Kael's legs trembled violently.
He gripped the wooden rail so tightly that his knuckles turned pale, forcing one foot to move in front of the other. Every step felt like a battle. His body no longer carried the sharp pain from when he first woke, but the heaviness remained—deep, stubborn, as if his limbs still had not remembered how to obey him.
Step.
Breathe.
Step.
Even that much took effort.
Robert stood beside him, close enough to catch him if he fell, yet careful not to interfere. He wanted to help—Kael could see it clearly in the tension in his shoulders, in the way his hands hovered anxiously at his sides—but Kael had insisted on trying by himself.
He needed to do this.
When Kael finally reached the end of the rail, his knees nearly buckled.
Robert moved instantly, stepping in and catching him before he could collapse.
"You don't have to push yourself this hard," Robert said, his voice full of worry. "You only woke up three days ago…"
Kael lowered his head, struggling to steady his breathing. A thin layer of sweat clung to his skin. He shook his head slowly in refusal, even while leaning part of his weight against Robert.
Seeing his stubbornness, Robert let out a soft sigh.
"Like I said," Robert murmured, "Delcra has been managed well by Sebastian and Count Albert. You don't need to rush." He gently adjusted his hold on Kael's arm. "Right now, you only need to regain your strength."
Kael's gaze fell to his own legs.
They felt foreign.
Weak.
Heavy.
It was frustrating in a way he couldn't easily put into words. He had already fought so hard to recover once—after the long coma, after learning how to move again, how to stand, how to use his body. And now here he was, repeating it all over again.
Robert carefully supported Kael back to the bed and helped him sit down comfortably.
Then he poured water into a glass and offered it to him.
Kael accepted it, but the weakness in his hand was obvious. His grip faltered almost immediately.
Without saying anything, Robert moved one hand beneath the base of the glass and steadied it, helping Kael drink.
Kael swallowed quietly.
Then his eyes shifted toward the window.
The sunlight outside was warm and calm, and yet his expression only grew more tired. In another life—just days ago, to his own senses—he should have been at his desk. Working. Reviewing reports. Reclaiming his duties as Archduke.
Instead, he could not even lift a cup properly.
Robert noticed the change in his expression.
"It's alright," he said softly. "We still have plenty of time."
Kael turned and looked at him.
Time.
The word pulled something cold through his chest.
He remembered the woman from the dream—Varyn's mother. The way her voice had echoed so clearly in the darkness.
You are destined to die young.
The memory still clung to him like frost.
"…But I promised," Kael said at last, his voice low, "to search for their parents."
Robert stiffened.
His fingers tightened around Kael's hand.
"Master Kael… please…" Robert's voice dipped into something close to pleading. "Not now."
Kael looked at him.
Robert's face had grown thinner.
He had not noticed it at first when he woke. Or perhaps he had been too disoriented to pay attention. But now, in the quiet light of day, the difference was clear. Robert's cheeks were more hollow than before. His complexion seemed paler.
Kael wanted to ask.
He wanted to hear Robert's honest thoughts.
But another thought pressed harder against him—that he could not afford to remain trapped in bed again. Not like before. Not after losing five months without even knowing it.
"I need to recover quickly," Kael said quietly.
Robert's expression tightened.
"I know," he replied. "But your injuries were severe. You have to do this slowly." His gaze sharpened with concern. "If you keep forcing yourself, you'll only hurt yourself again."
Kael exhaled through his nose, long and restrained.
He hated this.
Hated the helplessness.
Hated the dependence.
Hated the feeling of time slipping away while he lay still.
He could brush aside Sebastian's worries. He could ignore the servants who kept urging him to stay in bed and rest. Yesterday, he had done exactly that, pushing away every soft command and every anxious reminder.
But Robert was different.
Kael could not argue as easily with someone whose concern was so sincere.
Since yesterday, Robert had become the only one allowed to attend to him directly. Perhaps because Kael tolerated him more. Perhaps because Robert understood when to step forward and when to stay quiet.
Kael turned back toward the window.
The scenery outside felt unfamiliar in a way that unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. The season had changed while he slept. For everyone else, spring had already passed naturally into warmer days.
For Kael, it felt as though the world had changed overnight.
Robert watched him in silence for a moment.
Then his eyes drifted toward the clock.
It was almost noon.
Slowly, Robert stood.
"I'll bring you lunch," he said gently. "Stay here."
His tone turned firmer.
"And don't practice walking again for now. You need your strength."
Kael did not answer immediately.
He only kept looking out the window.
Then, after a brief pause, he gave the faintest nod.
Robert lingered for just a second longer, as if making sure Kael truly would stay put.
Then he turned and left the room, leaving Kael alone with the sunlight, the silence, and the growing weight of time he could no longer ignore.
-----------------------------------------
Robert walked slowly along the corridor toward the kitchen.
Each step felt heavier than it should.
Fatigue clung to his body, but he ignored it, keeping his pace steady. His thoughts remained with Kael—his pale face, his trembling hands, the way he struggled just to stand.
And the question that lingered.
Why did he fall?
Five months ago, Kael had collapsed from his own chamber. No witnesses. No clear cause. Only the aftermath—broken body, fading pulse, and a silence that lasted months.
