I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“…You’re back?”

“Yes, I heard there was some commotion while I was gone.”

Leonard approached Azeid, not sensing anything unusual. Azeid, pretending nothing happened, replied casually.

“It was nothing.”

He then fanned his coat, feeling oddly warm, prompting Leonard to come closer.

“Have you been drinking?”

“Ah. I had some whiskey chocolates…”

Azeid suddenly recalled how Serena had forced the whiskey chocolate on him.

“You don’t like strong alcohol, but you accepted it because it was sweet?”

“Something like that.”

Azeid didn’t mention Serena’s involvement, trying to downplay the situation.

‘So that’s why.’

He concluded that his still-thumping heart and warmth were from the alcohol, nodding to himself.

He also convinced himself that his earlier daze over Serena’s face was just due to the lingering effects of the whiskey chocolate. Leonard, noticing Serena asleep, asked,

“Why is Lady Serena asleep?”

“She had more than ten of those chocolates.”

“Didn’t you try to stop her?”

“She was already drunk before I could…”

As Azeid explained, Leonard moved to pick up Serena. A sudden surge of possessiveness made Azeid stop him.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll carry her.”

“It’s fine. Your Majesty should…”

Leonard hesitated, surprised that Azeid, who never usually did such tasks, was insisting. But Azeid gently pushed him back, taking it upon himself to lift Serena.

He cradled her carefully, making sure she was comfortable. Today, he kept noticing a pleasant scent from her, and the way her head nestled against him seemed endearing. He marveled at how round her head was, as if realizing for the first time that a person’s head could be so perfectly shaped.

“Shall we go? The outside is already turning into quite the drinking party.”

“Let’s go.”

Azeid responded slowly and began walking. His heart seemed to beat faster, perhaps because the alcohol was kicking in.

* * *

The “Room” was a small, windowless chamber often referred to as the “Secret Room.” It contained only a chair, a table, and a single candle to cast faint light.

James was alone in the room, awaiting the Duke’s judgment. The other two were likely in their own rooms, awaiting their fates as well.

‘Damn it. Why did Patrick suddenly go berserk?’

If he had only targeted Nocturne, the situation wouldn’t have escalated. But attacking Ophelia had made things much worse.

The Duke cherished Ophelia as his only legitimate daughter and future empress. Any threat to her, even if unsuccessful, would not go unpunished.

As James anxiously awaited the Duke, he heard footsteps approaching. His shoulders tensed, muscles contracting.

Thunk.

The footsteps stopped in front of his door. Through the small window, James saw the Duke’s cold, gray eyes. The Duke spoke.

“James.”

“Y-Your Grace. This incident…”

James’ lips trembled as he stood before the Duke, his eyes full of fear, like a dog afraid of being abandoned. The Duke clicked his tongue softly.

“You’ve done something foolish.”

“…”

“You really didn’t like Nocturne?”

“I just couldn’t stand seeing Nocturne, who betrayed the family, acting so proud…”

James’ voice rose, spurred by the Duke’s words, but he quickly quieted as the Duke’s expression turned even colder.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

James, unable to bear the pressure, bowed his head. The Duke’s voice was low and reproachful.

“It would have been better not to try if you couldn’t do it properly, James.”

“…”

“Look at yourself. You’re no different from the day you lost to Nocturne.”

James bit his lip, his hands trembling under the table. Among Greenwood’s children, he was the most favored. He had always been second to Nocturne and now felt like he still was.

Seeing Nocturne made his blood boil, and he wanted to torment him. The boy who once cowered before him had become the family’s successor, only to leave the family behind.

James couldn’t stop trembling. The Duke watched him silently, knowing James’ character well and having waited for him to self-destruct.

James’ plan was laughably amateurish. That’s why he never fully acknowledged James as a successor. Nocturne was a far better fit for Duke Greenwood.

The Duke sighed, lamenting Nocturne’s absence, and spoke sharply.

“It would be better to ask Nocturne to return to the family. That would ensure Greenwood’s future.”

“…”

“I expected too much from you.”

“Your Grace…! I…!”

James, desperate not to be discarded, stood up, but the Duke cut him off.

“How long must I cover for you? A foolish dog loses even its food bowl.”

“…”

“Remember, the only reason you’re still here is because you didn’t harm Ophelia.”

“Th-That means…”

“Patrick will be disowned. Whether he returns to his family or stays here as a servant, he’s no longer part of Greenwood.”

“Gasp!”

James was shocked by the Duke’s ruthless decision. Among Greenwood’s children, there were no legitimate sons.

Technically, Nocturne was there, but he was a bastard and never treated as a legitimate heir like Ophelia. Greenwood’s children were all adopted from branch families.

They took in bright children from branch families, and many had come and gone. Most couldn’t last three years and either left or were expelled.

Patrick had been one of the longest-lasting adopted sons due to his talents. Despite his timid nature, his skills had kept him in the Duke’s favor. He had written dozens of papers under his name.

Greenwood valued intellectual prowess over martial ability, making Patrick a valuable asset.

Now he was disowned for attacking Ophelia. James feared his fate could be the same.

“Give me a chance to make amends!”

James pleaded, his voice desperate. The Duke stopped, turning slightly.

“Do you really think you can touch a hair on Nocturne? I doubt it.”

“…”

“What can you do when you can’t even open this door?”

The Duke’s derisive words made James collapse into his chair. After further taunts, the Duke finally left.

James stared at the melting candle. It dripped wax like tears, slowly disappearing, mirroring his fading hope.

‘A foolish dog loses even its food bowl.’

The Duke’s harsh words echoed in his mind. It was clear who the dog was and who would take his food.

James seethed with anger. The Duke still longed for Nocturne, and James feared Nocturne might become the next Duke Greenwood.

He realized he had to act more decisively. If only he had executed his plan better, tormenting or even killing Nocturne might have earned the Duke’s praise.

James’ eyes hardened with resolve.

Flare.

The candle’s wax burned out, plunging the room into darkness. In that moment, the Duke’s voice echoed in his mind.

‘What can you do when you can’t even open this door?’

“Could it be…”

James murmured, standing up slowly. He reached for the door handle and pulled.

Creak.

The door opened easily, as if it had never been locked.

‘It was never locked in the first place.’

James smirked. Greenwood’s children were accustomed to this room, having been locked in it for minor offenses since childhood.

He had never tried to open it as an adult, assuming it was always locked. He had never attempted to escape, just trying to avoid being put in it.

Like a circus elephant tied by its leg, he had been conditioned to believe he was trapped.

“This time will be different, Your Grace.”

James muttered, biting his lip as he slowly exited the room. No guards were stationed outside.