I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 80

Azaid’s gaze kept drifting toward Serena’s reddened hands.

‘What’s the best medicine for healing wounds again?’

The imperial palace was overflowing with expensive medicinal herbs, all meant for the emperor. However, Azaid didn’t care about that.

What mattered to him was ensuring that no scars would mar Serena’s hands. Even though he knew she was a doctor specializing in herbal medicine, he couldn’t help but want to take care of her.

‘She told me not to get hurt, and yet…’

Azaid frowned, recalling how Serena had slammed the pillar herself.

When he saw blood dripping from her delicate, pale hands, he had to suppress the overwhelming urge to rush to her side.

Surprisingly, Serena accepted treatment without much fuss. Although it irritated him that she so readily handed her hands to another man, he was also relieved that she hadn’t refused.

Realizing his feelings for her, Azaid found it increasingly hard to control his emotions. No matter how much he revealed, Serena seemed oblivious—proof that he wasn’t even on her radar.

Lost in serious thought, Azaid was startled when Serena murmured as if talking to herself.

“Now that I think about it, Mr. Zed’s voice sounds similar to His Majesty’s.”

“Pardon?”

“I think that’s why I felt like I’d heard it before.”

When Serena chuckled, Azaid was momentarily stunned. He’d assumed she wouldn’t notice since their features were entirely different.

Part of him felt panicked, wondering if he’d been found out, but another part was secretly pleased that she remembered his voice so clearly.

“I find you familiar and comfortable too, Miss Serina.”

“Is that why you eavesdropped without any courtesy?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Caught off guard by her sudden jab, Azaid coughed awkwardly and apologized. Still, knowing he had met Lydia in person, he couldn’t help but worry about Serina.

Though he had taken precautions to keep Lydia and Serina apart, they had unexpectedly crossed paths in a different place.

Out of concern for Serena, Azaid couldn’t help but follow her. He worried that Lydia might try something malicious.

Although it seemed Lydia had ended up on the losing side, Azaid still didn’t trust the Vincent family.

‘Even with all the hints, they still don’t get it.’

Why had the Vincent family’s business failed? It was all because Azaid had been working behind the scenes.

The Viscount Vincent seemed to have noticed and had scaled down his business operations in the capital. Yet, his son kept foolishly investing and failing repeatedly.

‘Perhaps it’s better to drive them completely out of the capital.’

Recalling Lydia’s spiteful behavior, which had targeted Serena’s vulnerabilities, Azaid made up his mind. Just then, Serena burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha!”

Her bright laughter filled the pergola. Azaid stared blankly at Serina, who had suddenly started laughing.

It was hard to believe she was the same woman who had been furiously scolding Lydia earlier.

“It was a joke, but you apologized so seriously—it’s funny.”

“Well, I did eavesdrop.”

“If you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll forgive you.”

“I swear I won’t say a word.”

“Good. I’ll trust you.”

With a lingering smile, Serena leaned against the pergola’s railing and spoke impulsively.

“Since you already eavesdropped, would you like to listen a little more?”

Not only had she shown an unfamiliar side of herself to a man she’d just met, but now she was asking him to listen to her further.

It wasn’t like Serena to act this way, but tonight, she wanted someone to hear her out. Jed leaned against the railing beside her and replied.

“If that’s what you want.”

The evening air was quite chilly. Serina gazed absentmindedly at the pergola lights as she began.

“Lydia used to drag me around like a maid since childhood, constantly reminding me of how different our statuses were.”

It wasn’t anything extraordinary—just fragments of her unfair and upsetting childhood.

“No one knew I was part of the Vincent family. Well, I was never really part of it. Half-bloods don’t have a place.”

“….”

“But when Lydia cut my hair out of spite, I cried my heart out.”

“She cut your hair?”

Zed’s voice quivered slightly. It wasn’t something most people would experience, so his shock was understandable.

“Someone Lydia liked smiled at me.”

“What a lunatic…”

Zed almost cursed but held his tongue, his expression turning deadly serious as if the incident had happened to him. That, oddly enough, comforted Serena, making her keep talking.

“After that, I stopped smiling easily. Smiling would only provoke Lydia, and dealing with her was tiresome.”

“That wasn’t your fault, Miss Serena.”

“I know, but once the thorns come out, they’re hard to pull back. To avoid getting hurt, I just made them sharper and tougher.”

Hearing her speak so calmly about her painful past, Zed responded softly.

“What’s wrong with having thorns?”

“What?”

“If someone tries to harm you, isn’t it only right to use those thorns to protect yourself?”

