I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 13

“Leonard here. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

At Serena’s approval, Leonard stepped into the room.

Leonard was dressed in the knights’ ceremonial uniform, indicating that he was once again assigned to escort Azaid at this banquet. Speaking with his usual soft tone, Leonard began.

“His Majesty has requested that I escort you once you’re ready.”

“Oh, just a moment!”

Marie, upon hearing the emperor’s summons, quickly adjusted Serina’s attire once more.

“All done.”

“Thank you, Marie.”

“Enjoy yourself, Miss Serena.”

As Marie beamed cheerfully, Leonard extended his arm.

“Shall we?”

“Thank you.”

Serena awkwardly rested her hand on Leonard’s arm. It was an unfamiliar gesture for her—she had never been treated like a noble lady before.

On top of that, she wasn’t staying at the imperial palace as a guest of honor. It felt strange to attend the imperial banquet as the emperor’s partner.

She wasn’t even sure what being the emperor’s partner actually entailed. She merely regarded it as a significant honor and left it at that.

Leonard, accustomed to escorting others, adjusted his pace to match Serena’s effortlessly. She glanced at him sideways.

‘Come to think of it, how did Sir Leonard become so close to His Majesty?’

Azaid’s four most favored aides were well-known for having been his childhood companions. Among them, Leonard was of the highest birth.

Jack Gordon, a commoner; Nocturne, an illegitimate child of the Greenwood ducal house; and Lily, a lesser noble from a distant province with little influence in the capital—all had somewhat ambiguous standings.

All except Leonard.

Leonard was the heir to the Marquisate of Carter. Although he hadn’t been born the heir, he became one after his older brother’s untimely death.

‘I heard he was the last to become close to Azaid.’

She had always wondered why the ever-dignified Leonard was also nicknamed “The Scoundrel.”

“Sir Leonard, may I ask you something?”

“Of course. Please do.”

“How did you become acquainted with His Majesty?”

Leonard smiled warmly at her question.

“It happened by chance during my childhood.”

“By chance?”

“Yes. It was at the first banquet I attended after my brother passed away.”

Leonard’s voice was calm as he spoke. Serena found herself staring at him, startled by his mention of his brother’s death.

The death of the Carter heir had been a sudden and shocking event. Known for his good health, his death in an accident had taken everyone by surprise.

As Serena remained silent, Leonard chuckled softly.

“It’s alright. It was a long time ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

When Serena apologized, Leonard shrugged and continued.

“That day, I got into a petty argument with another young noble and left the hall. In the garden, I found someone already there.”

“That must have been His Majesty.”

“Yes. I was about to leave and take another path when he spoke to me.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me to get lost because he had been there first.”

Leonard chuckled as he recalled the memory.

‘So the emperor has been cheeky since he was young.’

Serena’s lips parted slightly as she realized Azaid’s fiery personality had been evident even in his youth. But Leonard said something unexpected.

“Hearing that made me want to stay even more.”

“You didn’t… sit down next to him, did you?”

“I did.”

‘Sir Leonard must be just as stubborn,’ Serina thought.

Usually, one would either argue or leave after hearing such words…

‘Maybe Sir Leonard hides a streak of eccentricity behind that polished demeanor.’

“After that, we didn’t exchange many words. We just stayed there until the banquet ended.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“I thought it would be a moving story, but it’s surprisingly simple.”

Serena slumped her shoulders in mild disappointment, and Leonard added,

“Well, I found it deeply comforting.”

“Why?”

“That day, I was the focus of everyone’s attention. It was the first banquet after my brother’s passing, after all.”

“People can be so cruel. Always poking into others’ lives,” Serena muttered, clucking her tongue in disapproval. Leonard smiled faintly and continued.

“But His Majesty had no interest in me. At first, I thought he didn’t know who I was, but when he left, he called me by name.”

“So he did know you were from the Carter family.”

“Yes. That realization… gave me immense comfort. I thought we were simply sitting apart, but in truth, he had been there with me.”

Leonard’s eyes glimmered with a lingering trace of that long-ago moment.

Serena saw the sincerity in his gaze, as well as the deep respect he held for Azade.

