I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 2

Serena could not logically comprehend this magical phenomenon.

‘Why do I keep returning to this moment?’

This time, she truly thought she had died. The first time, she believed that perhaps the gods had taken pity on her. But by the third life restart, it was clear—this was no blessing but a curse.

A curse that forced her to start over if she failed to save the emperor.

Unfortunately, the point of her return was always the moment she had already been appointed as the imperial physician and was awaiting her entrance into the palace. Escaping was not an option. Disobeying an imperial order would only result in death.

‘Why does i keep dying?!’

Serena was about to scream in despair when someone knocked on her door.

Her eyes flashed as if she already knew who it was.

“Serena Vincent, prepare yourself and follow us.”

As expected, they had come to escort her to the imperial palace.

‘This time, I won’t die! Even if I have to break that emperor’s legs to save him.’

It was an all-or-nothing resolve.

If she was doomed to repeat this cycle, Serena decided she would no longer hold back.

The emperor, Azaid, sat upon the throne, gazing down at Serena.

As usual, his attire was unkempt.

A bright red stain on his chest hinted at the tomato soup he had likely eaten that morning. He had probably roared at the handmaids attempting to change him, completely disregarding their well-intentioned efforts.

Azaid scratched his unruly, uncombed hair, leaning back lazily in his chair as he spoke.

“You’re the famous Serena Vincent, the healer who’s said to save even the dying, are you not?”

His face, exuding annoyance, was all too telling.

He would likely assign her the position formally and then dismiss her, as always.

‘Why was I so terrified of him before?’ Serena thought as she straightened her back and answered firmly.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Then, you should be able to cure my illness as well.”

Azaid chuckled, brushing back his bangs.

His golden hair shimmered in the light, and his blue eyes, colder than a winter sky, gleamed sharply.

Though his lips curled into a playful smile, his gaze remained piercingly cold.

During their first encounter, Serena had been so overwhelmed by that gaze that she had made countless mistakes. But not this time.

Before coming to the palace, Serena had resolved herself.

If she failed to save the emperor, she would die. Therefore, whether she perished opposing him or failed in her task, the result was the same.

‘If I’m going to die unjustly, I’d rather say everything I want to and die on my own terms.’

With a steely expression, Serena spoke boldly.

“No. That depends entirely on Your Majesty.”

“What?”

Azaid straightened in his chair, dropping the hand that had been supporting his chin. He clearly hadn’t expected such a response.

His blue eyes widened in surprise. The ministers standing nearby glared at Serena with indignant eyes.

How dare a mere baronet’s disgraced daughter speak so insolently to the emperor?

One noble, who had escorted Serena, stepped forward as if to reprimand her, but Azaid raised a hand to stop him. The noble flinched and retreated.

Azaid’s curious gaze locked onto Serena.

Her golden eyes showed no trace of fear.

For someone dubbed a tyrant, he was used to seeing people tremble in his presence.

This boldness intrigued him. He decided to let the scene play out, wondering how far she would go.

Meanwhile, Serena was utterly unfazed. Having already died twice, why should she fear the emperor standing before her?

She had long since lost any sympathy or respect for him.

‘I will rehabilitate this damn emperor and leave this palace alive.’

No matter what Azaid said or even if she died here, it didn’t matter.

After all, she would just wake up again and start over. Until then, she would say and do whatever she wanted.

At that moment, Azaid tilted his head and murmured coldly.

“It depends on me?”

“Yes. A patient’s recovery depends on their own will. Even the best healer can’t save a patient who refuses to be saved.”

“Are you saying you lack the confidence to cure me and are making excuses?”

“No. I can cure Your Majesty’s illness—if Your Majesty cooperates with me.”

“Hm.”

Azaid stroked his chin, clearly intrigued. Serena continued.

“Before I officially take my place as the imperial physician, I have a condition. If you can’t meet it, then execute me here and now.”

To emphasize her words, she brazenly offered her neck, causing gasps of disbelief to ripple through the chamber.

