A few hours passed.
It was already afternoon when Fainyx slowly woke up.
He blinked sleepily, feeling oddly refreshed. Unaware of the chaos happening outside, he simply sat up on the soft grass and looked around.
The small flower beside him was still fine.
"…Good."
He gently picked it up, then organized his beginner magic books and stored them back inside his storage box. After that, he sat quietly on the field, staring at the plants swaying in the wind.
"…It's already afternoon…"
How long had he been sleeping?
He looked at his bandaged hands and sighed.
"I don't want to go back…" he murmured softly while hugging his knees.
A few minutes later—
He heard shouting.
Faint at first… then clearer.
"…Fainyx!"
It sounded like Liam.
He tilted his head, listening carefully. Soon he heard it again, it was Liam shouting his name over and over.
Why is he trying to find me…?
Confused, Fainyx slowly stood up. He fixed his slightly wrinkled clothes, hid his plant inside his storage box, and carefully exited the garden.
As soon as he stepped out—
He froze.
The mansion was in chaos.
Maids and knights were running everywhere, calling his name loudly.
"…What happened while I was sleeping…?"
He knew Liam reported the truth, but… he never expected this.
He stood there, stunned.
Then—
"Over there!"
"The young master!"
Knights rushed toward him.
"We found the young master!"
They quickly surrounded him, eyes full of relief and worry.
"Are you alright, young master?" one knight asked urgently. " The duke has been looking everywhere for you."
Fainyx blinked in shock.
Before he could react, one of the knights gently lifted him into his arms, holding him carefully and comfortably.
Soon—
"FAINYX!"
Liam ran toward them.
"I was worried sick! Where did you go? Do you know how long we've been looking for you!?"
Fainyx just stared, confused.
…What is happening…?
Without wasting time, Liam and the knight brought him back inside the mansion.
*******
He was carried all the way to the duke's office.
Liam knocked urgently. "Father, We found him."
The door opened immediately.
Fainyx looked up—
…and froze.
The duke's face was filled with worry.
It was the first time he had ever seen that expression.
Inside the room stood Adam, looking conflicted, and beside him… the physician Michael.
The duke's gaze locked onto him.
"…Where was he found?"
"In the garden, Your Grace," the knight replied formally. "He appeared unharmed."
"…Is he injured further?"
"No, Your Grace."
The duke nodded."You are dismissed."
The knight gently placed Fainyx down onto a sofa near the physician before leaving.
Michael smiled warmly at him.
The duke spoke."Michael. Examine him."
The physician approached and carefully checked Fainyx's face and hands. As he examined the nose fracture and the still-bleeding wounds…
His expression turned serious.
"…His condition is terrible."
Everyone tensed.
"He has a nasal fracture. His hands were badly cut and still bleeding despite bandaging… and he's thinner than before."
Michael looked at the duke."Has he eaten anything yesterday? Or today?"
The duke froze.
He remembered.
The head maid had been in charge of feeding him.
Michael then gently asked Fainyx,"Have you eaten anything since yesterday?"
Fainyx hesitated.
He glanced at Liam.
Liam seemed to understand immediately."Father… paper and pen."
The duke silently handed over writing tools.
Fainyx took them carefully.
Thankfully his right hand wasn't injured... he thought as he began writing.
He handed the paper over.
[I stole bread and apples from the kitchen. I'm sorry for stealing them. No one gave me food yesterday... Even today... ]
The room fell silent.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Fainyx hesitated… then continued writing.
[I never said I didn't want to have dinner with you.]
Silence.
Even heavier than before.
Fainyx lowered his head nervously.…What are they thinking…?
Then Liam spoke softly.
"…Father."
His voice carried both anger and sadness.
The duke's expression turned cold."…Where is the head maid?"
Fainyx flinched and looked down.
Michael intervened calmly,"Your Grace. Now isn't the time for punishment. The child's injuries must be treated first."
He knelt before Fainyx with a gentle smile."Don't worry. I'll help heal you."
He opened his medical bag and took out a shimmering blue potion.
Fainyx's eyes widened slightly.
…A recovery potion.
He had only seen them in the game before.
"Drink this," Michael said gently. "It's a little bitter, but it will heal you."
Fainyx carefully took the vial.
The liquid shimmered beautifully inside — almost magical.
He glanced at his father and brothers.
Adam looked conflicted… almost guilty. Liam looked angry and worried. The duke's expression was complicated and unreadable.
"It's okay," Liam said softly. "Drink it."
Fainyx nodded and drank.
So bitter…
But his face remained blank.
Soon, warmth spread through his body. His nose tingled slightly as the injury healed. He removed the bandages from his hands.
No wounds. No scars even left in his hand.
His eyes widened in amazement.
