I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 94

“This is…”

Nocturne’s eyes widened as he recognized what Serina had taken out. It was none other than the experimental artificial mana core they had created together.

Although heavier and bulkier than the ring Azaid wore, making it somewhat less practical, it was certainly better than nothing.

Nocturne’s current mana core had been significantly weakened by some poison, and this seemed like it would help.

“It has the same functionality as the final version. It’s not aesthetically pleasing, though.”

“Come to think of it, I promised to help, but I completely forgot. My apologies.”

As soon as Nocturne saw the artificial mana core, he immediately apologized. His nerves had been on edge because of Azaid, and he had forgotten his promise to help Serena. But Serena waved it off.

“It’s fine. It was something I could handle on my own.”

“Pardon? Handle on your own?”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you about this.”

Serena glanced at Azaid, silently asking if it was okay to share their secret in front of Nocturne and Leonard.

“Do as you wish. Rena, whatever you want.”

Azaid responded reassuringly. Truthfully, he would have preferred to keep her secret to himself, but he couldn’t go against Serena’s wishes.

Serena’s words were always right. Azaid felt content and proud just to be able to support her from behind.

Serena noticed Azaid’s unspoken thoughts and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

‘So this is what it feels like to be respected.’

She loved the moments when he whispered sweet words to her and when they were close together, but his unwavering trust in her filled her heart just as much.

‘If no one was around, I’d smother him with kisses.’

Serena suppressed her growing affection for Azaid, who had become her personal loyal dog. Unlike Azaid, she was mindful of their surroundings when it came to showing affection.

Leonard watched the warm exchange between Azaid and Serena with cold, detached eyes. It felt like he might grow feathers just from standing between them. Serena finally continued.

“The truth is, I have a mana core mark as well.”

“…What?”

Nocturne responded with a rare look of disbelief.

“Cough.”

Even Leonard let out a strange sound, his eyes wide with shock. Serena calmly explained.

“The issue is, I’ve never used magic before. For some reason, I have no memory of its manifestation.”

“…Is that even possible? Having a mark but being unable to use magic?”

Leonard asked, and Serena answered awkwardly.

“That’s what I’m saying. But that’s exactly my situation.”

“That’s… unbelievable.”

Leonard muttered in disbelief. Serena soothed both Leonard and the equally shocked Nocturne.

“In any case, I’ve already resolved the issue with the artificial mana core, so there’s no need to feel bad about it. I should’ve mentioned it sooner.”

Serena glanced at Nocturne’s face, worried she might have revealed such a heavy secret too abruptly to a patient.

Nocturne’s gray eyes darkened deeply. As he seemed lost in thought, Serena spoke softly.

“Thankfully, your complexion is improving. You should rest for now. You can interrogate me later, Your Majesty.”

“Understood.”

Azaid immediately agreed, as if he would obey any of Serena’s words.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Good work, Lady Serena.”

Leonard stood to escort Serena. Just as she was about to leave—

“Wait a moment, Lady Serena.”

Nocturne called out to her. When she turned around curiously, he spoke with a meaningful tone.

“Is there anyone else who knows about this?”

“Research Lab 2 has been destroyed.”

Duke Greenwood muttered while standing by the window, not even glancing at his butler. His rigid posture showed his displeasure with the current situation.

The butler answered nervously.

“Yes.”

“The cleanup?”

“It was handled without issue… However, it seems Young Master Patrick was caught in the explosion. Fortunately, his body was recovered and placed in the morgue.”

At the butler’s grim report, Duke Greenwood didn’t move a muscle. He had already sensed Patrick’s death the moment the magic he had placed on him disappeared.

“I see. Ensure everything is wrapped up without a trace. Don’t leave any loose ends.”

The duke’s response was cold and emotionless. Instead of mourning his adopted son’s death, he coldly emphasized the importance of a clean cover-up.

The butler wiped his sweat and glanced nervously at the duke’s back. For someone who had just heard about his adopted son’s death, he seemed utterly unfazed.

It was, in fact, the next piece of news that caused a shadow to cross his face.

“But the person apprehended at the explosion site… is Young Master Nocturne.”

