* * *
Words got caught in my throat.
Three years and nine months?
That was almost four years.
“I’ve been asleep… all this time?”
“Yes. Ever since Young Master Raizen’s manifestation ceremony. Do you remember? You went out before leaving and returned…”
As soon as that moment resurfaced in my mind, emotions flooded back, and Mila’s eyes welled up again.
She turned her head slightly, trying to suppress her feelings.
Seeing her like that stirred something unfamiliar in me.
Was it because I had never experienced someone waiting for me and worrying about me this much?
It felt awkward, a little guilty, but also… relieving.
‘This really is the place I was meant to return to.’
“How is your body? Do you feel dizzy or in any pain?”
“No. I’m really fine.”
It was strange.
After being bedridden for nearly four years, it was only natural that my muscles should have weakened completely.
And yet, they hadn’t.
Aside from stumbling once due to my suddenly grown body feeling unfamiliar, I had no issues at all.
My body felt as if it had been moving normally until just yesterday.
‘Even if magic took care of hygiene, could it really prevent muscle atrophy too?’
“That’s a relief.”
Mila finally smiled.
I hugged her tightly once more.
“I’m sorry, Mila. For making you worry.”
From the moment we first met, she had always looked after me with unwavering care.
Even after knowing my true identity and background, she never tried to take advantage of it—she only ever worried about my well-being.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Young Master. This wasn’t your fault.”
“Still… I’m sorry.”
Mila said nothing, simply patting my back in reassurance.
“You should go see Madam. His Grace is out, but Madam is at the estate.”
“Okay.”
“She will be overjoyed to see you.”
As I watched Mila’s bright smile, I finally forced out the name that had been stuck in my throat.
“Raizen… How is he?”
Unlike my hesitant question, Mila answered with ease.
“Young Master Raizen is completing his final semester at the academy.”
“Oh…”
My last memory was of him telling me he would be entering the Royal Academy.
And now, it was already time for him to graduate.
Judging by Mila’s reaction, Raizen didn’t seem to be in any worsening condition.
That was a relief. But at the same time, a question lingered in my mind.
‘Then… what happened to the curse?’
I considered asking Mila but decided it would be better to talk to the Duchess about it instead.
Silently, I followed behind Mila as she walked briskly ahead.
∗ ∗ ∗
“Sey!”
The moment the door opened, the Duchess rushed in and pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Oh, my goodness, how… Ah, thank the heavens. Truly…”
Her voice, murmuring in disbelief, was trembling with emotion.
Her body, too, was shaking as she held me.
I buried my face into her shoulder.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“No, I’m just grateful you woke up. Are you in any pain? Are you truly alright?”
Just like Mila, the Duchess’s first concern was for my well-being.
But I hadn’t suffered—I had simply been asleep.
Thinking about how anxious they must have been while I rested so easily made my throat tighten.
Seeing people genuinely worry about me like this was both unfamiliar and… strange.
‘I’ve only ever focused on guarding my own heart.’
Whenever someone showed concern for me, before I could even feel grateful, my first thought was always, ‘What if they don’t actually mean it?’
‘I really was a messed-up person.’
Thinking back now, it was almost laughable.
But back then, I didn’t know any other way to survive.
“I’m really fine.”
“Still, just in case, let Vincent examine you. I called for him earlier, so he should be here soon.”
“Alright.”
Hearing my obedient response, the Duchess gazed at me in silence for a moment.
Then, as if laughing and crying at the same time, she gently stroked my cheek.
“You’ve grown to look exactly like both your mother and father, half and half. Now that you’re awake, I can see it even more.”
“Really? The former Marquis Kreveta said the same thing.”
“Oh, did he?”
The Duchess chuckled softly and gestured for me to sit.
As we settled down, we faced each other.
“By the way, are you hungry? Everything happened so suddenly, I completely forgot… If you’re feeling hungry, we should get you something to eat first.”
“No, I’m fine.”
I shook my head slowly.
“I don’t know why, but… my body feels as if I was moving just yesterday.”
Was it the result of all the magic the Duke’s household used to take care of me?
Or… was it due to divine power?
Those were the only two possibilities that came to mind.
“I see… It’s probably your divine power.”
“My divine power?”
The Duchess gave a small nod.
“Magic can help with hygiene and provide essential nutrients, but while the former works well, the latter isn’t a perfect solution. No matter how advanced the magic, it’s still different from actually eating. And without movement, your muscles should have weakened. But they didn’t.”
