I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“Is His Majesty inside?”

“Yes, although he said not to let anyone in, you’re going in, right?”

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Anna asked, and Serena nodded with a smile. Ishid’s bedroom opened effortlessly for Serena.

When she entered the room, she saw Ishid’s golden hair already settled under the blankets.

‘I knew it. You wouldn’t even think about walking if I didn’t come, huh?’

Serena clicked her tongue at the familiar sight and approached Ishid.

She felt like a dog owner. Of course, dogs pester their owners to go for a walk, but Ishid was the opposite.

Only when Serena arrived for their scheduled walk would he reluctantly drag himself out.

‘How does he not gain weight with so little movement? And he even has muscles.’

Having touched Ishid’s torso several times, Serena still found his body a mystery. Was he just born like that?

“Your Majesty, it’s Serena.”

Even though she was right in front of him, Ishid didn’t react. She knew he wasn’t sleeping, yet he pretended otherwise.

She stared at him squirming under the blanket like a lazy larva.

‘There’s no animal that hibernates like this.’

Ishid would crawl into bed whenever he could. It was so bad that, before Serena became his physician, nobles had to report to him at his bedroom door. She was glaring at him when he finally spoke.

“I’m tired.”

He muttered slowly, feeling her piercing gaze, and clutched the blanket tighter.

It was clear he was bracing himself, fearing she might pull the blanket away. Serena turned him around to face her.

“Your Majesty?”

She cursed him with a sweet smile in her eyes, and Ishid responded.

“I’ll go for a walk later.”

“Don’t lie. You’ll sleep the whole time.”

“Today, I’m really tired. I swear.”

“You’re tired because you don’t move enough. Walking will help.”

Serena dismissed his words and spoke firmly, making Ishid frown.

“I’m saying I don’t want to walk. Just for today…!”

“Don’t indulge in such complacent thoughts. Now, get up. Come on.”

As Serena tried to pull the blanket away, Ishid held on tightly.

“I’m going to sleep. Don’t touch me.”

Then he turned his back on her, covering himself with the blanket.

‘Oh? So this is how you want to play?’

Serena took a deep breath, gathering her strength, looking at the stubborn emperor.

A moment later.

“Get! Up! Now!”

Serena shouted, smacking the blanket.

* * *

Ishid stared intently at Serena, who was dragging him by his hand. It still felt like a dream, what had happened earlier.

‘Have I been too lenient? How could she do this?’

He felt a profound sense of existential crisis from the absurdity of the situation. When Serena had pounded on him through the blanket, it felt like a bolt from the blue.

Hitting the emperor?

Of course, she hadn’t hurt him, but it wasn’t something you did to an emperor.

‘Does she not care about life and death?’

He was amazed by Serena’s audacity. Usually, people would cower when he frowned, but she was like a small dog barking at him despite her size.

Serena had no barriers with Ishid, to the extent that if he had wanted to kill her, he would have done so many times over.

He felt as if the line between public and private had completely blurred.

‘I should start giving her warnings.’

Though he thought this, he let Serena drag him along. It was an empty threat.

Before they had come out for the walk, Ishid had provocatively held out his hand, daring her to drag him if she could.

To his surprise, she had actually started pulling him, leaving him taken aback.

Ishid liked to think he was humoring her. If he resisted, Serena wouldn’t be able to drag him along.

So, his cooperation was a sign of his generosity, acknowledging her effort with a broad-minded kindness.

‘This is just for now.’

He muttered to himself, not realizing how many times he had made such a resolution.

The warm sunlight gently touched Ishid’s forehead.

Squinting against the light, he saw Serena’s hair swaying before him.

In the sunlight, her purple hair shone with a soft, pale glow. Tied up in a single ponytail, it looked like pink muhly grass swaying in the breeze, soft and soothing to the eyes.

‘I’ve never seen her with her hair fully down.’

Serena always kept the same hairstyle, likely for convenience while working.

‘Her hair at the ball was nice too.’

He recalled when Serena had attended a ball with her hair half-up and smiled.

He had been surprised to see her dressed up, as he was used to her modest attire. Her naturally pretty features had stood out even more.

