I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

The room remained pitch dark, the blackout curtains making it hard to discern the time of day.

Serena lit up the room using a portable magical device instead of turning on the lights. Azeid lay fast asleep, completely unaware of his surroundings.

Rather than waking him, Serena headed for the window and briskly drew aside the blackout curtains.

Swish!

The curtains echoed a cheerful swish as Serena drew them open.

“Ugh.”

Exposed to the pouring sunlight, Azeid groaned and pulled the blanket over his head.

Next, Serena opened the window wide. In doing so, dust from the room floated outward.

The cool morning air entered the room. Serena opened her arms wide and took in a deep breath.

“Ah, the freshness of this air.”

How does that imperial brat manage to sleep while breathing in this stuffy air?

“No wonder he’s grumpy.”

Serena shook her head slightly, thinking of Azeid’s face.

Breathing in the refreshing air, she couldn’t help but feel better. Just as she was about to enjoy the moment of happiness.

“What are you doing?”

Then, a cool voice came from behind. It was Azeid. Serena turned around with an innocent face and looked at Azeid.

He stared back at her with a puzzled expression, his face still marked with sleep.

His blond hair sparkled in the sunlight. Despite just waking up, his face was smooth and gentle as milk.

His fluttering eyelashes moved like butterflies. Beneath them, his blue eyes gazed intently at Serena.

Azeid appeared slightly sharp after being abruptly awakened by Serena. However, Serena greeted him cheerfully.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

Azeid tilted his head, surprised by Serena’s sudden morning greeting.

Serena approached him and offered a glass of water.

“Shall we start with a glass of water?”

“Who let you in? I must have instructed not to disturb me while I sleep.”

Azeid took the glass and sipped the water. He didn’t even realize how easily he drank it, as if the water flowed on its own.

“The sun is high, and since Your Highness wasn’t coughing, I thought I should wake you.”

“Was it necessary to intrude like this? I must not have given orders to fulfill your requests so casually.”

As Azeid spoke, he suddenly stopped. Serena had naturally sat on his bed.

This brought Serena and Azeid closer. Serena leaned in slightly, brushing her hair aside, and began to feel Azeid’s pulse by holding his wrist.

Azeid flinched at the sudden touch and looked at Serena.

Her purple hair shimmered subtly in the sunlight. Her golden eyes looked down casually.

She had entered a man’s room early in the morning and yet her expression remained unchanged. In contrast, Azeid now felt wide awake.

“Don’t… move.”

As Azeid tried to pull away from Serena—

“Shh.”

Serena placed her index finger on Azeid’s lips. Her smooth finger silenced Azeid’s words in an instant.

After a moment, Serena smiled mischievously and spoke sternly.

“Please refrain from speaking while I check your pulse.”

“…”

Azeid didn’t quite understand what he had just heard.

“It appears you’re at a loss for words?”

Azeid stared at Serena in confusion, and she grinned mischievously.

Each time her golden eyes blinked, Azeid’s bewildered expression came and went.

She seemed quite confident.

Azeid was unsure of the meaning behind her laughter and became still.

“What is she up to?”

She not only initiated contact without hesitation but also appeared relaxed enough to tease him.

“I didn’t expect her to act on her words the very next day.”

Her finger touching his lips felt unfamiliar, catching him off guard and leaving him with no chance to avoid it.

As Azeid hesitated, her finger moved away. She seemed to check his pulse again.

Azeid touched his lips with his other hand and wore a serious expression.

He tried to bite his lower lip and wiped it with his hand to erase the strange feeling, but it didn’t go away.

Meanwhile, Serena could smoothly conduct her morning examination thanks to the quiet Emperor.

Unlike Kroten, who inherited strong veins, Azeid’s body temperature wasn’t particularly high.

Kroten nobles usually had higher body temperatures and could withstand extreme heat due to their mastery over fire.

However, Azeid was different. His body temperature fluctuated significantly.

