I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 29

In truth, Azaid’s belief that she appeared composed was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

Serena felt both awkward and uneasy about the emperor coming to track her down. Given that her overnight stay had been her mistake, she was prepared to accept any punishment that might come her way.

Azaid stared blankly at Serena.

The same clothes as yesterday. The same appearance.

And a strange inn room.

He couldn’t explain to himself why it felt so upsetting. At that moment, a casual voice called out to Azade.

“You’re here?”

You’re here? As if it’s nothing?

Azaid turned his head toward the bed, glaring fiercely, and was taken aback.

“!!!”

Jack was clearly injured at first glance. His open shirt revealed a bandaged abdomen, and one eye seemed to be in poor condition.

Despite his smiling face, his pale lips and hollow eyes betrayed his condition.

Azaid, who had looked moments earlier like someone chasing a cheating lover, now had his gaze shaken with unease.

“What happened to you?”

The sight of Jack injured caused Azade’s face to pale instantly. His shock was evident.

Serena, who had entered with a frightening aura, suddenly softened and frowned as she observed Azaid.

‘This is why I told him to explain the situation.’

She cast a brief glance at Jack. The emperor, though he didn’t keep many people close, was deeply attached to those he did.

Especially the four companions he had known since childhood. One of them, Jack Gordon, was lying there in such a state—no wonder Azaid was so alarmed.

Serena approached Azaid and calmly tried to reassure him.

“It’s okay. We discovered it early, so his life isn’t in danger. Please don’t worry.”

“What exactly happened?”

Azaid asked Serena in a trembling voice. His downcast eyes resembled a dejected cat, making him appear pitiable.

His blue eyes, like a stormy sea, were filled with turmoil. Grasping Serena’s sleeve cautiously, he urged her to explain.

Serena clasped his hand gently to comfort him as she continued.

“Well… I happened to come across Jack Gordon injured yesterday. It was too late to save his left eye, but we managed to save his life.”

“Injured? By whom?”

Azaid stared blankly at Serena as he asked, his earlier menacing demeanor toward Jack now completely gone. His face looked drained of all color, as if his soul had left him.

It was only natural—after all, his closest friend had lost an eye overnight. How could he not be shaken?

As Serena was about to respond, Jack shrugged and interjected.

“It was an ambush.”

“Could it be because of a mission I ordered…?”

“Your Majesty,” Leonard interrupted Azaid, shaking his head. It was because Serena was present.

“Ha.”

Azaid seemed deeply shaken, staggering slightly. Serena reached out to steady him, asking worriedly, “Are you okay?”

“Haa.”

Azaid let out a series of dry sighs, refusing Serena’s support as he slowly approached Jack. Looking down at him, he asked,

“Didn’t I tell you to pull out if things got dangerous, Jack Gordon?”

Serena was startled by Azaid’s tone. It was the first time she had seen him so angry.

It was hard to believe he was the same person who used to laze around on the bed with a loose demeanor. At that moment, Jack wiped the smile off his face and spoke.

“I’m sorry. I let my guard down.”

“…You’re stepping down from this matter now.”

“But…!”

When Jack raised his voice in protest, Leonard intervened between them.

“Your Majesty, given Jack’s current condition, it might be better to discuss this matter later.”

“Leonard, don’t interfere.”

Azaid’s cold voice made Leonard falter. Sensing the tension, Serena darted her eyes nervously around the room.

In truth, Serena had suspected that Jack had been involved in something dangerous ever since she saw him injured.

Someone of his caliber wouldn’t sustain such severe injuries from mere street thugs. It seemed more likely now that it was connected to Azaid’s orders.

‘What on earth is he doing behind the scenes?’

She realized she had judged Azaid too simplistically. She had thought of him as just a lazy emperor, but maybe he was living a fierce life behind the facade.

Serena couldn’t help but worry about Azaid. His complexion looked pale, and she wondered if his circulation was alright. Then Leonard spoke politely to her.

