I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

It was a letter from the Vincent Family.

[The Viscount wishes to see you.

Come to the castle tomorrow.]

The letter was brief. Judging by the handwriting, it seemed the Viscountess had written it herself.

‘They still think I’m the obedient child who comes when called and goes when told.’

Serena chuckled at the sudden summons. This was the first contact she had received since her independence, which made it all the more absurd.

This life was certainly different from the last. The Vincent Family’s newfound interest was evidence of that.

After all, being assigned to the imperial physician’s line, receiving a gift from Violet Ezring, and becoming the Emperor’s partner were significant achievements.

With such notable events, it was no surprise that news of her had reached the Viscount’s ears.

‘In my previous life, the Vincent Family never contacted me even once.’

Serena felt the change in her status. During her childhood, living in the attic of the Viscount Manor, she never had a comfortable meal or a restful sleep.

They handed a little girl a mop, made her sweep the floors, and assigned her to the garden work that even adults found difficult.

In short, she was treated worse than a servant. Naturally, the other servants either ignored her or looked down on her.

And when she declared her intention to leave?

They cursed and hurled insults, claiming she was abandoning them despite all they had done for her.

Thankfully, Serena had saved some money by running errands at Eldane’s pharmacy, or she would have been cast out penniless.

But now they summoned her.

The fact that they sent the letter to the imperial palace meant they knew she had become the palace physician. They must have realized they needed her now.

‘Leaving that house was the best decision I ever made, there’s no way I’ll go back there on my own.’

Without reading further, Serena tossed the letter into the trash. She had no intention of responding to the Viscount’s summons.

* * *

After that day, letters arrived daily from Viscount Manor. Serena threw them into the trash without reading them.

She had considered her ties with the Viscount Manor severed when she left. She never thought of ‘Vincent’ as her name.

Eventually, it became too bothersome to keep throwing them away, so she instructed Marie to dispose of them.

Several days passed without her replying. Serena was wandering the halls, looking for Ishid, who had disappeared, disliking his walks.

“Rina!”

Someone called out to Serena. She was startled to see Viscountess Vincent approaching from the opposite side.

“……My lady?”

Serena had never called her ‘mother’. Initially, trying to get along, she called her ‘mother’ as the Viscount instructed, only to be beaten behind closed doors.

The Viscountess had commanded her to call her ‘my lady’ when the Viscount was not around, so it naturally became her habit.

Even in official settings, she never participated. When guests were present, she barely managed to mumble the title.

Few people knew about the illegitimate child in the Vincent Family. The Vincent Family wasn’t influential enough for such trivial information to spread widely.

‘I never thought she would come in person.’

Moreover, calling her by her pet name so affectionately?

Serena felt a chill as if witnessing something bizarre. As she stared in dismay, the Viscountess approached, fussing.

“My goodness, Rina. You’ve changed so much. I’ve heard you’re doing well.”

“Why are you here?”

Serena asked stiffly, and the Viscountess laughed softly.

“Do I need a reason to visit?”

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘our relationship,’ but we’re not close enough to meet without a reason.”

When Serena responded frankly, the Viscountess’s expression cracked. But she quickly recovered and spoke.

“I did send several letters…….”

“More importantly, how did you get in here?”

When Serena cut her off, the Viscountess hesitated before reluctantly replying.

“I said I was here to see you, and they let me in.”

She seemed a bit annoyed, but Serena didn’t care.

‘They must have allowed her entry because she’s a Vincent Family member.’

The annex where Serena stayed was relatively accessible. The Viscountess must have used her as an excuse to get in.

She should have told them not to allow her in if she had known this would happen.

Passing servants glanced at Serena and the Viscountess, half curious about the outsider, half interested in Serena. Serena sighed.

“Let’s talk somewhere private.”

* * *

Serena led the Viscountess to a secluded reception room she rarely used, just in case voices were raised. As soon as the Viscountess entered the room, she spoke.

“I sent you several letters, but there was no reply.”

“I thought my lack of response was enough of an answer.”

Serena replied indifferently. Not responding multiple times meant she had already rejected them.

She had never expected the Viscountess to come in person just because there was no reply.

“Yes. It’s natural for you to resent us.”

“……”

“Still, considering the old times, can’t we have a meal together? The Viscount really wants to see you.”

Serena found it absurd that he wanted to see her.

“Really? What a pity. I don’t want to see him.”

She was honest. She had no desire to earn their approval. It was something she had vowed from the moment she first stepped into that house.

The Viscountess seemed at a loss for words, but quickly recovered and tried to persuade Serena.

“The Viscount has been looking for you. He’s been worried about how he treated you…….”

“Of course, he should be. He threw me out penniless.”

Serena’s words were sharp. The Viscountess lowered her gaze and replied.

“Yes. We were too harsh then. We were upset because you suddenly wanted to leave…….”

The Viscountess stopped and corrected herself.

“No, that’s not why I came. I just wanted to have a meal together.”

“I refuse.”

“Even after I came all this way…….”

“Because you came all this way, I refuse.”

Serena’s repeated refusal made the Viscountess’s expression change rapidly. Serena expected her to explode and start hurling insults any moment now.

“I was wrong!”

Unexpectedly, the Viscountess grabbed Serena’s hand and apologized. Startled, Serena looked at her, and she pleaded with teary eyes.

“I was too harsh on you as a child. I couldn’t believe my husband had an affair…….”

“Do you expect me to understand?”

“No, I’m not asking for your understanding……!”

“I was only seven years old then.”

Serena’s voice was cold and hard. The smile that had been on her face was completely gone. The Viscountess blinked, unable to respond.

To the Viscountess, Serena was merely a scapegoat. She couldn’t take out her anger on the Viscount, so she tormented Serena instead.

“Children are never at fault.”

Serena was surprised by the emotion in her own voice. She thought she had forgotten, but seeing the Viscountess brought the anger back.

Not wanting to stay any longer, she stood up.

“Leave.”

“Please……! Just once, can’t you come? The Viscount has changed…….”

The Viscountess pleaded desperately, clinging to Serena. If she didn’t agree, they would keep bothering her. The fact that the Viscount sent her in person proved it.

Feeling frustrated, Serena glanced out the window. Between the curtains, she saw a familiar figure. A large man was crouching, trying not to be seen.

‘So that’s where he disappeared to.’

Seeing Ishid hiding there made Serena laugh. A moment ago, she was furious, but now she found the hiding Emperor amusing.

‘How long has he been there?’

The Emperor must have been nervous about being discovered. He seemed a bit cute.

‘Should I pretend I didn’t notice?’

The Viscountess spoke again.

“If you come once, I won’t bother you again. Can’t you just come once?”

Serena’s gaze returned to the Viscountess. She needed to get rid of her so the Emperor could come out.

‘Fine. They won’t give up just because I refuse today.’

Serena decided to confront Viscount Vincent directly.

“Do you promise?”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you promise not to bother me again?”

“Of course! Absolutely.”

The Viscountess’s face brightened with a smile as she responded.

“Alright. Can I set the time?”

“Of course. Since you work at the palace, I can’t just call you at any time.”

She said this despite having already summoned her out of the blue through a letter.

Serena briefly thought about that and then spoke.

“I actually have to go out this weekend. How about Saturday evening?”

She then opened the door to let the Viscountess leave.

“Alright. See you then.”

The Viscountess, having achieved her goal, left without hesitation. As the sound of the door closing echoed and the room fell silent, someone drew back the curtain and entered the room.

At that moment—

“You were here all along?”

Serena, who seemed to have left, was leaning against the door with a mischievous smile.