I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Even though Serena had fainted and couldn’t hear, Azeid still sought her consent. Then, he cautiously lifted her blouse, revealing the glowing markings. The pain of awakening was more related to magical studies than medicine.

Fortunately, Azeid, who was an awakened one himself, was nearby. He could help alleviate her awakening pain to some extent.

Serena, clearly in pain, kept trying to scratch her side. Seeing her pale skin starting to turn red, Azeid frowned. If left alone, it would leave scars. He gently held her hands with one of his, while placing the other carefully on her side.

He felt strangely tense. Blue flames flickered from his hand as he gathered pure mana from the air and purified it into blue flames, transferring it to her. The purple mana around her side seemed to swallow and twirl around the blue flames.

“It hurts…”

Serena winced as the mana suddenly absorbed into her.

“Shh. It’s okay.”

Azeid lightly stroked her hands with his thumb. Her wrists were so small that they fit easily in one of his hands, making him more nervous about the stark contrast in their sizes.

‘Was she always this frail?’

While Azeid was lost in thought, the mana clashed and caused ripples. And at that moment, he felt his own internal mana being pulled in as well.

“Ah!”

Startled, Azeid quickly pulled his hand away. His internal mana, used as a conduit to channel pure mana, was also being consumed.

‘I was being careful…’

It was being absorbed before he could react. If he hadn’t pulled back quickly, he might have lost even more.

Thump, thump.

His heart raced as he stared at the unusual phenomenon before him.

Serena’s breathing had become steady, and the furrowed lines on her forehead relaxed. The glowing markings had also calmed down.

Despite hearing that injecting internal mana could be dangerous, Serena seemed fine.

‘Maybe we really are compatible?’

Thinking back, when her mana first interacted with his core, he had become highly sensitive. He usually was, but it felt different then. He had thought it was because they were highly incompatible, but maybe it was because they were actually a good match.

Not knowing much about magical medicine, Azeid had only learned about the risks of injecting internal mana from Serena. Typically, people couldn’t control their internal mana as freely as she did. Most could only extract it using magical tools, and it was much easier to handle pure mana.

Azeid had helped her using pure mana, not intending to use his internal mana. Worried, he prodded Serena gently.

“Hey, are you okay?”

There was no response from Serena. Seeing her flinch, Azeid sighed in relief, gently brushing her sweat-drenched hair.

She was truly unpredictable, yet he couldn’t distance himself from her. As he observed her now-colorful face, he murmured,

“It looks like you’re okay.”

Just as he began to relax, Serena suddenly pulled his hand under her cheek like a pillow.

“…..!”

Azeid froze at Serena’s unexpected action. She seemed so comfortable sleeping with his hand under her head that he didn’t dare move it.

Soft strands of her hair tickled his hand, and her warm breath lightly brushed against it.

“This is dangerous.”

Azeid muttered, rigid with tension, while brushing his lips with his other hand. Serena, sleeping with a peaceful expression, looked as innocent as a child.

No one would believe that this serene woman was the emperor’s outspoken physician.

His heart started pounding for a different reason. Just as Azeid’s blue eyes were filled with purple light,

“The emperor… is…”

“???”

Serena mumbled something incoherent and grabbed his hair.

“Ouch.”

Azeid snapped out of it and looked at Serena. He felt her grip on his hair tighten.

“Are you awake?”

“….”

Serena didn’t answer. The proximity was unnervingly close. Azeid, feeling a strange flutter, held her hand.

“You’re the first to grab the emperor’s hair.”

“I’ll make you bald…”

Serena mumbled nonsensically and then released her grip.

Strands of golden hair slipped through her fingers. Thanks to her shifting, one of his hands was freed.

“Ha.”

Azeid stepped back from her, feeling oddly warm. It must have been the blazing fireplace.

Moving closer to the window to cool off, Azeid was startled to see his flushed reflection.

Suddenly, he recalled how close he had been to Serena.

“Could it be…”

Azeid looked at Serena in surprise. She was now sound asleep, snoring softly. He shook his head and quickly left the room. Even after leaving, his heart continued to pound, but he chose to ignore it.

* * *

The next day, Serena stretched happily as she woke up in bed. She vaguely remembered collapsing but now found herself in bed.

‘Did I manage to walk to bed with my strong willpower?’

As she leaned against the headboard, she winced from a pain in her side.

It seemed lying down for so long had hurt her back. Despite this, she felt more refreshed than usual.

Indeed, sleep was the best medicine. A good night’s sleep had made her feel this good.

‘Normal temperature. Normal pulse.’

Serena checked her condition thoroughly, feeling proud. She hadn’t done much, yet she had improved, indicating her recovery speed wasn’t bad.

Then, she noticed something shiny between her fingers.

“What’s this?”

Serena brought the golden strand closer to her eyes. The glossy, golden hair seemed familiar, and she blinked slowly.

Suddenly, she recalled last night’s dream.

In her dream, Azeid had come to her room, and she had pulled his hair, threatening to make him bald. The fact that he had come to see her was just a silly dream.

But why was his hair here?

Her bewildered expression began to crack as she remembered what he had said in the dream.

‘You’re the first to grab the emperor’s hair.’

“Oh no!”

Serena jumped out of bed in a panic.

Was it not a dream?

As she anxiously searched for more clues, Marie, the maid, entered to tidy up. Marie smiled brightly and approached Serena.

“Serena, how are you feeling?”

“Marie! Just in time. Did you move me to the bed?”

No matter how hard she tried, Serena couldn’t remember getting into bed. Even with strong willpower, she couldn’t have done something without recalling it.

Serena grabbed Marie’s arms and shook her, urging for an answer. Marie blinked, puzzled by the strange question.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

“Then who?”

Serena waited anxiously for Marie’s next words. She desperately hoped not to hear ‘His Majesty’ come from her lips. But as always, bad premonitions were never wrong.

“His Majesty found you collapsed and took care of you. He said you should rest today as well.”

Marie smiled brightly, but Serena’s face darkened.

‘No, no way. Did I really pull the emperor’s hair?’

Serena denied reality, turning away. Then she saw more golden hair on the bed.

‘Oh no, I’m doomed.’

Serena laughed hysterically like a madwoman.

‘It was a good life, but I guess it’s the guillotine for me now.’

Serena mumbled in a resigned tone.

“Marie, it seems I’m destined to die this time.”

“What? What are you talking about, Serena?”

Marie looked shocked at Serena’s sudden talk of death. Then she stiffened and asked,

“Are you still not reconciled with His Majesty? Did His Majesty…?”

“I have to apologize.”

Serena hurriedly started changing clothes. Marie watched in stunned silence.

Before Marie could intervene, Serena had changed and grabbed the door handle. Just as she was about to open it, the door opened, and she bumped into a familiar chest.

“Ouch.”

As she rebounded, strong hands steadied her waist but quickly let go once she regained balance.

“….”

Serena stared blankly at the familiar hands, chest, and luxurious attire. Azeid cleared his throat and spoke.

“I knew this would happen.”