"........," 

With a sigh that concealed the anxieties of the previous night, I began to organize my day.

First on the agenda: pay the Eckharts a visit.

The lingering dream, more nightmare really, clung to me.

I summoned the head butler, my voice clipped with the weight of unspoken urgency.

"Prepare a carriage immediately."

The bow of his head was swift and practiced.

"At once, Your Grace."

As I stood by the window, watching the carriage readied, the dream's images flickered behind my eyes.

It felt like a distant memory, a whisper of another life.

As it really was.

The carriage arrived promptly.

Stepping inside, I issued specific instructions to Hans regarding my schedule.

"No interruptions unless absolutely necessary."

His curt nod conveyed a silent understanding.

Settling into the plush cushions, I tried to shake off the dream's lingering images.

The journey to Eckharts' manor was quiet, the rhythmic clatter of horses' footsteps the only sound.

Upon arrival, the manor's butler, a man whose face held the etchings of countless seasons, greeted me.

"........," 

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╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

He led me through the halls, his gaze flickering with a hint of recognition.

"Is this alright? Granting access without Lord Eckhart's express permission?"

As we walked, whispers seemed to follow in our wake, curious gazes flitting towards me before darting away.

My unexpected arrival was turning heads.

The butler chuckled softly.

"Would I dare defy Lord Eckhart's wishes? Not in this lifetime,"

He assured me with a warm smile.

"Besides, I recognize your face, Your Grace. You were practically a resident  here back in the day – the young Duke of House Cha, am I right?"

My eyes narrowed, gauging the truth in his words.

'Back in the day, huh?'

Memories, hazy yet familiar, surfaced – shared laughter with Derrick and Reynold, the ever-present figure of Lord Eckhart.

It was a life from before the mask.

The mask that now covered my face.

'How convenient that these memories come from dreams,'

I mused.

'Almost, as if they were mine to begin with.'

But there was one dream in particular.

It featured this very butler, his voice dripping with disdain.

"A commoner playing with the Young Masters? How quaint. But don't worry, your luck will run out soon enough. Then we'll see how long these friendships last."

Despite the sting of the memory, I wouldn't let it cloud my present purpose.

"Pennel, wasn't that your name?"

The memory flickered – Pennel, the butler, dismissing me as a commoner.

Yet, I was the heir to House Cha at the time.

Did that mean – That I was adopted, just like Pene-

"-is what you said it was, but why isn't she waking...!"

Suddenly, a shout shattered the silence.

"-at least do that much! It's all your fault, you and that insane prince!"

The outburst sent a jolt through me.

I focused on the source of the commotion, my curiosity piqued.

"Excuse me,"

I addressed the butler, who nodded curtly.

Following the sound, I arrived at a doorway, the source of the shouting.

Before I could knock, the door flew open, revealing a flustered Reynold.

"Ah, Your Grace?"

He stammered, his voice laced with suprise.

"Forgive the commotion. That stupid bit*h – I mean, Penelope, hasn't woken up yet."

His face was pale, etched with worry.

"Is it serious?"

I inquired, stepping past him into the room.

Reynold's reply was a whisper.

"Not really. But, still, she didn't even budge."

Penelope lay motionless on the bed, her breathing shallow.

The room crackled with tension, a stark contrast to the calmness of her sleeping form.

"She's been like this since returning from the Second Prince's birthday celebration,"

Reynold explained, his hands clenched into fists.

"The Crown Prince – never mind."

He didn't know I knew.

I, after all, had witnessed it all firsthand.

Reynold shook his head, a resigned sigh escaping his lips.

"I'll inform Father of your arrival."

As he and the doctors left, I began to pace around.

This wasn't in the game, was it?

Was I somehow responsible?

Finally, I sank onto the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch Penelope's cool forehead.

"Penelope,"

I murmured, my voice thick with desperation.

"Please, wake up."

My next words tasted foreign on my tongue.

"I lost one sister, and I'm not going to lose another."

The words hung heavy in the air, a stark confession that surprised even me.

'Another sister?'

The phrase echoed in my mind.

My fingers, still lingering on her forehead, felt numb. 

Minutes bled into what felt like hours.

Penelope remained unmoving.

This wasn't supposed to happen. 

In the game, Penelope recovered quickly. 

Was my presence somehow causing this? 

The guilt threatened to consume me.

"This can't be happening..."

I choked out, the words a desperate plea to a silent room. 

My breath hitched as the door creaked open, revealing Reynold.

"Father has been informed, he's on his way,"

He announced.

A tense silence followed, broken only by the shallow rasp of Penelope's breath.

Then, a new figure appeared at the doorway – Derrick. 

He stood there, arms crossed, his hair casting a shadow over his face. 

His gaze locked with mine, cold and accusatory.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

"Do you go around barging into people's houses?"

Derrick raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down with a critical gaze.

"It's been a long time since you last visited, hasn't it? Aren't you even going to say something to me?"

My eyes darted to him, then flicked upwards. Above his head, the bar shimmered:

[Interest 52%]

His words were one thing, his feelings another.

Before I could formulate a response, the door creaked open yet again.

This time, an older man entered, his face a mask of stoicism. 

Lord Eckhart. 

"........," 

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╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

Even from a distance, the resemblance to the my own father was uncanny – the same stern jawline, the same piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me.

A pang of unwelcome nostalgia shot through me, laced with a bitter taste of betrayal.

'Father,'

"Your Grace,"

I began, my gaze meeting Lord Eckhart's head-on. 

"It's good to see you."

Lord Eckhart gave a curt nod, his gaze flickering between me and Penelope's still form.

He approached the bed, his movements deliberate, and leaned in to examine her closely.

Then it hit me. 

A cold wave of dread washed over me.

Derrick, Reynold, even Penelope and Lord Eckhart himself – they were all here, in the same room as me. 

'Good Lord,'

I breathed. 

'Save my ass from this situation.'
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╰┈➤ ❝ [Ɒσи'τ fσяɢєτ τσ vστє αиɒ cσммєиτ!]

₊❏❜ ⋮ ⌒(A/N): Thank you so much for reading this chapter! ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

.....

My head be empty when I reach this section.

Happy reading! >ᴗ<

ִֶָ๋𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