"What's wrong with this father and son duo?"
That thought immediately crossed my mind. Ever since last night, Dennis and Sandy had been showing up unexpectedly in my room, sending me from one shock to another.
It was starting to get on my nerves, especially since my sudden headache from yesterday hadn't gone away this morning.
Perhaps these strange encounters were triggering my pain because, honestly, I'd never experienced anything like this before.
But now, would it be right to turn down little Sandy's invitation to study together?
I hesitated. I was in no mood for this. But then again, aside from waiting for the DNA results, building a good relationship with the young prince could be highly advantageous in the long run.
Moreover, this was the first time Sandy had ever shown any inclination to be close to me. After considering it, I just couldn't bring myself to refuse him.
"Oh, of course, my dear Sandy. But first, give me a moment to freshen up a bit, okay? I'm still so sleepy and haven't quite woken up yet." I managed to say as sweetly as possible, despite the dryness in my throat.
Sandy nodded obediently and went back to his own room, settling at the desk with his books, waiting for me to join him.
When I returned after splashing some water on my face, I didn't feel much more awake. But seeing the boy sitting there patiently waiting for me, I forced myself to put on a bright smile and sat down beside him.
"Well then, what would you like me to teach you today?" I asked, clearing my throat.
Sandy opened his notebook and pointed to a section on fractions.
Fractions for a five-year-old? Wasn't that a bit advanced? Kids his age were usually still learning their alphabet.
How peculiar.
But regardless of how unusual Sandy might be, he was still just a child who needed guidance like any other.
Apparently, Sandy had taught himself most of what he knew simply because he found it interesting. However, fractions had proven to be a stumbling block, so he'd sought my help.
Of course, I had no problem showing him how to solve it. And though I only went through it once, Sandy grasped the concept almost immediately.
But my fatigue kept creeping up on me, and I couldn't hold back my yawns.
"So here, this fraction, five-thirds, is already in its simplest form, and can't be reduced any further. Ah… Ah… Haizz…"
The yawns kept coming, one after another, until my eyelids began to droop. Just then, Sandy spoke.
"Will you… will you leave again?"
I blinked, startled, unsure if I'd heard him correctly.
"Leave? Where would I go?"
Sandy looked at me with his bright, innocent eyes, a hint of melancholy in them.
"I don't know." He shook his head, his soft blonde hair brushing against my cheek. "Will you leave here again…?"
His question and demeanor were so odd, making me uneasy.
Had I been here before?
I searched through my memories, but all I found were empty gaps.
No, I'd never been here.
So why did he think I'd leave?
I kept repeating to myself that I'd never been here, trying to shake off these strange thoughts just as Sandy had shaken his head earlier.
But before I could make sense of it all, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway.
Nadeen had arrived.
Of course, she'd come to Sandy's room, clearly with a purpose everyone could guess. If one of us turned out to be the woman Dennis was looking for, it was obvious that during this waiting period, she would be doing everything possible to win the child's favor.
Just as expected, Nadeen appeared at the door with a sickly sweet smile and a basket of freshly baked cacao candies in hand.
"Oh, Sandy, my dear boy!" Nadeen cooed, completely ignoring my presence despite the fact that I was sitting right beside him.
"Sandy, are you studying already so early in the morning? Shouldn't you take it easy?"
"Sandy, try one of these candies. I asked the kitchen to make them especially for you. Starting your day with a sweet treat will make it much brighter!"
She didn't even wait for Sandy to respond before she started pulling the candies out of her basket and arranging them on a plate.
"Morning time should be spent with someone brimming with energy like me, someone who brings positivity and joy into your day, not with people who have gloomy faces and no prospects…"
That last remark clearly wasn't meant for Sandy, but rather for me, sitting right there in the room.
But Sandy remained impassive, simply observing her actions without saying a word.
Feeling that wasn't enough, Nadeen boldly pulled a chair up next to Sandy's.
"Oh, what are you learning here?"
"Math, huh? Let me teach you."
"But you're such a smart boy, I'm sure you can figure it out on your own, right?"
Nadeen continued talking, but her words were met with silence, as if she were talking to herself.
I'd had more than enough of her sugar-coated words and shameless flattery aimed at winning Sandy over. It was starting to make me sick.
"I'm going to the restroom for a moment, Sandy," I said, standing up and leaving the room. I just needed to get away from her incessant chatter.
But as soon as I stepped out, Nadeen unexpectedly followed me.
I wandered the halls absentmindedly, staring off into the distance at the clouds outside.
Meanwhile, Nadeen crept up silently behind me.
Suddenly, Nadeen sprinted forward, her footsteps so light I didn't even hear them. What was she trying to do?
No one could say for sure, but the look in her eyes—the steely determination and fierce ambition—was nothing like the Nadeen I had seen in the morning or at breakfast. This was someone willing to do anything for what she desired, even if it meant resorting to underhanded tactics.
Nadeen lunged at me from behind, clearly intending to push me down.
But to her shock, I didn't fall.
Instead, it was Nadeen who lost her balance and tumbled to the floor.
Seeing her sprawled out on the ground, I was momentarily stunned.
"What… what just happened?"
I looked at her in surprise, but still instinctively offered a hand to help her up.
But that's when I noticed something—a necklace had slipped out from under Nadeen's collar.
And to my shock, it was identical to the one I had.