"How are you feeling?" Lady Valeria inquired, commanding attention as she sat with regal authority upon her adorned cushioned throne.
As soon as news reached Lady Valeria that Ethan had regained consciousness, she wasted no time summoning him to her chambers. Intrigued by the events that had transpired, Ethan obediently followed, curious to uncover the mysteries that lay before him.
Glancing towards the room's entrance, Ethan caught sight of the woman who had been the first to lay eyes on him when he awoke. However, her gaze swiftly averted, betraying a hint of unease or perhaps secrecy.
Taking in the grandeur of his surroundings, Ethan shifted his focus to Lady Valeria, the formidable head of the household. With measured composure, he replied, "I don't feel any pain, if that answers your question".
Valeria's laughter filled the air, a melodic sound that echoed through the opulent chamber. "That is indeed reassuring to hear," she chimed, her voice laced with genuine relief. "You had us all deeply concerned. Two months of unconsciousness is a considerable duration."
Ethan's gaze remained fixed on the ground as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "Two months... It is quite a prolonged period," he mused softly, his gratitude evident in his words. "I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the care you have provided during my recovery."
Valeria waved away his gratitude with a graceful gesture. "No need for such pleasantries. It was my duty as the lady of the house to ensure your well-being," she stated with a hint of authority. Yet her curiosity lingered, and she continued with a penetrating gaze. "However, I am intrigued to learn how you ended up in such a debilitated state."
Ethan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he met Valeria's inquisitive gaze. "What do you mean?" he queried, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Valeria's attention turned to Anna, the woman who had discovered Ethan's weakened form. Anna stood silently by the entrance, her eyes downcast, indicating her involvement in the matter.
Valeria motioned towards her, introducing her role in the encounter. "Anna was the one who stumbled upon you, lying helpless in the depths of the forest. She described your body as being engulfed in such intense heat that she could not touch you without a protective cloth."
Ethan's gaze shifted towards Anna, briefly acknowledging her presence. After a momentary pause, he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and resignation. "I... I have no recollection of what transpired. As a mere traveler, it is likely that I fell victim to a monster attack or some unforeseen peril."
Valeria's expression softened, a glimmer of sympathy crossing her features. "Indeed, the forest harbors many dangers. It seems fate has intertwined our paths for a reason, young travelers. You are safe now, under my protection".
Valeria gracefully redirected her attention towards Anna, her voice carrying a gentle command. "Anna Dear, kindly escort this young man to the changing room and provide him with appropriate attire. We cannot have him parading around in such a state of undress."
Ethan's words stumbled forth, interrupted by a sense of concern. "I apologize, but I don't have any money on me for new clothes, I don't think i..."
Valeria's interruption was swift, her tone firm yet filled with warmth. "Come now, worry not about such trivial matters. Anna will ensure you are properly attired. Your well-being is of utmost importance to us."
Before Ethan could complete his sentence, Anna stormed forward with determined purpose, seizing his hand in hers. Without hesitation, she propelled him out of the room, leaving no room for further discussion.
Valeria observed their departure with a serene smile, her eyes glimmering with intrigue. "Well now, it seems he will prove to be an interesting plaything," she murmured softly, her voice laced with anticipation.
...
Anna led Ethan through the sprawling halls of the grand house, their footsteps resonating against the polished floors, amplifying the vastness of their surroundings.
With a gentle slide, Anna opened the door, unveiling the changing room before Ethan's eyes. "Here we are. Take your pick from the array of garments," she instructed, gesturing towards the myriad of clothing adorning the racks within the room.
Ethan stood beside her, his gaze wandering across the spectrum of fabrics and styles. Contemplating his options, he turned to Anna, his curiosity unabated. "If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me where this place is?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine interest.
Anna sighed, her patience wearing thin. "That is not a matter for you to concern yourself with," she replied curtly, leaning against the wall and folding her arms across her chest. "Focus on getting dressed and inform me when you are finished."
Sensing her dismissive tone, Ethan opted not to push the matter further. Respecting her request, he quietly entered the changing room, closing the door behind him, enclosing himself in solitude as he embarked upon selecting his new attire.
As Ethan perused the collection of garments, a voice suddenly reverberated within his mind, a presence both familiar and enigmatic.
{Well now, you appear rather composed given the circumstances. Although, I must admit, I am not entirely surprised, considering your disposition.}
Ethan, unfazed by the intrusion, continued his search for suitable attire, his focus undeterred. "Lilith, where have you been lurking all this while?" he responded calmly, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity.
{I wasn't lurking, my dear. I was merely conserving my energy, for you must understand the immense power I had to channel during our ritual,} Lilith's voice echoed within Ethan's consciousness. In his mind's eye, he envisioned a realm shrouded in darkness, the ground beneath him moist, as if standing upon a fluid surface.
Undeterred by Lilith's enigmatic response, Ethan maintained his composure and carried on selecting a cloth that suited him, seemingly unperturbed by the ethereal presence within his mind.
With the chosen attire adorning his frame, Ethan engaged in conversation with the ethereal presence known as Lilith. "Tell me, during the two months I lay unconscious, were you awake and vigilant?" he queried, his voice laced with curiosity and a tinge of gratitude.
{Naturally, my dear. How else could I fulfill my duty of safeguarding you?} Lilith's response resonated within Ethan's mind, her protective nature evident in her words.
Satisfied with her answer, Ethan stepped out of the changing room, finding Anna still patiently waiting. As he approached her, his thoughts turned inward, directed towards Lilith. 'In that case, I can assume you know where this place is, correct?' He pondered silently, hoping for a response from the enigmatic entity within him.