I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“Nocturne, how long have you been standing there?” Nocturne acknowledged Azeid’s presence, who slowly peeled himself away from the pillar and ambled toward him.

“Who knows? Maybe since the moment you and Serena were holding hands and giggling over my candy?”

“So, you followed us to reclaim your candy stash?”

“I have plenty more hidden away.”

Azeid chuckled, but his eyes blazed with intensity, making Nocturne break out in a cold sweat. Serena’s comment about him only smiling with his mouth was playing out right before him. It wasn’t just about the candy; it was undoubtedly about Serena.

Nocturne, sensing the tension, smiled and asked, “The candy that Lady Serena will soon discover?”

“Yes. It’s uncanny how she finds them. Like a cat sniffing out fish.”

Azeid agreed without dispute, wearing a serious expression as he wondered aloud if Serena might be using magic to locate his hiding spots. Of course, it was a joke disguised as seriousness, showing his trust in Serena.

Nocturne found this intriguing. When he first met Serena, he knew she was no ordinary person, but he hadn’t expected her to win over Azeid as well.

Then, Azeid addressed Nocturne directly, “I mean this sincerely.”

“Then perhaps you should check your accessories. She might have planted a tracking or listening device, just like you did to her.”

“…”

Nocturne’s smile faltered slightly as he looked at Azeid. The unexpected accusation made Nocturne’s eyes flicker briefly.

Azeid’s tone remained light, as if greeting a friend during a leisurely walk, “Does Lady Serena know about this?”

Nocturne asked with a troubled expression. Azeid shook his head.

“No. If she did, she wouldn’t have been laughing and chatting like she was earlier.”

Azeid flipped a badge in the air and caught it as he spoke.

“I think I’ve given you enough time to explain. How long were you planning to keep this from me?”

“As long as I could?”

Nocturne responded with a grin, causing Azeid to gaze at him steadily. Nocturne, still maintaining his pleasant demeanor, continued, “You know I’m suspicious and cunning.”

“Are you going to tell me this was for my benefit again?”

“Yes, that’s right. So, can you let it go?”

Nocturne’s straightforward answer made Azeid sigh deeply. In truth, among his friends, understanding Nocturne’s true intentions was the hardest for Azeid.

Nocturne was like a master riddler, never revealing the answer until it was discovered on one’s own.

Given his close proximity to Duke Greenwood, Nocturne was skilled in these underhanded tactics. This had often helped Azeid avoid danger.

In essence, Nocturne was his secret informant, showing unwavering loyalty to Azeid.

The fact that he had bugged Serena was likely another demonstration of this loyalty, which left Azeid feeling suffocated.

“You don’t have to go out of your way to do things I didn’t ask for.”

“Have I made you uncomfortable again? For acting without permission?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then?”

“You don’t need to be as loyal to me as you were to the Greenwoods.”

Nocturne looked at Azeid, puzzled. Azeid emphasized his point again.

“I need friends, not subordinates or hunting dogs.”

“I know. That’s why I like you, Azeid.”

Nocturne’s grin left Azeid speechless.

“For someone raised as a hunting dog, it’s just a habit. And a form of insurance.”

“I understand.”

“Just think of it as my way of treating friends, Azeid.”

“I have quite a terrifying friend, don’t I?”

Azeid shook his head as Nocturne chuckled.

“I was wondering how to retrieve it, but you had it. If necessary, I considered asking my thieving protégé for help.”

“Thieving protégé?”

“Pie. My cat initially stole that badge.”

Nocturne answered candidly, smiling. Azeid recalled the grey cat Nocturne always had with him. Pie was a hybrid of a magical beast and a feline.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Pie lately. What are you plotting?”

“He’s quite independent. Perhaps he’s found another master.”

“Anyway, I’m well aware of your overflowing affection for me, so stop doing this.”

“I’m hurt, Azeid. It sounds like you’re telling me to stop liking you.”

Azeid cringed at Nocturne’s mock-serious expression.

“Cut the creepy jokes.”

“Did I get caught? Haha.”

