Episode 35
“Well, this is unusual. It’s not the first time you’ve seen me flirt with every woman I meet. Why the reaction now?”
“I thought you at least knew how to separate personal and professional matters. Show some respect—for my personal physician.”
“If anyone heard that, they’d think I asked Serena to date me, wouldn’t they?”
Jack turned to Serena as if seeking her agreement. Serena’s expression immediately soured.
At that moment, Azaid subtly interrupted their exchange of glances and spoke up.
“Jack, this is why people call you a philanderer.”
“Wow… I’m hurt.”
Jack put on a crestfallen face, feigning deep offense. Azaid looked at him impassively, unimpressed by the act. Serena glanced at Azaid from the corner of her eye.
‘At least he seems to think of me as one of his own.’
Hearing him say “my physician” gave Serena an inexplicable sense of joy. Perhaps it was because, unlike in her previous life, she felt acknowledged by him now. To align herself with Azaid, she boldly chimed in.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’m not crazy enough to date a friend of my superior.”
Jack raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously.
“Oh, so dating your superior is fine, then?”
The idea of dating Azaid flashed briefly in her mind.
Keep work and personal matters strictly separate, she reminded herself. Leaving any room for interpretation in front of the Emperor was bound to cause unnecessary trouble. Without hesitation, Serena retorted.
“Dating a superior is even worse. Office romances are pure poison.”
Then, she looked at Azaid with a bright smile. At that moment, Azaid’s expression twisted into something entirely different from earlier. Jack nudged him lightly and teased.
“You heard her, Azaid.”
“I didn’t ask.”
Azaid glared at Jack with a murderous look. Naturally, Serena missed this exchange. Jack, momentarily startled, quickly returned to his usual smirk.
“Someone didn’t get enough sleep today. Touchy, aren’t we?”
Just then, one of Jack’s subordinates entered the room.
“I’ve brought what you requested.”
“Good work.”
Jack took the box from the subordinate and placed it on the table. Azaid slid it toward Serena.
“It’s for you.”
“For me? Really?”
Serena blinked in surprise at the unexpected gift. This was the second time in this life that Azaid had given her something.
As she hesitated, Azade gestured with his chin for her to open it. Carefully, she lifted the lid of the box.
Inside was a small, elegantly crafted communication crystal, designed for convenience.
“This is…”
“It’s not that I’m favoring you or anything. It’s just to avoid the hassle if something like last time happens again.”
“Not favoring her, huh? That’s the custom-made communication crystal you only handed out to us.”
Jack couldn’t resist chiming in. Azaid shot him another sharp look. Serena ignored their bickering and examined the crystal in her hands before turning to Jack.
“What’s the difference from a regular communication crystal? It does seem easier to carry.”
“This crystal has never been sold on the market. It’s far more secure than the standard ones.”
Jack puffed out his chest and launched into a detailed explanation about the crystal’s features. Serena, reading the instruction manual inside the box, looked amazed.
“Wow. It has so many functions. Did the Gordon Merchant Guild make this?”
“Well, this genius Jack lent them a hand, of course.”
“Jack’s bragging aside, I designed it with Nocturne. Carter and Lowell provided the materials. That guy just assembled it.”
“That guy,” Jack muttered bitterly, pouting.
The audacity of calling the Emperor “that guy.”
Serena felt a pang of envy. Hearing someone else voice what she never dared to say out loud was oddly cathartic.
Ignoring Jack’s grumbles, Azaid continued.
“The palace might issue you a separate communicator, but carry both. I’ll likely use this one to contact you.”
“Understood.”
“Oh! Just in case, I’ve added my communication code. As my life’s savior, feel free to ask for help anytime.”
Jack winked dramatically. Serena gave him an awkward smile and shrugged.
Now in possession of the Gordon Guild Master’s personal communication code, Serena felt certain it would come in handy someday.
“Don’t complain later if I use it too much, Jack.”
“Complaining is my specialty, so no promises.”
“Then you shouldn’t have said ‘anytime’ in the first place.”
“Worse than Azaid, aren’t you?”
Jack shook his head, pretending to be appalled. It seemed Azaid often worked him hard.
What kind of schemes could they be brewing behind the scenes?
Serena watched as Jack and Azaid bickered. Suddenly, she remembered the upcoming hunting festival.
The Croten Hunting Festival.
An annual event where the Emperor visited one of the great noble territories to keep them in check.
