I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Chapter 36

Azaid bit his lower lip in response to Serena’s bold claim. Something about her answer didn’t sit well with him.

‘It’s not completely unreasonable, is it?’

Perhaps it was because her strong rejection of him left an unpleasant aftertaste.

Come to think of it, Serena always seemed to regard him as nothing more than a patient. From their very first meeting, her irritation had been obvious, so it wasn’t surprising.

Azaid spoke in a slightly subdued tone.

“Others are desperate to sit by my side, but you’re desperate to run away.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m running away…”

Serena rolled her eyes, as if realizing her mistake too late.

The position of empress, which was currently vacant, was coveted by countless nobles. It wasn’t a position that someone like Serena, the daughter of a mere baron, could even dream of.

After a moment, she carefully voiced her thoughts.

“I have no interest in politics. I just want to live quietly and take care of myself.”

That’s right. Living a long, peaceful life was Serena’s only dream.

Azaid frowned at her response.

“I have no intention of using the seat next to me for political leverage. If that were my plan, it wouldn’t still be vacant.”

“That’s true. Hmm. You’re surprisingly romantic. Are you perhaps waiting for a fated love?”

When Serena teased him playfully, Azaid shook his head.

“You’re talking nonsense.”

His expression made it clear he didn’t even want to entertain the idea. Serena giggled mischievously and glanced at him.

In truth, Serena had already guessed why Azaid had drawn such a firm line with her that day.

Those who earned the emperor’s trust inevitably attracted unwanted attention. Serena, too, as the only royal physician to have been granted the title of Isring, was likely a topic of interest among the nobility.

From Azaid’s perspective, someone like her, whose true intentions were always in question, would undoubtedly be troublesome.

In an effort to reassure him, Serena spoke up.

“I know what Your Majesty is worried about.”

“…”

“I can promise you one thing for certain.”

“What is it?”

Azaid looked at her lazily, as if wondering what nonsense she was about to say now. His lack of immediate dismissal suggested he was at least a little curious. Serena smiled brightly.

“After curing Your Majesty’s illness, I promise I won’t use it as leverage to meddle in politics.”

“…”

“All I want is to see Your Majesty recover. That’s all.”

“…”

“After that, I’ll retire quietly and continue doing small-scale medical work as I’ve always done. So you can rest easy.”

Serena shrugged, and Azaid’s expression became unreadable. He couldn’t quite grasp what was going through her mind.

Curing the emperor’s illness alone would open countless opportunities for her. It was a privilege she’d rightfully earned. Yet she spoke of throwing it all away and retiring?

‘Is she being serious?’

Azaid stared at Serena. Her gaze was so sincere and clear that he couldn’t even muster the will to accuse her of lying.

Where had this peculiar woman come from? It seemed that on the day of their argument, Serena had glimpsed the thorns Azaid carried.

Sharp thorns, always pointed outward, that ended up hurting even those who came close.

Azaid brushed his lips with his hand and said,
“You don’t need to retire. If you cure my illness, you deserve to be rewarded appropriately.”

“I mean it. Your Majesty’s recovery is enough for me.”

Because only then will I be able to survive too.

Serena swallowed the rest of her words and smiled softly. If she had been the ambitious type, she would have pressured Baron Vincent the moment she became a royal physician.

But she didn’t want that, and she hadn’t done it.

In fact, this time, it had been Baron Vincent who approached her first, but even then, she’d declined.

Azaid simply stared at the resolute Serena.

“So, please understand if I get a little reckless with your treatment. It’s because I’m desperate.”

“You’re aware that you’re being reckless?”

“That’s only because Your Majesty allows it.”

“Right. It’s my fault.”

Azaid let out a small laugh and turned to look out the window. His lips curved into a graceful smile.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his face. Serena found herself staring at him for a while before she, too, turned her gaze to the window.

The day Serena was scheduled to meet Nocturne.

“You’re going to the hunting festival?”

Nocturne poured green tea into her cup himself and asked.

“Yes, that’s how it turned out.”

Serena sipped her tea and answered lightly. Since her last visit to Nocturne’s office, she had been meeting him frequently for advice.

Sometimes he came to the royal library, and other times Serena went to his office. Today was one of the days she was visiting him.

“I was about to tell you that I’d be away from the capital for a while, so this works out well.”

“Oh? Where are you going?”

