Early Dawn
Before the sun could rise, Michael's sleep was broken. His brow was furrowed, lips pressed tightly as if carrying a burden invisible to the world. "It's hard enough for a man to adjust when he moves to a new society or a new country… but me? I've ended up in an entirely different world!" he muttered, his eyes narrowing with unease.
Michael walked out, his expression blank but eyes darting restlessly as though searching for stability. When he found the strange tree, his curiosity replaced his weariness—his brows lifted, his mouth parted slightly in wonder.
The first fruit—he bit into it, eyes widening at the sticky sweetness. But when it melted away in his hand, his lips curled downward in shock, confusion tightening his jaw.
The second fruit—his face twisted instantly. His cheeks scrunched, eyes squeezed shut, lips puckered violently as the sour liquid dripped down. When the black and crimson ooze spilled out, his pupils shrank; disbelief etched across his face.
Moments later, dizziness struck. His eyelids fluttered, sweat formed on his forehead. He staggered, mouth slightly open, but no words came out.
---
Inside the Carriage
Niha sat gracefully, but her lips trembled with hesitation as her eyes shifted nervously toward Chris.
When Chris calmly said, "You will be my assistant," his voice even, his expression unreadable—Niha blinked rapidly, her brows knitting together. Her lips parted as if to protest, then pressed shut again in disbelief.
Chris leaned back with an easy smirk, his eyes half-lidded in quiet confidence. "You'll travel the world with me."
Niha gasped, her jaw dropping slightly, her eyes widening like a startled cat. Her lips quivered. "Travel… with you? But the kingdom—!"
When Chris declared himself a Continental Knight, Niha's face exploded with shock. Her mouth fell wide open, eyes bulging as she jumped, smacking her head against the carriage roof. Tears almost formed at the corner of her eyes from the pain, her nose wrinkling, but shock still dominated her expression.
Finally, when she whispered, "I'll go with you," a small smile tugged at her lips—hesitant, but her eyes glittered with excitement.
---
Michael Awakens
Michael woke with a groggy frown, eyelids half shut, his mouth dry. He rubbed his temple, his face twisting in pain.
When he collapsed against the girl's shoulder, his expression changed in an instant—his eyes opened wider, lips parting slightly in shock as he turned.
The girl's violet-tinted hair framed her face, her long lashes lifting slowly as she opened her eyes. For a heartbeat, both of them just stared. Her lips parted faintly, her cheeks coloring as she gazed straight into Michael's bewildered eyes.
Michael's face turned crimson, his jaw slack with awe, his chest rising and falling faster. He couldn't even blink—his eyes stayed locked on hers.
The girl too froze, her pupils dilating, her lips tightening as though caught in something she couldn't explain.
Then Catherine burst in—her eyes wide, mouth agape, eyebrows arched high. Her jaw clenched before she screamed, her voice sharp, face twisted with anger.
Kelina flinched, her cheeks flushed pink, her lips trembling as she stuttered, "Ah… sister, I—I just came by!" Her embarrassed smile flickered only for a second before she bit her lip and hurried out, eyes darting away.
Michael sat frozen, his entire face red as fire. He scratched his cheek awkwardly, forcing a half-smile. His lips moved clumsily as he stammered, "Actually… the truth is—"