"The Young Master hasn't opened his eyes yet," said a maid sounding worried.
The other maid who seemed frustrated said, "I thought he would be drunk dead on the street as usual but why did he go to the forest?"
"The physician said there's nothing wrong with him, he's simply asleep. What would become of us if he didn't wake up?"
"You're right, it's been five days although it's better than him causing a racket in the academy and harassing the servants"
"Shhh…what if someone heard you? He's the only son of Marquis Esselgarde, even the nobles won't get by easily for defaming them."
"So noisy." A deep voice said, annoyed.
The 19 year old with a well-built body with dark blue hair like a clear night sky which had gone a little pale sat up straight on the bed. His ruby red eyes frowning and fuming, gazing straight at them.
"We're sorry, Young Master." said both of them in unison.
"I'm glad you're awake, Young Master," said the frustrated maid trying to smile.
"I'll go get Sir Rovenin." said the other and ran out of the room.
She opened the door and found a young freckled butler, about 17, with brown hair and hazel eyes standing outside.
"Oh Nox, you're here! Go get Sir Rovenin. The Young Master is awake. I'll go tell the others."
"Okay," said Nox and dashed through the lobby.
He opened the office door and found the young man who was 24 years old, drowning in papers. He had long straight orange hair tied with a red thread and fox-shaped eyes which were buried in papers, very seriously.
"Sir Rovenin, Young Master is awake."
"What?!" he exclaimed and immediately headed towards the bedroom.
On his way, he heard the chattering.
"Young Master is awake."
"I heard he's in a very bad mood."
"The maid who came out of his room was scared stiff."
"Only Sir Rovenin can calm him down now."
Rovenin thought, 'If he caused a racket as soon as he woke up then, I guess he's just fine.'
"Nox, go get a physician." Said Rovenin.
"Right away, Sir" he replied.
Rovenin ordered a maid nearby, "Tell the chef to cook something easy to digest and have it plated twice."
"Yes, Sir"
Rovenin reached the Bedroom and slammed the door open. "Young Master Carseain, would you please----"
"Oh, Rovenin you're here? Took you long enough" he said nonchalantly.
"Uh...Huh? Yes, Young Master. How are you feeling?" said Rovenin, looking a little confused.
'The maid looks scared but I don't think the Young Master did anything.'
He thought.
"I feel a little parched and really stiff." Carseain replied.
Rovenin poured a glass of water for him and ordered the maid, "Get the Kitchen to prepare a Honey-Ginger and lemon tea. Keep it lukewarm."
"Understood Sir."
Rovenin handed him the glass of water and asked, "Young Master, Are you really alright?"
"Yeah. I'm all good" Carseain replied blithely.
'He's being unusually quiet. I thought he'd be screaming by now. It really worries me that he was asleep for five days.' thought Rovenin.
"The physician is on his way" Said Rovenin.
"Why? Is anyone hurt?" asked Carseain. Rovenin gave him an absurd and puzzled look.
"Young Master, it seems you do not realize but you've been asleep for five days and it scared the shit out of me."
"Haha…Is that so?" Carseain laughed it off.
"Young Master, it's no laughing matter. Do you remember anything unusual that happened? We found you in the forest."
"Nope, nothing. I was drunk so I couldn't see anything properly, lost my way and fell asleep."
"Please be careful, that forest is teeming with monsters and poisonous magical plants." He sighed.
The door was knocked.
'Here comes the toughest part' thought Rovenin.
"Come in." Carseain gave permission. A bunch of servants entered with a food tray and other utilities.
"Young Master, Here's some fragrant water please wash your face." A maid said.
He washed his face.
"Why the hell is it so damn cold?"
'He didn't fling it in the air.' thought the servants.
A maid with trembling hands gave him a towel.
"Young Master, here's some Honey, Ginger and Lemon Tea." said Nox.
Carseain expressed his disliking after a sip.
Rovenin tried to explain, "It's good for your health as you've been ----"
"Why is it so damn sweet? And I hate ginger." But he drank the rest anyway.
