Argh... I can feel my head aching so badly that it seems to be splitting in half. It hurts a lot and makes me want to vomit, but I held it in. I looked around to see where I was. I'm in a small room, lying in a white bed, and Noel is sleeping in the bed beside me.
I attempted to move, but my muscles are so stiff and achy that I can't even lift a finger. I can only move my eyes to look around and try to figure out where I am, but I have no idea where I am.
A transparent plastic bag containing red liquid is attached to my right hand by a small tube. Not only do I have a red liquid plastic bag attached to me, but so does Noel. This red liquid appears to have healing properties that can alleviate my headache.
What happened to Noel? Noel, from what I recall, was with the coachman that night. So something happened to him, and the same thing happened to me. Noel is sleeping peacefully next to my bed, but his face is noticeably pale.
*Sigh*
I'm still confused about many things, including why I'm here when I recall waking up in the lake I've been visiting since I was a child. That place is still changing and expanding. I still have no idea, and that makes me wonder what the origins of that place are. It's magical that it manage to summon me there, and now I'm here because that voice whispered to me.
What does it mean that it isn't the proper time yet? Is there something I'm missing? I'm not sure what it is, but I'm confident that my questions will be answered someday.
Now I'm in this unfamiliar room, lying in a bed, and I can't even move without hurting myself. So this is the effect of mana exhaustion; it makes me want to regret my decision, but I know I would be dead right now if I hadn't used my mana at that time. Even though I'm in a lot of pain, I'm grateful to be alive.
I looked around to see whether my guardian was around, but I couldn't find her.
'Where is Asiza?'
Guardians are supposed to be on their contractor's side, but I can't see her. Don't tell me she's still in that lake. I'm not sure how I should feel: grateful that she's not here and that they won't find out the truth, or worried because guardians can't live without their contractors.
Guardians require mana from their contractors in order to survive and grow. My guardian, from what I recall, is still a newborn, so she can't live without me. Will she be okay?
I hope she is, as I can still sense her presence. Because she has become my Guardian, the connection between us is still there, and I can feel that she's still alive.
*Creak*
Carole walks in, followed by the coachman, as the door opens. Carole appears to be safe and fine.
I know she fainted before I used magic, but I'm not sure if they haven't discovered that I can use magic merely by looking at the evidence from the fight.
Carole's eyes widen as she looks in my direction. She dashes over to me and takes a seat beside my bed.
"Sam... You've already woken up." She said that, and then she burst out crying and sobbed uncontrollably while staring at me. "I-I know you're in this situation because of me. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if you don't wake up soon." Her tears are still falling, despite her efforts to wipe them away with her hands.
"Carole, I'm fine... Stop crying right now." I want to wipe her tears, but I can't move, so I'm just staring at her as she sobs in front of me.
"Don't blame yourself, and look at me, I'm alive and well." She comes to a halt and wipes her tears away while looking at me. I smiled to reassure her that I was fine.
Her eyes and nose are bright red from crying. I can also see that she has large eye bugs, and I know she hasn't slept in how many nights. I know she's upset about the situation because her brother is hurt while I'm unconscious. Seeing her breakdown and crying is merely a way for her to release some of the weight she's carrying.
"How long have I been unconscious, Carole?" I waited for her response, but she was still sobbing uncontrollably.
"You've been out for five days now, Sam." When I looked over at the bed beside me, I noticed Noel was already awake and sitting on the bed. The coachman is sitting on a chair, blowing a spoonful of porridge into Noel's mouth.
EH!
I raised an eyebrow, perplexed by the coachman's concern for Noel. What happened while I was unconscious? I wasn't expecting the coachman's face to be so gentle and worried. I still don't even know what his name is, and this situation smells fishy to me.
Noel noticed my expression and laughed, but he still eats everything the coachman spoon-feeds him. It piques my interest and makes me want to learn more about the truth.
When I look at Carole to ask for details about them, I can hear my own stomach grumble, which causes me to blush with embarrassment. When I haven't eaten in 5 days and watch Noel eating, I can't help but feel hungry.
"Wa-wait... I'll go get you something to eat. I forgot you hadn't eaten anything, so please wait a moment and I'll return real quick." Carole moves hurriedly without wasting time.
