Episode 46
“Ugh!”
Azaid let out a flustered exclamation, clearly not expecting her to bite his hand. Unfortunately, it seemed Serena had no intention of letting go. When she didn’t release him, Azaid let out a frustrated sigh.
“…Have you decided to just act like a wild beast?”
“Why do you keep calling me a beast?” Serena mumbled, her words muffled.
“With how you’re behaving, there’s no other way to describe it.”
Indeed, she was like an unruly beast—a stubborn one that wouldn’t listen no matter what.
“Let go so we can talk.”
“No. I’m going to get revenge.”
Revenge? On what grounds? Was she trying to protest the trouble she’d had taking medicine?
If that was the case, her retaliation was a success. Azaid was undoubtedly in distress.
He barely endured the tickling sensation as vibrations traveled from his fingertips where Serena was murmuring something incomprehensible.
To make matters worse, something kept brushing against him, driving him to his limit. Unable to bear it any longer, Azaid gritted his teeth and used his free hand to push her away firmly.
“Let go! Just let go already!”
“No! If you keep demanding, I’ll hold on even tighter!”
Serena clung stubbornly to his forearm with both hands, refusing to yield. Her grip was so strong it felt unnatural. Azaid couldn’t understand where she got such strength, and the odd sensation made him feel like his fingers no longer belonged to him.
Finally, after a prolonged struggle, Serena let go of his hand. By that time, the hangover remedy in her mouth had already dissolved completely.
Azaid wiped his now-damp fingers with a handkerchief and let out a deep sigh.
Before him was a wild foal, galloping freely with no reins. What was he supposed to do with her?
With a frosty glare, Azaid rebuked her.
“Serina. Never drink alcohol again.”
“Whaat? I don’t even drink alcohol, you know?”
“Stop making excuses and speak properly.”
“I’m serious…”
“Did you forget the pill you just swallowed was a hangover remedy?”
At his scolding, Serena pretended not to hear—or rather, she probably didn’t fully understand.
‘Hangover remedies take about 30 minutes to work, don’t they?’
Azaid glanced at his pocket watch and sighed deeply. Then, to prevent her from wandering outside, he grabbed her shoulders and held her firmly in place.
He couldn’t let this unbridled foal roam freely, as it would surely lead to trouble.
“You’re as wild as a colt.”
“Are you talking about yourself?”
“…I’m done talking.”
Shaking his head, Azaid turned away. Just looking at her flushed face made his frustration boil.
‘Did Nocturne not care enough to ensure his partner didn’t get drunk?’
Redirecting his anger toward someone else, Azaid thought about how Nocturne could have warned them about any dangerous foods among the ballroom desserts.
After struggling to escape his grasp for a while, Serena eventually gave up and slumped down, her breathing soft and even as she fell asleep under the effects of the medicine.
‘Once she’s sober, I’m going to tease her endlessly.’
About 30 minutes later, the bell signaling the end of the first part of the ball rang.
“Because of one drunken person, I missed all of the first part.”
Not that it mattered much—this wasn’t a ball he particularly wanted to stay at for long. The second part was meant for those who wanted to socialize further and have more intimate conversations.
He peeked through the curtain and observed the hall. Most high-ranking officials seemed ready to leave after the first part, with only a few lingering—mostly young nobles eager to find potential partners.
The second part would undoubtedly have a more carefree, youthful atmosphere. After assessing the situation, Azaid closed the curtain and turned back toward Serena.
Sliding his hands under her knees and around her waist, he lifted her effortlessly. As he strode toward the terrace, he paused at the door.
Bringing a drunk Serena outside like this might raise suspicions.
He was already aware of the rumors circulating about the two of them, though the gossip had lessened somewhat since Ophelia’s return to the social scene. Still, whispers lingered in small groups.
Although he didn’t mind the rumors, he didn’t want Serena, an unrelated party, to become a target of baseless scandal. After all, she was a young noblewoman of marriageable age, and he had no intention of interfering with her prospects.
‘It’s better to stay here for now.’
Azaid gently placed Serena back on the sofa. At that moment, her tightly shut eyes fluttered open, revealing hazy golden irises that stared blankly at him.
Her gaze seemed a bit clearer than before—perhaps he could reason with her now.
