I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“Ugh!”

Azeid was taken aback, not expecting Serena to bite his hand. Unfortunately, Serena showed no signs of letting go. As she held on, Azeid grumbled.

“…Are you turning into a beast?”

“Mmmph… Ah oo ii oh a eh ohph ee ih ay oh.” (Why do you keep calling me a beast?)

“Look at your actions, there’s no difference.”

Yes, she was indeed a wild beast. One that didn’t listen at all.

“Let’s talk once you let go.”

“Ieh oh oh. Oohla ah ooh oo oung oh ee.” (I said no. I’m going to get revenge.)

What on earth was she trying to get revenge for? Was this her way of protesting all the times he made her take medicine?

If so, she was succeeding. Azeid felt thoroughly tormented.

Azeid tried to withstand the tickling sensation. Serena’s murmuring caused vibrations against his fingers, and the repeated contact was excruciating. Unable to endure it any longer, he gritted his teeth and pushed her away with his other hand.

“I said let go! Let…”

“Ieh! Aah ai… ah oh oo ee ih i oh ey…” (I said! No, and now you’re making it worse…)

Serena held onto his arm stubbornly with both hands. Azeid felt his sanity slipping away as she refused to let go. Her grip was surprisingly strong, and the unfamiliar feeling made his hand feel alien to him.

After a prolonged struggle, Serena finally released his fingers. By then, the hangover remedy had dissolved entirely in her mouth.

He wiped his damp fingers with a handkerchief, sighing deeply.

In front of him was a wild foal, running amok. How should he handle this?

With a stern look, Azeid admonished her coldly.

“Serena. Don’t ever drink alcohol again.”

“Wha? Ah… Ah on’t een…” (What? I don’t even drink…)

“Say that after you can speak properly.”

“I really don’t…”

“Did you forget that the pill you just swallowed was a hangover remedy?”

Serena pretended not to hear, or rather, didn’t understand.

‘It takes about 30 minutes for the hangover remedy to work,’ he recalled.

Glancing at his pocket watch, Azeid sighed deeply. He positioned himself to block Serena from leaving, holding her shoulders and waist tightly.

He couldn’t let this wild foal roam freely.

“You’re nothing but a wild foal.”

“Is that a self-introduction?”

“…I should stop talking.”

Azeid shook his head and turned away. Seeing her flushed face made him angry.

‘Did Nocturne leave his partner to get this drunk?’

He redirected his frustration. Nocturne could have warned her about the dangerous dessert among the ball’s offerings.

Serena struggled against Azeid’s grip for a while before giving up and relaxing. Her breathing became steady, indicating she had fallen asleep under the influence of the remedy.

‘I’ll tease you about this when you’re sober.’

After about 30 minutes, the bell signaled the end of the first part of the ball.

“I missed the entire first part because of a drunk.”

Not that he particularly wanted to stay at the ball. The second part would likely be a more informal gathering for those who wished to continue socializing.

He peeked through the curtain at the hall. Most of the high-ranking officials seemed ready to leave, leaving behind mostly young nobles looking for partners.

The second part would be more of a youthful revelry. Azeid closed the curtain and turned to Serena.

He lifted her by her knees and waist, intending to leave the terrace but stopped at the door.

Taking her out while she was drunk would raise suspicions.

He was aware of the rumors about them, although they had died down since Ophelia’s return. He didn’t want Serena to be the subject of gossip, especially since she was of marriageable age.

“It’s better to stay here for a while.”

As Azeid placed Serena back on the sofa chair, her eyes fluttered open.

Her yellow eyes stared at Azeid blankly, slightly less unfocused than before.

“Are you more awake?”

“…”

“No?”

“Azeid…?”

Azeid’s eyes widened as Serena called his name. It was the first time she had done so.

His heart started pounding again. Serena murmured something, then smiled sleepily.

“You’re alive? Good.”

“…”

Azeid stiffened, staring at Serena.

Had she dreamed of his death? Was she relieved to see him alive?

“Why are you so obsessed with my life?”

She was persistent, almost as if she were his mother. It was confusing, but her concern was touching.

As Azeid looked at her with curious eyes, a loud crash from the hall broke the silence.

* * *

While Azeid and Serena were on the terrace, a commotion was brewing in the hall. Ophelia spoke sternly.

“Hand it over, James.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

With a cold gaze, Ophelia extended her hand again. James nervously fiddled with the magic orb in his pocket.

‘How did she find out? Was it the librarian?’

James racked his brain to figure out how she knew.

Their plan was simple. Before the second part started, they would drug Nocturne with a sleeping potion, set a fire, and place the magic orb in his pocket to frame him as the culprit.

The fire, fueled by the magic orb, would grow uncontrollably unless extinguished by another magic orb.

James, though not an awakened one, was skilled in using magical artifacts and had even written a thesis on magic orb research. He managed to mask his guilt with a smirk.

“What if there’s nothing in my pocket?”

Ophelia toyed with the magic orb detector. Nocturne had brought this objective proof, knowing she wouldn’t fully trust him.

The detector had already signaled the presence of a magic orb on James. There was no way he could talk his way out of it.

“If there’s nothing, I’ll apologize.”

“Just an apology? Isn’t that too light?”

“Since when did you have the authority to judge? Know your place, James.”

Ophelia’s lazy smile cracked James’ composure. She was the legitimate daughter of Greenwood, while James was an adopted son recognized for his abilities.

Despite his recognized skills, she was far superior in status. Being the beloved daughter of the duke only widened the gap.

With a forced laugh, James dramatically removed his coat.

“If you’re so suspicious, search me yourself.”

He discreetly dropped the magic orb into a cookie dish and signaled to Patrick, who was trembling nearby.

Patrick seemed unusually nervous, having drunk too much.

‘Coward.’

James hoped he wouldn’t get caught because of Patrick and looked at Ophelia. As she searched his pockets, James checked on Nocturne.

He had seen a servant hand Nocturne a drink earlier and confirmed he drank it. By now, Nocturne should be feeling the effects.

His brothers, already in position, would move the magic orb while pretending to assist Nocturne, sparking chaos at the right moment.

James smirked at Ophelia, who was still searching his empty pockets.

“See? Nothing there.”

“…”

Ophelia, puzzled, muttered that there must be something.

Just then,

“Ophelia, looking for this?”

Nocturne’s calm voice cut through the tension. James turned to see Nocturne holding Patrick’s wrist, a magic orb in his hand.

Patrick held the orb James had slipped him. Ophelia’s face hardened as she looked between Patrick and James.

Nocturne twisted Patrick’s wrist, causing him to drop the orb. He caught it and handed it to Ophelia.

“I think this belongs to you.”