He quickly wrote [thank you] and bowed.
Michael smiled."I'll stay for a few days to monitor him. He needs proper meals daily from now on."
The duke nodded immediately and ordered the butler to prepare food.
While waiting…
Fainyx sat quietly, holding the pen.
He began writing slowly.
[When I went to the kitchen…I heard the head maid and the chef say something.They said I'm just a poor orphan the duke took in.…Is it true?]
He stared at the paper.
He already knew the truth. He knew he was the duke's child.
But… if the servants believed he was just adopted, then they would keep looking down on him. Worse… they might even poison him one day. So that's why he need to inform of his father about this, so that he can live in this mansion free from harm.
Should I give this…?
His fingers tightened slightly around the paper.
If he showed this, everything would change. The whole mansion would know, of course in a good thing at least he will not get harmed like what happened with Jaren the head maid but he really don't like to do this, kinda making him a bit pitiful.
He hesitated.
The duke noticed.
"…What is it?" he asked quietly.
Fainyx looked up, then down again.
Adam stepped forward and gently tried to take the paper. "Is it important?"
Fainyx held onto it for a moment. Then slowly… he let go.
The duke read it.
Silence.
Liam leaned closer and read the paper.
Adam followed.
Their expressions shifted instantly.
Shock.
Then anger.
But before the duke could react—
He went silent.
Even Liam and Adam flinched at the question written on the paper.
"…Is it true?" the duke repeated slowly.
His voice was serious now.
"What exactly did they say?"
Fainyx hesitated.
He lowered his gaze and began writing again.
[They said I am a lousy, mute orphan who doesn't know his place. They said they would let me starve… because I looked at them.]
He stopped writing.
His fingers trembled slightly.
Should he give this?
He looked at the duke. Then at Liam. Then at Adam.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
The duke sighed.
"…Give it to me."
Fainyx didn't move.
Adam stepped forward and gently reached for the paper.
"…Is it that important?" Adam asked quietly.
Fainyx nodded.
Liam spoke softly, "Let go. We won't get angry at you."
After a few seconds of hesitation—
He let it go.
The duke read it.
So did Liam.
So did Adam.
Their faces darkened.
Oh no…I shouldn't have written it…
The duke looked at him again.
"…Is this truly what you heard?"
Fainyx nodded once.
The duke exhaled slowly.
"…To think servants of the Nocte family would look down on one of us…"
The air suddenly changed.
A terrifying bloodlust filled the room.
Fainyx froze.
Inside, he was screaming.
But outwardly, his face remained blank.
Only his hands trembled slightly.
Liam and Adam broke into cold sweats — yet they were furious.
The duke turned sharply toward a servant.
"Bring me that chef too."
His voice was icy.
The servant bowed shakily and ran out.
Then—
The duke turned back to Fainyx.
He stepped forward.
And knelt down to meet him at eye level.
"…It is not true."
His voice softened.
"You are not an orphan. And you never will be."
His gaze was conflicted.
"Your mother… my wife… is the one who gave birth to you. Remember that."
Fainyx blinked.
Before he could process further—
The butler returned.
A meal was placed carefully on the table.
Soft buttered bread, Creamy chicken and vegetable stew, Tender roasted meat slices, Mashed potatoes with light gravy, And warm honey pudding for dessert.
The aroma filled the room.
Fainyx's stomach tightened.
He picked up the spoon and fork.
He began eating the stew first. It was creamy and delicious.
Inside, he felt so happy he almost cried.
It had been so long since he ate properly.
But outwardly, his expression stayed neutral.
The duke and his sons continued watching him.
He grew uncomfortable.
He slowly stopped eating. The stares is a bit intimidating he thought
Michael, still present, tilted his head.
"What's wrong? Is the food horrible?"
Fainyx shook his head the food was delicious, but he seemed embarrassed.
Michael smiled knowingly.
"Are you uncomfortable because they're watching you?"
Right on target.
Fainyx nodded.
Michael turned formally to the duke.
"Your Grace, perhaps it would be best to allow him to eat in peace. I will watch over him."
The duke hesitated.
Then nodded.
Liam gently patted Fainyx's head before leaving.
"…Eat well."
His voice was quiet.
Soon, only Michael remained.
"Go on," the physician encouraged softly.
Fainyx continued eating, he's a bit comfortable with Micheal
He ate until he was full.
Too full.
His stomach felt slightly bloated, but he didn't mind.
Michael observed him with satisfaction.
"I'll check on you regularly from now on."
Fainyx wrote,
[Why?]
Michael chuckled.
"Your father hired me as your personal physician."
He looked pleasantly surprised.
"And I must say, I'm impressed you can write so well."
Fainyx nodded and wrote:
[Thank you.]