“This is unexpected.”

She had always thought of Azaid as lazy and neglectful. But hearing his closest confidants’ opinions was beginning to shift her perspective.

It felt as though she was catching a glimpse of an entirely different side of him.

Why had Azaid spoken to Leonard that day? And why had he stayed with him the entire time?

‘Perhaps he saw a kindred spirit.’

A secluded prince, unnoticed by the world, and a grief-stricken younger brother, subjected to unwanted attention—perhaps they were more alike than they realized.

The waiting room where Azaid was located came into view as their conversation ended.

“Please take good care of His Majesty today.”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

As Serena smiled warmly, the attendant signaled, and the doors opened.

Azaid was dressed impeccably in his formal regalia for a change. His usually unkempt hair was styled neatly, giving him a sophisticated appearance.

The neatly combed-back hair revealed a broad, striking forehead. His lowered lashes suggested discontent with something.

Serena flinched as if facing a wild predator, a shiver running through her body. The overwhelming sense of authority emanating from him was something she’d never encountered before.

‘Looking like that, he doesn’t seem like the emperor I once knew.’

Serena, startled by the sudden thudding of her heart, shook her head to clear her thoughts.

At that moment, Azaid frowned at the cumbersome attire he was wearing but paused as he noticed Serena.

His blue eyes widened in apparent surprise. Just as Serina had been taken aback by him, it seemed Azaid, too, was startled by her appearance. Serena approached and greeted him.

“Greetings to the Sun of Croten.”

“I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“You’ve said what I was about to say.”

When Serena replied with a playful retort, Azaid chuckled lightly. Up close, his refined appearance was even more striking. If he dressed like this more often, countless noble ladies would surely be enamored with him.

‘Is living carelessly his personal brand?’

As Serena mused, Azaid extended his hand toward her.

“Is this your first banquet?”

“Yes.”

“Then it must be an honor. Your first banquet partner is the emperor of the empire.”

Azaid gave her a languid smile. When Serena placed her hand in his, he turned it gently and pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand, a formal gesture of courtesy.

The faint touch of his lips sent a ticklish sensation through her. Serina still hadn’t grown accustomed to such courtly manners. After a brief pause, Azaid spoke.

“I’ll be watching to see if you live up to my expectations.”

As the emperor entered the hall, the lively chatter ceased abruptly. Every gaze from the gathered nobles turned toward Serena and Azaid.

The musicians, sensing the subdued atmosphere, played their instruments even more grandly. The resonant sound filled the space, the melodies seemingly spotlighting Azaid and Serena.

Standing on the red carpet, Serena felt utterly out of place.

Sharp and piercing gazes bore into her. Some eyes seemed to scrutinize her, trying to gauge what kind of extraordinary woman occupied the spot beside the emperor.

‘This is an uncomfortably conspicuous position.’

Though struggling to adapt, Serina endured it silently. Then, the emperor spoke.

“Nocturne Harrison, step forward.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

From among the crowd, Nocturne emerged and knelt on one knee before Azaid.

To commend him, Azaid personally handed him a gift box. As Nocturne received the gift and bowed deeply, Azaid addressed him.

“This is a celebration of the delegation’s return from Fion. Pay no mind to me and enjoy the occasion.”

With the emperor’s proclamation, the nobles began forming groups and indulging in the banquet.

It was while Azaid and Serena had taken their seats to rest that Ophelia approached, leading a group, and addressed Azaid.

“Your Majesty, I hope you have been in good health.”

“Ophelia Greenwood.”

“That day when you left so abruptly, it felt as though my heart had shattered. Are you feeling better now?”

“As you can see.”

When Azaid curtly replied, Ophelia adopted a pitiful expression.

“That’s a relief. I was so worried. Now I can finally sleep peacefully.”

At this, the ladies standing nearby sighed in admiration.

“How devoted Lady Greenwood is to His Majesty.”

“Truly, no one suits the emperor’s side better than Lady Greenwood.”

“But who is that woman standing next to His Majesty…?”

The murmuring voices of the noble ladies reached Serena’s ears. Of course, since they weren’t speaking openly but in hushed tones, confronting them would only make her seem petty.