I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

As time passed, the day of Medeia’s anniversary arrived. As expected, Azeid had left the palace early in the morning, leaving the palace grounds quiet.

After finishing breakfast and taking care of some errands, Serena headed to the Ferianus Temple. Since the meeting was scheduled for early afternoon, she took her time.

The Ferianus Temple stood atop a hillside on the outskirts of the capital. The path to the temple was so steep that it was often called the Pilgrim’s Path, requiring considerable stamina to climb.

Serena climbed the ridge briskly. Hiking was her specialty, so the rugged terrain was no challenge for her. The scent of the trees filled her nose, and she found herself humming a tune.

After walking for a while, she spotted a charming ivory-colored pillar in the distance, and there stood a gatekeeper. As Serena approached the temple entrance, the gatekeeper blocked her path.

“Sorry, but the temple is not open to outsiders today.”

“What? But I was contacted to come today,” Serena replied, her eyes widening in confusion. Then she remembered the item enclosed with Jack Gordon’s letter.

“Ah, just a moment,” she said, reaching into her bag and pulling out a note. It was stamped with an official seal granting her permission. The gatekeeper examined the document and immediately recognized her.

“Ah, you must be the honored guest visiting today. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier. I was being rude.”

The gatekeeper bowed respectfully and stepped aside. Serena looked puzzled and asked, “What special occasion is today? I thought the prayer hall was always open.”

“Today is an important ritual day, so even believers cannot come.”

“A ritual day?”

It seemed that a noble had rented the entire temple to perform a ceremony.

“Yes. If you go inside and take the right fork in the path, you will find the reception room.”

“Thank you,” Serena said lightly before entering the temple. Unlike the grand Agnis Temple near the palace, the Ferianus Temple was modest in its simplicity.

It was located on a seldom-traveled path. On the shiny pillar above, delicate ceiling paintings were subtly depicted. The colors seemed faded, giving the temple an ancient feel.

The pastel-toned ceiling art resembled scenes from when the Ferianus deity descended. Previously, during the medical volunteer work they had collaborated on, they had only visited the temple once from an improvised camp below the hill. Most patients lacked the stamina to climb the ridge, so the work was conducted below.

Serena explored the surroundings and headed toward the reception room following the signs. Occasionally, priests passing by noticed her and lightly drew protective symbols.

As the gatekeeper had said, the temple was empty. Only a few priests and paladins were present, scattered throughout.

Just as Serena entered the reception room, a priest who seemed to have been waiting for her turned around, his eyes wide open.

“Ah?”

“Hmm?”

Both of them gasped simultaneously. Serena was as surprised as the priest seemed.

“Is that you, Professor Benjamin?”

“Indeed, Rina. It’s you.”

Benjamin beamed with a bright smile as he stood up upon hearing his name.

Serena recognized him instantly. He was the younger son of Count Marc, one of the individuals Lydia had once harbored a crush on. Lydia, who was quite persistent, had taken a liking to him, making him memorable.

Back then, whenever Lydia attended social parties, she would bring Serena along as her maid. Because Lydia, hiding the fact that Serena was her sister, deliberately embarrassed her, Serena had attended several social gatherings reluctantly.

She had also witnessed Lydia flirting with Benjamin at those events.

“I didn’t expect you to remember me,” Serena thought. It was remarkable that he remembered her name. How many people remembered their maid’s name? Although she wasn’t Lydia’s maid but her sister, Benjamin probably knew due to her greater fame now.

“He became a priest, right? A Ferianus priest?” Serena recalled.

When Benjamin declared his intention to become a priest, Lydia had sulked and cried bitterly. Becoming a priest meant dedicating oneself to the gods, relinquishing the honors available to the younger son of the Marc family.

Vanity-driven Lydia wouldn’t want to be part of his humble life. She despised a life of poverty and couldn’t tolerate the priest’s pure lifestyle.

Of course, Benjamin didn’t mind, but Lydia alone had regretted it. Back then, many young ladies had feelings for Benjamin because of his rare kindness and good manners.

“His excessive kindness made some people keep their distance,” Serena remembered. His overly friendly nature made him an uncomfortable presence, especially recalling how Lydia had exploded with jealousy when he was kind to her.

“But he seems genuinely happy to see you,” Serena noted as Benjamin warmly greeted her.

