I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 55

Nocturne flinched at the sight of the man standing before him. Someone who was supposed to be locked in the sealed chamber was casually wandering around the estate.

“You look surprised.”

James smirked as he gazed at Nocturne. Unlike before, James now exuded an aura brimming with malice.

“I thought you were locked in the chamber.”

Nocturne replied nonchalantly, though internally, he was sharply observing James’ every move.

The chamber was a place where anyone confined had to stay for at least a week. Yet, James had emerged in less than three days.

Nocturne scrutinized James with a suspicious look.

“I’ve always wondered,” James began, locking eyes with Nocturne.

“Why His Grace holds you in such high regard. Why you’re no longer sent to the chamber.”

“So, did you reach a conclusion?”

“I did. A very satisfying one.”

James smiled amicably, but as soon as Nocturne saw that smile, he realized the truth.

He opened the door himself.

The Duke of Greenwood enjoyed ruling over and manipulating people. The chamber was one of the duke’s many cruel entertainments.

The door was not initially locked; it was only left open after the confined had been thoroughly broken and reduced to a state of helplessness.

Those who opened the door and emerged on their own were recognized by the duke. It was a test of mental endurance, and those who passed received a reward—power.

The duke’s method always blended the carrot and stick with cunning precision.

While Nocturne despised the idea of being a pawn in the duke’s schemes, James seemed to have wholeheartedly embraced it, determined to bask in the rewards.

And to be fair, those rewards were incredibly sweet.

“You must have loved seeing the terrified faces of the others entering the chamber.”

“Not particularly.”

Nocturne responded briefly to James’ mocking tone, attempting to walk past him. But James roughly grabbed his arm.

“Because of you, Patrick was disowned.”

“And why is that my fault?”

Nocturne stopped in his tracks, turning to glare coldly at James. He didn’t even bother to feign politeness. When James flinched, Nocturne swatted his hand away and delivered a sharp retort.

“That happened because Patrick was incompetent.”

“What?”

“If you don’t have the guts, you should at least have the wits to survive.”

“You heartless bastard.”

“Are you really in a position to call me that?”

When Nocturne smirked, raising one corner of his mouth, James let out a dry laugh.

“Your arrogance will only last until today. Once the successor is announced, you’ll be beneath me.”

It was true. Those who emerged from the chamber earned the right to become the heir.

A loyal dog of the duke, tasked with carrying out the dirtiest deeds behind the scenes while enjoying the most glorious position on the surface.

Nocturne had rejected that role, but James had seized it without hesitation. Now, James raised his chin arrogantly, daring Nocturne to respond.

At first, Nocturne bowed his head slightly, but soon his shoulders began to shake. Moments later, he burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! James, you’re still just a wildcat from the chamber. You’re bragging about taking the seat I discarded.”

“You bastard…!”

Infuriated by Nocturne’s provocation, James exploded in anger.

The duke had promised James the title of heir once the hunting festival was over.

If he secured that position, it would be as if James held the entire world in his hands. It was the spot every sibling coveted but could never attain.

But seeing Nocturne’s smug expression made James’ blood boil. The inferiority complex buried beneath his feelings of superiority surged to the surface.

How dare he treat me like some wildcat? I’m not some lowly creature!

Unable to contain his rage, James reached out to grab Nocturne by the collar.

“You still don’t get it, do you…? Argh!”

Fwoosh!

A fierce flame erupted, stopping James’ hand in its tracks. Unlike at the previous party, Nocturne’s response was swift and precise.

As James screamed and staggered backward, Nocturne gave him a chilling warning.

“The only one who can stand above me is His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…”

“So don’t even think of overstepping your bounds.”

“You…”

“Don’t get too cocky just because you’ve claimed that seat. It’s only the beginning. His Grace will discard you and replace you the moment he finds someone better.”

With those words, Nocturne walked away, offering James an unsolicited piece of advice. Behind him, James screamed curses at the top of his lungs, but Nocturne ignored him.

Nocturne’s expression was colder than ever, but inside, anger simmered like a boiling cauldron.

Watching those under the duke grovel for power disgusted him to no end.

A passing maid caught sight of his icy demeanor and held her breath. Normally, he would have flashed a charming smile, leaving the maids blushing, but today was different.

How long had he wandered without a destination?

“Nocturne?”

Serena, passing by, called out to him.

He wanted to avoid her, but their paths had crossed too directly to ignore.

