I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 75

Not long after, Serena received a message from Nocturne.

[Apologies for the delayed reply.

I recently returned from an extended business trip and could only respond now.

Miss Serena, I regret to inform you that it will be difficult to attend the research meetings for the time being.

There have been disruptions in the summer projects, and I expect frequent business trips as a result.

Still, if you need assistance, please send me a letter. I will read and respond when possible.]

The letter, written in neat handwriting, briefly explained Nocturne’s absence. The lack of mention of the artificial mana core suggested he was too busy to remember his previous commitment to help.

“Hmm, seems like he’s really busy.”

Serena had already suspected as much due to his lack of contact. However, what frustrated her was that she rarely had the chance to confide in Nocturne.

Serena wrote a letter asking him to meet her when he had time. She then left her room to deliver it to the post office.

At the post office, the clerk was sorting a batch of recently arrived mail.

“Sending a letter?”

The clerk greeted Serena warmly with a cheerful smile. As they often chatted during her visits, they were on friendly terms.

Serena nodded lightly and handed over the letter.

“There seems to be a lot of mail today.”

“Summer is the season of reunions, isn’t it? These are all love letters for His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Goodness.”

Serena exclaimed in surprise, looking at the basket the clerk pointed to. Even from a distance, the scent wafting from the letters suggested many had been sprayed with perfume.

The clerk tapped the basket’s handle and chuckled.

“Despite knowing His Majesty never replies, they send them so diligently.”

“I suppose not replying is better than creating false hope. Leaving room for misunderstanding can lead to confusion, after all.”

When Serena naturally defended Azade, the clerk blinked.

“That’s true, but it feels like a waste to see so many letters returned unopened.”

“Returned, you say? That’s quite strict.”

“Oh! Come to think of it, not all letters are returned.”

“Really?”

When Serena casually replied, the clerk enthusiastically continued.

“Yes, it seems he accepts letters from the younger sister of Lord Carter.”

“Leonard Carter’s younger sister?”

“Miss Lucy Carter. She always uses red envelopes, so they’re quite memorable. One arrived today as well.”

The clerk grinned as he held up a red envelope he had set aside. Hearing the name stirred something unfamiliar in Serena.

So, they’ve been in contact all along.

Considering they were engaged in her previous life, exchanging letters wasn’t unusual.

Unlike the other love letters, Lucy’s envelope was simple. Its use of the official red envelope from the Carter family was particularly notable.

Is she straightforward? This seems more like a formal report than a love letter.

Perhaps, to maintain secrecy, she deliberately used business-like stationery. After examining the envelope for a moment, Serena spoke to the clerk.

“Shall I deliver that to His Majesty? I was just on my way to his study.”

“Oh, would you? That would be a great help.”

The clerk, overwhelmed with work, quickly handed her the letter, visibly grateful.

“Thank you for handling this.”

“Of course.”

Serena exchanged farewells with the clerk and left the post office, heading toward Azade’s study. The envelope, sealed with the Carter family’s crest, was fairly thick.

They must have a lot to talk about.

The thought of them exchanging correspondence made Serena feel slightly uneasy, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

As she approached the study, the door opened. A woman with neatly braided red hair stepped out, escorted by Leonard.

Azaid followed behind, giving the woman some parting instructions. Serena blinked in recognition; the woman was Lucy Carter, whom the clerk had just mentioned.

Lucy, her cheeks tinged pink, chatted with Azaid while occasionally glancing at Leonard, who stood nearby, glaring daggers at her like a typical protective sibling.

“Oh, Miss Serena.”

Leonard called out upon noticing her, causing Azaid to turn his head. His face brightened immediately upon seeing Serena.

“You’re here, Rena?”

Serena gave Azaid a sharp look. Addressing her with a nickname in front of someone he might be romantically involved with was inappropriate.

Oblivious to her disapproval, Azaid merely grinned. Lucy, meanwhile, looked at Serena with curious eyes.

“If I had known you had company, I would have come later.”

“It’s fine; they were just about to leave.”

Azaid waved dismissively, clearly eager to see them off. Lucy suddenly extended a hand toward Serena.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Lucy Carter.”

