I ended up waking up to the sound of rattling and movement.
I got up and realized I had been sleeping in Donellan's lap. I turned to look at him, my eyes still feeling heavy from sleep.
"Father."
He looked down at me and put his hand on my cheek. "Still calling me father?" He said with a smile but not quite a smile.
I looked in confusion but then remembered what happened in that memory locus which Ms. Levinseon referred to as an echo realm.
When I asked her why it was called that, she explained that echoes or not just sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves but can also be seen as a parallel or copy of an idea or feeling.
Think of this memory locus as a copy of the real world, hence the name echo realm.
I called him daddy when I woke up. I don't know what possessed me to do so, maybe because I was drained mentally and emotionally, but I felt such relief when I saw him.
I can't believe I did something so embarrassing. I haven't even called my own father daddy before and I never dreamed there would be a day where I would.
And yet here I was, calling the coldest man on earth 'daddy' like it was nothing.
Seeing how embarrassed I looked, Donellan did push the topic any further, which I was grateful for, but I could tell he was a little disappointed.
I don't know when I started to consider Donellan as my own father, but I felt like it wasn't impossible for me to say.
What made me hesitate was the fact that I was a seventeen year old boy calling someone daddy. It felt weird, but I decided to bury my pride and my shame and just do it. I am never going to have this opportunity again, so I might as well… right?
"D-daddy." I said shyly.
Startled, Donellan couldn't believe his ears. He felt joy, a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. Suddenly, he had the urge to hear his son say it to him again.
So he pretended like he didn't hear anything. Simuel, knowing fully well he was heard and that this man was simply being petty, sighed to himself.
"Daddy." He said more resolutely. Donellan turned to look at him. "Yes son?" He said in reply. Simuel couldn't help but roll his eyes. The things I do for this guy, I swear.
"Are we on our way back already?" I could tell immediately upon waking up that we were in a carriage, since it's an experience I would never forget.
Riding in carriages made me feel a little uncomfortable at first, but I got used to it after awhile. I mean, I am used to riding on subways or cars so of course this was a feeling I would need to adjust to.
"Yes, we'll be arriving in about thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes?!" I exclaimed loudly.
"How long have I been sleeping for us to arrive in only thirty minutes?" Donellan smiled at my reaction.
"You haven't woken up since we left Igraine Levinseon's lab."
Damn, that means I've been asleep for at least four hours. But I did feel refreshed. That was the best four hours of sleep I ever had.
"I think it would be best if you slept some more. Even though you feel refreshed now, you'll feel tired again soon. I don't want you suffering from too much mental fatigue so rest for now."
Now that he mentioned it, I still felt a little exhausted even though I slept for several hours.
Donellan started patting me on the back and I could feel myself slowing drifting off.
He repositioned me on his lap and held me more securely so that I wouldn't sleep in an uncomfortable position.
Before drifting off, I could vaguely see the manor from a distance, and knew would be arriving soon.
I was happy to be back after being away, I missed my people very much. Thinking about Gwendolyn's nagging and the good food I missed, I fell asleep.
When I woke up again, I was sleeping in a bed, in what looked like Donellan's room. While looking at the window, I could tell it was no longer morning.
The sky looked much darker. Feeling less tired, I got out of bed, and made by way to bathroom that was connected to Donellan's room.
I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a little boy staring back at me. Although I still looked tired and a bit disheveled, I could tell I felt a lot less weaker than before.
I splashed cold water on my face, and patted it dry with a towel before making my way out. When I got back to the main room, I was startled to see Donellan there observing me.
He beckoned me to come closer, which I did.
"I see you are finally awake. How are you feeling?" He asked softly. I felt touched by his concern.
"I feel a lot better than before."
"Good." He said, while picking me up. "It's almost time for diner and you haven't had anything to eat since this morning. Let's go down to eat."
"But I am still in my nightgown." I said in surprise. Donellan looked at what I was wearing and simply said: "Who cares?" And left the room.
Since I felt comfy wearing my pjs I didn't argue back with him and let him carry me downstairs.
We ate well that night since Gwendolyn made sure the chef would prepare only my favourite things.
It felt nice being back, eating at the same dining table, having the same people around me and most importantly, having Donellan, my rather there eating with me.
I felt all warm and bubbly inside at the sight before me.
It was truly great to be back home.