The morning passed quietly at the Hayes residence. Leon had remained unconscious through the night.
Vera was seated near his bed when she noticed a slight movement in his fingers, and leaned forward.
Leon’s eyelids moved, but they remained closed for several moments. He slowly opened his eyes, and his vision gradually cleared as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.
A familiar face came into focus beside him.
"Leon?" Vera said, leaning closer. Leon looked at her, and slowly tightened his fingers around her palm.
"Marcus, he’s awake."
Marcus, who had been speaking quietly with the physician near the door, turned towards the bed. He approached and looked down at his son.
"Leon, can you understand me?"
Leon gave a faint nod. His throat was dry as he gathered enough strength to speak. "Father.."
Vera’s expression softened with relief, and gently brushed his hair.
"I’m here. Don’t try to move yet," Vera said, calling the physician closer.
The physician examined Leon again, checking his pulse and directing his spiritual sense towards his veins. This time, he could sense the boy’s consciousness responding normally. His essence circulated steadily, and there was no indication of damage to his soul.
After completing the examination, the physician turned towards Marcus.
"His consciousness has returned, and his condition appears stable. He is exhausted, but I cannot find any damage from the breakthrough. He should rest for a few days."
"Does he need any medicine?" Marcus asked.
"Not now, my lord. His body is recovering naturally. There is no need to take medicines or anything unless his condition changes."
Marcus nodded. "Continue observing him, and inform me if you discover anything unusual."
The physician bowed and withdrew to prepare his report. Marcus remained beside the bed while Vera helped Leon sit a little higher against the pillows. She brought him a glass of water and held it as he drank a few small sips.
After a moment, Leon looked around the room again. "How long was I asleep?" he asked, his voice still weak.
"Since your breakthrough," Marcus answered. "It’s been two days. You gave us quite a fright."
Leon lowered his eyes. He remembered the empty space, the older Leon standing before him and their conversation.
More than anything, he remembered what he had experienced. The warmth and affection, the happiness of that previous life, and the grief that had come after losing everything. The feelings had not disappeared when he opened his eyes.
A knock sounded at the door, then Roland entered. He had spent the early morning inspecting the guard posts around the residence and arranging the duties of the men stationed there.
With Marcus inside the residence, he had taken responsibility for the necessary household and security matters as the successor to House Hayes.
He had been informed that Leon had awakened, and returned as soon as he finished reviewing the posts. "He’s awake?" Roland asked.
Vera nodded. "Yes, the physician says he’s stable."
Roland approached the bed. The concern on his face eased when he saw his younger brother looking back at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Leon replied.
"Then get some rest. You’ve made us worried, while you slept all day." There was a faint attempt at humor in Roland’s voice, though his expression remained serious. Leon managed a small smile in response.
Roland turned towards Marcus. "I’ve inspected the posts and arranged the next shifts. Everything is in order."
Marcus nodded. "Good. Make sure the household continues as usual. I’ll remain here for now."
Roland nodded at him, and looked back at Leon. He stayed for a while, speaking about ordinary matters, and asked whether Leon needed anything. Leon answered when spoken to, but his responses were shorter than usual.
Roland noticed the difference, but he didn’t question him further, understanding that Leon needed time to recover. After a while, he left to attend to the remaining responsibilities of the estate.
The room became quiet again. Vera remained beside Leon, while Marcus sat nearby.
Leon watched his mother for a while. He remembered the affection he had felt for Mira and Lyra, and the happiness of the life they had shared.
Those feelings had been so strong that even now, remembering them brought an unfamiliar pain into his chest. The emotions he had experienced made it difficult to settle his thoughts.
The affection he felt for his family existed alongside feelings that belonged to his dream life, and he didn’t know how to separate them.
Was the encounter real? Had he truly lived that other life, or had his breakthrough created something that felt real enough to deceive him?
He could still remember the older Leon’s words clearly, but he had no way to prove that any of it had happened.
He then thought of telling his parents. They would listen to him, but what would they think if he told them that he had lived another life, and he had memories of a different family that belonged to him? Would they believe him, or worry that something had happened to his mind?
He couldn’t even make sense of everything himself, and explaining it to someone seemed exhausting. So for now, he decided to keep it to himself.
"Would you like something to eat?" Vera asked.
Leon looked towards her and gave a small nod. "A little."
She called for a light meal to be prepared, while Marcus moved closer, and rested his hand on his forehead.
"You don’t need to concern yourself with anything else right now," he said. "Rest until you’ve recovered."
Leon nodded, and his attention gradually shifted towards the window. He remembered how the emotions had overwhelmed him, and the thought of same thing happening again in the future made him uneasy.
After a while, his meal arrived. Vera helped him eat a little, while Marcus remained beside him, occasionally asking whether he needed anything.
Neither brought up the strange expressions they had witnessed while he was unconscious. They were relieved that he had awakened, and did not want to ask him questions while he was still recovering.