“Maybe, but if it’s too much…”

“You’re fine just as you are. Keep your thorns if they help you. Laugh freely when you want to.”

“….”

“Having thorns doesn’t make a rose any less of a flower. Sometimes, people need their thorns to protect themselves.”

“Oh.”

Serena let out a soft gasp, surprised by his response.

Most people would tell her to forget, let it go, or cut off the thorns. But Zed’s answer was different.

By saying it was okay to keep her thorns, he made her feel like a weight had been lifted.

She had regretted her actions earlier, but now, she felt she had done the right thing.

“You’re quite the counselor, Mr. Zed.”

Serena leaned closer to meet Zed’s gaze. His eyes seemed bluer than before.

“Now your eyes, not just your voice, remind me of His Majesty.”

She was lost in such idle thoughts when a voice interrupted.

— The auction will begin shortly. Participants, please proceed to your assigned rooms.

“Oh.”

Hearing the announcement, Serena straightened from the railing. It seemed she had spent more time there than she’d realized.

“I must go now. Thank you for listening, Mr. Zed.”

“Let me escort you.”

“No, I can manage alone. Oh, and your coat…”

“Just keep it on. I have…”

“You were about to say you have plenty, weren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“It’s written all over your face.”

When Serena tapped his cheek lightly, Azaid chuckled.

“Zed, I just assumed that a rich person like you would have plenty of coats.”

“Haha.”

“Would you mind sharing your address? I’ll get it cleaned and returned to you.”

“There’s no need for that. We’ll meet again soon anyway.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, what I mean is, I have a feeling we’ll see each other again.”

Zed awkwardly smiled as he explained, then added,
“If you insist, you can send it to Master Daniel’s research institute.”

“Alright.”

Serena let out a faint chuckle as if finding it amusing, then bid him farewell.

Meanwhile, Leonard was stealthily tailing Colin, a senior member of the Physicians’ Association, under Azaid’s orders.

Colin was one of the individuals supported by Greenwood and held considerable influence within the association.

After the mana stone smuggling case was hastily closed, Azaid’s group used the ledger they had obtained to trace where the mana stones had been used.

This led them to uncover that a large quantity of mana stones had flowed into Colin’s laboratory.

Colin’s primary research revolved around mana amplification. Although he wasn’t a magician, his work with mana was solely possible due to Greenwood’s sponsorship.

While tailing Colin, Leonard learned that he planned to meet someone during this gathering, prompting him to investigate further.

Just as the informant had said, Colin was deep in conversation with a businessman. Leonard keenly observed the exotic-looking man accompanying Colin.

‘Did they say his name was Marco Jung from Yung Pharmaceuticals?’

The pharmaceutical company was fairly prominent, well-known enough for the imperial palace to frequently purchase their medicines.

Colin spoke with a friendly demeanor.

“I hope this investment proves worthwhile, Mr. Marco.”

“Of course. All safety tests have been completed, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Indeed, indeed. Is this the debut product for the upcoming auction? I didn’t see it on the list.”

“Ah, unfortunately, one of our employees missed the registration deadline.”

Marco wiped his forehead with a handkerchief before continuing.

“We managed to register it late after much persuasion, but the pamphlets had already been printed, so it’s not on the list.”

“My, that must have been frustrating.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. In business, these sorts of mishaps are bound to happen.”

“You’re absolutely right, Mr. Marco.”

With hearty laughter, Colin and Marco discussed business matters before shaking hands and parting ways.

“A new drug Colin invested in, huh?”

Leonard carefully reviewed their conversation.

The new drug Yung Pharmaceuticals planned to debut at the auction reportedly had double the efficacy of the mana supplements currently on the market.

If those claims were true, it would undoubtedly pique the interest of physicians and magicians alike.

Since Colin’s research involved mana amplification, it wasn’t surprising that he’d take an interest in mana supplements.

“Still, just in case…”

Leonard jotted down in his notebook: “Notable: Significant investment in Yung Pharmaceuticals’ new drug.”

After tailing Colin a bit longer, Leonard returned to Room 7 as planned. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by an unusual scene.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

Leonard stared at Azaid, who was standing in front of a mirror, testing his voice by saying, “Ah, ah, ah.” His face was unusually animated.

Upon noticing Leonard, Azaid turned and spoke seriously.

“Leonard.”

“Yes, what is it, Your Majesty?”

Thinking it might be something important, Leonard stepped closer, only to be utterly dumbfounded by Azaid’s next words.

“I think I really like Serena. Could this be love?”

What the hell? What’s wrong with this guy?