I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 21

After a moment, Azaid’s hiccups naturally ceased. Clearing his throat in a slightly exaggerated manner, he spoke with as much dignity as he could muster.

“When did you realize I was there?”

“Hmm… I wonder when it was.”

Serena replied with a sly smile, drawing out her words. The emperor’s attempt to act nonchalantly only made him appear even more awkward.

‘He’s surprisingly clumsy. I used to find him terrifying, though.’

Serena’s fear of Azaid had been almost instinctive in the past. His command over fire had evoked a primal terror in her.

However, two regressions had changed her. Over the course of her two lives, Azaid had never once used fire to threaten her. Knowing this, Serena had grown bold.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Hm? Was I laughing?”

When Serena responded with a straight face, Azaid let out a dry chuckle.

‘Come to think of it, my mood has improved.’

Not long ago, she had barely managed to hold back her anger toward the Baroness. She had been ready to lash out if provoked even slightly. But at some point, the anger had dissipated.

It likely began when she stifling laughter after spotting him hiding on the terrace.

‘To think there’d come a day when I’d find myself helped by the emperor of all people.’

Serena’s eyes darted playfully as she considered the absurdity of the situation.

“I realized it later, too,” she said.

“When exactly?”

“Hmm… when the sunlight shifted directions?”

Serena responded casually, flashing a playful grin. Yes, she owed it all to the sunlight. If it hadn’t shifted momentarily, she might have missed Azaid’s silhouette entirely.

“You must have heard everything. I’ll submit an outing request for Saturday,” she announced.

“Why? Are you planning to visit the Vincent estate?”

“Partly.”

“You don’t have to listen to those people. I can ensure they’re barred from the capital if you’d like.”

Azaid’s tone was unusually serious, as though he was genuinely concerned for her.

Serena couldn’t help but notice how their relationship had changed from her previous lives. Never before had she received such concern from the emperor, which made the moment even more poignant.

Tapping his shoulder lightly, she replied, “Come on, do you really think I’d report my outing just to visit the Vincent estate?”

“Then?”

“I need to buy some herbs.”

“You could just tell the court herbalist.”

“True, but I have a favorite shop I go to. It’s been a while since I visited, so I’ll drop by and be back soon.”

Serena smiled brightly as she explained, and Azaid stared at her intently, as if hesitating over something.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

Tilting her head in confusion under his piercing gaze, Serena watched as Azaid suddenly placed his hand on her head. Slowly, he began to pat her.

Serena’s golden eyes widened. His touch was unexpectedly gentle, which only made it feel more awkward. After a while, she finally snapped out of her daze.

“What are you doing?”

“……”

“Your Majesty?”

“Oh.”

Azaid, seemingly lost in thought, flinched and withdrew his hand at her words. What he said next left her speechless.

“Stop reporting your outings one by one. Just do as you please!”

Shouting abruptly, Azaid stormed out of the room so quickly that Serina almost thought her hair had been blown back by his speed.

Left alone, she let out an incredulous laugh.

“What’s this? He always insisted I report before going anywhere.”

Still feeling the lingering warmth of his touch, she awkwardly fiddled with her hair, puzzled by his unpredictable behavior.

‘How odd.’

A faint smile appeared on her lips before she realized something.

“Wait! He ran off again, didn’t he?”

Remembering she had been searching for the emperor, who had been hiding during her walk, she exclaimed in frustration, “You’re not getting away with this!”

Her eyes flared with determination as she dashed out of the room, hot on Azaid’s trail.

When Saturday arrived, Serena left the palace early in the morning. It was her first outing since entering the imperial court.

She headed straight to an herbal shop. After navigating a few alleys, she arrived at a modest-looking establishment with a sign that simply read “Herbal Shop.”

As she opened the door, a cheerful bell rang. A boy sitting at the counter, mid-yawn, turned his gaze toward her.

“Welcome—oh! Serena!”

Recognizing her belatedly, the boy leapt to his feet and ran over. Serina greeted him with a wide smile.

“Levin, how have you been?”

“Great! You look even more radiant since joining the imperial palace!”

“Radiant, huh? Can’t you see the shadows under my eyes? Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to look after the emperor?”

