I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Chapter 43

Serena was startled to realize just how close she was to Azaid. Squatting with her knees bent, she found herself practically trapped between his legs.

Azaid froze in place, his lips pressed shut, an awkward and rigid posture taking over his body.

His blue eyes were filled with Serena. They were so close that if she tilted her head even slightly upward, their lips would meet.

To an onlooker, it might have seemed as though Azaid was deliberately blocking Serena from escaping.

She felt his warm breath on the back of her hand, and the strange sensation made her pull her hand away quickly. At that moment, Azaid raised his head and exhaled deeply, as if finally releasing a held breath.

“Hah…”

The rush of air disheveled Serena’s bangs, momentarily revealing an uneven burn scar on the left side of her round forehead.

It was a small scar, resembling a flower petal. Time had faded it so much that it was barely noticeable unless one looked closely.

Flustered, Serena quickly covered her forehead with her hand. She had intentionally grown out her bangs to hide the scar, so her reflexive movement was swift.

Azaid, however, seemed to be looking elsewhere and hadn’t noticed her scar. Still tilting his head, he mumbled to himself like a man reciting an incantation, all the while taking deep breaths.

As he did, the movement of his prominent Adam’s apple caught Serena’s attention. It bobbed up and down, and even the veins along his neck seemed to pulse rhythmically—a sight that was strangely mesmerizing.

Serena found herself staring blankly at his Adam’s apple. His well-defined neck, sturdy frame, and sharp jawline were undeniably captivating.

‘No wonder everyone blushes when they see the Emperor,’ she thought.

Serena began to feel uncomfortably warm. She wished Azaid would just step back, but instead, he resembled an angry bull, exhaling heavily as if ready to charge.

‘Is he upset about the incident with Nocturne?’

Realizing something was off about his behavior, Serena blinked in confusion. Was he perhaps plotting how to deal with some suspicious figure who might have been harassing Nocturne?

If so, he could certainly think it through at a distance. Unable to contain her frustration, Serina finally spoke.

“Your Majesty, how long are you planning to stay like this? You can take deep breaths from farther away, you know.”

“……”

“Your breathing keeps tickling my hair, and it’s uncomfortable. Please step back.”

At her grumbling tone, Azaid stopped his deep breathing and glanced down at her. His expression looked oddly displeased, almost as if he were angry with her.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Serena hesitated, wondering if she had made things worse. Technically, she was the one who had brought him into this situation. Considering that, perhaps she had been a bit inconsiderate toward him. Her lips twitched slightly, as if she wanted to apologize.

Azaid stared at her with an expression that suggested he had a lot to say. His gaze lingered on her eyes, nose, and lips in a slow, deliberate manner.

A moment later, he exhaled deeply again and spoke in an irritated tone.

“Why are you so fearless?”

“What?”

Caught off guard by his sudden comment, Serena widened her eyes and stared at Azaid. Was he about to scold her for eavesdropping?

“It’s not like I wanted to eavesdrop… I only overheard because Your Majesty’s name was mentioned, and I got worried,” she explained awkwardly, shifting uncomfortably. Staying in the same position for so long was making her legs ache.

It was then that Azaid abruptly shouted, “Don’t move!”

Serena froze and stared at him. Despite his stern face, he showed no intention of moving away. His lower lip was caught between his teeth, and his anxious expression was unusual.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“……”

“Did you get a cramp? Should I help you stretch it out?”

As she raised her hand to check for a cramp, Azaid grabbed her hand and exclaimed, “Just… stay still for a moment!”

His outburst trailed off as his voice softened toward the end. Serena looked at him curiously, her hand caught in his.

For some reason, his cheeks seemed flushed, and his hand was so warm that she began to worry he might have a fever.

She couldn’t figure out what was going on. He didn’t seem angry, nor was he suffering from a cramp, so why was he staying so close?

Unable to suppress her frustration, Serina pushed against his chest and said, “Then at least move back a little. It’s too hot.”

“Ah—wait…!”

Azaid flinched and jolted, his whole body reacting dramatically. In that moment, something heavy lightly struck Serena’s leg. It was large and solid, resembling a staff. Without thinking, she blurted out, “Did you bring a staff with you?”