But Serena was serious. If she was going to die anyway, she would rather confront him directly, avoid unnecessary suffering, and restart the cycle.

When Serena boldly laid out her terms, Marquess Lavery, unable to hold back, finally spoke.

“How dare you! What gives you the audacity to make demands of the emperor?”

“Then kill me. I have no attachment to my life.”

“You insolent wench—!”

“Enough.”

As the marquess stammered in rage, Azaid intervened.

Azaid’s expression had changed. As he brushed his hand over his lips and maintained silence, the room grew still.

At that moment, a bold nobleman, sensing the emperor’s irritation, burst out in anger.

“Your Majesty, execute that arrogant doctor immediately. There are plenty of doctors in the Croten Empire!”

“Indeed! This is insubordination! How dare a mere baroness’s daughter request conditions from His Majesty, the Emperor?”

The other nobles standing nearby joined in, raising their voices in fury, causing the hall to grow noisy again.

Serena, however, ignored them all and simply stared at Azaid as if urging him to respond.

Then, Azaid’s hand, which was covering his lips, began to tremble.

Moments later…

“Kuh.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Hahaha!”

Azaid could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

His hearty laughter left the nobles in a daze. They all stood there, dumbfounded, staring up at him.

Serena, meanwhile, glanced at him with a suspicious look, as if wondering if he had finally lost his mind.

Azaid spoke with a smile still lingering on his face. There was no trace of anger; in fact, he seemed rather amused.

“I like it.”

“……”

“What is the condition you are asking for? Since you’re risking your life to request it, let’s hear it.”

“Thank you.”

Serena bowed her head slightly. Although she felt relieved after speaking her mind, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat intimidated.

Raising her head, she spoke directly.

“I have just one request.”

“Go on.”

“Please allow me to touch you, Your Majesty.”

“Alright, I’ll allow anyth— wait. Hold on, what did you just say?”

Azaid, who had begun replying out of habit, froze and opened his eyes wide in disbelief. Her request sounded utterly absurd.

The gathering of nobles erupted in murmurs.

“What?!”

One person gasped with wide eyes.

“Cough!”

Another choked, coughing uncontrollably.

“Grr!”

Yet another bit his tongue and clenched his teeth, his face turning bright red.

Everyone seemed shocked by Serena’s bombshell declaration. Amidst the commotion, Serina remained completely calm.

Azaid gaped like a fish out of water before finally managing to speak.

“That’s your condition?”

“Yes.”

Serena replied curtly, as if she were making a perfectly reasonable demand.

A faint ripple of emotion stirred in Azaid’s blue eyes. He had initially planned to humor her briefly before sending her away, but this woman was completely unpredictable.

Here she was, a woman he had just met for the first time today, boldly presenting a condition out of the blue. And the nature of that condition… Azaid found himself unable to finish the thought.

Although Serena had no inappropriate intentions, no one in the hall seemed aware of that. Azaid cleared his throat loudly to regain composure and began to speak.

“You’re a doctor, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then why…”

Are you trying to seduce me?

Could she be colluding with one of the nobles?

Suppressing his suspicions, Azaid stared at her intently. The humor in his blue eyes had vanished entirely.

Since his ascension to the throne, the position of Empress had remained vacant. Using his health as an excuse, he had refused to take a wife, driving the nobles to desperate measures.

Some had attempted to introduce women into his chambers, hoping to gain his favor.

But Azaid had no intention of having children or appointing an empress.

Doing so would only invite more bloodshed.

Just as Azaid was about to dismiss Serina, she spoke with an innocent expression.

“I’m saying this as a doctor. If Your Majesty refuses physical contact, it will be difficult to treat you.”

“Treat me?”

“Yes. In addition to checking your pulse, treatment might involve massages, stretches, and so on. In unavoidable cases, there might even be surgical procedures.”

“Ah.”

As Serena casually listed treatment-related forms of physical contact, Azaid let out a faint exclamation.

It was only then that he realized he had misunderstood her.

He turned his head, covering his face with one hand. His ears burned, and his cheeks flushed red in an instant.