Suspecting he might be an exceptional Kroten with blue eyes, Serena noted his normal morning temperature.

Serena nodded as the magical device showed a normal reading.

His fluctuating temperature usually caused distress. Without proper regulation, it could lead to critical situations.

“He either experiences fever exceeding 40 degrees Celsius or turns cold like a corpse before potential demise.”

Hence, maintaining his normal temperature was crucial. Serena recalled the symptoms of the Emperor’s regression and spoke up.

“Your Highness, what time did you sleep last night?”

“…”

“Your Majesty?”

“Huh?”

Azeid responded belatedly, staring blankly at Serena with an absent-minded air.

“Do you feel unwell?”

“No, is it over? Can you leave now that the examination is done?”

Azeid looked at Serena with a blunt expression, clearly wishing for a swift end.

“Oh, there’s one more thing.”

Serena hurriedly reached out towards Azeid’s chest. She was checking his Mana Core.

This time, Azeid reacted swiftly. He caught her wrist and asked sharply, ‘What are you doing now?’

His expression bordered on annoyance. Serena retorted casually, “What am I doing? Don’t you remember our agreement?”

Why is she suddenly behaving like this, especially after our agreement?

Having previously prevented her from touching the Mana Core, he had no intention of relenting now.

Serena’s expression turned stern. After a moment, Azeid frowned and said, “Well, that’s for treatment purposes…

“It’s for treatment.”

“And this is considered treatment?”

Azeid asked in bewilderment, to which Serena confidently replied, ‘Yes, your Mana Core is located there.’

“What?”

“I was trying to check your Mana Core.”

Serena gestured towards her own chest.

“Oh.”

It was only then that Azeid glanced down at his own chest. A blue tattoo was drawn around the area near his spine, resembling a sun burning fiercely.

Those who could manipulate Mana naturally developed distinctive patterns upon their awakening.

Azeid’s Mana Core was located near his chest. Serena lightly tapped his hand and asked, ‘Can I continue with the examination now?’

“…”

“Alright, then.”

Serena reached out towards his chest again, but Azeid stopped her.

“Wait.”

“???”

“Do you have to touch the Mana Core? That area…”

Azeid faltered, unable to continue his words. Serena asked casually, “Is that area a bit sensitive?”

“…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

Serena knew too well that the area with the Mana Core was slightly more sensitive than others.

Some people wouldn’t feel much when touched, but for others, it could be quite sensitive. And Emperor Azeid fell into the latter category.

Gently, Serena pushed Azeid’s hand away, causing it to fall weakly.

He turned his gaze away and clenched his teeth, as if mentally preparing himself.

After a brief moment, Serena placed her hand on Azeid’s Mana Core. The markings on the firm muscles felt as soft as delicate grass.

During his previous rampage, touching him had felt like his body was about to explode from the heat, but not now.

“I’ll check your energy for a moment.”

After a brief warning, Serena infused her Mana into him. Azeid’s Mana Core hummed as Serena’s Mana entered.

“Ugh.”

A shallow groan escaped Azeid as he covered his eyes with one hand. He clenched his jaw, and veins bulged on his neck.

“He seems to be struggling.”

While Serena had a Mana Core, hers wasn’t as sensitive as Azeid’s. So she found Azeid’s reaction quite interesting.

“What, what did you just do…?!”

“I infused a bit of my Mana.”

“You have a Mana Core too?”

Azeid looked surprised, clearly not expecting Serena to be an awakened individual. Serena replied nonchalantly, “Why? Is it surprising for a bastard like me to have a Mana Core?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Azeid’s blue eyes flickered momentarily, but he didn’t finish his sentence. Without waiting for his response, Serena responded roughly, ‘Since you seem uncomfortable, I’ll finish quickly. Just bear with it a bit longer.’

At that moment, while focusing on the infused Mana, Serena exclaimed, ‘Oops!’