Azaid didn’t respond. Instead, he covered his eyes with one hand and muttered a curse under his breath. His ears, red as though he’d been standing in the cold for too long, betrayed his discomfort.

“Ah.”

Seeing his reaction, Serena finally realized something.

‘So… that’s what it was.’

Serena understood the strange behavior Azaid had been showing for a while and rolled her eyes in response.

It seemed the Emperor was remarkably healthy—in a rather peculiar way.

Her throat felt dry, and her body grew warm for no reason, but she remained professional. After all, she was a doctor, and she knew very well that controlling such things wasn’t always possible.

Thus, it was her duty to reassure the patient and ensure he didn’t feel embarrassed. She spoke calmly.

“It’s all right, Your Majesty. That’s just a perfectly natural phenomenon that can happen to any healthy person…”

But Azaid wasn’t inclined to listen.

“Just don’t say anything, Serena.”

“Understood.”

At his earnest plea, she shut her mouth tightly. A chilling silence filled the air. It wasn’t until later that Azaid managed to calm down and step back.

He said nothing, and Serena pretended nothing had happened, quickly changing the subject.

“I’ll go inform Nocturne of this matter now.”

“…”

“Your Majesty… it might be best for you to prepare for the ball.”

Serena awkwardly raised her tone at the end. Azaid shot her a wounded look, like a lamb struck by misfortune.

“… Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Serena avoided his piercing gaze and quietly slipped out of the study. Once outside, she composed herself and walked confidently—only to let out a mental scream the moment she was alone.

Ahhhhh!

Her inner cry echoed as she dashed away. The embarrassment she had suppressed spilled out all at once the moment she let her guard down.

She had been fine earlier, but Azaid’s reaction made it impossible to stay unaffected.

What was with that expression!

Before she knew it, her face was flushed red—just like Azaid’s had been a moment ago.

After calming herself down, Serena decided to visit Nocturne to relay what she had heard in the library earlier.

Nocturne’s room wasn’t in the main residence but rather in the annex. It was likely because, after inheriting the countship and leaving the ducal household, he had fallen out of favor with the Duke.

When she reached his room, Serena knocked three times. Soon, the door opened, and Nocturne recognized her.

“Miss Serena, what brings you here?”

Nocturne blinked in surprise at her sudden appearance. He seemed to have been resting, as his long, usually neat hair was loosely tied back.

“I have something to discuss. May I come in?”

“Here, into this room?”

Nocturne looked troubled. It occurred to her that entering a man’s bedroom, especially one unrelated to her, could indeed be improper.

With Azaid, it was different since he was her patient and visits to his bedroom were a regular occurrence. But Nocturne wasn’t her patient. Realizing her oversight, Serina waved her hands apologetically.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t consider that it might be inappropriate.”

“It’s fine. The third room on this floor is a parlor. If you wait there, I’ll join you shortly.”

“All right, I’ll do that.”

That was close—she had almost made a mistake. Her mind was still scattered after the awkward encounter with Azaid earlier.

Serena sat quietly in the parlor and waited for a while.

“Apologies for the delay,” Nocturne said, settling into the seat across from her.

“Miss Serena, what brings you here in such a hurry?”

“I have something to discuss.”

“What is it?”

“Will you be attending the ball tonight?”

“Yes, I plan to.”

“Um… could you not go?”

When Serena nervously posed the question, Nocturne tilted his head in confusion.

“Why?”

His reaction was understandable. That ball marked the opening ceremony of the hunting festival, an event every member of the Greenwood family was expected to attend. It was the reason Nocturne had come all the way here from the capital.

Carefully, Serina began to explain.

“Actually, earlier in the study, I saw some members of the Greenwood family—those three who were with you before.”

Nocturne’s expression subtly shifted at her mention of the past incident.

“They seemed to hold a grudge against what you did back then.”

“I see I’ve unintentionally caused you concern,” Nocturne said with a faint chuckle, his tone lighthearted. His face showed no trace of wariness.

Feeling frustrated, Serina insisted, “This isn’t something to laugh off. They had a magical orb with them.”