Nocturne’s laughter hadn’t fully subsided. Azeid looked at him with a strange expression. Nocturne finally managed to stifle his laughter and spoke.

“I was just checking if she had any ulterior motives since she seemed too diligent.”

“And did you find anything?”

Nocturne shook his head slightly at Azeid’s question.

“She’s just someone who works hard and is dedicated.”

“More like someone who’s possessed by work and acts like a ghost.”

Azeid chuckled knowingly. Nocturne agreed and added,

“She’s quite impressive. She’s used me efficiently and never disclosed any important information about you.”

“Maybe she’s more cautious because we’re friends. And I’m still a Greenwood.”

“She’s a perceptive woman.”

Azeid’s lips curved upward as he thought of Serena. Nocturne observed him intently and asked,

“So, do you like her?”

“What?”

Azeid froze momentarily, reacting as if he had heard something absurd.

“Like her? Me? Serena?”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Not at all.”

Azeid sternly denied it. His strong denial suggested that there might be some underlying feelings. He added,

“It’s more like camaraderie. We’ve spent so much time together that I’ve grown fond of her.”

Camaraderie, my foot.

Nocturne scoffed at Azeid’s childlike approach to relationships. Everyone else could see it, but it seemed Azeid was the only one who couldn’t.

“If you could form attachments just by spending a long time together, you would have formed one with Duke Greenwood as well.”

“Are you comparing Serena to that man?”

Why not?

Nocturne swallowed his words. It was too tedious to spell out that “you like that woman.”

Eventually, Azeid would realize it on his own, or he would remain clueless.

“I’m glad you have a good comrade, Azeid.”

“You sound quite sarcastic.”

“Not at all.”

Azeid narrowed his eyes, but Nocturne changed the subject.

“Where’s Leonard? He’s been absent quite often lately.”

“He needs some rest too.”

Azeid responded nonchalantly. Nocturne scrutinized him keenly. Azeid asked,

“Do you have something to discuss with Leonard?”

“Not really.”

Nocturne glanced at his pocket watch and continued,

“I should get going.”

“Are you heading back to the capital?”

“I’ve done enough here, so no one will complain.”

“Alright. See you in the capital.”

“Until then, Your Majesty.”

Nocturne gave a formal bow and departed. Azeid watched him leave for a moment before resuming his own path.

* * *

A week had passed since they returned to the capital after the hunting festival. Contrary to Serena’s concerns, the festival concluded without incident.

Serena had been engrossed in *The Birth of Magic* since returning to the capital, a gift from the librarian, Linda.

In fact, before returning, Serena had visited the librarian several times but couldn’t meet him.

It seemed the librarian had been temporarily suspended, given the fire incident. Azeid had mentioned it was a limited suspension, so the librarian would return eventually.

‘I wanted to thank him for the precious book.’

Unable to meet him before leaving, Serena had left a thank-you letter with the temporary librarian before returning to the capital.

*The Birth of Magic* was fascinating yet infuriating. Today, too, Serena was deeply immersed in the book.

“Sometimes, there are cases where one has a Mana Core but cannot use magic. Identifying the type of magic one can control can easily resolve this issue,” she read aloud before moving to the next sentence and snapping in anger.

“The problem is, anyone who knows this wouldn’t be unable to use magic in the first place. Only an idiot would struggle with this.”

“What did you say? Idiot?! How rude!”

Serena glared at the book. The author was essentially calling her an idiot, which infuriated her.

“Ugh, seriously.”

She ruffled her hair in frustration. She had already experienced such bursts of anger several times while reading the book.

She had always been called a genius. To be insulted so blatantly in terms of intellect was a new and humiliating experience for her.

‘Who does she think she is?’

Serena found herself in a silent battle with the author.

*The Birth of Magic* was highly critical, analytically sharp, and unfiltered in its scathing remarks.

She was beginning to understand why publishers had rejected the book.

Reading it felt like being bombarded with daggers, yet she couldn’t put it down because she was looking for specific information.

Despite her frustration, she continued to read.