Lewd Courtship - Chapter 76

Maria stopped walking and cautiously watched the Imperial Physician. She recalled how he had examined the princess’s wrist a few days prior.

It could have been dismissed as a simple bruise, but he had pressed and prodded multiple times to check its condition. Whether it was his professional dedication or simply following the Emperor’s orders, his medical attitude had been sincere.

Remembering that impression, Maria slowly regulated her breathing. The tension in her stiff shoulders seemed to ease slightly. She began to think that perhaps this might work.

‘Just a little… only enough for him to understand if he has even the slightest interest in the princess.’

After hesitating, Maria finally stepped toward the Imperial Physician. She still hadn’t decided exactly what to say or how to say it, but she resolved to get closer first.

The distance closed enough for their voices to reach each other. But then, the Imperial Physician suddenly turned. He strode off in the opposite direction as if something urgent had come up.

His back was growing more distant. If she didn’t speak now, she felt she would miss her chance. Her heart sinking, Maria unconsciously raised her voice.

“Ah, excuse me…!”

The corridor fell into a sudden silence at the unfamiliar woman’s voice. The gazes of the Imperials, including the physician, focused on Maria.

Caught off guard by the unexpected attention, Maria flinched and froze. In contrast, the Imperial Physician recognized her as Rachel’s lady-in-waiting and glanced around. He naturally assumed the princess would be with her, but Maria was alone.

Why is the lady-in-waiting here by herself?

It was rare for a lady-in-waiting from the Kingdom to come all the way here. Moreover, the woman before him seemed to be emanating an air of unease.

As the Imperial Physician pondered briefly, the memory of last night’s dinner flashed through his mind. The image of his lord mentioning the empress overlapped with Maria’s presence, sending a very bad premonition crawling up his spine.

***

The paper on the desk had remained blank for hours. Killian repeatedly touched the pen tip to it and then lifted it away. Ugly black dots now densely covered the white sheet.

‘Writing a letter doesn’t seem to be the answer, no matter how much I think about it…’

The same worry he had agonized over all night began circling again. He knew that visiting her in person was the courageous thing to do. But he was certain that if he actually faced her, he would be unable to say anything.

So he was clinging to the stationery instead, but even this wasn’t coming easily. It was already the 11th day of his stay in Forhen. The awareness of his limited remaining time was making him subtly anxious, and yesterday’s events were layered on top of that.

After their bodies had joined in the garden, Rachel had behaved awkwardly. In silence, she gathered her clothes and then simply bid him farewell.

The unease he had felt then still lingered in a corner of his heart. Biting his lip, Killian tightened his grip on the pen. After much hesitation, he finally managed to write a single word.

[Rachel]

Only her name was written, solitary on the page. Staring at the characters, Killian shook his head. He suddenly disliked his penmanship. It was too elegant, and he feared it might come across as cold.

He clicked his tongue and folded the paper in half. After setting it aside in a corner of the desk, he opened a drawer. His fingers rummaged for a fresh sheet of stationery but paused upon a familiar object.

‘This is…’

It was the royal envelope studded with green sapphires. Killian stared quietly at the gem. Resembling her eyes, it held his gaze captive.

‘Should I bring a gem or something?’

Perhaps something material would help. Handing over a gift alongside his words might make the encounter less awkward.

Hmm… an emerald would suit that neck.

The memory of gripping her neck during their intimacy surfaced. He imagined the slender, pale skin adorned with a necklace he had chosen. Immediately, his heartbeat quickened, and his mood lifted strangely.

Aware of his own reaction, Killian let out a small laugh. It was a genuine smile, neither hollow nor bitter. Wrapped in this unfamiliar, buoyant feeling, he continued to gaze at the green sapphire. He was still in that state, having blinked a couple of times, when a knock sounded from outside.

“Your Majesty, it is the Imperial Physician.”

“Enter.”