Chapter 2
Why was he in the woods? Did someone take him from the hospital and leave him there? What could anyone achieve by doing that? It seems illogical.
Everything feels so strange, and he finds himself in a new environment. He isn't sure if he can trust these people. Maybe it was part of some experiment. Whoever is behind it, or whatever it is.
‘It's not out of the question either.’
Considering that…
“By the way, my name is Happy and I'm your doctor.”
‘What kind of name is that!?’
It may seem strange, but he had come across even weirder names before. He realized he shouldn't rush to conclusions.
She then gestured to the serious man standing behind her. His presence was imposing yet understated, a silent guardian in a tailored suit that seemed to blend seamlessly with the elegant surroundings.
“This is my bodyguard for today, but you can just overlook him.”
She said with a casual wave of her hand as if dismissing the very notion of needing protection in such a refined setting.
The man bowed gracefully but remained silent, his expression unreadable. There was an air of professionalism about him, a quiet strength that suggested he was more than just a mere bodyguard.
‘He resembles a butler.’
He thought, taking in the man's immaculate appearance and poised demeanor.
He turned his attention back to the doctor, who was now observing him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
“Nice to meet you… Besides the palace, which country is this?”
He asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling in his mind. It might sound silly to ask, but at this moment, he didn't mind. He just wanted to know where he was on the planet.
The question felt like a lifeline, a way to anchor himself in a reality that had suddenly become disorienting.
“This is the Fides Empire.”
“…Fides Empire?”
What is going on?
There is a prince in a palace, and this land is called the Fides Empire. He has never heard of an Empire like this where he comes from.
‘I must have bumped my head. I need to take a break.’
In short, he needs to send these two away. He wants some quiet.
“That sounds good. You know, I'm really tired. Can I take the day off to rest…?”
He said he would rest all day to make sure they wouldn't return later.
This place is really large and he might be able to slip away later to explore by himself. It’s risky, but that’s part of the excitement.
But, instead of being wary, the doctor gazes at him with sympathy.
“I can see why you feel that way, given that you were in a coma for three years.”
He was shocked by her words.
“…What did you say?”
“Yes, I held off on telling you because I didn’t want to catch you off guard.”
If what they are saying is true then those voices…
‘Was that what it was?’
Why he could hear voices while being unconscious? Because he was in a coma?
Some people believe that individuals in comas can hear their loved ones. Yet, this has only been reported by patients and has not been confirmed. Is it typical to be aware the whole time? And to recall everything that occurred while you were unconscious so clearly?
“So, you are saying, is that it's been three years since you took me in?”
“His Imperial Highness, yes.”
“Right.”
He was brought into the so-called Fides Empire, abandoned in the middle of a forest for some reason, found unconscious by the 14th prince, and taken in out of pity. The prince took care of him for the past 3 years, and now he is awake.
“Hmm…”
“Was it too much?”
He observed the doctor closely. She looked worried and didn't seem to be faking it. Should he ask for more information?
Even though he knows where he is now, he still doesn't understand where this country is on the continent. He feels distrustful of these people. They might be the ones who took him and are pretending to be helpful.
“I'm fine.”
“All right, if you say so. May I ask about your condition? I need to make sure you are all right.”
He doesn't feel anything aside from a slight headache and numbness in both his hands and legs. Considering he was supposedly in a three-year coma, his body was in better condition than he had expected.
Now that he thinks about it, this is the first time he has felt better since he was admitted.
The doctor hummed after hearing his explanation.
“Just a headache and numbness?”
She asked, her voice steady and reassuring.
“Yes. Other than that, I'm completely fine.”
He replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. It was strange to admit that he was feeling better, almost as if he were tempting fate by voicing it aloud.
“I see.”
Her eyes focused on him, but her mind was clearly elsewhere as she jotted down notes. He had to endure the sound of her quill scratching against the paper, a rhythmic noise that felt oddly out of place in a world filled with sleek screens and digital interfaces.
‘Why the heck is she using a quill?’
Their technology is so outdated, he mused.
She kept inquiring about how his body felt, and he answered her without hesitation. He had no other plans, and it looked like the doctor wouldn't respond to his questions until he finished answering hers.
