I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“However…?”

Ophelia couldn’t continue her words as she was taken aback.

“My physician advised me to abstain from it for the time being.”

Ishid flatly rejected her with a concise response, mentioning Serena. It was a preemptive strike before Ophelia could insist any further.

Looking up at him with a bewildered expression, Ophelia’s face changed at the mention of “physician.” She seemed slightly relieved by Emperor’s continued chilly reaction.

“Speaking of which, I heard you’ve brought in a new physician. I heard it’s a woman.”

“So what?”

“It’s Vincent’s bastard child. Moreover, one who was expelled from the family early on.”

Ophelia subtly scrutinized Serena with her nonchalant tone. It seemed she had already finished investigating Serena.

Ishid let out a sigh, turned around, and shrugged. Then he forced a smile.

“What exactly do you want to say, Ophelia Greenwood?”

“I’ve heard that you’ve been getting closer to that physician recently in the palace.”

“Anyone would think you live in the palace yourself. Who on earth is spreading such news?”

“Does it really matter? The problem is that you keep such an unworthy person by your side, Your Majesty.”

Ophelia retorted shamelessly, shaking her head as if she pitied him greatly. Then she spoke as if she was deeply regretful.

“People with tainted backgrounds don’t know their place. I wonder when they will cause trouble for Your Majesty.”

There was a fleeting trace of anger on Ishid’s face. It was because Ophelia’s words included Ishid himself among those with a tainted background.

Of course, she seemed unaware of that. It was just an exaggerated attempt to gossip about Serena to Ishid.

As Ishid approached her with determined steps, Ophelia blinked. Ishid lowered his upper body, meeting her gaze, and spoke coldly.

“It seems that even Ophelia Greenwood doesn’t know her place well.”

“What?”

“According to your logic, wouldn’t I, standing right in front of you, also be someone with a tainted and unworthy background?”

“Ah…! Th-that’s not what I meant…!”

Ophelia belatedly recalled Ishid’s origin and her face turned pale. Ishid held his forehead with a headache.

His hand holding the clenched fist also hurt. It was the moment when Ishid slumped into his seat. Leonald entered the study.

“Your Majesty, the physician is waiting outside for the examination.”

“So, it’s already time. Let her in.”

Ishid inwardly heaved a sigh of relief at Serena’s timely arrival. Then he looked at Ophelia.

“Forget what happened just now. Leave, Ophelia Greenwood.”

“Very well. Your Majesty.”

Leonald politely extended his hand to Ophelia. Ophelia, who had been stiff throughout, abruptly stood up as if she would even kneel.

“Y-Your Majesty, just a moment, let me…!”

It was when she was about to prostrate herself under Ishid’s knees.

Clang!

As Ophelia moved, the rich folds of her dress swept across the table, knocking over the entire tea set and shattering it on the floor. Unfortunately, it was an accident that the hot water inside spilled onto Ishid’s thigh.

“Ouch!”

“Eek!”

“Your Majesty!”

Following Ishid’s groan, Ophelia’s startled scream echoed, and Leonald’s worried eyes were visible.

The water had just been heated, so Ishid felt the scorching pain on his thigh. He clenched his lower lip, feeling the

heat. That’s when it happened.

“H-Honestly, you can’t take your eyes off for a second!”

Just when a familiar voice could be heard from the corridor, someone blocked Ishid’s path.

“Everyone, leave. I will take care of the treatment.”

It was Serena, his physician.

* * *

Serena assessed the situation as soon as she entered the room.

Tea set scattered on the floor. Ophelia lost in thought, clutching her thigh. And the state of her disheveled dress.

“It must be because of the dress.”

It was a common incident among noble ladies. The crinoline dress itself was so cumbersome that if one didn’t move carefully, it was easy to ruin the surroundings.

The table in Ishid’s study was low, making it easy for the dress to sweep over it. Serena shook her head inwardly and calmly spoke.

“Everyone, please leave. I will take care of the treatment.”

Ophelia frowned at Serena’s command.