She joked playfully, earning a sheepish laugh from Levin.

This shop was run by a couple who had helped Serina gain independence from the Baron’s household.

Growing up, Serina had spent a lot of time here, developing an interest in herbs and medicine. With natural talent and determination, she had quickly excelled.

During her secret studies, the couple had often assisted her, moved by her difficult circumstances.

After becoming a physician, Serena had made it a point to repay her debt of gratitude by exclusively purchasing herbs from this shop.

Though now, as a member of the imperial palace, she could no longer do so regularly, she still trusted this shop more than any other.

The boy in front of her, Levin, was the only son of the couple who ran the shop. She had even witnessed his birth, making their relationship one of long-standing familiarity.

Glancing around, Serina asked, “Where are Uncle Genzo and Aunt Elda?”

“Father went herb-picking, and Mother went to deliver supplies to the Gordon Merchant Guild,” Levin replied.

“No wonder you’re here alone. You’re handling the counter pretty well now, huh?”

“Hey, don’t underestimate me! I’m a seasoned shopkeeper, you know!”

Levin puffed out his chest and thumped it proudly. To Serina, though, he was just an adorable 12-year-old boy.

“All right, Mr. Seasoned Shopkeeper Levin. Can you help me find the herbs on this list?”

“Of course! Let me see!”

Levin quickly took the note from her and began gathering the herbs.

‘He’s just too cute.’

Serena chuckled to herself as she watched him work. While waiting, she checked if there were any other herbs she might need.

‘Oh? They have lacto grass. Azaid seems to respond well to this… The quality looks good too, so I should get some.”

Her thoughts naturally shifted to the emperor’s health.

‘Now that I think about it, Lady Medeia’s death anniversary is coming up soon. Probably after the hunting festival, right?’

As the anniversary of his mother’s passing approached, Azaid became particularly sensitive. He struggled to sleep and lost his appetite, which severely weakened his immune system—a troubling time, to say the least.

‘Good thing I remembered. I should buy more herbs that strengthen immunity.’

Determined, Serena reached for a handful of herbs when the bell above the door jingled.

The newcomer had short brown hair and a sharp, almost menacing expression. He exuded an air of casual defiance, as if ready to pick a fight at any moment. Despite his rough appearance, the man entered quietly, walking to a chair in the corner and sitting down as though he were a regular.

‘Must be a frequent customer.’

Serena quickly dismissed him from her thoughts and returned to gathering herbs. The man didn’t seem particularly interested in her either.

A moment later, Levin emerged with the herbs Serina had ordered, his arms piled high.

“Is this enough?” he asked.

Serena looked up and gasped. Levin could barely see over the towering stack of boxes he was carrying, wobbling precariously.

“For heaven’s sake, you should’ve asked me to help!”

Serena jumped up and relieved him of most of the load. After setting everything down, she began scolding him.

“I was going to have you deliver it anyway. I just wanted you to gather what I needed,” she chided.

“Ah, that makes sense. It’s way too much to carry,” Levin admitted, scratching the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

“So, should I send this to the palace?”

“Yes. Just tell the gatekeeper it’s for Serena Vincent, and they’ll take care of it.”

“Wow, just dropping your name is enough now? You’ve really made it, huh! Or, uh, should I not call you ‘sister’ anymore?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Heh, you’re amazing, though!” Levin’s voice was full of admiration as he looked at her with shining eyes.

Levin dreamed of becoming a physician himself, so Serina, now the youngest physician in the imperial palace, was nothing short of an idol to him.

Feeling embarrassed under his adoring gaze, Serena averted her eyes.

“Serena Vincent?”

The man in the corner suddenly muttered her name. Surprised, Serena turned to see him staring at her with sharp green eyes, scrutinizing her like a predator assessing its prey.

“Do I know you?” she asked, holding his gaze without flinching.

“No,” he replied.

“Then why are you speaking so informally?”

“Because you spoke to me first,” the man said with a smirk. His relaxed tone was already tiring. He gave off a rogue-like aura, and Serena had no desire to engage with him further.

‘He probably heard rumors about me. Better not get involved.’

Just as she decided to ignore him, Levin noticed the man and exclaimed, “Oh! Mr. Jack, when did you get here?”