Now, You Miss Me.

4.

By the slight furrowing of his brow, it seemed like he was checking the flow of mana. Although he wasn’t a mage, I could tell because I had seen Dante do this a few times before.

The subconscious mind is truly frightening.

Even though I had vowed not to pay any more attention to Dante, I could still catch his every move in an instant.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Not wanting to engage further with him, I replied curtly. I had nothing more to say.

“Now, I will ask a few final questions to ensure there are no issues with your thoughts or speech.”

Oh, this was a bit different.

The priest and the doctor focused on my physical condition. Their questions were along the lines of ‘Is your physical condition alright?’ But now, Dante was checking if there were any problems with my thinking or speaking.

Dante took a notebook and pen from the bag he had brought. There was an air of mystery about him as he sat on the chair near the bed.

“Do you have any memories from before you woke up?”

I had memories as Julie Liv, but as Serenity, I had nothing to say. It wasn’t like I could bring up that story either.

It was more than enough to say that I didn’t.

I shook my head firmly.

“No, there aren’t any.”

“Even something very simple will do.”

Dante persistently inquired.

“Are you sure there’s nothing?”

“Yes, I have nothing.”

“Trying to recall memories isn’t a bad idea. Please think carefully. It could be of help…”

Dante’s face as he spoke was filled with anxiety. Seeing him furrowing his brow and showing impatience was quite surprising to Serenity.

She had woken up without any issues. There was nothing she needed…

But unable to overcome her curiosity, Serenity finally asked.

“…What do you mean by it could be of help?”

“It could be used to create data for those with similar symptoms.”

Ironically, hearing that made her think of Julie Liv first.

‘Snap out of it. This is Dante Odrayen we’re talking about.’

He was the man who paid no attention to whether she was sick or not, busy with his own work even when she was in pain.

It had nothing to do with Julie.

Yet, she became curious. If it wasn’t for Julie Liv, then who could it be for?

“Who is it for?”

“Oh, I thought I was the one asking questions.”

Dante skillfully deflected her inquiry.

“You might be confused, not having woken up for long, and your memories might not be fully intact.”

“I want to know who it’s for.”

She had no reason to conform to Dante’s tempo. Serenity asked directly, without beating around the bush. The corners of Dante’s eyes slightly lifted, a mannerism often seen when he didn’t like something.

In other words, it was his way of saying he felt uncomfortable right now.

The previous Julie would have immediately apologized or tried to soothe his feelings, keeping a good relationship with Dante. However, the situation was different now.

‘Let it be as it may.’

Serenity cheekily retorted.

“It seems that there’s something in the questions you’re asking. If my memories can be of use somehow, you should at least tell me.”

“For someone who’s been in a coma from birth until now, you speak quite well.”

He sharply prodded her. Surprisingly, his sharp tone eased her tension. It was easier to handle because it resembled how Dante usually treated Julie. She had expected questions like this and was even somewhat disappointed that they had come so late. Serenity replied confidently.

“The knowledge inserted by the magician was absorbed as is.”

The magician inserted knowledge, but she didn’t know if it was absorbed properly. However, Serenity stated it as if that were the case. Both the lord and lady, Cordelia, the physician, and the clergyman believed her words. A case like Serenity’s was unprecedented.

“If there’s a reason to remember, I feel that I can make more of an effort as well.”

Although there was nothing to remember. It was easy to align her words with what Dante wanted, as it was clear what he was seeking.

“Julie Liv.”

“…What?”

The reason for questioning Serenity’s memories was “Julie Liv”?

“Lady Julie, the second daughter of the Liv family, has been in a coma for a year. She is in a situation similar to Lady Serenity, so we are currently gathering information that might help her.”

Her mind went blank.

“…Why?”

Serenity’s words popped out without her realizing it. She genuinely couldn’t understand. Whether Julie Liv was asleep or not, she was no longer useful.

The elemental heir had already been determined.

Julie Liv had neither her family’s authority nor power.

“Did she take poison or something? Was she brainwashed?”

But before her was the same Dante she had always known.

Dante’s gaze was piercing.

“Should you really be saying that much? Lady Serenity. I try to maintain my manners, but I do have a line. Please stop here.”

Dante stopped talking but didn’t correct Serenity’s question. At that moment, Serenity realized.

“Oh my…”

Dante Odrayen.

He was genuinely collecting information to awaken Julie Liv.

Ridiculous. Because Serenity Zeros had become Julie Liv.

The fact that Dante was trying to wake up Julie Liv in front of the person she had become was amusing.

At any rate, it was only natural that Serenity’s actions would be bewildering. She acknowledged it willingly. Because she was Serenity.

“I’m sorry. I heard about Julie Liv, but… I was curious about her relationship with Dante Odrayen.”

“I’ve answered your question, so you should also provide the answers you desire. If you recall anything, please tell me immediately.”

Dante extended his hand as if he was unfazed by Serenity’s apology. His initial politeness when he entered had disappeared, and the Dante that remained was the one Julie was familiar with.

“If I’ve wronged you in some way, you should be able to do this much.”

Dante muttered quietly. It felt like an unspoken pressure. He was gradually becoming more like the Dante Odrayen Julie had known.

‘Could it be… Could he really be asking this kindly?’

Unreasonable thoughts kept floating through her mind. Serenity shook her head. There was no way she would make an effort for Julie’s sake.

“Is there something that comes to mind?”

Serenity pretended to wrack her brain. It was to show proper respect for the serious question.

“No.”

“I thought as much.”

Then why bother asking? Serenity squinted her eyes.

“I’ll come to visit again in a week. If anything comes to mind by then, please let me know.”

Having decided that there was nothing more to gain from Serenity at the moment, Dante stood up. He closed his notebook and gathered his belongings from his bag. Before leaving, he locked eyes with Serenity.

Serenity stared at him with a bewildered expression.

“Have a good day.”

“Yes.”

Serenity sat on the bed, accepted his farewell, and watched him leave the room.

‘…He’s coming again?’

Serenity knew that Dante was a persistent person who worked diligently for what he wanted. Dante spent most of his time in his study, and if he encountered a problem, he would tenaciously work on it for hours or even days.

However, Serenity believed that his behavior was limited to scholarly pursuits. This was the same person who refused to use magic and insisted she should solve her own problems, even when she had a bruise from an encounter with Yulia.

But what had happened in the past year? She couldn’t help but wonder.

Dante Odrayen seemed to be behaving differently, and she wondered if Prince Wyatt or Clagen might have changed too, although she considered it unlikely.

‘…but you never know.’

It was a small doubt, but it made her curious. Finding out why they were asking about Julie could be important.

‘I can’t trust people.’

She worried that investigating this matter might raise suspicions about her.

So she focused on regaining her physical condition to be able to go out on her own. Even though Serenity had already made significant progress toward regaining her strength, she had to be cautious. She had received care from doctors, clergy, and even a magician.

‘ …What is Dante thinking?’

The image of Dante bidding her a cheerful farewell came to mind. She couldn’t understand him at all.

But one thing was clear.

‘I won’t give Dante any information.’

She had no information to give him, but Serenity was unaware that Dante’s madness wasn’t limited to him.

* * *

After the doctor, clergy, and magician had all visited, Serenity finally received a clean bill of health.

The Zeros family and Cordelia were pleased to hear that she could lead a normal life by being careful with her diet, engaging in exercise, and building her strength. Cordelia, as the captain of the knight order, had to return to work.

On the day before her return to work, Cordelia arranged for Serenity to have some time alone.

“May I come in?”