“What?”

The duke turned around at last, his curt question breaking the silence. The ice in the glass he held clinked lightly, as if shattering the stillness of the room.

“He has been transported to the Imperial Palace…”

The butler couldn’t finish his sentence, bowing his head repeatedly. Meeting the duke’s gaze felt like staring into an icy abyss.

“Ha ha ha… Well, this is quite something.”

The duke clicked his tongue briefly. The explosion at the laboratory was unfortunate, but not catastrophic.

It was fortunate that the gate was destroyed before their hideout was discovered. After all, there were multiple gates leading to the laboratory, and losing one wasn’t a significant setback.

But if Nocturne had been at the scene, the story changed entirely. The duke’s expression darkened ominously.

“So quiet, and yet… you’ve finally decided to bite back at me.”

It seemed that simply holding Nocturne’s leash wasn’t enough to tame the cunning fox.

The duke sipped his drink, lost in thought, but his grip on the glass tightened unconsciously.

The overwhelming pressure from the duke’s demeanor made the butler straighten his back instinctively. The butler gulped, anticipating an order to immediately retrieve Nocturne.

But the next words were entirely unexpected.

“So, where is James right now?”

“Ah, well… He hasn’t left the morgue since hearing about the explosion. It seems he’s deeply affected by Young Master Patrick’s death.”

“Did you inform him about Nocturne’s capture?”

“No, I thought it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings. We haven’t even begun the investigation yet…”

Before the butler could finish, the duke issued his command.

“Tell him immediately. He needs to know. He is, after all, the heir to Greenwood.”

“…Pardon?”

The butler hesitated briefly but quickly lowered his head. The sharp glint in the duke’s eyes left no room for further hesitation. Having served the duke for many years, the butler had become sensitive to even the subtlest changes in his mood.

“Understood, Your Grace.”

The duke said nothing more and turned his gaze back to the window. The butler, hesitating briefly, continued.

“Also, the bankruptcy relief application for the Vincent family has been approved.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, and a letter of gratitude has arrived from Viscount Vincent. Lady Vincent herself mentioned that she would visit the estate soon.”

“The cannonball has finally been fired.”

The duke smirked faintly, pleased. This marked the moment a deal with a valuable guest from Yungsa had come to fruition.

—
“If you help my family, I’ll do anything. Please, have mercy.”

“There’s no need for such words. As a noble, it’s only natural to assist another noble.”

“You’re far too kind.”
—

The foolishness in Lydia’s eyes was apparent as she wiped her tears with a Greenwood-engraved handkerchief.

There was no such thing as a favor without strings attached among nobles, but Lydia was so naïve, so easy to manipulate.

In truth, it was also part of the duke’s scheme that Lydia had encountered the Yungsa marker in the first place.

The emperor was intent on eliminating the Vincent family, and the social climate was growing cold toward them.

Thus, the duke arranged for Lydia, unfamiliar with imperial society, to cross paths with the marker—under the guise of coincidence.

“I wonder how His Majesty will react when he finds out.”

The duke chuckled, as if playing a card in a game. Lydia was merely one of many pawns in his hand.

A disposable card, meant to probe the opponent’s intentions.

And yet, the reason he had brought her to the estate and made her Ophelia’s personal maid stemmed from an offhand comment she had once made.

—
“My younger sister isn’t normal.”

“Do you mean she’s exceptional?”

“No… not like that. I mean, there’s something… different about her compared to ordinary people.”
—

When the duke had subtly probed for Serena Vincent’s weaknesses, Lydia had dodged the question awkwardly. That reaction piqued the duke’s interest, prompting him to bring her into the estate.

Of course, it was possible that Lydia had deliberately dropped that clue to gain the duke’s favor. But it didn’t matter. If Lydia was the type to scheme, the duke was the watchful predator observing her from a towering height.

And if she overstepped her bounds, he would crush her entire family without hesitation.

Placing his empty glass on the table, the duke murmured to himself.

“Time will tell… whether she’s a hidden joker or just another worthless card.”

The butler quietly observed him for a moment before silently retreating from the room.