Confusion.
That was his first thought.
Not panic.
Not fear.
Just simply he felt that something wasn’t normal as his usual self.
The boy was still laying on the vast pillow domain, his eyes were looking for any clues which can help him understand this situation but the only thing he was able to look at was the grand ceiling.
"...What is happening?"
The thought didn’t come as his original voice.
It came as a different voice which was soft, uncertain, echoing strangely in his own head and not his usual.
"...Where am I?"
He tried to move.
Nothing.
No response.
No strength.
"...Why can’t I move my arms?"
His breathing was steady, almost too calm for how fast his thoughts were going.
"...Did I die?"
The memory of that whole incident came to him abruptly.
The phone.
The light.
The pain.
The Flash.
"...I definitely died, didn’t I?"
His gaze started looking all around the room again. The curtains were as huge as towers, almost everything in the room had made up of or had gold in it. The stone floor was so polished that it reflected sunlight.
"...This doesn’t look like an afterlife."
Before he could think further—
The door opened.
Softly.
Deliberately.
He heard footsteps but very faint ones as if the person did not want to disturb the peace even while walking.
A young woman appeared into his view.
She was dressed in a neatly pressed maid uniform, the one from the cliches which had black strips and white laces, it also had an embroidered insignia that marked her status as palace staff. Her posture was impeccable, movements smooth and practiced.
And she was—
"...Beautiful."
Late teens, perhaps. Seventeen. Eighteen. No older than nineteen.
Her facial features were gentle. She had clear skin, beautiful eyes, long chestnut hair tied neatly behind her back. There was a warmth to her presence, an easy grace that felt comforting rather than intimidating.
She froze the moment she looked toward the bed.
Her eyes widened.
Then—
They sparkled.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, hands flying to her mouth."Oh—oh my—!"
She rushed forward, skirts swaying as she crossed the room.
"His Highness—Aurelion!" she said breathlessly."He’s awake!"
The boy’s eyes widened slightly.
"...His Highness?"
The maid leaned closer, peering down at him with undisguised delight.
"Look at him," she laughed softly. "So alert already."
She turned sharply toward the door.
"Everyone! Come quickly! Young Master Aurelion has woken up!"
Her voice echoed down the corridor.
"...Aurelion?"
Before he could process that—
The maid slipped her arms beneath him.
Gently.
Confidently.
She lifted him from the bed with practiced ease.
The sudden change in perspective startled him.
"...W—wait—"
No sound came out.
His mouth moved, but only a soft, meaningless noise escaped.
"...Why can’t I talk?"
She held him up in a very secure manner but still soft so, he doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
"Oh, look at you," she said." So lively already."
She swayed him gently from side to side, the motion was slow and soothing which made him even more relaxed.
"He’s not even crying," she said proudly."Such a good baby."
Another maid entered the room, followed by a third.
All similarly dressed.
All attentive.
One leaned closer, eyes looking over him carefully.
"Do you think he’s hungry?" she asked.
The first maid tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Hm... he’s not crying," she replied."Maybe not yet."
The second maid smiled softly.
"He’s just looking around," she said."Such curious eyes."
The boy stared up at them, mind racing.
"...Baby?"
His gaze dropped.
His arms were tiny.
Chubby.
And cute.
His hands also small, fingers were curling inside reflexively.
"...No."
The realization hit him pretty bad.
"...No, no, no."
His heart began to race.
"...This isn’t a dream."
The first maid laughed lightly as he wriggled slightly in her arms.
"See?" she said. "He’s active already."
She adjusted her grip, holding him more securely.
"Such a healthy child."
"...Child?"
The word echoed inside his mind.
"...I’m a baby?"
The world tilted.
Not physically—but mentally.
"...This is insane."
The maids continued chatting, talking over each other as if everyone wanted to comment something about the boy.
"He almosts never cries."
"That must mean he’s comfortable, I guess."
"He always look so beautiful too."
"His eyes are so clear..."
Then—
A sharp, authoritative sound cut through the room.
Footsteps.
Measured.
Deliberate.
Every maid stiffened.
An announcement rang out from beyond the doorway, clear and resonant.
"Make way. Her Majesty, the Empress, is approaching."
The room changed instantly.
The air itself seemed to still.
The maids straightened, expressions turning respectful, almost reverent.
The one holding him lowered him slightly, careful, precise.
"...Empress?"
The footsteps drew closer.
Slow.
Unhurried.
Then—
She entered.
The woman who stepped into the room did not rush.
She did not command attention through force.
And yet—
The moment she crossed the threshold, everything seemed to orient around her.
Empress Selene Valerius.
Her presence was calm.
Quiet.
Absolute.
She was slightly taller than average, posture straight and relaxed , movements so fluid and so noble that made the whole room look only at her.. Her build was slender, elegant a truly timeless beauty.
Her hair was silver-white, soft and luminous, which travelled down her back in a manner which resembled moonlight. She had a golden pin in her hair which made her hair shine even more.
Her eyes—
Pale violet.
Gentle.
Perceptive.
Her vision had a different charm, one which carried authority.
And yet, when they fell upon him—
He felt seen.
Truly seen.
She gave a surprised look.
"No, this can’t be. He can’t be my son."
[To be Continued]