“Hello, I’m Serena Vincent.”

Serena felt awkward, hearing Lucy claim to have heard much about her. Given the lengthy letters exchanged between Lucy and Azaid, it was likely he had mentioned her.

As long as it wasn’t something bad.

Lucy shook Serena’s hand cheerfully and laughed, her demeanor composed and free of jealousy.

She’s remarkably confident.

Serena felt relieved that she wasn’t seen as an obstacle to their relationship and smiled back.

“Go on now.”

“All right, I’m going.”

Lucy glanced at Azaid and bid farewell to Serena before leaving with Leonard.

It seemed Azaid had hurried her along out of discomfort at keeping a guest waiting too long.

“Why were you in such a rush to send them off? It must’ve been a rare chance to see her.”

“Rare? I’ve been seeing her constantly lately.”

Azaid’s tone was indifferent as he led Serena into the study. Serena followed without resistance, continuing the conversation.

“Ah, so your recent outings were to meet Miss Carter?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“And you exchange letters with her as well.”

“Letters? Oh, yes, that too.”

Azaid paused, suddenly thoughtful at the mention of letters, then turned to look at Serena.

“Are you jealous?”

“What?”

Serena’s expression clearly denied the possibility. She had merely been curious, with no other intentions. Though, she did feel slightly strange about it, not that she realized it herself.

“Not at all.”

When Serena firmly denied it, Azaid pressed further.

“Then it doesn’t bother you?”

“No. Why should it?”

“That’s true…”

Azaid stretched the end of his sentence as if he were disappointed. To Serena, however, it only came across as laziness, which was the trap. Serena belatedly took out a letter and handed it over.

“I stopped by the mailroom and picked it up.”

“Does the steward make you do things like this?”

“No, I offered to deliver it since I was going anyway.”

“I see.”

Azaid took the red envelope and carelessly tossed it onto the desk. His motion was far too indifferent for it to be a letter from a lover.

“When I went to the mailroom, there were so many letters addressed to Your Majesty.”

“Right, it’s a nuisance.”

“I didn’t know you were this popular.”

As Serena muttered absentmindedly, Azaid smiled with his eyes and responded.

“You wouldn’t know, but I’m quite popular.”

“Sure, sure.”

“How insincere. You’re the only one who treats me so indifferently, Rena.”

Azaid chuckled cheerfully. Serena stared at him blankly for a moment before blurting out a remark.

“Do you intend to keep using that nickname?”

“…Why? You don’t like it?”

Azaid’s face lost its smile as he looked at Serena. His expression wasn’t cold, but rather a bit shocked. Serena, recalling how he had addressed her like that in front of Lucy earlier, replied.

“I just think it might be a bit risky to call me that in front of others.”

“What about you?”

“Pardon?”

“What do you want me to call you?”

Azaid gazed at her intently, waiting for her answer. Surprised that he would ask for her opinion here, Serena blinked.

In truth, she didn’t entirely dislike the nickname. Previously, those who had called her “Rena” often did so with negative undertones.

The Vincent family had done so, as had other young nobles, who, mistaking her for a maid, used it as a demeaning term.

Thus, she wasn’t particularly fond of the nickname “Rena.” Even when Benjamin called her that, it felt uncomfortable. Strangely, though, Azaid’s way of addressing her didn’t carry the same feeling.

Because he didn’t look down on her, it felt more like an affectionate gesture, which oddly pleased her.

‘Still, I think he should be careful in front of Lady Carter.’

While Serena hesitated briefly, Ajade’s mind was in a state of alarm.

Serena had rejected the nickname.

She had easily allowed Vandane to call her that, yet she was refusing Ajade!

‘Could it be she found out I secretly had more dessert? Or did she notice my diet changed?’

They say a guilty conscience needs no accuser. Azaid reflected on his past actions and found far too many things to feel guilty about.

But he wasn’t sure if any of them were serious enough to warrant a rejection of his nickname. Naturally, a sense of grievance toward Serena began to rise.

Azaid looked at her with a slightly resentful expression.

‘Why not me? You let Vandane get away with it!’