I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

The magical phenomenon perplexed Serena beyond logical understanding.

“Why do I keep regressing to this point?”

This time, she was convinced of her demise. Once, she had considered it a whim of the gods. But starting her third life anew made it clear that it was a curse.

A curse where she dies and starts again if she fails to save the Emperor.

Unfortunately, the timing of her regression coincided with her appointment to the Imperial Palace, where she had to await her summons. There was no escape. The fate of a doctor who broke the emperor’s command and fled was death.

“Why does everyone keep dying?!”

Frustration bubbled within Serena, nearly prompting a scream. Someone knocked on her door as if they already knew her situation.

Her narrowed eyes seemed to acknowledge her adversary.

“Serena Vincent, tidy yourself up and come with us.”

As expected, they were here to take her to the Imperial Palace.

“This time, I won’t die! Even if I have to break Emperor’s legs, I’ll save myself.”

It was a gamble.

With the continuous regressions, Serena resolved not to endure it any further.

—

Emperor Azeid sat on the throne, looking down at Serena.

Still in shabby attire.

There were sauce stains on his shirt, probably from eating tomato soup this morning.

Evidently, he had rebuffed the maids’ efforts to change his attire. He had no appreciation for those who tried to help him.

Scratching his unkempt hair, Azeid leaned back and lazily asked,

“Are you Serena Vincent, famous for saving dying lives?”

His face clearly showed annoyance.

Undoubtedly, he would make a formal appointment and send her away again this time.

“I am.”

“Then perhaps you can cure my illness.”

Azeid smirked and brushed back his bangs.

His blonde hair glistened in the light. His blue eyes resembled a cold winter sky rather than an autumn one.

Despite his playful smile, his gaze remained cold.

While his gaze had unsettled her in their initial encounter, she was now unfazed by it.

Serena had prepared herself firmly before coming here.

If she couldn’t save Emperor, she would die too. So, she might as well speak her mind before dying.

“It’s up to Your Majesty to decide that.”

“What?”

Azeid, taken aback by Serena’s attitude, removed his hand from his chin and adjusted his posture. It seemed he hadn’t expected such an answer from her.

His blue eyes widened in curiosity. The attendants beside him glared at Serena with disapproval.

Her manner of address was deemed disrespectful, especially considering her family’s disownment.

As a noble stepped forward to scold her, Emperor raised his hand to stop them. The noble flinched and backed away.

Azeid regarded Serena with a curious gaze.

His golden eyes bore no hint of fear.

“Next to him, a figure known for tyranny, always stood trembling individuals.

Her bold demeanor intrigued me to witness her limits.

On the other hand, Serena was nowhere to be seen. She had already died twice, so was the Emperor in front of her a replacement?

Any sympathy or respect towards him had long disappeared.

‘I’ll resurrect that accursed Emperor and escape this palace.’

Regardless of the Emperor’s response or demise here, it held no significance.

I could say all I wanted to say, die, revive again, and start over, well.

Azeid then tilted his head and spoke calmly.

‘Is it up to me?’

‘Yes, as with a patient’s illness, the responsibility lies with the patient. An unconscious patient cannot be healed.’

‘Are you fabricating excuses due to your inability to remedy it?’

‘No. I can cure the Emperor’s illness. If Your Majesty cooperates with me.’

“Hmm.”

Azeid rubbed his chin with interest. Serena continued.

“So, before entering the Imperial Palace, there’s a condition. If you won’t agree, just cut my throat here.”

Confidently, she even extended her neck forward, eliciting shock from those around her.

Serena’s sincerity was unquestionable. Whether she died this way or that, she planned to start over cleanly before suffering too much.

As Serena pressed her conditions onto the Emperor, unable to bear it, Lord Ravery interjected.

“Outrageous! How dare you bargain with the Emperor for safety!”

“If you don’t like it, kill me. I have no attachments to life.”

“This, woman…!”

“Enough.”

As Lord Ravery stumbled with a pale face, Azeid intervened.

Azeid’s expression changed. He maintained silence while wiping his mouth with his hand, quieting the surroundings.

Subsequently, a bold nobleman assessed the Emperor’s mood as volatile and voiced his displeasure.

“Your Majesty, you should cut off that arrogant doctor’s neck right away. Kroten Empire has many doctors!”

“Yes, this is outrageous! How dare a mere Viscounty’s Young Lady dare to bargain with our esteemed Emperor?”

The nobles around also became agitated, raising their voices.

Whether Serena spoke or not, she stared directly at Azeid, asking for an answer.

Then, Azeid’s hand trembled as it covered his mouth.

A moment later.

“Ha!”

“Your Majesty?”

“Hahaha!”

Azeid couldn’t contain his laughter and burst out laughing.

His hearty laughter left the nobles dumbfounded. They all stared blankly, only looking at Azeid.

Serena looked at him with a mix of disbelief and suspicion.

Amidst laughter, Azeid spoke. There was no sign of anger; he seemed rather amused.

“You’re quite interesting.”

“…”

“What condition do you speak of? Since you’re risking your life to ask, I’ll hear you out.”

“Thank you.”

Serena nodded slightly. Though she felt relieved after speaking her mind, she also felt a bit deflated.

Raising her head, Serena spoke directly.

“My condition is simple.”

“Go on.”

“Allow me to touch Your Majesty.”

“Sure, I’ll entertain… Huh? Wait, what did you say?”

Azeid’s eyes widened in surprise, finding Serena’s request quite unusual.

The gathering of nobles buzzed with astonishment.

“Wow!”

One exclaimed with eyes widened like lanterns.

“Cough!”

Another, overcome, coughed in distress.

“Ha!”

Yet another clenched their teeth, their face turning red.

Everyone seemed shocked by Serena’s bold declaration, but amidst it all, Serena remained composed.

Azeid hesitated before finally speaking.

“Is that your condition?”

“Yes.”

Serena replied shortly, as if her request was expected.

A tinge of light blue flickered in Azeid’s eyes. He had intended to humor her and then dismiss her, but the woman in front of him was unpredictable.

He found it hard to believe that a woman he had met only hours ago would boldly set such conditions… Azeid restrained his initial response.

Of course, Serena’s intention was not what they thought. Azeid cleared his throat and spoke.

“You are a doctor, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then why…”

Is she trying to seduce me?

Could she be striking a deal with one of the nobles?

Azeid swallowed his retort and fixed an intense gaze on Serena. The amusement in his eyes disappeared.

Ever since Azeid’s ascent, the position of Empress had remained vacant. The nobles didn’t hesitate to approach him, hoping to gain his favor by bringing women into his chambers or deliberately getting close to him.

But Azeid had no intention of having a child or elevating anyone to the position of Empress. It would only stir up more trouble.

As Azeid was on the verge of dismissing Serena, she spoke with an innocent expression.

“It’s a doctor’s advice. If Your Majesty refuses contact, treatment becomes difficult.”

“Treatment?”

“Yes. Besides taking pulses, there are massages, stretches, and other methods. And in unavoidable situations, we might even need to use a knife on the body.”

“Oh.”

As Serena calmly listed therapeutic contacts, Azeid let out a shallow sigh.

It dawned on him belatedly that he had misunderstood.

Covering his face with his hand, he turned slightly aside. In an instant, embarrassment and warmth flooded his cheeks.