After Carole has left the room, I return my attention to the two men who appear to be in their own world. I nearly forgot that I should be surprised that I'm out for 5 days because of the view in front of me. The longer I looked at them, the more happiness I felt inside my heart, which made me smile as I saw how cute they are. I'm not sure where this joy comes from, but it makes me want to see them together, which is kinda weird.
"Ahmm... Noel, could you please tell me what happened that night after I fainted?" I don't want to interrupt their moments, but I'm curious if they've already figured out my secret. "What about the man who saved my life?"
Then I remembered the man who had helped me at the time. It's dark, so I can't see his face clearly, but if I see him again, I'm confident I'll recognize him. Because he is the only witness, I'm sure he knows I have mana.
"I don't know the whole story, but the Cleon Guild came and saved us, and if I remember correctly, the Cleon Guild's lord saved you, Samuel. Right, Captain Ken Xylo Riverwood?" Noel smirked at the coachman, who nodded as he wiped Noel's lips to remove the smudge from the porridge and lick it. "I'm still starving." Noel pouted and begged as if he were a child throwing a tantrum.
Why is he addressing the coachman as a captain? I'm going to ask Noel later.
"Okay, I get it. Say aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" The Coachman said this and fed Noel, making his eyes twinkle with excitement as he ate it with delight.
"Mmmmm... Delicious!" Noel licks his lips, indicating that the porridge is tasty, but I know that action appears to be him seducing the Coachman.
After reclaiming the spoon. The coachman licked the spoon until there was nothing left on it.
"Mmmm... You're right, it's delicious." He said this while staring directly into Noel's eyes, sending a message that only the two of them could decipher.
'Excuse me!... Hello! I'm still here...' I want to tell it to them but I stop myself.
I'm not sure I want to stay here and watch these shameless men flirt if that's the right word to describe them. Their eyes seem to act as magnets, drawing their faces closer together; if Noel isn't underage, I'm sure they're kissing right now. I don't think I can stay here and watch them flirt; just watching them do PDA makes my hair stand up, but I must admit that their actions make me blush and feel embarrassed.
Is it possible that I'm exaggerating when I describe them? You can't blame me for thinking otherwise if you can see them right now.
Noel smirked and winked at me as if he knew what I was thinking. Why does it appear that Noel becomes naughty and playful? I'm not sure how they ended up this way, and I'm not sure why Noel seems different than before.
I'm not sure what kingdom that coachman is from, but if I'm correct that he's not your typical coachman, he might turn out to be a captain knight. My only wish is that he loves Noel completely and does not break his heart.
I'm sure they still don't know the truth about what happened that night based on their reaction when I asked them then I remembered something.
(You owe me this one, and I'll wait for you until you pay it back.)
That's right, I remembered my savior saying that to me. The guild lord of the Cleon Guild... Hmmm... I know what he means, and I know I'll have to repay him if I ever meet him.
The door opens, and a priest enters with two nuns, followed by Carole, who is carrying a bowl of porridge and a glass of water. I still have the ring after trying to move my fingers where the ring is, but I can't, so I just sigh deeply.
I know this ring helps me a lot without my knowing how, but judging by how no one uncovered my secret, I know it's partly due to the ring.
The priest and the two nuns then bow their heads in respect to the coachman, who simply nods his head in acknowledgment. The coachman, or should I say captain, appears to hold a higher position than the priest. What is his real identity? If I ask him now, it might seem impolite, so I'll ask Carole or Noel about it if he's not here.
After inspecting my body and Noel's health, the priest exited the room. According to the priest, I'll need three days to completely heal my body, whereas Noel can be discharged right now, but he decided to stay here for me to have company in this room, which I appreciate.
Noel's wounds are more life-threatening, according to what I know, then why does it appear that I'm on my deathbed? It's unfair that I only exhaust my mana and here I can't still move, while Noel was more in a more critical condition than me but he is already healed.
I feel drowsy after finishing the porridge with Carole's help and taking the medicine that was prescribed to me. Carole excused herself when she noticed that I needed to sleep.
Noel and Captain Riverwood, by the way, are not present. They left the room once they know Noel was entirely healed to get some fresh air, and I'm glad they're not here for me to see them do that weird stuff. I'm not sure when they'll return, and I can't wait for him as I fall asleep.