“I thought you were someone else when you mentioned that an honored guest was coming,” Benjamin said. “I didn’t expect it to be you.”

“I happened to come by chance,” Serena replied with a gentle smile. “By the way, I heard you became a priest, but I didn’t know you became a Ferianus priest.”

“Oh, I haven’t been here long,” Benjamin admitted, awkwardly adjusting the back of his head. It seemed he had changed temples midway. Serena decided not to press further and responded lightly.

“That suits you well. The priest’s robes look great on you.”

“Please, have a seat. My master will arrive soon.”

Following Benjamin’s guidance, Serena sat across from him. He had already prepared tea, placing a cup in front of her.

“It’s been a long time. I heard news about you in the capital and thought you were doing well.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I heard you left Viscount Manor some time ago.”

“Ah.”

“I didn’t realize you were Young Lady Vincent’s sister. I apologize if I was rude in the past.”

Benjamin bowed respectfully, showing a sorrowful expression. Serena didn’t blame him; he had become a priest before she became a doctor. He likely learned later that she was Vincent’s illegitimate daughter. Serena dismissed this with a wave of her hand.

“No, I haven’t really made it clear either.”

“Meeting like this is fate. It would be nice to see you more often, right, Rina?”

Benjamin asked warmly with a friendly smile. He still seemed excessively kind, as he had been when Serena had first arrived as Lydia’s maid.

It was because of his overly friendly nature that Lydia had grown jealous when he was kind to Serena as well.

Serena thought of Lydia’s fierce temper and shook her head, not wanting to deal with such complaints again. Noticing Serena’s delayed reaction, Benjamin said,

“Should I stop calling you Rina now? It’s become a habit.”

“Yes, please be careful from now on.”

Serena firmly cut him off, causing Benjamin’s eyes to widen. After a moment, he smiled knowingly.

“You still have strong barriers, don’t you?”

“It’s the professors who lack barriers.”

“You’re calling me ‘Professor’? That’s been a while. How about you call me Benjamin instead?”

Benjamin patted Serena’s shoulder and grinned. Serena was about to decline when a deep, calm voice entered the room.

“I apologize for being late.”

A middle-aged priest entered with a steady voice. Serena immediately stood up to greet him.

“Hello, Priest. I’m Serena Vincent. Thank you for graciously allowing me to visit.”

Serena maintained eye contact with the priest and smiled sweetly, aiming to make a good impression as she was the one making the request.

However, the priest stared silently at Serena for a moment. As the silence stretched on, Benjamin stepped beside the priest and whispered,

“Master?”

“Yes.”

The priest eventually composed himself and spoke to Serena.

“I apologize for the late greeting. I am Raphael, a servant of Ferianus.”

Raphael extended his hand for a handshake. His hand was strong, with calluses like those of someone who wielded a sword. There was also a cross-shaped scar on the back of his hand, making him look less like the gentle priest and more battle-hardened.

Serena shook his hand confidently and said, “Nice to meet you, Raphael.”

“I hope I haven’t wasted your valuable time. Benjamin, did you treat our guest well?”

“Yes, of course. It was nice to see a friendly face and catch up on old times. Right, Rina?”

Benjamin winked and asked. It seemed Serena had whispered something earlier. She wanted to clarify but felt cautious in front of Bishop Raphael.

“Oh, I see. Have we met before?”

Raphael looked surprised. Serena felt a bit uncomfortable with Benjamin suddenly acting friendly but forced a polite smile.

“Yes, I’ve met you a couple of times when I was at my family home.”

“That’s a bit disappointing, Rina. I thought I treated you well.”

Benjamin lowered his eyebrows, showing his feelings of regret. As Serena stared blankly, Raphael discreetly spoke,

“Benjamin, you’d like to talk with the guest alone.”

“Yes, Master. Please call me when needed. Rina, see you next time.”

Benjamin bowed and left the reception room upon receiving the command. Only then did Serena let out a quiet sigh inwardly.

Someone who casually flirts with anyone with such an innocent face didn’t suit her at all.

She had clearly asked to be called Serena, but whether he did it on purpose or if he was just naturally simple, she found it very awkward. Unsure of how to respond, Serena felt extremely uncomfortable. At that moment, Raphael spoke to her.

“You mentioned needing divine energy.”