Chapter 36
Azeid bit his lower lip at Serena’s firm denial. Her words somehow didn’t sit well with him.
‘It’s not that impossible, is it?’
Perhaps he felt annoyed because she seemed too eager to reject the idea outright.
Come to think of it, Serena always treated him as just a patient and nothing more. From their first meeting, she had clearly been annoyed by him.
In a somewhat subdued tone, Azeid spoke.
“Others would give anything to be by my side, but you seem desperate to get away.”
“I’m not exactly running away…”
Serena’s eyes darted around as if she suddenly realized the implications of her words.
The position of empress, currently vacant, was highly coveted by many nobles. It wasn’t a position someone of her rank, a mere baron’s daughter, could even dream of.
After a brief pause, she cautiously voiced her thoughts.
“I’m not interested in politics. I just want to live quietly, taking care of myself.”
Yes, living a peaceful life was Serena’s dream. Azeid frowned at her response.
“I don’t intend to use my position politically either. If I did, that seat wouldn’t be vacant.”
“That’s true. Hmm. Surprisingly romantic, aren’t you? Are you waiting for a fateful love or something?”
Serena asked playfully, and Azeid shook his head.
“That’s quite a stretch.”
He clearly wasn’t amused. Serena chuckled mischievously, glancing at him.
She had a good idea why Azeid had drawn such a strict line with her that day.
Any subordinate who had the emperor’s favor was bound to attract unwanted attention. Serena, being the only physician to receive the Izrin, was naturally a subject of interest among the nobles.
From Azeid’s perspective, constantly having to weigh whether someone’s intentions were genuine or not, Serena must have been a complicated presence.
To reassure him, Serena spoke.
“Your Majesty, I understand what you’re worried about.”
“……”
“I can promise you one thing for sure.”
“What is it?”
Azeid looked at her lazily, as if curious about what she would say next. Serena smiled.
“Once I cure your illness, I won’t use it as leverage to get involved in politics.”
“……”
“I just want to see you healthy. That’s all I wish for.”
“……”
“After that, I’ll retire quietly and go back to doing small medical services, so you don’t have to worry.”
Serena shrugged, and Azeid gave her a puzzled look. It was hard to fathom her intentions.
Curing the emperor’s illness would open countless opportunities for her. It was her rightful reward. Yet she claimed she would abandon it all and retire.
‘Is she serious?’
Azeid stared at Serena. Her eyes were clear and earnest, making it hard for him to doubt her words.
He couldn’t understand where such a woman had come from. It seemed that during their argument that day, Serena had seen the thorns in Azeid.
Thorns that were sharp and defensive, even towards those who approached him. Azeid rubbed his face with his hand and spoke.
“There’s no need to retire. If you cure me, you should be rewarded accordingly.”
“Really, I just need you to be healthy.”
Because that’s the only way I can survive.
Serena held back the latter part and smiled. If she were someone with ambition, she would have blackmailed Viscount Vincent the moment she became a palace physician.
But she didn’t want that, and she hadn’t done it.
In this life, Viscount Vincent had approached her first, but she had declined. Azeid just stared at Serena, who remained resolute.
“So please understand if I treat you a bit harshly. It’s because I’m desperate.”
“So you knew you were being harsh.”
“It’s all because you let me.”
“Yeah, it’s my fault.”
Azeid chuckled and looked out the window. His lips curved into a gentle smile.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his face. Serena watched him for a while before shifting her gaze to the window as well.
* * *
On the day Serena met with Nocturne.
“Are you going to the hunting festival this time?”
Nocturne poured green tea into a cup and asked.
“Yes, it seems so.”
Serena replied casually, savoring a sip of tea. Since her last visit to Nocturne’s office, she had been meeting him frequently for advice.
Sometimes he came to the palace library, and other times she visited his office. Today was one of the days she had come to his office.
“I was going to tell you that I might leave the capital for a while, so this works out well.”
