I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 97

“Are you saying you’d like to join the association?”

Sebastian asked with a slightly surprised tone. He had once proposed the idea before, only because he couldn’t resist the pressure from the duke.

At the time, Serena had declined the offer tactfully, and he had let the matter drop. But now, to suddenly reverse her decision?

When Sebastian looked at her with a hesitant expression, Serena responded with a cheerful smile.

“Yes. Upon reflection, I realized that the Chief of the Imperial physician gave me a great opportunity, and I think I might have been too dismissive.”

“Well, it’s not really a problem…”

“No, it is. I’ve been so engrossed in my research that I think I’ve neglected my responsibilities and acted too independently.”

“I see.”

When Serena spoke lightly, nodding slightly, Sebastian reluctantly agreed.

“Then there’s a regular meeting coming up. Would you like to attend?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

That’s precisely why she wanted to join.

Hiding her true intentions, Serena smiled faintly. Sebastian, sensing something odd, stared at her before continuing.

“I’ll notify the association. Your membership card should be issued before the meeting.”

“Thank you.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave…”

“Oh, Chief, let me take that. I’ll carry it for you.”

Serena stepped in front of Sebastian, who was carrying a box, intending to help since it looked too heavy for him to handle alone.

At that moment, the sound of glass bottles clinking inside the box echoed softly. A familiar scent faintly wafted through the gaps in the box.

‘Wait a minute. This scent…’

While Serena was caught off guard by the realization, Sebastian’s expression hardened.

“I’m fine.”

“Sorry? But it looks quite heavy.”

“I’m not so old that I can’t manage this much.”

“Oh, my apologies.”

Feeling embarrassed, Serena pulled her hands away from the box and apologized. She hadn’t meant to imply that he was incapable, but it seemed he had misunderstood.

“It’s nothing, Miss Serena.”

Realizing he might have overreacted, Sebastian gave a brief nod and strode off briskly.

As Serena tilted her head in confusion, someone lightly greeted her from behind.

“Miss Serena! What are you doing here?”

“Goodness, Anna, can’t you make your presence known first?”

“Hehe, would that stop you from being startled?”

Anna chuckled before glancing at the departing figure of Sebastian and murmuring.

“You were with the Chief of the Physician, weren’t you?”

“Yeah. And I see you’ve been tidying the bedding, haven’t you?”

Serena pointed to the basket Anna was holding.

“Yes, that’s right. Oh, speaking of which, I meant to give something to the Chief. I forgot again.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

At Serena’s question, Anna suddenly rummaged through the pockets of her apron. Moments later, she pulled out a button.

It was a button from the uniform worn by the Imperial Physician. Judging by its color, it was indeed the Chief’s button.

Anna held it up and began to chatter.

“I found it while cleaning His Majesty’s bedroom the other day. It must have fallen off at the time.”

“At the time?”

“Oh, the other day, I ran into the Chief in an empty bedroom. He said he’d forgotten something and came to retrieve it.”

“What was it that he came to get?”

Serena stiffened at the mention of the empty bedroom. No one was allowed in Azaid’s chambers without permission.

What had the Physician outside been doing? Serena frowned, and Anna tilted her head as she answered.

“Hmm, I’m not sure. It looked like a perfume bottle, but I don’t quite remember. He left in such a hurry.”

“A perfume bottle…”

Serena repeated with a serious expression. It was only now that she realized why the scent from Sebastian’s box earlier had felt so familiar.

‘That’s the perfume Azaid has been using recently.’

There was no reason for Sebastian to meddle with Azaid’s perfume. Feeling an ominous foreboding, Serena took off in the direction Sebastian had gone.

“Miss Serena!”

She ignored Anna’s calls from behind.

Sebastian was heading to the incinerator with the box in hand. The clinking of glass bottles made an unpleasant noise, and the subtle scent inside began to waft out.

‘Why has she suddenly become so proactive?’

Sebastian was genuinely puzzled by Serena’s behavior. He was already on high alert since the duke had requested a private meeting with Serena.

The most infuriating issue was that Azaid had recently refused to be examined by any doctor other than Serena. This made it nearly impossible to monitor whether the medicine was circulating properly in his body.

‘In the end, recruiting Miss Serena seems to be the only solution.’

