I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 64

Yes. That was unmistakably blood. Bright red blood.

“Huh? W-what?”

Serena murmured, staring at the surreal sight of the blood.

Why was her neck bleeding all of a sudden?

At that moment, Azaid interrupted her.

“Don’t speak. First, we need to stop the bleeding.”

Gone was the cold and distant Azaid from earlier. Now, his usual soft-spoken demeanor resurfaced.

Flustered, Azaid quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around Serena’s neck. His touch was exceedingly gentle, as if he’d done this countless times. He pressed firmly, then unknotted his tie and carefully wrapped it around her neck to secure the wound.

“For now, let’s head to the infirmary. The cut isn’t too deep, so if we stop the bleeding and apply the right ointment, it shouldn’t leave a scar.”

His soothing voice felt like it passed right through her head. Serena, still in shock, stared blankly at Azaid.

Was this real? Did I really almost get my neck cut? Seriously?

If Azaid had hesitated for even a moment, she might have died. The amount of blood suggested either a long or somewhat deep wound.

“Serena? Can you walk?”

W-wow… Oh my God…

Serena couldn’t hear Azaid at all. Memories of her past life, where her neck had been cut, resurfaced, making her body tremble uncontrollably.

“Serena? Are you okay?”

“…”

“Damn it.”

Sensing something was wrong, Azaid bit his lower lip and muttered in a low voice.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Without warning, he lifted Serena into his arms. Only then did Serena snap out of it, grabbing his lapel and asking, “W-where are you taking me?”

To the guillotine?

Her thoughts were a mess. She was so flustered that she couldn’t think straight. This version of Azaid wouldn’t send her to the guillotine. Besides, wasn’t it someone else who had sent her there in her past life?

Azaid, noticing her terrified expression, spoke in a calming tone.

“I’m taking you to get treated.”

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be there.”

So if it were someone else, you would have cut their neck instead?

Azaid must have noticed the strange look in her eyes because he apologized again.

“I didn’t mean to scare you like this. I’m sorry.”

His voice was subdued, almost crestfallen. But the pain in her neck was too sharp for her to brush it off with a simple “I’m fine.”

Instead, Serena forced an awkward smile to reassure him. By then, they had hurriedly made their way to the infirmary.

“Your Majesty?”

The priest, startled to see Azaid carrying an unfamiliar woman, widened his eyes. Azaid carefully laid Serina on a bed and commanded, “Treat her.”

“What?”

“Make sure there’s no scar.”

“O-oh, yes.”

Realizing the urgency of the situation, the priest quickly approached Serena.

“Pardon me for a moment.”

The priest cautiously removed the blood-soaked tie Azaid had used to stop the bleeding. It was an expensive tie, now ruined, but it seemed like such thoughts could still cross her mind in this state. I guess I’m not entirely hopeless yet, Serena mused, letting out a small, wry chuckle. But the sting in her neck made her grimace.

The priest skillfully applied ointment and wrapped her neck excessively with bandages. It felt like overkill, but she couldn’t argue with someone trying to help, so she stayed quiet.

Azaid, however, looked aghast at the sight of her bandaged neck. His intense gaze made her neck feel sore all over again.

“Your Majesty, I’m fine now.”

The emergency treatment was done, and she’d looked in the mirror during the process. The wound wasn’t that deep. She’d just been startled because it brought back memories of her previous life.

But Azaid still didn’t seem at ease. Noticing his uneasy expression, one of the priests nudged his colleague in the side and muttered, “Ah, I almost forgot.”

“Forgot what?”

When the other priest responded cluelessly, the first one signaled with his eyes and continued, “That. You know, that.”

“Oh! Right, that.”

Their belated realization was awkward and obvious, but Azaid didn’t seem interested in their suspicious behavior.

“If you have business elsewhere, feel free to leave.”

It was as if he was giving them an excuse to leave. As soon as Azaid gave his permission, the priests eagerly bowed and hurried out.

“Then, please rest for now!”

“We’ll be back soon!”

Once the priests were gone, only Serena and Azaid remained in the infirmary.

Azaid let out a deep sigh as he stared at Serena from a distance. Then he moved closer, leaning over her slightly.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

He couldn’t bring himself to touch her neck, hovering near it instead. Serena nodded slightly, wincing as the sting in her neck flared up.

