LYSANDRA'S POV
That dream was strange, we're both staring at each other with tension but surprisingly it's not uncomfortable. I sense a familiarity with that figure. I don't know if I'll be thankful that my dreams was cut off but a part of me is curious. I wanted to ask that figure but she's not answering.
Her eyes were emotionless and strangely I felt some connection.
"Lysandra!! Thank goodness you're fine! A maid came rushing to my quarters and inform me you're shaking violently!."
…
"My dear are you alright?", mother asked.
Am I shaking? I was just..
just at peace right now.
I stared at her blankly and confused.
A young maid with chestnut-brown hair approached us with light, careful steps. Leaning close, she whispered something into my mother's ear.
I paid it little attention and simply turned my head in the opposite direction.
"HEUK—!"
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
An elderly man was standing right beside me, staring through a pair of spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose.
When did he get there?!
My heart lurched in my chest. For someone his age, he moved frighteningly quietly.
"F-Father?"
Everyone went silent.
"My, my.. she really did hit her head"
An unfamiliar voice burst out from the door with giggles and he's clearly mocking me.
"Calling the family physician as a father will surely spark some unwanted rumor."
While he's still talking, he approaced my mother with a warm smile.
"Right mother?"
He took her hand with elegance as expected of a noble gentleman, leaned forward to place a gentle kiss.
Mother merely smiled, clearly accustomed to his charming behavior.
Right? why did I assume that he's my father? Mother clearly told me that he's handsome as a statue. What an exaggeration.
This might be my brother.
After he leaned forward, he straighten his pose and shifted his gaze towards me.
"You're not my sister are you?"
…
It was a dead silence. No one dared to move. I almost hear my heart pounding.
Both of us just stared at each other when, suddenly, a brooch flew in from behind and struck him on the head. Someone must have thrown it from the back.
"OWW!"
He clutched his head and turned toward the direction where it came from.
A noble man walked towards me with calculated steps, the kind of steps that never hurried nor stumbled—like the world will adjust it's pace for him.
His cloak swept lightly behind him, embroidered with a crest I had seen so many times in my room. The gold threading and embroidery caught the light as he moved, it's almost as if it's ceremonial.
I can't believe such person exist
People around him shifted aside without being told, as if distance was something he naturally commanded.
"Father! You don't have to do that!", my brother protested.
Ah so it was him—my father.
The word should have felt familiar and warm. But it didn't settle anywhere inside me that it as supposed to. Maybe, I was never felt that I have a father in Earth. My father was a very busy man in Earth, I was grateful of him being hard working and being so financially secured. You know, you need to have a lot of money to achieve being a physician and an engineer. He's so hard working that I never see him for years. He just wired my allowance and that's it. Emotional connection? None. But for me, he's a good father.
The Duke however, I couldn't tell what kind of man he was to me.
Was he kind? I mean yes, he is. I heard he nearly loses his mind during the assassination.
I searched his face as he drew closer. Composed and unreadable in the way noblemen often are (as I read in the novels).
He looked at my brother.
"I had to do it. You're scaring her."
He then shifted to my mother and nod in acknowledgement.
"Honey, I'm glad you're back.", mother said with excitement.
"Report."
He commanded the family physician beside me.
The family physician straightened his back and face the Duke.
"Your Grace… I must report this as plainly as I can so that everyone can understand the situation."
He slowly reached his hand in the bridge of his nose and touch the bridge of his eyeglasses frame
"The young lady's body has little to none movements for thirteen long years. By such neglect of motion, her flesh and muscles naturally grown weak, and her limbs lack the strength to support her weight."
He put his hand down with a slight bow.
"She is unable to walk at this time."
The Duchess suddenly losses her balance and young Duke catches her.
"Be careful mother."
"Continue.", the Duke instructed.
"With steady care, proper nourishment, and gradual exercise, she may yet regain her strength but it shall require much time, patience, and caution before she may stand on her own again."
I looked at the physician beside me, with his long year of expertise, he sure knew a lot. Fortunately, Physicians in this world are not that bad at all.