It’ll probably be held in the Greenwood Duchy’s land this year.
It had been the same in her previous life. As a low-ranking royal physician back then, she hadn’t been allowed to attend.
Moreover, there had been rumors of an incident during the festival, though the details were hushed up. All she knew was that there had been casualties.
Serena didn’t want to leave Azaid alone in such a perilous setting. Just as she was about to ask him if she could accompany him to the hunting festival, Azaid spoke.
“Let’s go, Serena.”
Having finished his conversation with Jack, Azaid stood. Startled, Serena rose as well, nodding politely to Jack.
“See you around, friend.”
“Sure.”
Serena chuckled at Jack’s casual use of “friend.” Azaid lightly tugged her arm, urging her to hurry.
Serena and Azaid boarded the waiting carriage.
According to Azaid, when visiting the Gordon Trading Company, they traveled using a rental carriage sent by the company.
After all, riding around in a carriage emblazoned with the imperial seal would be akin to announcing the emperor’s arrival.
“Your Majesty, by any chance…”
“Do you like the gift?”
Both Serena and Azaid spoke at the same time. Coincidentally, Azaid finished his sentence first, so Serena answered promptly.
“Yes. The color is beautiful, and I love that I can wear it as an accessory.”
Serena recalled the bracelet inside the box and smiled bashfully.
What she liked most about it was its portability. With chains for a bracelet or necklace included, it could be worn however she wanted.
Since it wasn’t a commercial product, others would just see it as an ordinary accessory. Azaid scratched his cheek as he watched Serena visibly delighted.
“Well, I figured multifunctional accessories would appeal to women.”
“Oh… Did you have it made specifically for me?”
“Not exactly, but it served multiple purposes.”
“Even so, thank you. I won’t have to worry about losing it.”
When Serena expressed her gratitude again, Azaid cleared his throat and asked.
“By the way, it seemed like you had something to say to me.”
“Oh! I was wondering where you plan to go for the upcoming hunting season.”
Feigning ignorance, Serena broached the topic even though she already knew the location. Without suspicion, Azaid answered.
“Since we went to the Marquisate of Carter last year, this time it’ll probably be the Greenwood Duchy.”
“Oh, the Greenwood Duchy! Isn’t it famous for its lush forests? I heard the air is so fresh that just standing there makes you feel rejuvenated.”
“It is a popular tourist destination. Why, do you want to go?”
“If I say I want to, will you take me along?”
“One of the court physicians has to accompany me anyway.”
“I’d love to go! Please take me!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Serena leaned forward eagerly and exclaimed. Azaid, in turn, leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand.
In the confined space, the distance between them narrowed. However, neither showed any discomfort, maintaining eye contact as they conversed.
“You must really be curious about the Greenwood Duchy. Seeing how enthusiastic you are.”
“Don’t you know that a change of scenery boosts productivity?”
“Excuses.”
Azaid chuckled softly. His lowered eyes curved gently without a trace of sharpness.
After a moment, Azaid looked at her quietly and said in a low voice.
“Last time, I said something I shouldn’t have.”
“Pardon?”
Serena’s eyes widened at the unexpected apology. She never imagined she’d hear the emperor admit to a mistake.
“I was startled by Jack back then, and it made me irritable. I’m sorry.”
Azaid, seemingly embarrassed, lowered his gaze before looking back at Serena. He didn’t seem insincere.
Touched by his heartfelt apology, Serena smiled brightly. She finally understood why he had suggested going out today.
“So, you came to my room that day to apologize for what happened?”
“And thanks to that, I saved you.”
“I never imagined I’d owe my life to Your Majesty. I suppose living long enough really does bring unexpected things.”
“For someone who’s only lived 19 years, you sure sound like an old-timer.”
Serena burst out laughing at his remark. In truth, counting the time she had relived, she had lived almost as long as he had.
“I apologize for being cold that day as well. I pretended to keep work and personal matters separate, but I think I mixed in some personal grudges.”
“More than a little, I’d say.”
“Anyway, I promise to never let that happen again.”
When Serena clenched her fists and made a vow, Azaid smiled and returned to his seat.
“Just so you know, Jack is nice to everyone, so it’s better to be cautious.”
“That won’t happen.”
“You never know with people.”
Serena waved off Azaid’s repeated mention of Jack.
“Oh, come on. That’s as absurd as the rumors about you and me being romantically involved.”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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