I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 15

Shortly after, as soon as the music ended, Serena guided Azaid to the terrace. When Leonard followed them, Serena spoke.

“Could you stop anyone else from following us to the terrace?”

“Is something the matter?”

“His Majesty’s condition isn’t very good.”

“Condition? What do you mean?”

When Leonard looked puzzled, Serena motioned towards Azaid’s neck. Leonard noticed the redness on his neck and immediately nodded in understanding.

“Let’s move to a room.”

“That would be best.”

With Leonard’s guidance, Serena moved Azaid to one of the rooms adjacent to the hall. These rooms were prepared for the party’s guests to relax comfortably.

“I’ll wait outside.”

“Thank you.”

After nodding in gratitude, Serena led Azaid inside.

Azaid’s complexion looked as if it was worsening again. Even though he had taken painkillers, it seemed they couldn’t completely alleviate the discomfort caused by the rash spreading across his body.

Serena promptly helped him lie down on the bed and tried to unbutton his shirt to make it easier for him to breathe. But before she could, Azaid caught her hand and asked,

“What are you doing?”

“What? Are you afraid I might pounce on you in this situation?”

“How could you say something like that so casually…!”

“I’m just trying to help you breathe more comfortably. Hold still.”

When Serena attempted to pull her hand away, Azaid stubbornly insisted,

“No, I’ll do it myself.”

Fearing Serena might step in again, Azaid hastily unbuttoned his shirt himself.

It was an oddly prudish reaction, especially coming from someone who let her examine his chest every morning during check-ups.

After undoing three or four buttons, the red, inflamed rash was clearly visible on his pale skin. Serena looked at him with concern and asked,

“It must hurt. Are you okay?”

“This much is… ugh!”

Azaid forgot his bravado and let out a groan as soon as Serena touched the rash.

The reaction was identical to the symptoms she had seen before. Serena smirked at his embarrassed expression as he bit his lower lip, trying to endure the pain.

“So, it does hurt. Or are you just being dramatic?”

“Ha. Not even worth responding to.”

Azaid averted his gaze and kept his lips tightly shut, refusing to answer further. Serena shrugged and carefully examined the area around his neck. His condition was worse than she had anticipated.

“I think I’ll have to remove your top to check properly.”

Thankfully, she had prepared an ointment in advance. She needed to lower the fever and calm his skin first.

‘If the fever rises, it won’t just be a simple allergic reaction anymore.’

Pulling the ointment from her bag, Serena hesitated before attempting to lift his shirt.

He had thrown such a fuss when she tried to unbutton a few buttons earlier—if she asked him to expose more of the rash for treatment, he would likely protest even more.

‘Right. I’ve probably been pushing him too far,’ she thought. He’s still the emperor, after all.

Then again, calling him “the emperor guy” in her head wasn’t exactly respectful.

Deciding on a different approach, Serena paused and gave him a sly smile before saying in a commanding tone,

“Your Majesty, please remove your clothes.”

The atmosphere fell silent at her bombshell statement. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard in the awkward stillness.

Azaid’s eyes widened as he tried to process what he had just heard.

“Did I mishear?”

His lips moved soundlessly in disbelief as Serena gestured at his upper body with her chin, wearing an infuriatingly nonchalant expression.

“We don’t have much time. It’s better for you to comply willingly before I do it myself.”

“You, you…!”

Azaid’s words faltered, leaving him utterly speechless.

She says it’s for treatment, but why the hell…

Seeing him hesitate, Serena threatened to reach out as if to undress him herself.

“If you don’t mind me doing it, I’ll just go ahead.”

“How can you say things like that so shamelessly…?”

Azaid felt his face flush, unsure whether the heat was from his condition or his embarrassment at Serena’s audacity.

Realizing she might actually follow through, he quickly responded,

“F-Fine! I’ll do it myself!”

“Great. Go ahead, then. I won’t stop you.”

Serena answered indifferently, waiting as Azaid begrudgingly removed his outer garments and unbuttoned the rest of his shirt. It was only after complying that he realized how easily he had followed her instructions without question.

“Wait, why did I even need to take off my shirt?”

“To apply ointment and calm the rash. You can’t reach your back by yourself, can you?”

“You could have just said that from the start.”

“Oh. Did I not? My bad.”