When Serena tilted her head in curiosity, Nocturne replied,
“I’m going to Greenwood as well.”

“Ah.”

Serena finally realized that his destination was Greenwood. While he now lived separately after earning the title of count, he still belonged to Greenwood.

If Greenwood was hosting a hunting festival, all its members were expected to gather. Nocturne was no exception.

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“It’s all right. Honestly, if it weren’t for times like this, I might forget that I’m a Greenwood myself.”

Nocturne gently smiled, trying to reassure Serena. Serena gave a bashful smile and shifted the topic.

“I heard there’s a famous lush forest trail in Greenwood.”

“Ah, you must mean the boulevard.”

“Yes. Have you been there, Count?”

“Feel free to call me Nocturne. I’ll call you Miss Serena in return.”

With a smooth smile, Nocturne corrected her formality. Serena, who never missed a chance to embrace casualness, immediately adopted the new address.

“Sure, Nocturne. Have you been there yourself?”

“I visited a few times when I was a child. It’s a forest with trees so tall you can barely see the sky.”

“I see.”

“But honestly, I don’t have fond memories of the place. I don’t really like it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it was the place my brothers often tied me up.”

Without a change in his expression, Nocturne casually mentioned his painful past.

Serena felt the urge to slap her own mouth. It seemed that every word she spoke today poked at Nocturne’s sore spots.

“I must be off my game today. Even my questions…”

“It’s fine. I’m doing much better than my brothers these days.”

Nocturne shrugged. After all, he was now one of the Emperor’s four most trusted companions. The future of Greenwood wasn’t in the hands of his brothers but in his.

“Who knows? Perhaps someday, your brothers might end up the ones being tied up.”

“That’s quite the ominous remark.”

“Come on. Haven’t you ever imagined it? If I were you, I’d think about it every day.”

“Haha.”

Nocturne laughed openly, as if he’d just heard a funny story. His face was filled with amusement.

“Maybe it’s worth considering now.”

“Go for it. It might even be thrilling.”

“It sounds like you’ve thought about this quite often.”

“To be honest, I grew up being pushed around by my older siblings too.”

“Ah, you mean Vincent and his sister?”

At Nocturne’s question, Serena nodded lightly and continued.

“They tormented me so relentlessly that I got sick of it and left that wretched house as soon as I could.”

“Brilliant illegitimate children are bound to be targeted. If you were talentless, they probably wouldn’t have cared so much.”

Nocturne replied flatly and took a sip of green tea. His sharp mind and awakened abilities must have posed a significant threat to Greenwood’s heirs.

“Still, I think having talent is what allowed me to survive like this.”

“Is that so?”

“Aristocratic families are harsh places for insignificant boys and girls to endure, aren’t they?”

When Serena gave him a knowing wink, Nocturne smiled softly.

“That’s true.”

“You’ve endured well. You’ve grown into someone remarkable despite the tough environment.”

Serena wanted to praise how Nocturne had turned out. He seemed slightly flustered by the sudden compliment. For someone who always seemed rational, his composure momentarily cracked.

“Maybe it’s because you’re a doctor, but you’re generous with compliments. I bet your patients love you.”

“I only compliment when it’s deserved. His Majesty probably doesn’t hear it enough.”

“Goodness. His Majesty should step up, then.”

“Exactly.”

Serena chuckled, thinking of Azade. Although he had been diligently playing the role of a patient lately, her comment wouldn’t have pleased him. But he wasn’t here, so it didn’t matter.

Just then, Nocturne seemed to remember something and muttered, “Ah, could that be why His Majesty burned the garden at Vincent Manor?”

“What? His Majesty did what?”

Serena widened her eyes at Nocturne’s unexpected words. It sounded like she’d just heard something unbelievable, but the casual tone confused her.

Nocturne, realizing his slip, hesitated before speaking slowly.

“You didn’t know?”

“…?”

“Apparently, there’s been a rumor circulating in the social circles. Vincent Manor has fallen out of His Majesty’s favor.”

“Why?”

Serena suddenly recalled the night she had sneaked out. After that, she’d had a fight with Azade and hadn’t heard what happened at Vincent Manor.

“I don’t know the exact reason, but…”

Looking troubled, Nocturne continued.

“One thing’s for sure—His Majesty completely burned down the glass garden Lady Vincent cherished.”

What kind of insane thing did that man do now?