"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SON?!"
King Lucien could no longer hold himself together. His voice broke as he cried loudly, clutching the clothes of his husband, King Aldrick. His knees felt weak, and his whole body trembled as fear consumed him.
"I cannot lose him…" Lucien sobbed. "Not my Ethan…"
King Aldrick held Lucien tightly in his arms. He pressed Lucien's head against his chest, trying to calm him, even though his own heart felt like it was being torn apart. As a ruler, he had faced battles and deaths, but nothing compared to this pain.
"He will be fine," Aldrick said quietly, though his voice carried doubt. "He has to be."
On the large royal bed, Ethan Valen lay silently.
His eyes were open, but they were empty filled with confusion rather than awareness. He looked around slowly, taking in the unfamiliar room, the strange faces, the heavy silence.
[ Why are they looking at me like that?
Where am I?
God… what is happening? ]
His heart beat fast, but his face showed no emotion. It was as if his mind refused to react.
Beside the bed, Kyle Valen sat quietly. His shoulders were stiff, his head lowered. He stared at Ethan's hand resting on the bed, wanting to hold it but fearing rejection.
Kyle had always protected Ethan. Always stood between him and danger. But now, he felt helpless.
William stood a few steps away.
His eyes never left Ethan not even for a second. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest. He remembered clearly how Ethan had panicked, how he had screamed, how his body had collapsed.
Did I scare him too much?
Was it my fault?
William wanted to step closer, to say something, but the room was filled with servants and nobles. No one noticed him. No one called him. And Ethan did not even look his way.
The royal doctor, Doctor Albrecht, finally stepped forward.
"Ethan," he said gently, lowering himself to Ethan's eye level. "Do you remember me?"
Ethan stared at him.
His eyes were filled with questions that he wanted to ask.
Where was he?
How did he become a boy?
Where was Aradhya? ( He himself )
Her face… her curved lips… everything was still clear in his mind. How did Aradhya turn into a boy's body? How did this miracle happen? Was she seeing a strange dream, or was this a different world?
Because Aradhya clearly remembered jumping off the bridge.
There was no chance of survival.So this could not be an accident or coincidence.
he simply shook his head.
"No."
The word was soft, but it cut deep.Doctor Albrecht straightened, his face turning serious. He gave a respectful bow.
"Your Majesties," he said quietly. "Please come with me."
King Aldrick nodded and guided Lucien toward the door. Kyle stood immediately and followed them, his heart heavy with fear.
They were led through hidden corridors into a secret chamber a room known only to a few. This was where King Aldrick made decisions that shaped the kingdom.
Where secrets were discussed and sealed.
But today, it felt cold and powerless.
The door closed behind them.
Doctor Albrecht cleared his throat, his voice careful and filled with concern.
"I believe Young Master Ethan Valen has lost his memory."
Lucien froze.
"What… what did he lose?" Lucien asked weakly.
"He forgot that you are his parents," the doctor said gently.
"He forgot his elder brother, Kyle Valen."
"He forgot that the palace is his home."
Kyle felt his chest tighten.
"And," the doctor continued, "he forgot himself. He does not remember his name. He does not know that he is Ethan Valen. He does not know that he is your son."
Lucien stumbled back, tears falling freely.
"That is impossible…" he whispered. "My son… forgot me?"
King Aldrick clenched his fists.
"What are you saying?" Aldrick asked, disbelief shaking his voice.
"This is what I understand from his behavior," Doctor Albrecht replied. "He looks at everything as if it is unfamiliar. He reacts like a stranger in his own life. His memories… are completely blank."
"How could this happen?" Kyle asked, his voice breaking.
Doctor Albrecht sighed deeply.
"It can happen due to extreme stress," he explained. "It can happen after a sudden collapse. And sometimes… it happens without any clear reason."