Sebastian opened the door with a subtle bow and gestured for Ray to enter. Ray acknowledged him with a nod and stepped inside, his heart racing with anticipation. The room was elegantly furnished, with a grand desk at its center and a cozy couch against one wall. A couple in their late twenties sat within, their eyes fixed on Ray as he entered.
Ray's gaze met theirs, and a surge of memories threatened to overwhelm him. He suppressed them, not wanting to ruin this moment. The man, with silver hair and scarlet eyes identical to Ray's, sat behind the desk, his expression stern yet kind. The woman, with sky blue hair and emerald eyes, sat on the couch, her face etched with concern.
As Ray approached, his mother - for that's who she was - almost ran to him, her eyes welling up with tears. She embraced him tightly, her touch warm and gentle. Ray stiffened, unaccustomed to physical affection, but his mother sensed his discomfort and loosened her hold, gently patting his head instead.
"Where were you, Ray? We were so worried about you," she asked, her voice trembling.
Ray stuttered, unsure how to address her, but something deep within him responded to her warmth. "I...I was just out, Mother," he managed, the word feeling strange yet natural on his lips.
His father, the silver-haired man, joined them, his eyes filled with a quiet strength that commanded respect. He didn't ask about Ray's injuries but instead instructed Sebastian to summon a doctor. Ray felt a strange sense of comfort in his father's presence, as if he were a rock that could weather any storm.
As they offered him food, Ray realized how famished he was. His parents watched him eat with a mixture of concern and relief, their eyes never leaving his face. Afterward, Sebastian ushered in a doctor dressed in strange white robes, whom they addressed as High Priest Rachel. The doctor examined Ray, pronouncing him fit but in need of rest.
With that, Ray's father instructed Sebastian to escort him back to his room. As they walked, memories threatened to resurface, but Ray decided to confront them in the privacy of his room. He felt a sense of gratitude toward his parents, who had welcomed him back with open arms, and a strange sense of belonging in this grand estate.
As Ray was escorted towards his room, he couldn't help but gaze at the opulent gate that served as his bedroom door. The extravagant use of gold and precious gems seemed excessive, a stark reminder of the wealth and luxury that came with being a member of the Silvermist family. He felt a pang of discomfort, wondering if such extravagance was truly necessary.
Sebastian opened the door, and Ray stepped inside, his eyes widening in astonishment. The room was vast, with a bed that rivalled the presidential suite of a five-star hotel. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling was adorned with gold and gems, casting a warm, luxurious glow across the space. The walls, painted a deep red and gold, seemed to radiate warmth, while the furniture, crafted from the finest woods, exuded elegance. Even the carpet beneath his feet was softer than any fabric he had ever felt.
Ray's eyes roamed the room, taking in the sheer scale of his new surroundings. He felt a sense of disbelief, as if he had entered a dream world. The grandeur of the space was almost overwhelming, a far cry from the simple, austere life he had known before.
With a wave of his hand, Ray dismissed Sebastian, seeking a moment of solitude to process his thoughts. As the door closed behind the butler, Ray lay back on the bed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He felt a sense of trepidation, knowing that the memories he had suppressed were now ready to resurface.
"Now it's time for the memories," he whispered to himself, bracing for the flood of recollections that would soon follow....