I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“……”

“Is my doctor going to die if she doesn’t work for even one day?”

“……Your Majesty.”

Serena looked at Azeid with a bewildered expression.

Why is the emperor here?

She was about to go and apologize, but the person she needed to apologize to had come to her instead. And he didn’t even look that angry.

‘Was it a dream? Or not?’

Serena was still confused between reality and dream. The strands of Azeid’s hair on the bed suggested it was real, but Azeid’s expression seemed surreal.

“Uh… good morning?”

Serena greeted cautiously, watching his face. Azeid smirked.

“It’s already afternoon, Serena.”

“Oh.”

Serena took a step back, sensing something unusual in his smile.

And he called her ‘Serena.’

He never called her by name unless she corrected him. Usually, it was ‘hey, you’ or something similar.

This sudden kindness was unsettling.

Serena eyed Azeid suspiciously. Then, she realized something from his previous words and her eyes widened.

“Wait, did you say afternoon?!”

She quickly glanced at the window, where the sunlight was gleaming warmly.

‘Wow… when was the last time I slept this late?’

She usually had little sleep and was a light sleeper, waking up at the slightest noise. But last night, she had slept deeply without waking even once.

‘No wonder I feel so refreshed.’

While Serena was momentarily distracted, Azeid had approached her and bent down to meet her eye level.

Serena felt a prickly sensation behind her back and slowly turned her head. There, she saw his blue eyes.

Azeid had come so close that she flinched involuntarily. Marie had already disappeared, sensing the situation.

Marie had left with a mischievous look, causing Serena to internally groan. Now, her resolve to clear up the misunderstanding had weakened.

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry for oversleeping.”

“Didn’t the maid tell you? I said you could rest today.”

Azeid gently held her shoulders and guided her back to the bed. Serena’s heart pounded with anxiety as she followed him.

‘Why is he being like this? It would be easier if he just got mad.’

If she could clearly remember whether it was a dream or reality, she wouldn’t be this anxious. Serena sat on the bed without realizing it and quickly grabbed his arm.

“If you’re using my health as an excuse to skip walks or medicine…”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and Azeid chuckled.

“I didn’t do the morning check-up because someone didn’t come, but I took my medicine and just finished a walk.”

“……”

“I thought you’d worry, so I came to report personally, but you think I’m that lazy.”

“Well, Your Majesty does have a history.”

Serena avoided his gaze, rolling her eyes. She had never imagined a diligent Azeid, making the situation even more awkward.

Azeid’s large hand landed gently on Serena’s head. It was a softer touch than when he had caught her hiding in the reception room.

Serena looked up at him with a puzzled expression. There was a satisfied smile on his face. She muttered, even more confused.

“I must still be dreaming.”

“A dream?”

“If it’s not a dream, there’s no way you’d be this kind.”

“It’s not a dream.”

Azeid laughed softly, as if amused by her nonsense. His hand brushed through her hair warmly.

Feeling relaxed, Serena began to doze off, but Azeid withdrew his hand and looked her in the eyes.

“You’re not going to say you don’t remember, are you?”

“What? Remember what?”

“My head still hurts from yesterday.”

Azeid tapped his hair playfully. Serena’s drowsy mind jolted awake.

“Oh… no way.”

“How does it feel to be the first to pull the emperor’s hair, Serena?”

Azeid smiled brightly. What did that smile mean? Was it a silent threat to punish her, or a sign that she should beg for mercy?

Serena’s eyes widened in disbelief. She backed away and almost stumbled, but Azeid caught her effortlessly.

“Looks like you overexerted yourself.”

Azeid’s gaze shifted to her side. Serena questioned him, puzzled.

“Overexerted? What do you mean?”

“Do you really not remember yesterday?”

Azeid tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

‘Did I do something else crazy besides pulling his hair?’

Serena’s mind went on high alert. She needed to quickly figure out his intentions and decide if she needed to beg for forgiveness. As she thought, she suddenly opened her mouth wide.

‘Wait a minute.’

She eyed Azeid suspiciously, noting his unusually kind demeanor since visiting her room last night. The gaps in her memory, the pain in her side, and the fact that she had slept without interruption all pointed to a worrying conclusion.

“!!!”

Serena’s mouth dropped open in shock. She asked with a sorrowful expression,

“Your Majesty. I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Did I, by any chance, do something else besides pulling your hair…?”

“What? Speak clearly.”

“I mean… did we… did we do anything else last night?”

Serena couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. She couldn’t ask directly, ‘Did we sleep together?’

Although it sounded absurd, the evidence made it not entirely impossible.

Azeid blinked, not understanding at first. Then his body stiffened as he realized what she meant. His face flushed with heat.

Azeid staggered back, increasing the distance between them. He turned away and muttered to himself.

“Honestly, I can’t follow your line of thought.”

His face burned as he covered his eyes with his hand. His ears turned bright red. Seeing his reaction, Serena’s eyes filled with a sense of betrayal.

‘So much for the emperor’s celibacy… how could he…’

Finally, she glared at him and spat out,

“Pervert.”

Azeid flinched at her accusation. After a moment, he spoke with a hurt expression.

“Hey.”

“It’s Serena.”

“Yes, Serena.”

Azeid took a step closer, trying to stay calm. He needed to explain. But Serena held up her hand, trembling.

“Don’t come any closer!”

She pulled the blanket up to her chin. Azeid laughed in disbelief.

“So that’s why your side hurts.”

Serena looked at him, tearing up. She clearly saw him as a pervert. Azeid sighed deeply, rubbing his face.

“It’s not like that.”

“Then why does my side hurt, and why did you ask if I overexerted myself?”

“That’s because…!”

Azeid shouted but then calmed himself. Denying too strongly might make her more suspicious.

He folded his arms and looked down at her.

“You accuse your savior of being a pervert?”

“What? Savior?”

Serena blinked, confused by his words. Azeid sighed and tapped his side.

“Your side hurts because your mana core is awakening, not because of ‘that’.”

Azeid stumbled over the words, avoiding her gaze. His ears began to burn again, and he rubbed his face.

Serena stared at him, not understanding. Then she dropped the blanket.

“Really?”

“Why would I do such a thing to a patient!”

Azeid snapped, enunciating ‘such a thing.’ Serena ignored his anger and asked again.

“Really? Nothing happened?”

“Yes. So please stop looking at me like that.”

“Oh.”

Serena quickly lowered her head and then looked back up.

“So, my pain was from my mana core?”

“Yes, as I said…”

Azeid trailed off, turning away as Serena lifted her blouse to check her side.