I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 105

“Mother.”

“I told you to stay put since I wanted to introduce someone, so why are you here now?”

The Baroness frowned, letting go of Tyler’s arm.

“Goodness, have you been drinking already?”

“I just had a few glasses of wine.”

When Tyler replied curtly, Lydia scoffed sarcastically.

“A few glasses of wine? As if! You can’t even hold your liquor and still drink out of spite, thinking you won’t get drunk?”

“Lydia.”

When the Baroness tried to stop Lydia, she snorted indignantly. Seeing Tyler’s anger about to flare up, the Viscountess quickly patted his hand to calm him down.

“Well, it’s natural for men in business to drink sometimes. It’s fine.”

“Mom, take that nuisance out of here. Better yet, drag him out of the wedding hall entirely.”

“Lydia, no matter what, that’s too harsh for a brother who came to congratulate you on your wedding.”

When the Baroness reproached her quietly, Lydia retorted sharply.

“Congratulate me? Please, he’s probably here to sniff around for investors again, unable to cure his addiction to business.”

“…….”

“Doesn’t he feel ashamed, leeching off his sister like that? Ugh!”

“Hey!”

When Tyler, unable to contain his anger, yelled, Lydia shouted back even louder.

“How dare you raise your voice at me! Who do you think you are?”

“You, you…!”

When Tyler faltered under Lydia’s sharp glare, she gave him an icy look and dismissed him.

“Leave. Right now.”

“Tyler, just let it go. Today is the day your sister should shine the most.”

The Baroness quickly linked arms with Tyler and led him toward the door. As he reluctantly retreated, he muttered under his breath.

“Ha, that brat doesn’t know how to show respect to her brother.”

In the now-quiet waiting room, Lydia muttered irritably.

“All he has to his name is being born first, and he doesn’t even feel embarrassed.”

After working hard to revive their crumbling family, she couldn’t understand where he found the audacity. She was trying to calm herself and regain her composure when suddenly there was a commotion near the guest area. Lydia turned, puzzled, only to see her face twist in disbelief.

“What… What is that?”

A magnificent carriage stopped in front of the wedding venue. From it, a woman dressed even more extravagantly than the carriage itself gracefully stepped out, escorted by a knight.

Following her, three or four more knights surrounded her protectively. Her dazzling red dress caught everyone’s attention—it was far too grand for a mere wedding guest.

Her alabaster skin paired with the red dress was striking, and her black lace gloves gave the impression she was attending a masquerade ball.

Her neatly tied lavender hair, with delicate strands framing her slender neckline, added an elegant touch.

Most eye-catching, however, was the sparkling pink diamond headpiece adorning her head—a familiar sight to the nobility. A group of aristocrats murmured among themselves, their eyes darting back and forth.

“Isn’t that the April Diamond?”

“Why is the imperial treasure here…?”

“Could it be… her?”

Their voices trailed off, leaving their speculations unfinished. Their reaction was only natural.

The April Diamond, a tiara carved from a pink diamond once hailed as a divine gift, was created to commemorate the continent’s unification. It was the imperial family’s prized possession, often described by gem collectors as resembling the sun when it caught the light.

And now, a woman adorned with this legendary tiara made a dazzling entrance.

The only person who could appear in such grandeur was none other than the woman who had recently shaken high society. Yet no one dared utter her name aloud. They simply stared, blinking in shock.

Serena, basking in the attention, walked gracefully toward the frozen Baron. Beside her, Azaid, disguised as Zed, firmly held her hand.

His striking appearance caught as much attention as Serena, and the young ladies whispered excitedly, wondering who the handsome man was. Serina smiled elegantly and greeted the Baron.

“Thank you for inviting me, Baron.”

“You… you… I… Ahem.”

The Baron discreetly scanned Serena, who was fully adorned in extravagant attire, and cleared his throat. Normally modest and indifferent to appearances, Serena looked so striking after deciding to dress up that there was nowhere else for one’s eyes to land.

When someone naturally beautiful made up their mind to go all out, it resulted in an overwhelming aura that words like “pretty” couldn’t begin to describe.

Observing the reactions around her, Serena felt validated in her decision to dress up. In the subtle battle within high society to link Greenwood, Vincent, and herself, this was the perfect way to disrupt those intentions.

In a society that valued appearances above all else, such a move was tantamount to declaring war.