Quickly masking his emotions, Nocturne offered her a casual smile.

“On your way to the library, I see.”

His gaze fell on the book tucked under Serena’s arm.

Nodding, she replied, “I need to return this book. But what about you, Nocturne? Where were you headed with such a frightening expression?”

“Me?”

Nocturne shrugged as if denying any such thing, and Serena stepped closer.

“Ah, was I being too nosy?”

“I won’t deny it.”

“But the vibrant energy emanating from afar was hard to ignore.”

“How considerate of you.”

When Nocturne offered a faint smile, Serena told him to wait a moment and rummaged through her pocket.

“Could you hold out your hands like this?”

She demonstrated by cupping her hands together, motioning for him to mimic her. When Nocturne absentmindedly followed suit, candy poured out into his palms.

“This is…”

“I happened to stumble upon a stash of snacks hidden in His Majesty’s bedroom.”

“Excuse me?”

“Apparently, he thought no one would notice, despite us knowing his every habit inside out.”

Serena chuckled, then began to complain about Azaid’s poor eating habits. It wasn’t so much anger as lighthearted venting.

She spoke with such enthusiasm that ignoring her would have felt rude. Nocturne, lost in thought, gazed at her, then shifted his eyes to the candy in his hands.

As he moved his hand, the crinkling sound of the candy wrappers stirred a memory he’d rather forget—his childhood.

Before being adopted by the Duke of Greenwood’s household, Nocturne had been raised as a dependent by his deceased birth mother’s elder sister.

He was a child born to an unknown father, his mother having passed away shortly after his birth. Under normal circumstances, he would have been abandoned at an orphanage, but his aunt took him in.

Of course, she didn’t treat him like her own son. While her children wore and ate the best, Nocturne received only leftovers.

Still, he was grateful to have a home. Seeing the children in the orphanage, he consoled himself with the thought that he at least had an aunt. But that was foolish hope.

One day, after running errands, Nocturne returned to an empty house. On the table was a bag of candy. Hungry and unable to resist, he ate every piece right there.

The candy was sweet and delicious. Its soft melting in his mouth brought a joy he couldn’t stop indulging in. But that sweetness turned out to be poison—the harshest poison that shattered his illusions.

“Waaaah! My candy!”

Her son cried, and she glared coldly at Nocturne, her eyes asking how he dared steal her son’s treat.

He had thought they were family, but they weren’t. For the first time, she struck him. Yet, the lingering sweetness in his mouth still tasted delicious. That made him unbearably sad.

Their relationship grew distant after that. Eventually, the Greenwood family recognized his bloodline, and he moved to the duke’s estate, cutting off ties with his aunt.

She, perhaps feeling guilty for hitting him, never bothered him again.

When Nocturne stared blankly at the candy, Serena asked, “Do you dislike candy?”

Shifting his gaze to her, Nocturne replied curtly, “No, I like it.”

“Then would you like more? I actually have plenty left…”

She dug into another pocket and produced a handful of candy, dropping it into his hands. It seemed as though her pockets were enchanted, as candy poured out endlessly like a string of sausages.

“I wonder if His Majesty craves sweets so much he’s willing to sneak around. Does he like sweets that much? If only he liked walks as much…”

Serena grumbled to herself as if continuing a private monologue.

“Pfft.”

Unable to help himself, Nocturne burst out laughing. The thought of Azaid hiding so much candy, and Serena discovering it with uncanny precision, was too absurd.

Startled, Serena looked at him, but Nocturne continued laughing aloud. His shoulders shook, and Serena quickly grabbed his hands to keep the candy from falling.

“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“You two seem to get along surprisingly well.”

“His Majesty and me?”

Blinking in surprise, Serena quickly denied it, her expression stiffening.

“Those rumors aren’t true!”

“Oh, I simply meant you make excellent friends.”

Nocturne clarified with a cheerful smile, and Serena pursed her lips in mild annoyance. He pocketed the candy and thanked her.

“Thank you for the candy.”

“You’re welcome. Eat it and cheer up. You look much better when you’re smiling.”

“I thought I smiled often enough.”

“You only smile with your lips, you know.”

She mimicked a forced smile, lifting the corners of her mouth with her fingers.

“Well, I’ll take my leave now.”

With a quick farewell, Serena scurried away. As Nocturne watched her retreating figure, a lingering smile remained on his face.

Suddenly, he felt a prickling sensation on his back. Turning around, he found Azaid leaning casually against a pillar, watching him.