Chapter 22 (1/2)

Chapter 22

“Ages?! You motherf*cker. Compared to all the things I have been through, what did you even suffer from? How dare you speak to me again after you sold me into slavery and how much power did you wield after selling your childhood friend?!”

He laughed bitterly at her.

“You’ve grown a lot. You’re as pretty as anyone else today. I almost couldn’t recognize you. You got an award on that stage. And be thankful that your name was announced, or I wouldn’t have known about you.”

“Do you have a death wish?”

Serek scratched his head, smiling widely.

She remembered feeling better just by looking at that smile. She used to like his bright smile. However, if you thought she’d still fall for that face, well…..you thought wrong.

“It’s been a while. Shall we get something to eat?”

“I’d rather die.”

“Come on, we’re meant to be reunited.”

She shot a glare at him, regretting that she didn’t have any more drinks in her hand and that the glasses were too far to reach.

‘I’m going to kill you, you son of a b*tch!’

Out of anger, she jumped off her seat and immediately regretted it, feeling her feet sprained because of her high heels. She managed to balance them and shook off Serek’s hand when he reached out his hand to help her.

Then, she met the eyes of the Emperor. He evidently looked bored talking to the other nobles, and suddenly, he began trudging the path towards her.

‘Why…Why are you coming here?’ She was busy fixing her shoes and leaving Serek’s side when the Emperor strode to her side.

He flicked his head at Celestia when he spotted Serek’s outfit.

“Goldina’s emblem. I’d like your introduction.”

“Wha– Who? Your Highness the Emperor.”

Her stomach twitched to see Serek addressing the Emperor by setting up the etiquette to greet him gracefully that he practiced dozens of times in front of her. The Emperor was really interested in the way he looked.

“I’ve never seen you before. You must be from Goldina.”

“It’s an honor to finally speak to you, Your Highness. My name is Serek. As a magic officer, I was exclusively assigned by Her Majesty. I’m very surprised you knew Celestia—Ouch!”

She stepped on Serek’s foot, trying to stop him from spilling nonsense, away from the Emperor’s gaze.

Serek, who could not bear the pain, shot at her with tears in his eyes. He gritted, whispering to her.

“Come on, Celestia. Not in front of His Highness, the Emperor! No matter how close you are with me–”

The Emperor said, turning to her.

“You two must have met each other before.”

Serek looked up at him in surprise when he casually spoke to her, whom he’d sold as a slave, and the Emperor stared down at nowhere but her eyes to see if she flinched.

‘The name Serek isn’t that rare, but why are you so good at remembering things? This is a problem even if you’re smart enough to remember it.’

When she silently bit her lips, he shifted his eyes to Serek.

“I guess I ventured myself into an anger relieving session.”

Serek was always loyal like a dog to people in power. He shook his head.

“What are you talking about, Your Highness? There’s nothing like that.”

Van replied, narrowing his eyes at him.

“Yeah? Then, it’s fine.”

‘I’m doomed.’

“The magic officer selected by the Queen of Goldina. I’ve heard that before.”

Serek’s eyes glistened with joy, as if he felt himself being recognized.

“It’s an honor to know that you heard about me.”

“You’re a commoner who hasn’t completed a full-time education and still did a great job as an attacking unit. I really haven’t learned anything in particular, but if I used magic with my own enthusiasm and brain to that extent, it would be no exaggeration to call it a genius’ work. It is also understandable why the Empress chose you by herself.”

“Haha, I never thought so, but everyone says I’m a genius.”

‘That is ridiculous.’

Twisting his lips, Van took a sip of his alcoholic drink.

“So, is that true?”

Confused, Serek looked up at him.

“Pardon?”

“That you’re a genius? Rumor has it that you’re a good magical officer who’s been here all this time without a decent education. Then, if Empress Dowager decides to raise you, you will grow up at an alarming rate, won’t you?”

“……I, uh, I cannot understand what His Highness is trying to say.”

While Serek stuttered to look at Celestia, Van emptied his glass of liquor before placing it on the counter beside him.

His face clearly told that he was feeling pathetic.

He must have recalled all of what she’d told him. Honestly, she thought he’d just hear her story with one ear and spill it out with the other, but she did not expect him to remember every bit of it.

How ridiculous would it sound to hear all about the Serek who sold her as a slave and was the reason for the magical engravings on her?

“I think I asked something wrong.”

“What do you mean—”

“For you, who cannot understand my question, it was my mistake to ask you if you’re as good as the false rumors said.”

Serek’s face became distorted. His pride must have seriously been hurt. However, Serek seemed to be unable to show it.

The Emperor squinted at him.

“Do you understand what I am saying?”

Serek had no idea what to do with the obvious sarcasm. Relaxing his intimidating look, the Emperor smiled mildly.

“Look at you, I think I’ve offended you with my excessive jokes.”