— Lady Serena! I’ll make you look like a princess. His Majesty might fall for you all over again.

— Forget that. Just make me look like a tough sister.

— As if there’s any doubt?

Even Marie and Anna, who were buzzing with excitement, had been joined by other maids since dawn to complete Serena’s look. Just the oil and jewel dust applied to her hair alone could probably cover the cost of a house.

And now, adorning Serena’s head was the royal family’s treasure—something exclusively permitted for the Empress herself.

Serena recalled that morning when Azaid had casually handed her the April Diamond.

— Wear this.

— What’s this?

— A gift. Nothing special.

— Nothing special? At least tell me what it is, Your Majesty.

Leonard, who had been watching, was appalled, but Azaid dismissed it lightly, saying it was no big deal. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Serena inquired further.

— Sir Leonard, what exactly is this?

— It’s the royal family’s treasure, traditionally passed down to the Empress or the Empress-to-be. It’s known as the April Diamond.

— Pardon?

— It’s yours anyway, so giving it to you now shouldn’t be an issue.

Thinking about how Azaid had handed over the royal treasure as casually as if it were a mere apple, Serena felt a laugh bubbling up.

Had Leonard not explained, she might not have realized the tiara’s significance until reaching the venue.

In any case, it was the perfect item to draw attention, allowing Jack and Lucy to slip into the wedding venue unnoticed.

‘While we’re at it, let’s ruin that insufferable Lydia’s wedding too.’

Serena flashed the brightest smile at the Baron, who, snapping out of his thoughts, darkened his expression.

“Your outfit is a bit excessive.”

“And yours is quite plain, Baron. If you’d mentioned it earlier, I could’ve arranged something for you.”

“…You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Do you think I wouldn’t know what I’m doing?”

With a sly smile, Serena whispered just loud enough for Baron to hear, causing his brow to furrow. He would never have imagined that the future Empress would commit such insubordination.

Serena, having resolved to say everything she wanted in this life of repeated regressions, felt no need to hold back. Especially since she had the Emperor’s permission to act as she pleased.

Azaid, wary of the Baron possibly retaliating against Serena, stood guard but also wore a proud smile.

Seeing Serena do whatever she wanted gave Azaid an odd sense of satisfaction. For the Baron’s family, they were uninvited guests, but for Serena and her companions, this was merely an amusing outing.

Thanks to Serena’s grand entrance drawing all eyes, Lucy and Jack, disguised as guards, had successfully scattered. They were probably searching for Colin among the guests by now.

Though Azaid should have stayed in the palace, he couldn’t bring himself to let Serena come here alone.

It was, after all, the Baron family estate. Thinking of what they had done to Serena made Azaid feel so enraged he could wake up in the middle of the night.

‘One wrong word could make today your funeral.’

Azaid gazed at the Baron like a seasoned predator, making the Baron visibly uncomfortable. Behind him, Lydia stormed in like an enraged bull.

“Are you out of your mind?!”

Lydia stormed up to Serena and yelled. Azaid stepped between them, speaking calmly.

“Whatever the matter is, I suggest you lower your voice. You’ll scare our lady.”

Our lady?

Serena’s jaw dropped at Azaid’s choice of words. His face suggested he was thoroughly enjoying this role reversal.

“What are you doing? Move aside.”

Lydia hesitated momentarily, intimidated by Azaid ’s dazzling appearance, but quickly regained her composure and shouted again.

“I’m sorry, but the only person who can order me is our lady.”

Azaid’s repeated use of the term “our lady” made Lydia fume as he blocked her path like an immovable object.

Your Majesty, I think you’re getting too into this role.

Serena lightly tapped Azaid’s arm and spoke.

“Zed, it’s fine. Step aside.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Azaid promptly obeyed Serena’s command. The bizarre thrill of giving the Emperor a direct order made Serena smile involuntarily.

This is unexpectedly entertaining.

It wasn’t just Azaid who was enjoying the scenario; Serena found herself getting into the act as well. Both fought to suppress their growing amusement.

Meanwhile, Lydia, too enraged to notice the stares of others, couldn’t suppress her anger. Up close, Serena looked even more dazzling than she had through the window of the waiting room.

The tiara shining on Serena’s head and the striking appearance of her escort made Lydia feel even smaller.

“This is my wedding! Why are you trying to outshine me?!”