Serena awkwardly scratched her cheek and smiled sheepishly.

“Haah…”

Azaid let out a deep sigh, lower than usual.

As he fully removed his top, the rash spread across his body became evident, resembling scattered red blossoms. Thanks to the painkillers, it wasn’t as severe as it could have been, but the sight was still concerning.

‘Good thing I thought to include an analgesic with detoxifying properties in the rocket, just in case.’

Serena carefully applied the ointment she had prepared in advance to Azaid’s wound. His firm muscles twitched slightly every time her hand made contact.

“Your Majesty, do you remember what drink you had earlier today?”

“…Hmm. I’m not sure. It was something a maid gave me.”

Azaid replied sluggishly, biting his lower lip. His low voice carried a faint metallic undertone.

‘He must be in a lot of pain.’

Serena continued applying the ointment, her movements slower and more delicate, as if handling a precious treasure, unaware that her care was driving him to the brink.

“Can you describe the taste for me?”

Directly saying, ‘It’s that fruit, isn’t it?’ might cause misunderstanding, so she decided to lead the conversation indirectly. Azaid furrowed his brow, trying to recall.

“It had a sharp tang with a hint of sweetness… Hmm. It was a bit like coconut.”

“It must’ve been the Ram fruit.”

Responding confidently, Serena pulled out a detox potion from her bag.

“Drink this while I finish applying the ointment.”

“How did you guess just from my description?”

Azaid eyed the potion skeptically. Serena, ever the expert, replied smoothly,

“I have extensive knowledge of herbs and fruits. I’ve heard that some people are particularly sensitive to the toxins in Ram fruit. Now, open wide.”

Without giving him a chance to object, she brought the potion to his lips. Azaid frowned but opened his mouth, resigned. He had long since realized there was no point arguing with this physician.

Serena watched him obediently swallow the potion and felt a small sense of pride.

‘If only he were always this cooperative.’

Looking back, she felt that she must have handled things poorly in her previous attempts. This emperor seemed to only respond when pushed hard. As she was about to finish applying the ointment, a commotion broke out outside.

“Let me through! …Now!”

“No, you cannot go in there, my lady…!”

Familiar voices reached Serena’s ears.

‘This voice…?’

“It must be Lady Greenwood. I was wondering why things were so quiet.”

Azaid muttered knowingly, then reached for his shirt to put it back on. Serena snatched it from him.

“No, Your Majesty. Wait until the ointment dries.”

“I can’t go out like this.”

“Then don’t go out at all.”

“Hand it over.”

When Azaid growled and reached for his shirt, Serena instinctively stepped back. Unfortunately, her foot caught on a folded rug.

“If you’d like, I can go instead. So please stay—Oh!”

Serena lost her balance and slipped. Startled, Azaid reached out and pulled her toward him.

Serena fell forward, landing directly in Azaid’s arms. Reflexively, she clung to him while accidentally pressing something on the wall—a switch she hadn’t noticed before.

“Whoa! That was close.”

“…”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thanks to you—”

Her heart was pounding in her chest from the sudden fall. Azaid, too, seemed frozen in surprise.

‘Ah, the ointment hasn’t dried yet.’

Serena glanced at her hands, now smeared with ointment, and sighed regretfully. Just then, she felt someone’s piercing gaze.

Turning her head, she saw Ophelia and Leonard standing frozen in the doorway.

‘Huh? Why is the door open? I specifically asked not to let anyone in.’

Their expressions were strange—Ophelia was trembling with wide eyes, while Leonard looked oddly pleased. Serena, confused, realized her hand was still pressing a switch on the wall.

‘What’s this switch for?’

The Ruby Hall was an ultra-luxurious venue equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. This didn’t seem like a random button.

‘Come to think of it, weren’t the Gordon Trading Company’s mechanics bustling around before the banquet?’

As she stared at the unfamiliar equipment, a dreadful thought crossed her mind.

‘No way… Could this… open the door?’

Desperately convincing herself otherwise, Serena pressed the switch again.

Whirrrrr.

With a mechanical sound, the sliding door, which had been left open, smoothly closed.

“…”

Hoping she was mistaken, she pressed the switch again. The door, now halfway closed, slid back open.

‘So I did open it…’

Serena instantly regretted her actions.