Lewd Courtship - Chapter 11

“That’s a relief.”
“…..”

Rachel, by nature, couldn’t stand silence. If the man walking beside her had been someone she liked, she might’ve tried flirting. But this was the Emperor—one afflicted with impotency.

Being trapped in awkward silence with a man she should never get involved with felt like a disaster. Her fingers twitched, and her body squirmed like she was being twisted up inside.

‘My mouth is itching. I feel like I’m going to die.’

Fidgeting lips finally parted, and Rachel blurted out anything that came to mind.

“Did the aperitif tea suit your taste earlier?”
“It wasn’t bad.”
“Oh, if you came by carriage, you must have taken a detour around the S***n River.”
“I did.”
“Only along part of the riverbank does the herb used in that tea grow. It’s named after the river—Semensty.”
“I see.”
“I believe some nobles are running businesses related to it. Developers affiliated with the kingdom are also creating various products using it.”

“Products made from herbs?”
“Yes. You know that gel that’s all the rage right now? They say it’s made from Semensty too.”
“Hmm….”

Killian recalled something his imperial physician had once mentioned. If it was the gel currently trending across the continent, then it must be love gel.

He hadn’t realized it was produced by developers under the royal household. He had only thought it was being distributed through trade guilds.

‘So the royal family is leading the s*x industry? That makes the accumulation of wealth a little more understandable.’

Killian began to piece together some of the political savvy he’d been curious about. Learning that the kingdom’s prosperity was partially due to the s*x industry cooled his interest somewhat. It wasn’t that he thought it wrong, but he certainly had no intention of reviving his empire with s****l commerce.

‘And… is it really okay for a princess to talk about adult products like this so openly? I can’t get a read on this country’s sense of propriety.’

In the Empire, noblewomen hardly even spoke to unrelated men. Having only seen such reserved ladies, it was difficult to understand a princess who acted with such ease.

He couldn’t tell whether this was simply a cultural difference or if, as the rumors suggested, she truly was promiscuous—but either way, her conduct wasn’t exactly admirable.

But Rachel, entirely unaware of Killian’s thoughts, was simply feeling proud of herself.

‘He seems kind of interested. Well, it makes sense—a man with impotency would naturally care about these things.’

Thinking it would be good to help the poor impotent Emperor, she continued talking.

“I’ve tried it myself, and it’s really good. I’ve heard it’s so popular that it’s hard to get your hands on.”

“…I’ll give you some—”
“Enough.”
“Huh?”
“A princess should be more mindful of her words and actions.”

Rachel’s eyes widened at the unexpected response. She looked at Killian in surprise. His handsome face, more mature than it had been five years ago, was now visibly creased with irritation.

‘What the hell is his problem?’

Rachel glared at the frown on Killian’s forehead before turning her gaze forward again. She hadn’t even said anything vulgar, let alone forced herself on him—why was he acting like this?

If anything, she thought, given that he had come to the kingdom to cure his impotence, he ought to be thankful to someone like her trying to offer him an effective product. Instead, the Emperor was getting angry at her for her kindness. That made Rachel furious.

‘Tch. I knew it—there’s no reasoning with a damn impotent man. The stuff’s sold out across the entire continent, and I’ve been rationing what little I have left. Even if he begs me for it later, I won’t give him a drop. Stupid impotent Emperor. Dickless bastard. Handsome face with a useless c**k. What a sad sack. A man doomed to a life of soft flops.’

Unable to insult him aloud, Rachel cursed him silently. But her anger still didn’t subside. She slipped a hand between the folds of her fluttering dress and, discreetly, raised her middle finger.

Just then, the attendant’s voice rang out, announcing their arrival.

“We’ve arrived.”

Killian came to a halt and turned his gaze toward Rachel. Startled, she stopped as well, the hem of her dress swaying gently.

The hem of her fluttering dress fell, revealing the upturned middle finger for a brief moment. Rachel quickly tucked her hand away.

She’d done it fast enough that even her own lady-in-waiting behind her hadn’t noticed—but the one person who mattered most, Killian, had caught it.