"…Mister? …Mister? Are you all right?"
A woman's voice passed through my ears, but I couldn't open my eyes. My entire body ached—painful, sore, and utterly exhausted. I wanted to move, but my strength had abandoned me. Not even a second later, I slipped back into unconsciousness….
I began to regain consciousness as the sound of birds chirping filled the air. Their melodies were soothing, like a gentle lullaby that calmed my restless heart.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. Above me was a wooden ceiling, old and weathered, as if it might collapse at any moment.
Where am I? Whose house is this?
I tried to sit up on the bed and looked around carefully. The room was simple—a hut or perhaps an old house. Despite its age, the place was clean and comfortable. The floor was made of wood, and aside from the bed I was lying on, there was only a small table with two wooden chairs.
The window was wide open, letting in a cool breeze that carried the scent of nature. It felt as though I was deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees.
I stood up and walked toward the window. Outside, dense foliage stretched endlessly. The leaves formed a natural canopy, allowing only a few rays of sunlight to filter through. The light was soft, neither too bright nor too dim, creating a serene atmosphere.
As I gazed outside, footsteps echoed faintly. Someone was approaching—slowly, deliberately. The sound of creaking floorboards grew louder, sending a chill down my spine.
The door opened without a knock or greeting. A shadowy figure stepped inside, carrying something in her hands. As she entered, her face came into view.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her loose, curly hair framed her rounded face, which had a slightly pointed chin. Her black-golden locks shimmered in the light, blending into a wavy cascade that reached her waist. Her smooth skin glowed under the sunlight, and her pink lips curved into a soft smile that was both charming and disarming.
But what caught my attention most were her eyes—multiple irises that seemed to shimmer with a divine light. Dark, shiny pupils were surrounded by a purple rim that blended into deep green, splaying outward with a golden-yellow hue. They were enchanting yet calming, radiating a sense of safety despite the strangeness of the situation.
"Are you already awake, Lucferre ?" she asked softly.
Her voice was like a melody—gentle and soothing, yet strangely familiar. It reminded me of the sound of a violin, delicate and touching.
I couldn't stop staring at her. Slowly, she placed a tray of food on the small table—a bowl of creamy soup, three pieces of bread, and a glass of water. She held the tray close to her chest as she watched me with curiosity.
Suddenly, I realized how she knew my name. When I asked, she pointed to my uniform, which was hanging neatly on the wall.
"Oh…" I muttered, understanding.
My soldier uniform, complete with insignia and medals, looked pristine—as if it had been freshly cleaned. Something about it felt off. Before I lost consciousness, my shirt had been torn and bloodied. Yet here it was, immaculate and new.
Not only that, but my body felt fine. No wounds, no scratches—nothing. Was I dreaming? Or was this some kind of illusion?
Then, guilt and worry washed over me. What about the Prime Minister ?
Quickly, I asked her, "…Did you find anyone else?"
She shook her head, her expression turning sad.
"…Are you sure? I was carrying him in front of me. You didn't see him?"
She remained silent, her eyes downcast.
Frustration and fear gripped me. Where was the Prime Minister now? Was he dead? Lost? To confirm my doubts, I asked again:
"…Miss, where did you find me?"
She smiled gently, her voice calm and reassuring. "Please calm down, Lucferre. This forest is dangerous at night. Right now, it's already noon. If you force yourself to search for him now, we'll surely be stuck there until nightfall—or worse."
She gestured to herself. "As you can see, I'm just a girl. Don't you want to reconsider?"
I insisted that she only needed to give me directions, but she shook her head firmly.
"…If you go now, you'll get lost. I'm not refusing to help you—I just think it's better to wait until tomorrow morning. Don't push yourself so hard. After all, I saved your life. At least appreciate my kindness."
Her tone wasn't angry, but rather playful and sulky.
What she said made sense. I didn't know this place well enough to navigate it safely. Searching now would only put me in danger. Reluctantly, I agreed to wait until morning.
"Thank you, Miss… Sorry, I don't know your name."
"…My name is Theafia . You can call me Thea or Fia , whichever you prefer." Her cheerful demeanor returned, lighting up the room.
The more I looked at her, the more I felt like I'd met her before. "…Hmm… Miss Fia, have we met somewhere?"
She tilted her head, confused. Before she could respond, I quickly explained.
"Sorry, but your face looks familiar. Like someone I know."
She chuckled softly. "Are you trying to tease me, Lucferre?"
She stepped closer, her face inches from mine. I could feel her breath—it smelled sweet, like spring blossoms.
I stumbled backward, stuttering. "…S-s-sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Accidentally, I fell sitting onto the bed. She laughed, clearly amused by my reaction.
"…Men always say things like that when they meet a girl—trying to get closer, maybe. So I'm used to it. But don't misunderstand; it's not about you. If you say we've met before, then maybe you're right. After all, we're destined to be together."
Wait… What did she mean by that? How could she say something like that to someone she'd just met? Maybe she mistook me for someone else.
When I asked, she simply shook her head and smiled.
She moved back a few steps and sat on one of the wooden chairs, gesturing for me to join her. I walked over and sat across from her.
"…Please eat first. It's already been five days since you were unconscious."
Five days?! I stared at her in disbelief. "Are you sure, Miss Fia? Five days? That's like being in a coma!"
She nodded silently, motioning for me to eat. I thanked her and began to dig into the bread and soup.
The bread was warm and soft, tasting better than anything I'd ever had. The soup was equally delicious, its steam still rising in swirls.
"…Miss, your bread and soup are amazing. Are you a chef?"
Her face lit up with joy, though she shook her head. "No, but thank you for the compliment."
"If you want more, I can bring it."
"No need," I replied. "This is more than enough. Three sweet and delicious breads, and one bowl of hot, creamy soup—it's perfect. My stomach is full now. Thank you."
As she stood from her chair, I caught a glimpse of something unusual—a silhouette behind her. Unlike the dark auras I'd seen before, this one shimmered with bright light.
Not wanting to take any risks, I quickly grabbed her hand and positioned myself in front of her.