I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Azeid flinched at the news that Serena was unwell. After a moment, he cautiously inquired with Anna.

“Is she really sick? She seemed fine this morning…”

In truth, he had left right after the check-up and hadn’t had time for a proper conversation. Anna, trembling with fear, replied.

“Well, I heard she’s been working late every night, researching ways to cure His Majesty’s illness since arriving at the palace.”

“…..”

“And lately, she seems to be struggling with something, sighing heavily and having trouble sleeping…”

Despite Azeid’s scrutinizing gaze, Anna continued.

“She’s been like this every day, so it’s no wonder her health is suffering. In fact, she didn’t look well today either…”

Anna exaggeratedly sighed and glanced at the emperor. Azeid listened carefully, his expression unreadable.

‘Why is she going to such lengths for me?’

Azeid couldn’t comprehend Serena’s recklessness. He had suggested a year, but there was still plenty of time.

The usually composed Serena was hastily trying to cure his illness every night.

At that moment, Leonard chimed in.

“It’s tough for a subordinate with an incompetent boss.”

“Leonard.”

Azeid glared at Leonard, who raised and lowered his eyebrows playfully.

Azeid bit his lower lip, feeling tormented by the maid and Leonard’s combined criticism.

‘Why stay up all night for my cure? No wonder you’re sick.’

Learning this made Azeid feel guilty.

‘Why do you worry about me?’

He regretted the harsh words he had said to her.

“Did she agree to see a doctor?”

“She said she didn’t need one since she’s a doctor herself.”

“Tsk!”

Azeid clicked his tongue as if expecting this, gulped down his herbal medicine, and abruptly stood up.

“No one follows me.”

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t ask.”

Azeid snapped and left the bedroom. He didn’t want to admit he was going to check on Serena out of concern.

But who was Leonard? He was the emperor’s aide and friend.

Leonard immediately understood where Azeid was headed and reassured the anxious Anna.

“Don’t worry and just step outside.”

“But, His Majesty looked so…”

Scary?

Wouldn’t this trouble Serena?

She just wanted to mediate the fight, but it seemed she had made things worse. Leonard consoled the nervous Anna.

“He’s probably worried and going to check on her.”

“Oh.”

“He’s always been like that, unable to see others in pain.”

Leonard looked fondly at Azeid’s empty seat. The lord he had served for a long time was actually very affectionate.

Though he had become sharp from being hurt and bruised, his true nature was soft and gentle.

Leonard had been worried since Azeid didn’t open up to anyone except his close friends.

Serena had appeared and softened Azeid’s rough edges.

Leonard was relieved that Azeid had found a good match. He hoped Azeid wouldn’t lose someone precious due to foolish actions.

‘Finally, my role as a messenger is over.’

Leonard chuckled and left the room.

* * *

At that moment, Serena groaned and pulled her blanket up to her neck. She thought she’d feel better after a short rest, but her condition worsened. She felt chills, and her hands and feet were cold.

‘Something’s wrong…’

Serena sat curled up in her armchair and checked her pulse. It was unstable, and she felt nauseous.

Her side also tingled painfully. She shivered uncontrollably, as if trapped in a freezer.

‘Is this the flu? No… It seems different…’

Serena felt she needed to go to the medical room and tried to stand up.

But-

“Ah.”

Her head spun. Serena felt dizzy and staggered. She couldn’t even reach for the bedpost.

Just as she was about to hit the floor, she stopped short.

Instead of the hard floor, her face was met with soft silk. The familiar scent eased her tension.

‘What… The emperor?’

She recognized his chest even without looking up. Serena leaned against him, too weak to move.

“Serena! Stay with me!”

Azeid’s panicked voice reached her ears, but her consciousness faded.

‘Am I dying of exhaustion? If I start over, should I yank the emperor’s hair first?’

Serena chuckled at the absurd thought and fainted.

* * *

A few minutes earlier.

Azeid hesitated in front of Serena’s room.

Should he go in or not?

Would she be angry for showing up unannounced? Worse, what if she wasn’t happy to see him? But it would be silly to leave now.

‘I’m a magnanimous emperor.’

Azeid took a deep breath and knocked, trying to sound composed.

“Hey, are you in there?”

“…..”

“I know you’re in there.”

There was no response. Azeid wondered if she was ignoring him on purpose and warned her.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as permission and come in.”

Still, there was no answer. Feeling uneasy, Azeid opened the door abruptly. He worried she might have collapsed from illness.

Just then, Serena tried to stand but stumbled.

“Serena!”

Azeid rushed to catch her. Her body was cold, and her forehead was clammy with sweat. She huddled as if she were freezing, though the room was warm.

Azeid placed his hand on her forehead. It was icy.

“Stay with me. Serena!”

Despite his call, Serena only buried her face in his chest.

Azeid lifted her face to check her pupils. Her golden eyes were losing focus, which made his heart sink.

“Serena!”

Azeid held the fainted Serena tightly. Her face was colorless. Normally pale, she looked even more ghostly.

He recalled what the maid had said about Serena losing sleep over his illness and sighing heavily due to their recent fight.

“How much did you push yourself?”

Azeid raged, running his hand through his hair in frustration. It pained him that she neglected her health.

‘How can you save others if you can’t take care of yourself?’

He slipped his arm under her legs and lifted her. Serena’s body felt frail.

He laid her gently on the bed and was about to pull the bell cord for a doctor.

“Ugh.”

Serena groaned, clutching her side. Azeid’s gaze followed to her right side.

“!!!”

A purple glow flickered beneath her thin inner garment.

‘This is…’

It was the pulse of mana. Azeid couldn’t take his eyes off the purple mana flowing from her side.

It seemed familiar. It resembled the symptoms when his mana core first manifested.

‘She said she had no memory of her awakening.’

When a mana core manifests, it brings intense pain, etching the memory into the mind of the awakened.

No memory means she hadn’t fully awakened or there was a problem during the process.

Azeid deduced she hadn’t fully awakened yet. This wasn’t something a doctor could fix.

Azeid stopped pulling the bell cord and gently stroked her cheek.

He suddenly recalled what Serena had secretly explained to him during their argument.

‘I’ll stop diagnosing through internal mana for a while.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s a dangerous method. There might be side effects.’

‘Side effects?’

‘Yes. It could be life-threatening or cause mana deficiency in the body.’

‘…..’

‘Luckily, we matched well in mana affinity, so there were no side effects so far, but we should be cautious.’

‘We matched well?’

‘Yes. Please keep the mana diagnosis a secret. Especially from Sir Nocturne.’

‘Did you meet Nocturne separately?’

‘I went out to consult him.’

Azeid realized her outing had been to meet Nocturne. He had let it go because of their cold war.

‘It seems the side effects hit her.’

Azeid looked at Serena pitifully. Her low body temperature suggested mana deficiency.

He needed to act quickly. Azeid bit his lip and muttered.

“Just so you know, this is a medical act for treatment.”