I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 40

“Marie, was it always this quick to get here?”

“It seems so. Portals really are convenient, aren’t they?”

“Magic gets more fascinating the more you learn about it.”

After meeting Nocturne, Serena left behind the dubious world of amateur magic and started pursuing the proper path.

The recommended books and advice from Nocturne, a top graduate of the academy, had been immensely helpful to her.

‘If I combine magic and medicine, perhaps even incurable diseases can be treated.’

Until now, there hadn’t been any doctor who mastered both magic and medicine. After all, those capable of using magic had no reason to study medicine.

As a result, medicine and magic developed independently of one another.

Serena, with her intellect and her non-functioning mana core, set an ambitious goal to become the first doctor to use magic in treatments.

‘I heard the Greenwood territory has many ancient texts.’

Serena smiled meaningfully. While one reason for accompanying Azaid was to protect him, another reason was to access the library at the Greenwood estate.

According to Nocturne, the Duke’s private collection of magical books held texts unavailable even in the capital’s libraries.

Having already received Azaid’s permission, Serena planned to delve into the library’s treasures while staying at Greenwood.

“The accommodations are so clean and nice,” Marie said, grinning as she finished unpacking. The Greenwood estate was as serene and beautiful as they had heard.

It was said that the Duke often traveled between the capital and the estate using portals, renewing his portal access rights annually to make such journeys possible.

“That’s true. There’s a lake out front, and the wide-open gardens are absolutely stunning.”

“Perhaps the view is even better because this room is near His Majesty’s quarters,” Marie added.

She was right. As the Emperor’s physician, Serena had received one of the best rooms during their visit to Greenwood.

The Imperial medical team, being directly tied to the Emperor’s health, was treated generously even at Greenwood.

After all, if the Emperor were to suffer any injury while in Greenwood, the responsibility would fall on the Greenwood family, making it unthinkable to leave his care solely to the family’s doctors.

‘I heard there were injuries back then. Who could it have been?’

Since Azaid hadn’t been hurt, Serena hadn’t paid much attention to who the injured party was. Now, her curiosity as a doctor made her wonder about it.

As someone who couldn’t ignore an injured patient, Serina began to speculate when Marie hesitated and spoke up.

“Tomorrow evening, Greenwood is hosting a ball to officially kick off the hunting festival.”

“Oh, really?”

Serena responded nonchalantly, prompting Marie to mumble with a troubled expression.

“Yes. Apparently, by tradition, His Majesty’s partner for the hunting festival will be the daughter of the hosting family.”

“So that means Lady Ophelia Greenwood will be His Majesty’s partner.”

Ophelia was the only daughter of the Greenwood family. It was clear she would be Azaid’s partner at the ball.

Serena, distracted as she rummaged through her belongings, gave an indifferent reply. Marie let out a frustrated sigh.

“Ugh! What kind of tradition is that? I was hoping you’d be His Majesty’s partner again this time.”

“Marie, I’ve told you before, His Majesty and I are nothing more than doctor and patient—no more, no less.”

“What? So you’re still at the ‘some’ stage with His Majesty?”

“Some?” Serena tilted her head, puzzled by the term. Marie placed her hands on her hips and explained.

“These days, people use ‘some’ to describe the ambiguous stage before a romantic relationship begins.”

Serena narrowed her eyes, clearly exasperated. No matter how much she tried to explain, it seemed futile. She replied flatly.

“Well, if anything, my relationship with His Majesty is closer to ‘fight,’ not ‘some.’”

“Huh?”

“His Majesty avoids me at every turn. So, I’d say we’re on the verge of a quarrel.”

What kind of lovers would despise each other?

Thus, the relationship between Azaid and Serena was less “some” and more “fight.” Both sides were at such odds that it was like they were constantly on the brink of a clash.

At that moment, Marie, as if having an epiphany, clapped her hands together.

“Oh! So it’s a push-and-pull dynamic, right?”

“Marie, before I throw you out the window, could you stop now?”

“Eek! So scary.”

Marie didn’t look frightened at all as she prattled on before leaving the room. Serina let out a deep sigh and approached the window.

The view outside was breathtaking. The castle, nestled in the forest, looked like something out of a fairy tale.

The rippling lake shimmered under the sunlight, and swans glided gracefully across its surface.

