When the light faded, I felt an invigorating energy coursing through my veins. The decision to activate the "Bouquet of Blood" card seemed wise, considering my current weakened state and potential dangers in this unfamiliar world.
As I took a deep breath, I felt a small pain in my fingertips. Gradually it started to creep through my hands and spread throughout my body.
The pain became unbearable on each passing moment, and my veins started to became visible through my pale skin, the veins were dark in colour and I started to throw up blood.
Panic gripped me as I struggled to understand what was happening. Was this supposed to happen? The message had said the card would purify my body, but this felt like it was tearing me apart from the inside. I stumbled, knocking over a chair as I collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony.
The door to my room burst open, and Eliza rushed in, her face a mask of horror. "Young master!" she cried, kneeling beside me. "What's happening?"
I couldn't answer, the pain too intense to form words. Eliza's voice seemed distant as she called for help, her hands gently supporting my head as I convulsed. Moments later, Dr. Harland appeared, his expression grave as he quickly assessed my condition.
"We need to move him to the infirmary immediately," Dr. Harland ordered, motioning for a couple of burly servants who had followed him. They lifted me in their arms, and I barely registered the movement as they carried me through the castle's corridors.
The journey was a blur of pain and confusion, and by the time we reached the infirmary, I was barely conscious. They placed me on a bed, and Dr. Harland began to examine me more thoroughly, his face growing more concerned by the second.
"Eliza, fetch me the herbal tonic and the cleansing elixir from my bag," he instructed, his voice tense. Eliza hurried to comply, her hands shaking as she handed him the requested items.
Dr. Harland administered the elixirs, his hands steady despite the urgency. The concoctions burned as they went down, but gradually, the pain began to subside. My veins, which had turned a frighteningly dark color, slowly faded back to their normal hue.
"Rest now, young master," Dr. Harland said gently, his face softening with relief as he observed the effects of the elixirs. "The worst is over."
I nodded weakly, grateful that the excruciating pain was fading. My body felt drained, every muscle aching, but at least the immediate danger seemed to have passed. I closed my eyes, exhaustion pulling me into a restless sleep.
As I drifted into unconsciousness, fragmented images and memories began to swirl in my mind—flashes of unfamiliar faces, and strange landscapes came into my mind.
"Is it Rian's memories?" I mumbled while drifting In the vast darkness.
The darkness around me seemed to pulse with a life of its own, and as I drifted in and out of consciousness, fragments of Rian's memories continued to flood my mind. Faces, places, and emotions blended into a surreal mosaic, each piece a glimpse into the life I was struggling to understand.
Suddenly the scenery changed, I was now standing In field filled with light blue flowers, at the center there were a tree and I saw a women and a young boy.
I recognised them, it was Rian's younger self and his mother. It was the happiest memory in his life before his mother before she passed away.
I suddenly jolted awake from the sleep, my eyes were filled with tears. I couldn't control my emotions.
Rian's emotions and memories were flowing in my head, Eliza who were standing nearby suddenly hugged me while comforting me, her embrace was warm and reassuring.
"It's okay, young master," Eliza whispered softly, her voice laced with concern and affection. "You're safe now."
I clung to her, my mind reeling from the onslaught of emotions and memories that weren't entirely my own. The bond between Rian and his mother was so powerful, that it left me feeling as though I had lost someone dear to me.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally pulled away from Eliza's comforting embrace, wiping the tears from my eyes. My breath came in shallow, ragged gasps as I tried to regain control of myself.
"Thank you, Eliza," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry... for worrying you."
"You don't need to apologize," Eliza said firmly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead. "You've been through so much. Just focus on resting and recovering."
Dr. Harland then slowly walked up to me and said, "Young master, your body is extremely weak so don't do anything hard for the time being."
I nodded in agreement and asked them to leave me alone for a moment needing some time to process everything that had just happened. Eliza hesitated for a moment, concern still evident in her eyes, but she respected my request and quietly left the room with Dr. Harland.
As the door clicked shut behind them, I was finally alone with my thoughts. The room was eerily quiet, the only sound being my uneven breathing as I tried to calm my racing heart. I felt a lingering ache in my chest, not just from the physical ordeal I had just endured, but from the flood of emotions and memories that had overwhelmed me.
I stared at the ceiling, trying to make sense of it all. The pain, the visions, the memories of a life that wasn't entirely mine—it was too much to take in. Rian's past had merged with my consciousness, and now I was left with the burden of carrying not just my own experiences, but his as well.
The memory of his mother—the warmth of her smile, the gentle way she held him—felt so real, so vivid. It was as if I had been there, in that field of blue flowers, feeling the same love and happiness that Rian had once known. But that joy was now tinged with sorrow, knowing that those moments were lost to time.
I couldn't help but wonder what kind of person Rian had been. What dreams and ambitions he had, what fears and regrets. And now, somehow, I was expected to carry on in his place, in this strange world that I barely understood.
"Why would EmperorOfSnow send me here? He said that this is a gift. But it doesn't feel like that" I started to speak to myself.
I slowly tried to get down from the bed, my aim was the journal that Rian had kept, I want to learn more about him the previous owner of my new body.
But I couldn't even walk properly, my legs were powerless and I fell down with a thudding noise, Eliza and Dr. Harland immediately rushed back into the room, alarmed by the sound. Eliza gasped, her eyes wide with worry as she hurried to my side. "Young master, you shouldn't be moving around yet!" she scolded gently, helping me back onto the bed.
Dr. Harland frowned, his expression was stern. "I told you that your body is still weak," he said firmly. "You need to rest, not strain yourself. Whatever you need, Eliza or I can get it for you."
I nodded, feeling the weight of my exhaustion. The frustration of my own limitations gnawed at me, but I understood their concern. As much as I wanted to delve into Rian's past, my body wasn't ready for it.
Eliza must have sensed my reluctance, as she exchanged a glance with Dr. Harland before turning back to me. "Young master," she said softly, "please let us help you. You don't have to carry this burden alone."
There was a sincerity in her eyes, a deep care that made me feel a little less isolated in this strange world. I managed a weak smile, appreciating her kindness.
"Thank you, Eliza," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try to rest."
Dr. Harland nodded approvingly, his stern expression softening slightly. "Good. Rest is what you need most right now. You've been through a tremendous ordeal, and your body needs time to recover."
As I settled back into the pillows, Eliza sat near my bed while stroking through my hair, Eliza's gentle touch was soothing as she continued to stroke my hair, her presence a comforting anchor in the midst of my turmoil. The rhythmic motion helped to calm my racing thoughts and slowly eased the emotional storm within me.
Dr. Harland busied himself with organizing the room and checking various medical supplies, his efficient movements a reminder of his expertise and dedication. Occasionally, he would glance at me with a concerned expression, ensuring that everything was as it should be.
The room's quiet atmosphere, punctuated only by the soft rustle of Eliza's movements and the occasional clink of medical instruments, made me fall asleep again, as I slowly fall asleep I heard Eliza speaking to me.
"Rest well young master", Eliza was worried about me and I slowly drifted into the depths of sleep.