Episode 84
“I just hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
Lucy, her energy drained and her spirits visibly downcast, sniffled as she spoke.
“There’s really nothing between His Majesty and me.”
“I see…”
Serena felt dizzy from the abrupt shift in tone. What on earth was that passionate display she had just witnessed from Lucy?
“But I can never be satisfied with just one face!”
Lucy, shouting until the very end, had resembled an eloquent speaker delivering a speech in a public square. Many of her statements had oddly fixated not on “people” but on “faces.”
Was it just her imagination, or did Daniel come to mind for some reason?
Serena found Lucy’s unexpected side quite intriguing. It was rare to see someone so fervently passionate about something.
Lucy began speaking hesitantly.
“And earlier, what I said about faces was just…”
“Oh, I was just a little surprised. People can like faces, right?”
“What? Not just like them—a total obsession!”
“Excuse me?”
“Of course, I never intended to get caught like this, but you don’t seem like someone who would judge me for it, Serena.”
Lucy babbled like someone relieved to have unburdened herself. She twisted her hair around her finger, looking somewhat shy.
‘She’d make a perfect match with Daniel…’
As Serena hesitated, unsure how to respond, Lucy cautiously asked:
“Do I seem weird to you? For getting excited about something like this?”
“No! I just think it’s… unique. Actually, I admire how sure you are about your tastes.”
“Serena…”
Lucy’s face lit up with emotion before she suddenly clasped her hands together.
“Then, since you already think I’m unique, can I ask you a favor?”
“A favor…?”
Lucy’s eyes sparkled, momentarily forgetting her role in helping Azaid. As Serena tilted her head curiously, Lucy blurted out:
“It’s something super simple. When you have time, could you come to my house and let me look at your face—”
“I knew it.”
At that moment, someone pulled Serena and Lucy’s hands apart. Standing in front of Serena was none other than Azaid.
“Ugh! Why are you here again? You’re in the way!”
“Why else? I’m here to protect Serena from you.”
Azaid shielded Serena with one hand and glared at Lucy. For some reason, he had felt an ominous chill earlier, which had led him to seek Serena out—only to discover Lucy’s antics.
‘This is practically her using the excuse of helping me to make a move on Serena.’
Azaid regretted ever trusting Lucy and warned Serena:
“Rena, don’t be fooled by that face.”
“What?”
“If you knew how devious the person behind that innocent face is, you’d be shocked.”
“Devious? That’s harsh. You’re hurting my feelings.”
“You should be glad I didn’t call you a pervert, you weirdo.”
Azaid dismissed Lucy lightly and turned back to Serena.
“You didn’t already promise her anything, did you?”
“Promise? What are you talking about…?”
Serena was baffled by Azaid’s sudden appearance and protective stance.
Not long ago, she had been convinced that the two of them were romantically involved.
But listening closely to their exchange now, they seemed less like lovers and more like bickering siblings.
Serena absentmindedly touched her chin and muttered:
“They really aren’t anything more.”
“What?”
“I see. Hmm.”
A faint smile naturally appeared on Serena’s lips. Was it because something that had been subtly bothering her was finally cleared up?
Seeing firsthand that there was truly nothing between them felt… refreshing. Or, to be honest, it felt good.
“So it was all just a misunderstanding.”
“What misunderstanding?”
“Never mind.”
Serena brushed it off with a small laugh. Azaid still looked clueless, but Lucy’s eyes sparkled again.
“Aha!”
Sensing a fleeting change in Serena’s expression, Plan B suddenly popped into Lucy’s mind.
If Plan A was about testing the waters, then Plan B was…
“I’ll be heading out now.”
“Take care, Lucy.”
“Yes, see you next time.”
“Don’t come back, seriously.”
“I’m not even coming to see Your Majesty. Why are you being so dramatic?”
Lucy retorted curtly and waved her hand. She wasn’t interested in a face she already had in her collection—only the ones she still wanted to collect mattered.
‘Hehe. Life is all about Plan B.’
Revisiting her sly plans internally, Lucy walked away briskly.
Meanwhile, Serena watched Lucy until she disappeared from sight. That’s when a large shadow loomed over her back, accompanied by a familiar scent…
“Um, Your Majesty, did you put on perfume?”
“Oh, can you tell?”