“…”
“And… I don’t know how to describe it, but something has been protecting you all this time. A force, an energy… something warm has been surrounding you. Rai mentioned it as well—he said it was your divine power.”
Hearing Raizen’s name so naturally in her words, I flinched slightly.
The Duchess spoke of him so casually, as if nothing had happened between us during the years I was asleep.
There were so many things I wanted to ask, but my thoughts were too jumbled to sort through them all.
So, I decided to start with what was already on the table.
“How is he? Has anything happened?”
Contrary to my expectation of an immediate answer, the Duchess hesitated before nodding.
“As far as we know, he’s fine. Earlier, I mentioned that your divine power seemed to be protecting you, didn’t I? Because of that, anything left near you for a certain period of time turned into a holy relic.”
‘Wait… what? Am I some kind of… charging station?’
The biggest concern had been getting more holy relics for Raizen, but if my divine power could recharge them, that was a relief.
“That’s good to hear.”
Hearing my response, the Duchess gave a somewhat awkward smile.
“He seems to be doing well at the academy, too… At least, that’s what we believe. We don’t truly know what he’s feeling inside.”
Her last words were nearly muttered to herself.
No unnecessary rumors had spread, but that didn’t mean there was nothing beneath the surface.
‘The holy relic issue is solved, and the curse hasn’t acted up… Then what else could be wrong?’
Was there anything else that could have happened to Raizen?
I wanted to ask more, but the Duchess’s expression wasn’t bright. It didn’t feel right to press her further.
“But… now that you’ve woken up, I’m sure Rai will be happy.”
‘Will he really?’
The way she said it made it sound as if Raizen had been struggling because of my absence.
But for some reason, I wanted to deny it.
‘If he was doing fine, that would be annoying in its own way. But if he wasn’t… I wouldn’t feel much different either.’
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
When the Duchess responded, a voice answered from the other side.
“It’s Vincent.”
Soon after, the door opened, and Vincent entered.
“Young Master Shane!! You’re really awake!!”
For the first time, the usually composed Vincent seemed genuinely overwhelmed.
He stared at me with an expression as if he had just witnessed a miracle, then quickly cleared his throat.
“I may have overreacted. If you don’t mind, may I examine you?”
I nodded, and Vincent carefully checked my body.
“You’re in perfect health. This is truly a relief.”
For a brief moment, Vincent’s face lit up with life.
Looking at him again, he seemed to have lost some weight…
‘He must’ve been struggling a lot.’
I was about to tell him he’d been through so much because of me when Vincent took something out of his medical bag.
It looked like either a silver bracelet or a choker that fit snugly around the neck.
Though, it seemed a little too thick to be just an accessory.
Embedded in the center was a round green gemstone.
“This is a pheromone measurement magic tool.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Just a moment, young master.”
Vincent stepped closer and fastened it around my neck.
The device vibrated slightly, and I felt an unfamiliar energy sweep through my body.
Once that sensation faded, not only Vincent but also the Duchess turned their gazes toward the device.
“Young master, congratulations.”
Vincent smiled softly.
“You have awakened—an inferior omega.”
‘Ah, so in the end…’
No wonder I’d started noticing a distinct scent whenever I was around people.
That overwhelming heat I felt before I fell into my long sleep must have been the awakening fever.
“It’s very late, but congratulations on your awakening, Sei.”
“…Yeah… Haha.”
Am I the only one here who can’t laugh about this?
I had dinner with the Duchess.
Duke Pantheon was away on business, but I was told he would see me soon since they had already informed him I was awake.
They had also contacted Raizen, but since he was in the middle of the academic term, we would meet on his upcoming birthday, the day he came of age.
The meal consisted only of light dishes that wouldn’t be too heavy on my stomach.
Their consideration made my heart swell with emotion.
“…Haa.”
Back in my room, I collapsed into a chair by the table.
I stared at the ceiling before slowly closing my eyes.
‘A strange dream… Almost four years lost.’
Noah, who never answered no matter how many times I called…
There was no way I had just randomly slept for nearly four years.
It must have been the decision of those damned ancient gods.
Why they carried it out without telling me, the person it concerned the most, or why so much time had passed—I had no idea.
But one thing kept bothering me. Everyone else awakened at fourteen, but I had mine at thirteen.
‘Back then… I think Raizen’s hand felt hot too…’
As I searched through my memories, I unknowingly dozed off in the chair.
[…Sei.]
The voice that woke me was one I had longed for, even without realizing it.
* * *