Just as Ishid unconsciously reached out to touch her hair, Serena suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Your Majesty, can’t you walk on your own now?”

“!!!”

Startled like a child caught doing something naughty, his blue eyes wavered.

Serena wore a very displeased expression. Fortunately, she hadn’t noticed his hand reaching out, and he quickly withdrew it.

‘What was I trying to do just now?’

Ishid tilted his head, puzzled by his impulsive action. Serena spoke again.

“Please?”

It seemed dragging him around was tiring for her. Understandable, considering she was forcing a grown man to walk.

Just as Ishid was thinking of walking on his own, Serena’s request sparked a mischievous urge. With a playful grin, he refused.

“You dragged me out, so take responsibility.”

Then he loosened his hand, taunting her further.

“Or we can go back now.”

“It hasn’t even been 20 minutes.”

Serena held his hand tighter, as if to say there was no way she was letting him escape.

Amused by her determined action, Ishid laughed but then frowned. He realized he was glad she held on again.

‘Why am I relieved?’

The sudden, strange feeling made him frown. It was fleeting and uncertain.

He must have gotten too used to seeing her every day.

‘No, this won’t do.’

Feeling a sudden sense of caution, Ishid let go of her hand.

“That’s enough. I’ll walk on my own.”

With that, he declared with dignity and walked ahead, trying to reclaim some authority after being too lenient with her.

Ishid was so used to Serena’s casual touches that he didn’t even find it strange to hold hands with her.

‘Dangerous. She’s an incredibly dangerous woman.’

Ishid tensed up like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Meanwhile, Serena stared blankly at Ishid’s sudden change in demeanor. He was the only one who felt any sense of authority in his voice.

‘What’s going on? What’s gotten into him?’

Though she didn’t know what had caused this change, she was thrilled that she no longer had to drag him along.

‘Whatever. Freedom at last!’

Serena cheered inwardly and followed Ishid with a skip in her step. Tilting her head to meet his gaze, she gave him a wide smile.

“You’ve finally decided to take a walk! It’s a very good sign.”

Her face clearly showed how pleased she was, which only irritated Ishid more.

“You look too happy, it’s annoying.”

“Alright, let’s walk for just an hour.”

Serena replied offhandedly to Ishid’s comment and smiled with her eyes. Enjoying her newfound freedom, she skipped lightly as she walked.

Ishid stared at her retreating figure with a look of disbelief.

‘What’s this? Did she dislike holding my hand that much? She seems way too happy.’

He was the one who let go first, but it felt like he had been rejected.

Feeling an unexpected sense of emptiness, Ishid glanced down at his hand, frowned, and rubbed it against his clothes. The sensation was unpleasant.

* * *

It was when Serena had finished her day’s work and returned to her room in high spirits. Marie, who was changing the night water, greeted her.

“You’re back early today?”

“I had less work today.”

“Less work?”

“Just… one of those things.”

Humming, Serena took off her outerwear. She was in high spirits because Ishid had cooperated so well during their walk today.

Just as she finished washing and changed into her pajamas, Marie spoke up.

“Oh, right. A letter came for you. It’s on the table.”

“A letter?”

Serena tilted her head and walked over to the table. She couldn’t think of anyone who would send her a letter.

‘Who could it be from…?’

The letter was placed face down so no one could see the sender. Serena, puzzled, picked it up to check.

“……!”

Her expression hardened instantly.

* * *

When Serena had finished her day’s work and returned to her room in high spirits, Marie, who was changing the night water, greeted her.

“You’re back early today?”

“I had less work today.”

“Less work?”

“Just… one of those things.”

Humming, Serena took off her outerwear. She was in high spirits because Ishid had cooperated so well during their walk today.

Just as she finished washing and changed into her pajamas, Marie spoke up.

“Oh, right. A letter came for you. It’s on the table.”

“A letter?”

Serena tilted her head and walked over to the table. She couldn’t think of anyone who would send her a letter.

‘Who could it be from…?’

The letter was placed face down so no one could see the sender. Serena, puzzled, picked it up to check.

“……!”

Her expression hardened instantly.