“Are you a little more awake?”
“…”
“Still not?”
“Azaid…?”
When she softly called his name, his eyes widened.
It was the first time he had ever heard her say his name.
Azaid’s heart thumped loudly once again, pounding as if it were a ball bouncing. Serena chewed on her lips for a moment, then gave a bashful smile and said,
“You’re alive? That’s a relief.”
“……”
Azaid froze, staring at Serena.
Had she dreamt of his death or something? Was that why she found it so strange to see him alive? Was she so relieved that she smiled so brightly?
“Why are you so obsessed with my life?”
Anyone watching would think she was his mother, the way she fussed over him. She could be annoyingly persistent, yet her intense concern left him unsure how to respond.
As Azaid looked at Serena with eyes full of doubt, a commotion began outside, followed by the sharp sound of something shattering.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Azaid shifted his gaze to the hall.
***
While Azaid and Serena were on the terrace, a sudden uproar was brewing in the hall.
Ophelia spoke up.
“That thing in your pocket. Hand it over, James.”
“What’s this all of a sudden? Asking for what?”
“You know very well what I’m talking about.”
With a chilly gaze, Ophelia extended her hand again. James, biting his lower lip, fiddled nervously with the magic orb in his pocket.
‘She’s caught on, but how? Who tipped her off? Could it have been the informant?’
James wracked his brain, trying to deduce the source of her knowledge.
The plan was straightforward. Before the second act began, they would give Nocturne a drink laced with a sleeping potion, then start a fire. They would plant the magic orb in Nocturne’s pocket, framing him as the culprit.
Fires caused by the orb would consume the surrounding natural mana and grow uncontrollably unless extinguished by magic.
Once the chaos was sufficient, James would dramatically appear and extinguish the flames using another magic orb.
Although not an awakened individual, James excelled at using magical tools for practical spells. His research on magic orbs extracted from magical beasts had even earned him academic recognition.
Feigning ignorance, James smiled slyly.
“You’re being unreasonable. What if there’s nothing in my pocket? What then?”
Ophelia toyed with the magic orb detector in her hand. Nocturne was an unlucky individual; knowing she didn’t fully trust him, she had come prepared with such objective evidence.
The detector had already confirmed the presence of a magic orb in James’s pocket. There was no escaping it.
“If there’s nothing, I’ll apologize.”
“An apology? That’s too light, don’t you think?”
“And who are you to judge what’s light or heavy in front of me? Know your place, James.”
Ophelia’s lazy smile made a crack appear in James’s façade. She was the legitimate daughter of Greenwood, while he, though talented, was an adopted member of the branch family.
Her rank far outshone his. Moreover, as the cherished daughter of the Duke, her status was leagues above his.
Forcing a laugh, James exaggeratedly shrugged off his coat.
“If you’re so suspicious, feel free to search me yourself.”
Meanwhile, he subtly transferred the magic orb into his hand and dropped it onto a plate of cookies. Then, he gestured discreetly to Patrick, who stood trembling nearby.
Patrick was shaking more than usual, likely due to nerves and an excess of alcohol.
‘Useless coward.’
James could only hope Patrick wouldn’t blow their cover. He glanced at Ophelia as she began rummaging through his pockets. Simultaneously, he checked for Nocturne.
Earlier, he had ensured a servant delivered the drink to Nocturne and confirmed he had taken a sip. By now, Nocturne should be dizzy and disoriented.
When his waiting brother made his move, feigning assistance to Nocturne while planting the orb, the real game would begin.
Confident, James watched Ophelia with a smug expression. As expected, she found nothing but empty pockets.
“See? There’s nothing there.”
“……”
Ophelia muttered to herself, “That can’t be,” as she kept searching.
And then it happened.
“Ophelia, is this what you’re looking for?”
Nocturne’s calm voice broke through the tension.
James spun around in shock. Nocturne, who should have been unconscious, was gripping Patrick’s wrist firmly.
In Patrick’s hand was none other than the magic orb James had planted.
Ophelia’s expression turned icy as she alternated her gaze between Patrick and James.
With a twist of Patrick’s wrist, Nocturne forced him to drop the orb. Swiftly catching it, Nocturne handed it over to Ophelia.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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