“What right do you have to order me to leave?”

“I am Serena Vincent, the personal physician. Do you understand if I say it’s within the physician’s rights?”

“Oh…”

“It will disturb the patient’s stability, so please leave for a moment.”

Serena retorted without even looking at Ophelia. It wasn’t a situation to argue with her. Ophelia, feeling humiliated, shot back with a sharp voice.

“It’s all because of me. Shouldn’t I be by your side?”

Serena looked directly at Ophelia with her calm expression and asked.

“You’re the assailant, aren’t you?”

“It was an accident.”

“Then, can I accidentally hit you once too?”

“What?”

Ophelia’s expression became dumbfounded. She doubted if she had misheard due to Serena’s too composed expression.

Then came Ishid’s laughter from behind, sounding like a ‘clap!’ It confirmed that Ophelia hadn’t misheard.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Did I just say it out loud? I meant to think it to myself…”

“Hmph!”

Leopold burst into laughter, and Ophelia’s face turned red. She tried to save face and spoke while fanning herself.

“Do you not know who I am?”

“Ophelia Greenwood, right?”

“Yes! But how dare you…”

“Sure! If you want to stay by my side, I won’t stop you. But are you okay with it?”

“What could possibly be wrong with it?”

“It’s because I’m going to take off Your Majesty’s pants from now on.”

“!!!”

Ophelia’s eyes blazed like burning torches at Serena’s sudden remark. Leopold, who had been laughing beside her, also reacted in surprise and coughed awkwardly.

Ishid had been frozen like a statue for a long time. Serena was the only one who remained calm. Serena spoke to the three frozen people.

“Well, if I can tear them, I’ll try, but…”

She didn’t forget to mimic the sound of scissors cutting. Then Leopold asked.

“Oh, were you referring to injuries?”

“Then, did you think I meant something else?”

Serena blinked her eyes blankly and retorted. Ophelia realized the meaning of undressing belatedly and stood up abruptly, saying.

“Ahem! Your Majesty, I apologize. The responsibility for hurting Your Majesty can only be paid with death, but please forgive me with your generous grace.”

“…”

“Then, if Your Majesty permits, I will excuse myself first, Your Majesty.”

Without waiting for Ishid’s reply, Leopold followed Ophelia. Ophelia received Leopold’s escort and quickly disappeared. Now only Ishid and Serena remained in the study.

After the chaos subsided, the room felt even quieter. Ishid stared blankly at Serena.

She instructed the maid who was tidying up the broken glass to bring cold water. Then she took out a portable water bottle from her bag and approached Ishid.

“I want to see the

wound.”

“…You’re not really trying to undress me, right?”

Ishid looked at Serena warily. Serena nonchalantly replied.

“I can’t treat it on top of your pants. The location is awkward to walk with pants on.”

“I’d rather you tear them.”

Ishid murmured dryly while rubbing his ears. His ears had turned red without him noticing. Serena looked at him blankly and chuckled.

“Yes. I was going to tear them anyway.”

Then she took out a pair of scissors from her bag and roughly cut the fabric around the wound.

Fortunately, the burn wasn’t severe. There were no blisters, just a slightly reddened area. The wound was a bit wide, but with proper care, it seemed to heal quickly.

While Serena cooled the wound with running water, a maid brought a basin. After pouring water a few more times, the redness of the skin subsided.

Serena took out ointment from her bag and began to gently apply it to the wound.

“It stings a bit.”

Serena warned as she applied the ointment to Ishid’s thigh. Whenever her hand touched his skin, Ishid’s thigh stiffened, but he didn’t utter a sound. It was quite impressive.

“Now she doesn’t even set me on fire for touching her.”

Serena found it fascinating that Ishid was receiving the treatment so obediently.

After a moment, Serena finished treating him by wrapping the injured area with a clean bandage, and then she looked up at him.

“Fortunately, the wound isn’t too deep.”

Impressed by her skill, he responded nonchalantly, almost trying to brush off the compliment.

“It was just hot water.”