I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 31

Azaid flinched when he heard that Serena wasn’t feeling well. After a moment, he subtly probed Anna.

“Is she in a lot of pain? She didn’t mention anything this morning…”

In truth, she had left after a brief, indifferent examination without taking the time to talk. Anna responded fearfully, trembling.

“Well, um… I heard she’s been staying up late every night since coming to the palace, researching ways to cure Your Majesty’s illness.”

“…”

“On top of that, she’s been sighing heavily lately, as if something’s weighing on her. She’s also had a lot of sleepless nights…”

Though wary of Ajed’s reaction, Anna continued cautiously.

“She’s been doing that every day, so of course, her body’s wearing down. Honestly, she didn’t look well today either…”

Anna let out an exaggerated sigh and glanced at the Emperor nervously. Azaid listened attentively but wore an unreadable expression.

‘Why on earth is she doing so much for me?’

He couldn’t comprehend Serena’s recklessness. Although he had proposed one year, there was still plenty of time left.

Yet the woman, who always seemed so composed, was spending her nights desperately trying to find a cure for his ailment.

At that moment, Leonard chimed in from beside him.

“Having an incompetent boss makes work tough, doesn’t it?”

“Leonard.”

When Azaid glared at him, Leonard raised his eyebrows and smirked playfully.

As the maid and Leonard teamed up to criticize him, Ajed bit his lower lip.

‘Why are you losing sleep over my medicine? That’s why you’re unwell.’

The guilt from this newfound realization hit him hard.

‘Who do you think you are, worrying about me?’

He regretted being so cold.

His conscience pricked him, and he lamented the harsh words he had said to her.

“What about the physician? Did she agree to see one?”

“She said there’s no need since she’s a doctor herself.”

“Of course.”

Clicking his tongue as if he had expected this, Azaid gulped down his tonic in one go. Then, before anyone could say another word, he sprang to his feet.

“Don’t follow me.”

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t ask.”

Snapping back sharply, Azaid left the room. He couldn’t bring himself to admit that he was going to check on Serena out of concern.

But who was Leonard if not the Emperor’s closest aide and friend?

Leonard immediately guessed where Ajed was heading and reassured the anxious Anna.

“Don’t worry. He’s probably going out of concern.”

“Oh…”

“That’s just the way he is. He can’t stand seeing those around him in pain.”

Leonard gazed fondly at the spot Azaid had vacated. The master he had served for years was, in truth, a deeply compassionate man.

Though life’s trials had hardened him, Ajed’s core nature was tender and kind.

For someone who rarely opened up to anyone besides a close circle, Leonard had been concerned.

But then Serena had appeared, softening Azaid’s rough edges.

It was a relief to see him find a good match. Leonard silently hoped Azaid wouldn’t lose someone so precious due to his own stubbornness.

‘At last, my role as the messenger might come to an end.’

Smirking to himself, Leonard left the room.

“Ugh…”

At that moment, Serena groaned, pulling the blanket up to her neck. She had thought she’d feel better after resting, but her condition was worsening. A chill ran through her body, and her hands and feet felt icy.

‘This feels strange…’

Curled up in her armchair, Serena checked her pulse. It was unsteady, and her stomach churned.

Her side began to sting, and her body shook as if she were trapped in a freezer, her temperature plummeting.

‘Is this the flu? No… This feels different…’

Serena decided she should head to the infirmary and tried to stand.

But—

“Ah…”

The moment she stood, her head spun, and she staggered. She couldn’t even reach for the bell pull.

Just as she was about to collapse, her fall was abruptly stopped.

Instead of hitting the hard floor, her face brushed against soft silk. The familiar scent that filled her nose instantly relaxed her.

‘What… The Emperor?’

Just by looking at his chest, she knew it was him. She was too weak to lift her head and simply leaned against him, dazed.

“Serena…! Stay with me…!”

Azaid’s panicked voice reached her, but her consciousness began to fade.

‘Am I going to die of exhaustion like this? Ugh… If I start over, I’m ripping out that Emperor’s hair first.’

