Lewd Courtship - Chapter 73

***

As the sun began to set, soft lights were lit in the palace’s small banquet hall.

This space, prepared for the distinguished guest’s meal, was quiet and dignified. It was neither overly grand nor too humble.

He carried himself with an unforced restraint that felt almost dignified.

Killian arrived at the entrance of the hall with steps slower than usual.

The guards and the Imperial Physician standing behind him all bowed at once.

Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he suddenly stopped.
He turned his body and swept his gaze over the bowed figures, then addressed one of them.

“Imperial Physician.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while. Join me.”

At the unexpected invitation, the Imperial Physician’s eyes widened slightly.

The last time the two had shared a table was back when Nemeas was still a kingdom, when Killian had been the Third Prince.
Recalling those old days, the physician bowed even deeper.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Killian entered the hall without another word. Straightening his back, the Imperial Physician followed after him.

Before long, a long dining table came into view. A vase decorated with crape myrtle flowers sat in the center, and at one end, silver tableware was neatly arranged.

Killian sat down and gestured to the attendant. A new place setting was immediately prepared. As the Imperial Physician took his seat, a breeze drifted in through the half-open window.

A gentle current of air brushed across the tabletop, causing the crape myrtle flowers in the vase to sway softly. Killian’s gaze rested on the blossoms.

At the moment he looked at the vividly red petals, someone’s image overlapped them.

“Haah…….”

A sigh escaped him on its own. As if trying to shake off the lingering image, Killian lifted his water glass.

He drained it quickly, wetting his throat. The fact that even a simple flower arrangement reminded him of her weighed heavily on him.

He forced himself to focus on the meal.
Across from him, the only sounds on the table were the occasional clinks of cutlery.

Though he had invited the imperial physician, he still hadn’t managed to speak and the resulting silence stretched long enough that even the faint breeze felt awkward.

Yet the meal continued steadily.

Killian cut into his steak, then stopped, his lips twitching slightly.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally managed to speak.

“Imperial Physician.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Imperial Physician thought the moment he had been expecting had finally arrived. As he steadied his mind, Killian continued in a flat tone, still staring at his plate.

“…What kind of woman do you think the Empress should be?”

The Imperial Physician had mentally prepared himself perfectly, yet his body still froze.

He set down his fork and glanced toward Killian.

This was not a casual topic for a dinner table.
His lord’s earlier confession that he had taken Semensti and coupled with the princess—flashed through his mind.
This question was undoubtedly asked with her in mind.

‘That princess… as Empress…’

Even setting aside the rumors, what he had seen and heard of her temperament was no small matter. No matter how generously he tried to view her, she was far from fit to become Empress.

The Imperial Physician began to speak, then closed his mouth again. The Empress’s seat was not something he could discuss lightly. Caution came first—he was unsure whether such words were permissible to utter at all.

While he hesitated, Killian’s knife came to a stop. Noticing the shift, the Imperial Physician quietly glanced at the Emperor. The face of his lord, weighed down with deep fatigue, looked pitiful. Reports had mentioned that His Majesty had barely been eating lately, yet now he was, surprisingly, putting food into his mouth with steady consistency.

The Imperial Physician looked back and forth between the half-emptied plate and Killian’s profile. Then, as though finally reaching a resolution, he opened his mouth.

“Such a lowly servant as I would never dare speak of Your Majesty’s future consort.”

Killian’s brow lifted faintly, displeased with the evasive answer. The Imperial Physician immediately continued in a calm voice.

“However… when Your Majesty is with the Princess, you appear at ease.”

At the end of his words, he studied the Emperor’s expression. He was curious what reaction he might see, yet His Majesty offered none in reply.

Instead, Killian resumed cutting. The sharp blade glided through the meat as though carving a sculpture. His movements were refined and fluid.

The neatly sliced steak disappeared into his mouth, and as he chewed slowly, his demeanor softened. Only then did the Imperial Physician swallow a quiet breath of relief. It seemed his answer had pleased the Emperor. Loosening his tension, he reached again for his fork.