Robert had waited.
He had hoped Kael would explain once he woke.
But when Kael opened his eyes, there was only confusion.
He truly didn't remember.
Robert exhaled quietly.
For now… that was enough.
-----------------------------------------
When he entered the kitchen, the warmth of the room greeted him.
Servants moved efficiently, preparing trays and checking dishes, while Sebastian stood at the center, inspecting Kael's meal one by one. His sharp gaze missed nothing—the temperature, the presentation, even the smallest detail.
The moment Sebastian heard footsteps, he turned.
"How is Lord Kael's condition?" he asked immediately, concern clear in his voice. "Is he still weak?"
There was an unusual urgency in his tone.
Ever since Kael refused everyone except Robert, Sebastian had been forced to step back from his usual duties as head butler. It unsettled him—being unable to personally attend to his lord.
Robert offered a faint, reassuring smile.
"He's stable," he said. "But… he's still being stubborn. He keeps trying to push himself instead of resting properly."
Sebastian sighed, his shoulders lowering slightly.
"I see…"
His eyes shifted to Robert.
Only then did he notice it.
The faint exhaustion lining Robert's face. The subtle paleness that hadn't been there before.
"I hope Lord Kael won't refuse us for too long," Sebastian added quietly. "The servants are worried."
Robert glanced past him.
Several servants stood nearby, pretending to continue their work—but their attention was clearly fixed on the conversation. Their eyes held the same concern, the same quiet longing to see Kael recover.
"For now, let me handle it," Robert said gently.
His tone was calm, steady—meant to reassure.
"The last time he refused people, he nearly hurt himself. You remember… the day he woke up."
Three days ago.
Kael had been disoriented, overwhelmed, trying to move too quickly. If Robert hadn't been there, the situation could have turned far worse.
"He's not used to being surrounded by too many people," Robert continued softly. "Just give him a little space. He'll open up on his own."
The servants exchanged glances, then nodded quietly.
They trusted him.
One by one, they placed the prepared dishes onto a tray—light porridge, carefully balanced nutrition, nothing too heavy for Kael's weakened body.
Robert watched them silently.
-----------------------------------------
Soon, they began moving through the corridor together, pushing the tray carefully toward Kael's chamber. Sebastian walked beside Robert, his hands folded behind his back.
"There is something else," Sebastian said.
Robert turned slightly.
"This evening, Duke Vaelthorn will arrive."
Robert paused for a brief moment.
"Should I inform her to wait," Sebastian continued, "or allow her to meet Lord Kael immediately?"
Robert considered it.
Kael had only just regained consciousness. His condition was fragile—not just physically, but mentally as well.
But then he remembered—
Kael asking about her.
Just once.
Quietly.
"…Let her come," Robert said after a moment. "Master Kael asked about her yesterday. I think… he'll be fine."
Sebastian nodded. "Understood."
-----------------------------------------
They stopped a few meters from Kael's door.
Robert stepped ahead of the group and raised a finger, signaling for silence.
No unnecessary sound.
No sudden movement.
The servants immediately stilled.
Robert approached the door and knocked softly.
"Master Kael," he said gently, keeping his voice low, "it's me. May I enter?"
He didn't wait long before opening the door carefully.
Inside, the room was quiet.
Kael was asleep.
Robert let out a quiet sigh of relief.
At least this time—
He was resting.
Robert stepped back outside and gestured for the others to enter quietly.
The servants moved with practiced care. They placed the tray on the table, adjusted the curtains slightly, tidied small things—never approaching the bed, never making a sound loud enough to disturb him.
Within minutes, they were done.
And just as quietly, they left.
The room fell silent again.
Robert sat beside Kael's bed, a bowl of porridge in his hand.
He waited a moment.
Then gently reached out, taking Kael's hand.
"Master Kael…" he murmured softly, giving a light shake. "Wake up. You need to eat."
It took a few moments.
Then Kael's eyes slowly opened.
His gaze settled on Robert.
Robert smiled gently.
"You need to eat," he said again, softer this time. "So you can regain your strength."
Carefully, he helped Kael sit upright, adjusting the pillow behind him.
Then, slowly—patiently—he began feeding him.
Each spoonful was measured. Gentle. Unhurried.
Kael swallowed with effort.
Only a few bites.
But he ate.
And that was enough.
Robert didn't push him further. Instead, a small, relieved smile formed on his lips.
Then, after a brief pause, he spoke.
"This evening, Lady Elric will be arriving," he said.
Kael's head lifted slightly.
The change was immediate.
Robert noticed.
"She came as soon as my letter reached her," he continued. "It seems she used the teleportation gate instead of traveling from the North."
Kael said nothing.
He only turned his gaze toward the window.
Quiet.
Still.
Then, slowly, he looked back at Robert.
"…She will stay… here?" Kael asked.
His voice was weak—but there was something beneath it.
Something softer.
Robert nodded.
"Of course," he said warmly. "She visited many times while you were in a coma. Even if you couldn't see her." He paused. "Now that you've woken up… she'll definitely stay for a while."
Kael didn't reply.
But his gaze lingered—just a little longer than before.