A faint, mischievous smile crossed Serena’s lips as she entertained the absurd thought before passing out.

A few minutes earlier.

Azaid stood hesitantly outside Serena’s room.

Should he go in or not?

He worried about being turned away at the door for showing up unannounced. No, more than that, he was concerned she might not be pleased to see him. Still, having come all this way, it would have been foolish to simply turn back.

‘Right, I am an emperor with a generous heart.’

Azaid took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Then, feigning composure, he spoke.

“Hey, are you in there?”

“……”

“I know you’re inside.”

No response came from within. Azaid wondered if Serena was deliberately ignoring him, so he issued a warning.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as permission to come in.”

Still, there was no reply. A sense of unease crept over Azade, and he flung the door open, stepping inside. She had said she wasn’t feeling well—what if she had collapsed?

Just as he thought, Serena tried to sit up but immediately began to fall over.

“Serena!”

Azaid, startled, rushed to her. He barely caught her before she collapsed completely, and his shock grew even greater.

Her body was ice cold. Her forehead was damp with sweat, and she kept curling into herself as though freezing.

Though the air near the fireplace was warm, her body was cold to the touch. Azaid pressed a hand to her forehead to check her temperature. It was like ice.

“Snap out of it. Serena, come on!”

Despite his calls, Serena didn’t respond. She simply rested her face against his chest.

Azaid lifted her face to check her pupils. The focus in her golden eyes was gradually fading. The more disoriented she became, the heavier his heart sank.

Moments later—

“Serena!”

Azaid held the unconscious Serena tightly. There wasn’t a trace of color in her face. Her naturally pale skin now seemed even more ashen.

Suddenly, he recalled what one of the maids had said: that Serena had been losing sleep every night trying to cure his illness. Recently, she had been struggling even more, sighing deeply after their arguments.

“How much did you push yourself?”

Azaid let out an angry exclamation and ruffled his hair in frustration. For some reason, seeing her treat her body so recklessly made him upset.

‘She can’t even take care of herself, yet she tries to save others.’

Slipping his arms under her knees and around her waist, he lifted her effortlessly. Holding her for the first time, Azaid realized how frail she truly was.

After gently laying her on the bed, he reached for the servant’s bell to summon a physician.

“Ugh…”

Serena groaned softly, clutching her side. Naturally, Azaid’s gaze followed hers to her right side.

“!!!”

From beneath her thin innerwear, a faint violet light shimmered.

‘This is…’

It was a mana wave. Azaid’s eyes fixated on the violet mana emanating from her side.

It felt oddly familiar—just like when his own mana core had first manifested.

‘Come to think of it, she said she couldn’t remember anything about her awakening.’

When a mana core manifests, the intense pain usually leaves a vivid impression on the awakening individual’s mind.

For her to lack such a memory meant she either hadn’t fully awakened or something had gone wrong during the process.

Azaid concluded it was likely the former. If so, this wasn’t something a physician could resolve.

Letting go of the bell rope, Azade brushed his hand against her cheek.

Suddenly, he recalled something she had explained to him in secret during one of their conversations.

—

“For now, I’ll stop using internal mana-based diagnoses.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Apparently, it’s a very dangerous treatment method. There might be side effects.”

“Side effects?”

“Well… I’m not sure, but it could be life-threatening or cause internal mana depletion.”

“……”

“Luckily, since Your Majesty’s mana and mine are highly compatible, there haven’t been side effects so far. But just in case, let’s be careful.”

“Highly compatible?”

“Yes. Please keep this mana diagnosis a secret. Especially from Lord Nocturne.”

“You met with Nocturne separately?”

“Actually, I went out to seek his advice.”

—

Azaid finally realized her recent outings were to meet Nocturne. He had wanted to question her further, but due to their cold war, he had let it slide.

‘It seems those side effects have finally caught up with her.’

Azaid gazed at Serena with a mix of pity and frustration. Her low body temperature made him suspect that mana depletion had worsened beyond just her delayed awakening.

He needed to act quickly. Biting his lip, Azaid muttered softly.

“Just so you know, this is strictly a medical procedure.”