“Oh? Where are you going?”
Serena tilted her head, and Nocturne replied.
“I’m from Greenwood too.”
“Oh.”
Serena realized belatedly that he was going to Greenwood. Although he now lived separately, having received the title of count, he was still affiliated with Greenwood.
When the hunting festival was held in Greenwood, all those affiliated with Greenwood had to gather. Nocturne was no exception.
“I’m sorry. That was careless of me.”
“It’s fine. I sometimes forget I’m from Greenwood too.”
Nocturne smiled gently, reassuring Serena. She returned his smile and changed the subject.
“I’ve heard that Greenwood is famous for its dense forest paths.”
“You’re talking about the boulevard.”
“Yes. Have you been there?”
“Call me Nocturne. I’ll call you Serena.”
Nocturne corrected her address with a graceful smile. Serena, never one to refuse such a proposal, immediately changed her tone.
“Have you been there, Nocturne?”
“I went a few times when I was young. The trees are so tall that the sky is hard to see.”
“Really.”
“It’s not a place I have fond memories of, so I don’t particularly like it.”
“Why not?”
“My brothers often tied me up there.”
Nocturne spoke of his painful past without changing his expression.
Serena felt like slapping herself. It seemed like everything she said today poked at Nocturne’s sore spots.
“I’m having an off day. My questions are terrible…”
“It’s fine. I’m more successful than my brothers now.”
Nocturne shrugged. He was one of the four close friends favored by the emperor. His future was bright, unlike his brothers in Greenwood.
“Maybe one day your brothers will be the ones tied up.”
“That’s quite a scary statement.”
“Come on. Haven’t you imagined it? I would have, every day.”
Nocturne laughed as if he had heard something amusing. His face was full of delight.
“Maybe I’ll give it a try.”
“Do it. It might be thrilling.”
“Seems like you’ve thought about it often.”
“Actually, I used to get pushed around by my sister and brother a lot too.”
“You’re talking about Viscount Vincent’s children.”
Serena nodded lightly and continued.
“They bullied me so much that I left that damned house as soon as I could.”
“Talented illegitimate children are always seen as a threat. If you had no abilities, they wouldn’t have cared.”
Nocturne replied dryly, sipping his tea. With his sharp mind and awakened powers, he must have been a significant threat to Greenwood’s heirs.
“Still, I think I survived because of my abilities.”
“Do you?”
“Noble families are harsh environments for insignificant girls and boys, aren’t they?”
Serena winked, and Nocturne smiled softly.
“That’s true.”
“You endured well. You grew up wonderfully despite the harsh environment.”
Serena wanted to praise Nocturne for growing up properly. He looked slightly flustered by the unexpected compliment. His usually rational demeanor cracked.
“As a doctor, you must be good at giving praise. Your patients must love you.”
“I only praise when it’s deserved. His Majesty doesn’t hear it often.”
“Oh dear. His Majesty should try harder.”
“Indeed.”
Serena giggled, thinking of Azeid. He would find it unfair, given his recent diligent patient behavior, but he wasn’t here to hear it. Just then, Nocturne mumbled as if remembering something.
“Ah, perhaps that’s why His Majesty burned Viscount Vincent’s garden.”
“What? His Majesty did what?”
Serena’s eyes widened at Nocturne’s unexpected remark. She felt like she had just heard something shocking but wasn’t sure she had understood correctly.
Nocturne made a regretful expression before speaking slowly.
“You didn’t know.”
“……”
“Recently, there was a rumor in the social circles. That Viscount Vincent had angered His Majesty.”
“Why did he anger him?”
Serena suddenly recalled the night she had spent outside the palace. She had fought with Azeid right after and hadn’t heard about what had happened at Vincent’s estate.
“I don’t know the exact reason…”
Nocturne continued with a troubled expression.
“What’s certain is that His Majesty burned down the glass garden that the viscountess cherished.”
What did this crazy man do?