I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

“Stop right there! Hey, kitty!”

Startled, Serena hastily stowed the papers in her bag and chased after the gray cat. She feared she might lose sight of it if she delayed even for a moment.

Using the cat’s tail as a guide, Serena maneuvered through the bushes, opting for unconventional paths.

“I got you!”

Serena managed to catch the cat after a chase. Its head was already a mess of weeds and leaves.

“This little rascal… trying to steal after I was about to pet it?”

“Meow.”

As Serena held up the cat, it squirmed with innocent-looking eyes, as if it had done nothing wrong. Its round pupils stared intently at Serena.

“Just because you’re cute doesn’t mean…”

Shaking her head, Serena resisted the cat’s charms. Serena pondered how to discipline the cat.

“Who are you?”

A young man approached Serena with a wary look in his eyes.

His neatly tied navy blue hair swayed with the breeze. His ashy eyes were fixed on the cat.

“Do you have business with my cat?”

“Yes.”

“Please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean to bother your cat.”

Without resistance, Serena handed the cat over. It cuddled up to its owner, making it seem like Serena had done something wrong.

“In fact, this mischievous cat took my belongings and ran off.”

“Oh.”

Serena waved a damp piece of paper, soaked in saliva. The man, realizing the situation belatedly, scolded the cat with a deliberate frown.

“Pie, I told you not to run up to anyone.”

“Meow.”

Pie meowed, seeming unfairly accused, and pressed against the man’s arm. His expression softened slightly.

“The owner’s being lenient. It’ll be hard to correct this behavior if he’s like this…”

Ignoring their interaction, Serena checked if the documents were still readable. Unfortunately, the ink had smeared due to the cat’s saliva, making parts of it illegible.

While squinting to read, the man casually reached out for the papers.

“Give me that.”

Raising an eyebrow, Serena questioned, “But isn’t this mine?”

“Yes, but…”

“Why…”

“I’ll restore it to its original state. Anyway, since my cat caused trouble, let me handle it.”

The man confidently reached for the documents, leaving Serena surprised.

“Hey!”

Surprised by Serena’s reaction, the man took off his glove, revealing a silver inscription on the back of his left hand.

“[Restore].”

As he muttered softly, the inscription glowed white. “In a moment, the documents were restored, looking as if they were new. The man put his glove back on and handed the papers to Serena.

“Here’s compensation for the trouble.”

“Uh… Thank you.”

Serena accepted the papers, looking bewildered. The documents were miraculously restored, appearing clean as if they had never been wet.

“It’s amazing. I’ve never seen elemental magic before.”

“It’s just a little trick compared to others.”

“Well, it’s better than having no skills at all.”

Replying with a grin, Serena caught the man off guard as he blinked in surprise.

At that moment, Serena checked her watch as if someone came to her mind. It was almost time to give the emperor his medicine.

“Oh no. I’m sorry, but I have to go now. Thank you!”

Serena quickly grabbed the papers and hurried towards the imperial chamber. With a persistent gaze, the man watched her as she hurried away.

Meanwhile, Pie coughed something out of its mouth. A golden badge gleamed. It was a badge given to palace members. It seemed like Pie had snatched the badge while taking the papers.

The man awkwardly examined the badge. Behind it was engraved the name ‘Serena Vincent.’

“Hmm? Was there another daughter in the Vincent Family?”

The man scratched his head in confusion but decided to keep the badge in his pocket. He considered returning it if the opportunity arose.

***

Arriving on time, Serena entered the study carrying a bowl of medicine instead of a maid. It was faster for her to administer it herself than to instruct someone else.

Azeid appeared exhausted, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. Approaching him, Serena placed the tray on the table beside him.

He appeared deeply asleep, unaware of her approach.

Should she wake him?

“Ugh.”

Azeid groaned, furrowing his brow. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Serena was about to reach out to him in concern.

“Don’t.”

Azeid pulled Serena closer to him in his half-sleep. Serena looked down at him, caught off guard by his sudden action.

Was he still dreaming?

Caught in Azeid’s grip, Serena looked like a fish out of water, with her lips slightly parted in surprise.

“Your Majesty?”

Trying to open her mouth to call him, Serena received no response. His grip was strong, as if he were holding onto someone trying to escape.

‘What kind of dream is he having?’

Giving up on freeing herself, Serena observed him for a moment.

His tousled golden hair caught her eye. It looked so soft that she had an urge to touch it.

Suddenly, she felt Azeid’s arm trembling in her hold.

“Don’t go.”

The words he said before embracing her flashed through her mind.

Whose dream was this?

His desperate cling made Serena feel like a precious person to him.

“Ugh.”

Azeid continued to whimper, trembling as if in pain. His actions were akin to that of a puppy caught in the rain, evoking a sense of pity.

‘I have no choice.’

Attempting to soothe Azeid in his dream, Serena cautiously stroked his head.

Her fingers gently glided through his hair, feeling its softness. With a soft smile, Serena whispered.

“Don’t worry.”

“……”

“I won’t leave until I save you.”

Even though she understood that he didn’t mean for her to leave, Serena said it anyway, offering comfort.

At that moment, it was as if Azeid’s grip, which had seemed to respond to her words, slipped away.

Shortly afterward, Azeid’s body twitched, as though he were trying to awaken from a deep sleep.

After a moment, his tightly shut blue eyes revealed themselves. Looking down at him, Serena spoke.

“Are you awake?”

“……”

“If you’re awake, could you let go a bit?”

“How did this happen……”

Azeid widened his eyes and looked up at Serena. Upon waking up, he seemed perplexed at finding himself in Serena’s embrace.

Moreover, Serena’s hand was on Azeid’s head. Seeing Azeid remain silent with a puzzled look, Serena gently removed her hand and explained.

“It seemed like you were having a nightmare.”

Next, she gently untangled Azeid’s arms that had been wrapped around her waist. Even after being released, Azeid still had a dazed look in his eyes.

It was unclear whether he wasn’t fully awake or if he was surprised by the situation. Azeid barely gathered his thoughts and asked.

“Why am I here? If it’s for a walk, we can skip it today…”

“It’s not for a walk.”

With a light shake of her head, Serena offered him a bowl of medicine. Azeid gestured towards the table, seemingly disinterested.

“Leave it there, I’ll eat it later.”

“It should be eaten warm.”

“I’m busy right now.”

“I don’t think you were about to say that, considering you were just napping.”

Serena teasingly bantered with Azeid, causing him to furrow his brows. Following a brief staring match, Serena chuckled and spoke.

“If you’re too lazy to eat it yourself, shall I feed you?”

“……”

“Okay then. Open up. Here comes the medicine.”

As Serena approached with the medicine like she was dealing with a child, Azeid made a disgusted expression.

He couldn’t understand how he ended up being treated so casually by someone who knew the Emperor so well.

He couldn’t understand how he could be teased so boldly yet treated so casually.

“You really are…”

Azeid was speechless as he snatched the medicine bowl and gulped it down. He considered dismissing her teasing behavior quickly.

After Azeid obediently finished the medicine, Serena lightly clapped and then offered him a piece of chocolate.

“Good job. Here’s a gift.”

Her approach was rather direct, akin to dealing with a child.