********
Outside the room, the duke stood with his two sons.
Silence hung heavily between them.
"…Did either of you believe he was an orphan?" the duke asked coldly.
Both sons flinched.
Liam spoke first.
"At first… we were suspicious, but I think of him as a family even if he's an orphan..."
Adam frowned.
"I was still suspicious," he admitted. "But… why didn't you tell us? Why hide that we had another sibling?"
The duke closed his eyes briefly.
"…It was my mistake. After your mother died… I made many mistakes."
Silence followed.
They were still processing everything—
While inside, Fainyx quietly finished eating.
**********
The duke and his sons re-entered the office.
Servants cleared the plates away.
Minutes later—
The doors opened again.
Knights dragged two people inside.
The head maid.
And the chef.
Fainyx looked at them quietly.
Jaren's eyes locked onto him.
Her gaze was full of hatred.
The duke's aide gently lifted Fainyx into his arms again and stepped aside.
The chef looked pale.
He already understood his fate.
The duke stepped forward.
His expression was empty.
"Jaren."
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"Did you injure him yesterday? Fracture his nose? Destroy his room? Deny him food? And call him an orphan?"
Jaren began shaking.
"That is not true!" she cried. "I was framed by that child!"
She pointed at Fainyx.
"He hit me! I have witnesses!"
"…Who?" the duke asked coldly.
She quickly requested the servants.
Five maids entered shortly after.
They trembled.
The duke looked at them.
"Did you witness this child striking the head maid?"
Silence.
Then—
"It isn't true!"
One maid stepped forward and fell to her knees.
Jaren's face went pale.
The maid cried as she spoke.
"The head maid framed the young master! She hit him! She spread rumors and forbade us from feeding him!"
Tears streamed down her face.
"She threatened my family if I spoke…"
The room was stunned.
Even Fainyx hadn't expected this.
The duke's eyes turned icy.
"…Is this true?"
Jaren panicked.
"It's all lies!"
But the other four maids stepped forward.
"It's true, Your Grace."
Liam clenched his fists.
Adam looked betrayed.
"Why?" Adam demanded.
Jaren suddenly laughed.
"Because that useless orphan doesn't belong here!"
The duke stood.
The air grew suffocating.
"He is not an orphan."
"He is my son."
Jaren's face drained of color.
"…Why did you assume he was an orphan?" the duke asked coldly.
"I… I just thought—"
"Silence."
The word cut sharply.
"Lock both of them in the dungeon. They will be punished."
The chef and head maid screamed as they were dragged away.
Silence returned.
The duke then looked at the five maids.
"For speaking the truth… you will be dismissed from service. You may leave."
The maids bowed gratefully and left.
Liam and Adam stood quietly, saddened by the betrayal.
The duke sighed, expression complicated.
Then he looked at his aide.
"Prepare a clean room for him."
The aide bowed and carried Fainyx out of the office.
Fainyx suddenly felt very tired. Maybe from the heavy atmosphere, or Maybe from everything that happened.
**********
A few minutes later, the aide walked down a long hallway, still carrying Fainyx.
This was the opposite wing from his old bedroom. Curiosity stirred within him.
The hallway was structured much like the one near his room, but it was brighter. Paintings lined the walls. some of flowers, others of people he didn't recognize.
At the far end, Fainyx's eyes caught a familiar scene, a family portrait. The duke, a woman, and three children.
Is that a portrait of Mother?
The duke's face in the painting looked gentle. His siblings appeared happy, though with slight serious expressions.
And there… his mother.
Her long green hair, her deep purple eyes, the long lashes…Her white, flawless skin glowed as if painted by light itself. Her features mirrored his own. and her gentle smile… it was comforting.
Fainyx stared, momentarily forgetting the present.
The aide noticed. He stopped and looked at him, sadness in his eyes.
"Are you alright, young master?" he asked softly.
Fainyx nodded, not wanting to speak.
The aide didn't press further. He walked slowly, letting Fainyx observe the painting one last time.
The boy finally tore his gaze away. A pang of sadness struck him, he had never met his mother. He remembered his past life... lonely times of being treated like an orphan, yet he brushed it aside.
No… I can't dwell on that.
He clenched his fists.
I have to train. My body… I have to get stronger. I can't stay weak.
Even in the annex, even when he trained to his limits without the servants noticing, his body refused to respond. No muscle gain. No strength. Even lifting small weights proved difficult.
I will change that. I will grow stronger. I will not be weak anymore.
That would be his goal.
The aide approached a room door ahead. "Here we are, young master. This room is near your brothers, but private. I've prepared it for you."
Fainyx nodded tiredly. For the first time in a long while, he felt safe. And, quietly, he let his body relax.
For now… he could rest.