“You should avoid moving. How did you get in there without a care? I’m sure I had it sealed off with a red thread.”

“Red thread? I didn’t see anything like that on my way in.”

“That’s impossible.”

“It’s true. I just ran into Pie here and followed him.”

“Pie? Are you talking about Nocturne’s cat?”

“Yes.”

“That little rascal Pie must have been up to mischief again.”

Azaid sighed deeply, as if he had seen this coming, and rubbed his face with both hands. It seemed that he, too, had been greatly startled by her injury.

“You could have died, Serena, if I’d been just a little later.”

“I know. That was a close call.”

Serena tried to respond calmly, though her hands were still trembling. Seeing this, Azaid knelt on one knee to meet her eyes.

“You’re always so fearless, yet something like this shakes you up.”

Then, taking her hands, he looked directly into her eyes.

“Though, honestly, staying calm even with a knife at your throat is terrifying in its own way.”

Azaid let out a small laugh at his own words, though it was unclear what exactly he found so frightening. Hearing him mumble nonsense, Serena’s trembling hands gradually steadied, as if his presence alone brought her some peace.

‘He’s surprisingly delicate in his own way.’

Feeling a bit more composed, Serena quipped with her usual sass.

“Normally, anyone would be scared if a knife was at their throat, Your Majesty.”

“Right. That’s true. Everything you say is right, Serena.”

“I never knew you could move so fast. If only you’d be that quick to get up for a walk!”

“I’m sorry, really.”

Azaid, sounding utterly defeated, kept apologizing in a dejected tone.

She had expected him to grumble about her bringing up walks again, but his response was unexpected. Normally, their banter would spark playful arguments, but his agreement left her unable to tease him.

What was this feeling? If she asked him for a favor now, he might just grant it without hesitation.

“It’s really fine. I’m alive, aren’t I?”

“But you’re hurt. I don’t have a single excuse for that.”

Azaid glanced at the wound on her neck and let out a heavy sigh. His expression was still somber, but his face looked a little less grim than expected.

Given the significance of the day, she had anticipated he’d look much gloomier, but he seemed more composed than she’d thought.

“Then promise me not to tell anyone I came here. I swore to Lord Raffaello that I wouldn’t enter the Red Thread Hall.”

“Raffaello? How do you know Raffaello?”

“Well, it’s kind of…”

“Wait a minute. How did you even get here? Are you close with the Pherianus temple?”

Azaid suddenly bombarded her with questions, his curiosity evidently piqued. Serena looked troubled.

“Oh, how should I explain this? First of all, I didn’t know Lady Mydia’s memorial was being held here, so please don’t misunderstand…”

“…”

Azaid’s face darkened again at the mention of his mother’s name. Serina hurried to continue.

“I really hate using the word ‘coincidence,’ but this was truly…”

“It’s fine. You don’t need to explain. I’m not doubting you.”

Azaid cut her off, placing a hand over her mouth.

“If you keep talking, your wound might reopen.”

“Oh…”

“I can’t bear to see your wound worsen because of me.”

Azaid pressed lightly on her lips before slowly removing his hand. There was something inexplicably strange in his gaze, and Serena found herself staring at him in a daze.

Now that she thought about it, he didn’t seem fine at all. His unusually calm demeanor and faintly cynical tone were unsettling.

“Just rest here for now. I’ll instruct a priest to guide you out later.”

“What about you, Your Majesty?”

“I need to stay here. Spending time like this with you feels almost indulgent. It’s a bit absurd how, thanks to you, I managed to forget everything for a moment.”

Azaid muttered something cryptic and let out a self-deprecating laugh. Then, as though intending to leave her behind, he stood and turned away. It felt as if he were running away.

‘Running from what?’

She didn’t know. But one thing was clear: Azaid wasn’t in a good state. If she let him go like this, she would regret it. Perhaps that’s why—without realizing it—Serina reached out and grabbed his retreating hand.

“Serena?”

Azaid stopped in his tracks and looked down at her.

Even she didn’t know why she had stopped him. She could have let go and said it was nothing, but for some reason, she didn’t want to.

His back looked so heartbreakingly lonely. And she knew his sadness had something to do with his mother.

“Uh, well…”

Just as Serena struggled to find the words, the tightly closed door burst open, and a familiar voice rang out, accompanied by a head of brown hair.

“Azaid!”