'He drank it!' they thought while he handed the empty glass.
A maid started setting the plates.
"Young Master, a light meal has been prepared for it to be easy to digest"
Carseain sat down to eat it. There was no flavor or even enough salt in it. It was an oat and barley gruel with some freshly baked soft bread.
"Did you really have to feed me this tasteless shit first thing in the morning?"
"Please understand, Young Master. We can't strain your body too much right off the bat. We'll prepare something better for lunch." said Rovenin.
"You better do that."
He glared at him and started eating reluctantly.
'He didn't throw the food or flip off the table.' They all thought in disbelief.
'Young Master, I wonder what happened. He didn't hit the table saying the maid's hands were trembling. He drank the tea even though he didn't like it. He's even eating the meal quietly. I had another plate prepared thinking he'd fling the first one.' thought Rovenin while looking at Carseain. 'But he still has that oh-so-not-tasty look on his face.' He chuckled.
The servants were uneasy and on the edge. The long silence was broken by a knock on the door.
"The physician is here." said a servant. "Come in."
The physician diagnosed Carseain and started writing a prescription.
"How is the Young Master's condition?" asked Rovenin, worried.
"He's perfectly fine. There are no traces of being poisoned."
"But he's been asleep for five days."
"That's because his magic circuit was growing. His magic capacity has also grown gigantically. It seems that his soul resonated with the forest's spirits which led to growth. His body, mind and soul were stabilizing with the newly found power thus, it felt like he was asleep."
Rovenin was still looked worried
"I've read about it but isn't that very rare?"
"Yes, but even more so in Young Master Carseain's case. Although there's nothing wrong with him, it's strange."
"Is that fine? Anything we have to look out for?"
Rovenin fumbled. Carseain shook his head.
"Isn't it all good? Why are you fussing so much? Rovenin."
"Young Master, it's because he's worried that there may be side-effects due to the sudden growth. I believe he's worried about that."
'That old man sure got balls talking to the Young Master like that.' The servants thought.
"Yeah, fine." Carseain shrugged.
'He's letting it go?' they were a little confused.
"It would be better for you to refrain from alcohol for a month or so." The physician advised.
"What did ya' say?" Carseain fumed.
'Now he's done it' thought servants sounding very sure.
Rovenin tried to intervene, "Young Master, I believe----"
"5 days at most…"
"Pardon?"
Rovenin's face went blank.
"Didn't you hear me? 5 days at most. I'll refrain"
Carseain growled.
'He heard you, just couldn't believe it that you'd even agree to refrain.' They thought.
"How about 25 days?"
The physician was fidgeting.
"8 days."
Carseain raised his brows.
"I can allow up to 20 days if I change the prescription a little."
"10 days."
'He's actually negotiating? I thought he'd just ignore whatever the doctor said or throw a tantrum' thought Rovenin.
"2 weeks. That's the last and the medicine will be really bitter."
"Rovenin will take care of that."
Carseain said pushing out his chest.
"Young Master, did you forget I'm a butler and not a chef?"
Rovenin's shoulder slumped.
"I guess it's a waste to even hold back for two weeks and here I thought I'd behave a little." He said grinning.
"I'll do my best to make it palatable."
Rovenin let out an exasperated sigh.
"Ah…Sir Rovenin gave in, I guess the Young Master just agreeing is more than enough" thought Nox.
"Young Master is a jovial man." Said the physician, smiling.
'Jovial, my ass.' Cursed the servants.
The physician wrote the prescription, "Please take it once a day before sleeping. You'll need a check-up regularly. Please call me if you feel anything strange. I have to study more about your condition."
"That's straight-up saying I'm a guinea pig."
"Ho Ho Ho…it's just that your condition is very rare that I don't get to see it every day."
"You're not even denying it."
'Old man don't push it too much. We have to deal with the aftermath if he snaps.' The servants were worried.
"Young Lord is indeed a very jovial man."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Well, then I'll take my leave. See you again." He took his hat and left.
Rovenin thanked him and a maid escorted him outside.