“Saeria, you’re awake. How do you feel?” Saeria’s head turns toward the voice, the previously asleep man now sat straight up and fully awake. Alastair’s eyes flicked over Saeria’s form worriedly even though his face showed as much emotion as a stone statue.

  “I… Um.. My body feels okay…. Um…” Saeria’s voice was a bit hoarse as she responded to him, she didn’t realize how dry her throat was until she spoke. Saeria was a bit conflicted about how to address him now that she had her memories as Luka restored.

  “I see…. I will have someone call a doctor…” He carefully placed his hands on the armrests and pushed himself off the chair, taking one step at a time as he made his way to the door. His face was emotionless but his eyes flicked back to Saeria every few seconds. His expression was one of indifference, yet his gaze kept returning to Saeria as if he was searching for a hint of discomfort in her expression. After briefly hesitating at the door, he quickly left. His hurried footsteps could be heard echoing down the hallway.

  In a minute, Alastair was back, with a maid trailing behind him. It was the same brown-haired blue-eyed maid Saeria had seen when she woke up the first time. The maid's name was Noel and she was 14 this year if Saeria remembered correctly. Noel was assigned as Saeria's personal maid when Saeria was 5. She appeared in Sweet Love just as frequently as the main villainess, Saeria. In most routes, Noel died horribly or she was used as a sacrificial pawn by Saeria.

  In the game, Saeria was a cruel and detestable person at face value. But she seemed pitiful and lonely if you knew her backstory. In Sweet Love, Saeria’s mother died when she was 7 due to an assassination attempt, which also left Saeria partially crippled and with her face marred. Her father then removed her as heir the following year, making her believe she was seen as incompetent by her father. After losing her position she spent most of her time trying to prove herself to her family. When she was 9, she was engaged to the second prince, who disliked her because of her emotionless face and misunderstood her often because of it. Later during the events of the game Saeria became desperate to be acknowledged and more people misunderstood her. The misunderstanding led her to become isolated and bitter. She felt abandoned, and her trust in others had significantly diminished.

  “My lady… My lady?” Noel's voice broke Saeria out of her thoughts. She was so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed her standing next to the bed. However, the sound of her voice caused her to snap out of her reverie.

  “My lady, how are you feeling? Would you like some water? Are you hungry?” Noel’s voice sounded anxious as her eyes scanned Saeria’s body.

  “I would like some water. I feel okay, but-” Saeria’s words were cut off by the sound of her stomach growling.

  “I will get you a light meal and water!” Leaving the room as quickly as she could, Noel quickly left. Alastair sat back down in the chair next to Saeria and a few moments later there was a knock on the door.

  “You may enter” Alastair spoke coldly and the doors opened. Standing at the doors was a middle-aged, lanky man with tired eyes and graying brown hair. He had a gaunt face with deep wrinkles, and he was wearing a faded white jacket that was a bit too large for him. He calmly approached Saeria once he saw her.

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  “My Lady, may I check the condition of your body?" He spoke softly as he leaned toward her. His voice was gentle and low, and his expression was kind as he moved closer to her. Saeria’s eyes flicked to Alastair and then back to the man. After looking at the man for a few seconds, Saeria nodded her head.

  The man raised his hands with his palms facing Saeria, as he began to whisper something. A blue iridescent circle started to appear in front of his hands after a few seconds. The circle became brighter and more intricate patterns started to appear the longer he whispered. Slowly what Saeria assumed to be some sort of spell or magic circle reached its peak. The beautifully intricate patterns shifted before locking into place and fading into a soft blue glow.

  ‘This is magic… Its beautiful…” Saeria’s gaze was fixed on the spell as her mind raced.

  “This….” The man’s tired eyes widened as he looked at Saeria. His surprise was evident as his gaze locked with hers. Both Noel and Alastair seemed to become tense at the man’s reaction.

  “Has her condition become more severe?” Alastair spoke hesitantly as his eyes flickered from the man to Saeria and then back.

  “No! In fact, it's quite the opposite. The condition of her body has improved significantly, and there is no trace of poison in her body! In other words, she should be perfectly healthy, other than temporary exhaustion and slowed mana regeneration!” The man became more ecstatic as he spoke.

  “How… How is that possible? The priest of Zelaph said she had a low chance of making it through the night and that it was nigh impossible to live without permanent ailments……Her mana core…” Alastair was in disbelief as he mumbled. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and he was so lost in thought that he didn't realize he was speaking out loud.

  “Her mana core is undamaged and her mana flow is normal. I can't believe it myself. If her mana core were damaged, the mana flow would be disrupted, but in this case, it is normal. This is a miracle.” As the tired man spoke the blue glow faded into nothingness. Alastair stared at the man for a few seconds before grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him.

  "Truly?! Is she really cured of that dreadful poison?!" Despite his expressionless face, Alastair's voice sounded a bit surprised and joyful.

  “Yes truly. However, it is best if she rests for a few more days as we keep an eye on her condition. Just in case there was something that was missed.” The man, whom Saeria assumed was a doctor, seemed to sigh with relief.

  “I see. This is-” Before Alastair could finish his words, there was a soft knock at the door. “Enter.”

  The doors opened to reveal Noel with a cart. As Noel wheeled the cart into the room next to the bed the doctor turned to look at Alastair.

  “I shall take my leave.” Alastair briefly nodded at him after the man spoke and then turned back to Saeria quietly. The man bowed respectfully before leaving the room.

  In just a few moments Noel set up a tray of food in front of Saeria. The food in question consisted of a bowl of yellow soup or porridge, two slices of bread, and a cup of water. Saeria's stomach rumbled hungrily as she stared at the meal. It wasn't much, but it should be enough to fill her stomach, considering her current state. Saeria picked up the spoon set on the tray and slowly used it to bring a spoonful of the yellow soup into her mouth. The taste was neither horrible nor delicious, just okay. It was a bit salty and bland. The bread wasn't any better. It was hard, but it didn't taste bad if you dipped it in the soup. The water though was great, it was cool and refreshing. Just as Saeria finished her meal she noticed that both Alastair and Noel had been staring at her the entire time.

  "Um... is there-" Before Saeria could ask, there was a loud, frantic knock on the door.

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