As she gazed out for a while, she spotted Nocturne in the distance. Three men surrounded him, seemingly cornering him against the wall near her room.

‘Hmm. Are those the brothers he mentioned?’

Serena propped her chin on her hand, observing them closely.

The Greenwood family was renowned for producing scholars through generations.

How was it that only such brilliant individuals became heads of the family?

The reason was simple: the Greenwood family’s unique system for selecting its head.

In Greenwood, being a direct descendant didn’t guarantee succession. Anyone with Greenwood blood, whether from the main or a branch family, could become the head.

The conditions were straightforward: outperform all other Greenwoods and gain the approval of the previous Duke.

Those who met these criteria became the next Duke. Consequently, many young Greenwoods underwent rigorous testing from a young age, competing fiercely after being officially recognized.

Nocturne, despite being an illegitimate child, had proven his abilities early on and entered the competition.

He had once been the leading candidate for the position of Viscount, but unexpectedly left to take an Earldom, stirring resentment among the family’s other children.

‘I shouldn’t get involved in family feuds unnecessarily.’

Serena was just about to draw the curtains when it happened. Nocturne seemed to sense her gaze and looked up. When their eyes met, he casually nodded as if nothing was amiss and greeted her.

And then, as if on cue, the remaining three also raised their heads to look in her direction.

“!!!”

Serena let out a silent scream and collapsed onto the floor. Her heart pounded as though she’d been caught spying.

Why would you just calmly greet me like that?!

She was almost caught by the other three as well. Internally screaming, Serena couldn’t bring herself to glance back outside the window.

A while later, Serena cautiously peeked out again. The three were gone, leaving only Nocturne. He was staring at her with a calm gaze.

Could he have been watching me this entire time?

Feeling awkward, Serena averted her eyes and broke the silence.

“Did they leave?”

When she leaned forward slightly, Nocturne smirked and nodded. Then, gesturing for her to come down, he called out,
“Shall I show you around? There’s a beautiful spot to see at this hour.”

Ah, so he had been waiting to say that.

Serena nodded and held up her hand, spreading her fingers wide.

“Alright. Just give me five minutes.”

She quickly closed the window, grabbed her coat, and headed outside.

As soon as Serena disappeared from the window, Nocturne’s expression turned icy. His gaze shifted to a corner hidden among the bushes.

There, tied up, were the three brothers who had been picking a fight with him earlier. It was a spot completely out of sight from Serena’s vantage point at the window.

The faint smell of burning lingered around them, and for good reason—they were trapped within flames. Their faces were smeared with soot, their features distorted and blackened.

Nocturne snapped his fingers, intending to deal with them before Serena arrived. The ropes binding the brothers disintegrated instantly.

“Childish pranks like this should have been left behind in your youth. Perhaps it’s this foolishness that caused your defeat,” Nocturne said coldly.

“You bastard…” one of the brothers spat, struggling to regain his composure.

“You’re hardly in a position to insult me, given how soundly you’ve been beaten by this ‘bastard,’” Nocturne retorted.

“Using that cursed Isring! Without it, you wouldn’t stand a chance against us!”

“With or without the Isring, none of you could hope to match me.”

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Nocturne’s lips. He pointed in a direction with an air of disdain.

“Now, leave. If you’re still here in three minutes, I might just burn your precious silk robes to ashes.”

His smiling face carried an unsettling menace. To emphasize his point, the flames began to clear a path in the direction he had indicated, narrowing with every second.

Nocturne watched the brothers hesitate, then warned them,
“If you don’t hurry, the last one out might suffer burns.”

“You… you filthy coward! You think you’ll get away with—wait, hey!”

One of the brothers started to yell but was cut off as the other two bolted without hesitation.

“Out of the way! I’m going first!”

“Hey! Don’t push me!”

The remaining brother stood frozen for a moment, staring dumbfounded at the others before gritting his teeth in frustration.

“Looks like you’re guaranteed last place,” Nocturne taunted with a graceful laugh. “Unfortunate.”

“Dammit!” the last brother cursed, finally sprinting down the path after the others.

The three brothers jostled each other, desperate not to be the last. Nocturne watched them with an expression of mild contempt. By the time they had completely vanished and only the smell of charred wood lingered, a soft voice broke the silence.

“I’m not too late, am I?”

Serena had arrived, smiling shyly as she looked up at him.