Lucian sat in stunned silence, struggling to process Selene's explanation. He had been experiencing strange dreams for the past few days, but he never thought that it might be related to a curse or worse, an evil entity.
He lowered his gaze, his fingers nervously gripping the bedsheet. The thought that something might be watching him right now and even following him into his dreams, sent a chill down his spine.
After several moments of silence, he finally looked up at his sister.
“W-What should I do now, Selene?” he asked, clearly frightened, his voice trembling slightly. “Should we call the Church? Have a priest perform a cleansing ritual or something?”
Selene studied her brother’s frightened expression. For all his usual smiles and mischievous remarks, her younger brother clearly looked terribly pale at that moment. She couldn't blame him. The possibility of being cursed itself was enough to frighten anyone, let alone someone who was already struggling with illness.
She reached over and gently took his hand, giving it a gentle reassuring squeeze.
“No,” she replied softly. “Calling a priest right now wouldn't be a wise decision. We don't even know whether you're actually cursed or not.”
“But what if I am?” Lucian asked, his grip on her hand tightening. “What if whatever I've been seeing in my dreams is real?”
“Then we'll deal with it after we know what we're dealing with.” Selene gave him a small, reassuring smile. “There's no point in panicking over something we don’t know much about.”
Lucian hesitated; before nodding faintly.
“Besides,” she continued, “I'll arrange for someone to examine your fate later. If there's something unusual with you, perhaps they'll be able to tell us more about it.”
“Someone who can examine my fate?” Lucian repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“Exactly. Now, stop worrying about that and get ready.”
“Get ready for what?”
Selene gave Lucian a piercing stare.
“Lucian, you haven't forgotten, have you?”
He blinked at her blankly for a second before a sudden realization struck him.
“Ah!”
His eyes widened.
“Dr. Moore! He's coming for my checkup today, isn't he?”
Selene let out a long, exhausted sigh.
“I'm glad your memory hasn't abandoned you entirely.”
“Hey, I remembered eventually!” Lucian frowned.
“Only after I reminded you.” Selene retorted, raising an eyebrow.
Lucian offered her an awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Right. Thanks for reminding me, Selene. I nearly forgot.”
Selene gave him another piercing stare.
“I'm beginning to wonder how you've managed to survive this long with such a terrible memory.”
“By relying on my wonderful older sister, of course.”
He flashed her his most innocent smile, hoping to escape the scolding he could already see coming.
For a moment, Selene simply stared at him. Then she closed her eyes and let out another weary sigh, silently asking herself what she had done to deserve such a troublesome younger brother.
Honestly, what am I supposed to do with him?
Despite her exasperation, she couldn't help feeling relieved. At least he wasn't dwelling on what happened anymore. She wasn't entirely sure, whether he had genuinely calmed down or had simply found another way to distract himself,
Still, she decided to let the matter rest for now. She was happy that she diverted his attention on a different matter.
She rose from her chair and straightened her clothes before turning back to him.
“Enough with the nonsense. Wash your face and get ready. The maids will bring your clothes shortly.”
“Yes, yes. Understood, Lady Selene.” Lucian said in a sarcastic tone.
“And Lucian?”
He paused just as he was about to climb out of bed.
“Hmm?”
“Don't make me come back here and drag you out myself.”
Lucian immediately sat up straight while raising his hand like saluting an officer.
“Wouldn't need to!”
Selene gave him one last suspicious look before heading toward the door.
“Good. I'll see you downstairs.”
As the door closed behind her, Lucian's smile gradually faded.
For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted back to those eyes in the mirror and his strange dreams.
An evil entity, huh?
He stared at his hands, thinking deeply about it.
Please tell me this isn't going to become a serious problem.
With a quiet sigh, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
Whatever was happening to him, he would have to face it one day eventually.
But first, he had to get through this check up first.
Lucian quickly climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom to get ready. His clothes had already been laid out neatly, with a fresh towel placed beside them. The maids had clearly prepared everything in advance.
After taking a bath and changing into his clothes, he hurried out of his room and made his way to the dining hall. The thought of breakfast was enough to distract him from the unsettling conversation he'd had with Selene earlier.
When he arrived, Selene was already seated at the dining table, quietly enjoying her breakfast.
The table had been set with a simple yet nutritious meal. A plate of multigrain bread sat beside a bowl of warm vegetable soup, accompanied by a small serving of fresh fruit salad. The arrangement was modest but appetizing, perfectly suited to Lucian's delicate health.
“Good morning, Selene!” Lucian greeted her with a cheerful smile as he pulled out his chair and sat down.
Selene glanced at him over her cup, her eyes briefly scanning his appearance.
“Look at that. You managed to get ready without forgetting what you were supposed to do.”
Lucian paused, his hand hovering over a slice of bread.
“Must you remind me of my shortcomings first thing in the morning?”
“Someone has to keep reminding you.”
“I'm beginning to think you're enjoying this.”
“Perhaps.” Selene replied.
She returned to her breakfast with the faintest hint of a smile.
Lucian sighed dramatically before reaching for his bread.
Honestly, what would I do without her?
He dipped a small piece of bread into his soup and took a bite. The warmth spread through him, and for the first time that morning, he felt a little more at ease.
For now, at least, it was just another ordinary morning at the Oakheart residence.
Chapter discussion