“Miss Serena, I’m sorry, but could you step outside for a moment?”

“Oh, yes…”

As Serena was about to leave, Azaid grabbed her hand.

“You don’t need to go.”

“What?”

“Jack, you are under house arrest starting today. Don’t leave your residence.”

“Azaid!”

Jack Gordon yelled in anger, but Azaid ignored him. Holding Serena’s hand firmly, he led her out of the inn. His fingers trembled slightly, as if from unease.

Outside, a waiting carriage came into view. Serena, dragged along in confusion, asked Azaid, “Is it okay to leave like this?”

“This isn’t your concern.”

Azaid responded curtly as he pushed her into the carriage. His words were harsh, but his gestures were oddly gentlemanly, which left Serena a bit puzzled.

It felt as if Azaid was afraid of the situation itself. Inside the carriage, Serena held his trembling hands and asked, “Are you running away?”

“….”

Azaid’s eyes widened at her blunt question. In the confined space, their gazes collided closely. Serena gently kneaded his hands and continued.

“I’m not blaming you for running away. I’m just worried about you, Your Majesty.”

“….”

“Your hands are cold. You must be really shaken. Don’t worry too much about Jack. Nowadays, there are magical devices; he could get an artificial eye.”

She tried to reassure him with a calm tone.

“It might be inconvenient, but it’s better than losing his life.”

She regretted not giving him a heads-up outside the room. Looking at Azaid now, she felt a pang of guilt and pity.

Azaid, staring blankly at his hands, suddenly asked in a low voice.

“…Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Why are you worried about me?”

“That’s…”

Azaid’s gaze locked on Serena. His eyes, glistening as if on the verge of tears, startled her. His long golden lashes trembled as if he were holding back.

His eyes held a mixture of wariness, expectation, and emotions Serena couldn’t entirely decipher.

He pulled her hand closer, narrowing the space between them. Her violet hair cascaded over her shoulder as Azaid looked up at her and growled.

“Why would you care about me?”

His grip tightened. Hiding his tears, he stared at her fiercely, like a predator baring its fangs. His sharp gaze bore into her, almost as if it could consume her.

The intensity made her feel overwhelmed. In the past, she might have trembled and begged for forgiveness on her knees under such pressure.

But instead of fear, Serena felt a pang of sorrow. She thought Azaid had become less wary of her.

Apparently, she had been mistaken. Azaid still reacted to her with sharp hostility.

Especially now, in the face of his friend’s crisis, he revealed a vulnerable side to her. Perhaps he felt embarrassed about exposing his weakness, which made him lash out even more.

‘So what?’

Was it justified to lash out with barbed words just to defend himself?

Especially against someone who was worrying herself sick over him?

Serena bit the soft flesh inside her lip. The cold reality of the situation came crashing down on her, emptying her mind.

The look in the emperor’s eyes hadn’t changed from before or now.

Cold. Distant.

She must have foolishly thought they had grown closer, and her guard had dropped.

‘Honestly, why am I even worrying about you?’

Serena replied calmly, her expression devoid of emotion.

“Because I’m your physician, Your Majesty.”

Yes. That was her role. She was merely a healer, someone who had no business meddling in his affairs beyond treatment.

Healing Jack Gordon wouldn’t change anything, and even if she cured Azaid’s illness, that would be the end of it.

Azaid replied slowly, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

“…You’ve only known me for a short time.”

“Human connections aren’t measured by how long you’ve known someone.”

‘Besides, I’ve known you since before you died. Twice.’

Azaid let out a bitter chuckle at her audacious answer, mocking her.

“Are you saying I’m part of your fate or something?”

“Well, who knows? I’m not sure either.”

Serena didn’t know why she had been forced to relive her life. All she knew was that death had always brought her back to him.

Whatever it was, Serena had no intention of being dragged along by it. She tugged her arm free from Azaid’s grip. The force brought them even closer, their foreheads nearly touching.