked me to come here, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Do you like it?”

“Yes. I love it.”

Serwna beamed and leaned her head against Azaid’s shoulder. The soft strands of her hair brushed against his neck and jawline, making him swallow hard.

At the same time, all his nerves were focused on the ring box hidden in his pocket. He knew he had to propose, but he couldn’t figure out how to bring it up.

Even after all his rehearsals, his mind went completely blank when it came to the real moment.

Unaware of his turmoil, Serena spoke cheerfully.

“I’ll never forget today.”

Of course, she wouldn’t. The very fact that Azaid was alive and well on this day made it all the more meaningful for her.

‘Finally, our first winter.’

Serena smiled faintly at the thought of the coming winter rain. Azaid probably didn’t realize just how significant the falling leaves were to her.

She looked at him intently. In her past life, Azaid had always passed away before winter arrived. It had been a long time since he had seen the first snow.

“I hope it snows tomorrow instead of raining.”

Serena murmured the words absently, and Azaid lowered his gaze to hers.

“Why?”

“Because it would be the first snowfall.”

Serena gently lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. Since she had only raised her head without moving away, the distance between them was startlingly close.

Azaid’s eyelashes quivered slightly, as if caught off guard. The blue of his eyes gleamed more beautifully than ever.

Serena tilted her chin up and softly pressed her lips against his. Then, she whispered,

“I want to see the first snowfall with Your Majesty.”

Some might call it foolish to seek romance in the cold, but she didn’t care. If anyone knew how much effort she had put into making this day possible, they wouldn’t be able to argue against her.

Azaid let out a soft laugh, his eyes crinkling into a crescent shape. His half-moon smile was undeniably beautiful.

Resting his forehead against hers, he murmured in a voice filled with resolve.

“You’ll see it. Not just today, but next year, and the year after that.”

“Yes.”

Serena responded gently, her lips curling into a bright smile.

And just then, Azaid uttered something unexpected.

“This time, I won’t die. I’ll stay by your side. So you don’t have to worry, Rena.”