Azaid sniffed at his sleeve. A crisp, familiar scent was faintly mixed with something artificial.
“No, I just noticed when you got closer.”
“It was in the bedroom. I just… used it.”
Azaid hesitated, unable to admit he had worn it to impress her.
“Why? Does it smell bad?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just… I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you wear perfume.”
It was also oddly familiar. She couldn’t quite place it. Then Azaid said:
“Of course, it’s the first time.”
There had never been anyone he wanted to impress before.
Feeling oddly playful, Azaid rested his head on Serena’s shoulder.
It wasn’t quite a back hug, but it was still an intimate gesture not easily shared without closeness.
“What are you doing now?”
“Resting.”
“My shoulder’s starting to hurt.”
“Deal with it.”
“You’re so selfish.”
Serena smiled faintly, making no effort to push him away. Anyway, with Azaid being much taller, he was probably the one feeling more uncomfortable.
The wind carried a blend of his natural scent and the perfume, tickling her senses. Then Azaid spoke again:
“You smell nice, too.”
“I’m not wearing any perfume, though.”
“I know. It’s just your natural scent.”
“At least it’s not a bad smell, then.”
“Yeah. I like it. Your scent.”
Azaid took a slow, deep breath. At that moment, Serena realized she was holding herself tensely.
When her shoulders stiffened, Azaid tilted his head slightly and looked at her.
“Serena?”
“Enough now. You’re heavy!”
Serena pushed his face away with her hand before their eyes could meet.
“Ow!”
Azaid groaned, rubbing his nose where she had pushed him.
“Why’d you do that all of a sudden?”
“It wasn’t sudden. I was about to tell you to move ages ago.”
Serena, feeling her throat inexplicably dry, grabbed the cold green tea on the table and downed it in one gulp. Yet, the dryness in her throat still didn’t go away.
“That’s unfair.”
Azaid grumbled about being pushed away but took a step back without pressing further.
“Your Majesty, here you are.”
At that moment, Leonard arrived at the garden, looking for Azaid. Seizing the opportunity, Serena quickly bid farewell.
“I’ll be going now!”
“Wait…”
Azaid could only stare blankly as Serina disappeared in a flash. Leonard handed Azaid a sealed letter.
“A letter from Jack.”
The moment Azaid heard it was from Jack, he tore the envelope open immediately.
[It can be handled soon.]
For someone as talkative as Jack, the message was brief and to the point. Azaid’s lips curved into a smile at the long-awaited good news.
It was a matter he and Jack had been secretly working on since Azaid had witnessed Serena’s anger toward Lydia at the last guild meeting.
Their goal: to completely expel the Vincent family from the capital.
However, upon investigation, it became apparent how poorly managed the family’s affairs were. It was almost baffling how they had evaded legal consequences for so long.
“What did you instruct him to do? Jack seemed overly excited.”
Leonard asked with a face full of suspicion. Jack’s excitement usually didn’t bode well for anything particularly wholesome.
Azaid smirked as he looked at Leonard.
“Just… garbage disposal.”
He then burned the letter completely, leaving no trace behind.
Garbage belongs in the trash. Azaid was determined to make that a reality, ensuring that no more “garbage” would ever come near his Serena again.
He planned to strip them bare under the weight of the law—with plenty of personal satisfaction mixed in.
“I hope Serena will be pleased.”
Azaid muttered softly to himself.
***
In the Emperor’s quiet bedroom.
Anna, who had entered to tidy up the room, was startled by an unexpected presence.
“Captain of the Imperial Guard, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, I just left something behind.”
Sebastian replied calmly while slipping something into his pocket. Anna stepped closer and asked,
“What item? I can help you find it.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve already found it.”
Sebastian spoke vaguely and attempted to brush past her. The faint scent in the air seemed to come from the object he had hidden in his pocket.
But Anna grabbed his arm and said firmly,
“Even if you’re the Captain of the Imperial Guard, you shouldn’t enter His Majesty’s quarters when he’s not here.”
“My apologies. I was in a hurry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Alright. Please take care.”
Sebastian gave a hollow laugh, nodded politely, and exited the room.
However, as he stepped into the silent corridor, one of the palace’s physicians, Duke, appeared and bowed deeply before him.
Without hesitation, Sebastian kicked Duke’s shin sharply and reprimanded him coldly.
“I told you not to leave any traces.”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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