Sebastian’s face darkened at the thought of being forced to do something he didn’t want to do.

Now that the Emperor and Serena’s romantic relationship was widely known, Sebastian felt his position growing increasingly precarious. To make matters worse, even the Duke had joined in, leaving him utterly frazzled.

Bang!

Sebastian roughly opened the incinerator door and threw an entire box into the flames. Normally, he would have stayed to ensure everything burned completely, but his mood was already soured due to Serena, and he was in a hurry.

After briefly watching the flames rise, he left the incinerator. Once he was entirely out of sight, Serena, who had been hiding behind a pillar, dashed toward the incinerator. Using a stick, she pulled out the partially burned box.

Most of it had turned to ash, but some items remained intact. Serena carefully picked out the undamaged pieces and brought them to her nose.

Beyond the burnt smell, she caught a familiar fragrance—the scent of the perfume Azade had recently started using.

“Why would the Chief of the Imperial Physician be burning this?”

Azaid had warned her about a red potion and a blue potion.

But this was clear. And judging by its strong scent, it seemed to be a perfume mixed with some additional substance.

Finding it suspicious that Sebastian had tried to secretly incinerate it, Serena decided to take the remaining bottle of perfume. However, as she exited the incinerator area, a chilling voice stopped her.

“Hand that over.”

“!!!”

Startled, Serena clutched the glass bottle tightly. She turned to see Sebastian, whom she thought had left, glaring at her with a menacing expression. Forcing herself to stay calm, Serena spoke.

“C-Chief. What brings you here?”

“I said, hand it over, Lady Serena.”

Sebastian extended his hand with an intimidating aura. As he approached, Serena instinctively took a step back.

[Your Majesty,

My apologies for the delayed response.

Regarding the matter, I wish to speak to you in person.

If it is convenient, please visit the temple.]

Azaid read through Raffaello’s letter. After realizing he had completely forgotten about Levin during the previous manifestation, he had immediately sent a letter to Raffaello.

He had been about to send another when the reply arrived.

“What could be important enough to summon me to the temple?”

Usually, when Azaid sent a letter, Raffaello would come directly to the Imperial Palace. After all, no one could simply summon the Emperor.

‘He must know something.’

Finding Raffaello’s reaction unusual, Azaid sent a response saying he would visit soon.

The fact that Raffaello hadn’t feigned ignorance suggested Levin was still alive. After all, Azaid had specifically asked Raffaello to look after him.

There was no way Raffaello would disobey his orders and commit murder.

“Hah, I miss Serena.”

Azaid reclined deeply on the sofa, his thoughts filled with Serena.

Even before they became a couple, Serena had been a constant presence in his mind. After they began their relationship, she occupied his thoughts even more completely.

Azaid raised his hand above his head, recalling the soft feel of her skin and the fragrance of her violet hair from the previous night.

As his restlessness grew, Azaid clenched and unclenched his fist to pass the time.

Boom!

A sudden explosion echoed near the Imperial Palace. At the same time, Azaid felt his power drain from the Izring he had given to Serena.

“!!!”

Startled, Azaid turned toward the source of the sound. After Serena had nearly suffocated in a fire incident, Azaid had secretly infused the Izring with his magic for protection.

To anyone else, it appeared to be an ordinary violet Izring, but it was imbued with power comparable to a red Izring.

He hadn’t informed Serena, as the ring was designed to activate automatically in case of danger.

Now, the ring’s power had been triggered, and an explosion had followed.

— The Duke’s potion neutralized my magic and reacted with the power in the Izring, causing the explosion.

Azaid recalled what Nocturne had said and sprinted to the window. When he saw smoke rising from the incinerator area, he immediately ran toward it.

‘No, it can’t be.’

Azaid hastened toward the incinerator, anxiety twisting his chest.

Fortunately, the incinerator was near the main palace, so he arrived quickly. Azaid scanned the area desperately, calling out for Serena.

“Serena! Serena! …Damn it! Where are you?”

The raging flames made Azaid’s heart feel as though it would burst. Just as he was about to dive into the fire, he spotted Serena.

She was unharmed, collapsed on the ground, staring at her ring—a bright red Izring.

Beside her, Sebastian was bound tightly in chains of fire magic.

Letting out a deep sigh of relief, Azaid wiped his face with his hands.