Lewd Courtship - Chapter 56

An awkward silence filled the carriage until the physician folded the paper and tucked it into his robe. After finishing his preparations to disembark, he pulled the cord on the wall. Before long, the carriage slowed and came to a complete stop.

“I shall take my leave now.”

The physician bowed politely before pushing open the door. As he stepped out, he added one last piece of advice.

“Ah, and I recommend you maintain a natural s*x life.”

Killian’s eyes widened slightly. The physician glanced at him once, then hurried away. The moment the door closed, the carriage started moving again. The Imperial physician shook his head with a displeased look.

“To show such insincere conduct… what a wretched man.”

The Imperial physician looked to Killian, hoping for agreement. But Killian was lost in thought and gave no response. The physician’s final words kept circling in his mind.

A natural s*x life…

It was already nearly certain that the sudden arousal stemmed from Semensty. And now that his function was returning, perhaps just as the physician said—it would be wise to try being with several women.

That was what Killian’s reason concluded, but the only person haunting his thoughts was one woman.

‘Why her… of all people…? A woman who might even be trifling with another man…’

He was the Emperor, so he could easily take in a virtuous young lady as a candidate for Empress. Or he could welcome a princess from a stronger kingdom, and Porhen would have no grounds to object. If it was only a matter of testing his restored function, there were more than enough women who would leave no troublesome aftermath.

And yet, his thoughts kept circling back to her—a woman whose very whereabouts were unknown. That vivid cascade of fiery red hair like midsummer sunlight, those sparkling green eyes, and the sight of her accepting him with a body burning like a beast’s… all of it returned to him with increasing clarity.

The image grew sharper and sharper until his troubled mood deepened further, and a long sigh escaped his lips. Within that sigh, a single word slipped out unconsciously.

“…Rachel.”

It was a faint whisper, yet the Imperial physician’s ears did not miss it. He stiffened and studied Killian closely. In contrast to the irritated expression on his face, the flush spreading across his neck stood out clearly.

‘Again…’

These past few days, his master had always reacted this way whenever it involved the princess. Even this morning, in front of the princess’s palace, he had acted strangely. Recalling that moment, the Imperial physician cautiously opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, shall I… send word to the Princess’s Palace?”

Only then did Killian realize he had spoken her name aloud in front of another. Startled, he covered his mouth with his hand. The gesture was as though he had been caught in some hidden act, and it only made the atmosphere more awkward.

A heavy silence filled the carriage. Killian’s lips parted slightly, but no words followed. His gaze drifted, unable to find anywhere to settle.

Just then, as if he had timed it perfectly, the coachman’s voice was heard.

“We have arrived at the royal palace.”

At the announcement, Killian sprang to his feet. As though trying to prevent the Imperial Physician from prying further, he quickly opened the carriage door himself and stepped out.

“Ah, Your Majesty, please wait—!”

The Imperial Physician, flustered, tried to follow him out. But Killian stopped right where his feet touched the ground. He acted as if he heard neither the physician’s call nor the stirrings around him.

He was paying attention only to Rachel standing before him. The instant their gazes met, his heart accelerated uncontrollably before he could even react. Killian forgot even to blink as he stared at her.

Rachel, too, kept her gaze on Killian as she quietly moved her steps forward. With a more demure air than usual, she came to stand before him. After looking up at him for a moment, she dipped her head slightly.

“Good evening, Your Majesty.”
“…It is a fine evening.”
“Yes, it’s such a beautiful evening.”

Rachel smiled bashfully. It was a round, gentle smile, yet her eyes carried a strangely suggestive gleam, and a faint blush tinged her cheeks.

That appearance was exactly the same as the image in Killian’s mind—yet at the same time, it also gave the impression that she had just come from a secret tryst. In that moment, a chill twisted through Killian’s insides, and before he realized it, a cold tone slipped from his lips.

“…Were you on your way back from an outing?”