“I believe that's all for now. Based on what I've seen, you seem fine. Just to confirm, we'll do a physical exam tomorrow.”
The doctor said, her tone professional yet warm.
“Alright…”
“For now, I can only provide you with headache medicine.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and I'll also conduct some tests. A blood test, for instance, if you haven't heard of it before."
"Okay."
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The doctor smiled, even though his voice sounded a bit lazy as she put away her quill and papers.
“I guess you're getting bored. Do you need anything?”
Finally, they asked the question he had been hoping for!
“Do you have a phone? I want to call my mother.”
He asked carefully, trying to appear innocent.
Doctor Happy didn’t seem suspicious of his request, instead, she looked puzzled. She was lost in thought, considering whether to let him use a phone.
He glanced at the bodyguard, who looked just as confused.
Their response was not what he anticipated. Is it strange to want to reach out to your mother after being in a coma for three years?
‘Yes, I'm an adult, but…’
Is it really uncommon to look for your mother after becoming an adult?
At that point, Doctor Happy finally chimed in.
“I can assist you in getting in touch with your mother, but what exactly is a phone? Is it a type of gadget?"
“…Are you serious right now?”
He replied, incredulity washing over him.
“Is it not it?”
“You really don’t know what a phone is…? Is that what you mean?”
Was that the reason for the delay in their response?
“It's the first time I've heard of it.”
The doctor revealed.
What…?
Which part of the continent do these people live in? Phones are a big part of everyone's life today. He has never seen anyone without one in his whole life.
Had the world changed so drastically during his absence that even the simplest forms of communication had become foreign to him? The thought was unsettling. He had envisioned a world where technology had advanced, but he never imagined it would leave him so disconnected, so isolated.
As he processed this revelation, a wave of frustration surged within him.
“You know, a phone… a communication device?”
The doctor smiled, understanding.
This made him breathe a sigh of relief, as it seemed she was finally starting to grasp his needs. Unfortunately, that was far from the truth.
“Oh! Like a contact mirror! Luckily, we have one you can use.”
“A what?”
Did he not make it clear he wanted a phone or any communication tool they had? The doctor didn't respond and told her bodyguard to fetch a mirror.
“I will be back shortly. Kindly wait for a moment.”
After the bodyguard walked away, he glared at the doctor.
“I don't want a mirror. I want a way to communicate.”
“I understand. That's why I'm bringing you a mirror.”
“… .”
Doctor Happy pretended to be innocent while ignoring his request.
‘…Am I really in a mental hospital?’
At first, he thought “phone” and “mirror” sounded the same in their language. That's why he thought of using the word “communication” instead. Even then, the doctor kept telling him the same thing: that a mirror was on the way and he could use it as a communication device.
No matter how much he tried to explain, the doctor wouldn't hear him therefore he decided to stop trying.
Haaa.
“You've sighed four times today. Can you share what's bothering you?”
“It doesn't matter. You won't pay attention.”
“I will! It's my job as your doctor.”
She seems set on understanding his feelings. Perhaps it's worth another attempt?
“… .”
“…I really need to reach my family.”
“I understand, which is why I'm giving you a contact mirror. You can use it to contact your mother.”
“See, you're not even hearing me.”
“I am-”
The doctor was interrupted when the door swung open, and the bodyguard walked in with a medium-sized mirror that allowed him to see his whole face.
The bodyguard gave it to him, and he accepted it with a neutral look. He had expected a fancy mirror with jewels, but this one was quite simple.
"I'm shocked."
However, what shocked him more were his eyes.
“…What the fuck.”
“What's going on?”
He paid no attention to the doctor and focused on his reflection in the mirror. The room around him faded into the background as he became engrossed in the image staring back at him.
His face looked unchanged, yet, as he leaned closer, he noticed the subtle details that told a different story. His eyelashes now matched the shade of his hair, looking washed out against the pale skin of his face.
And his eyes—oh, how they had transformed! What was once a dull brown had blossomed into a vibrant green, sparkling with an intensity that seemed almost otherworldly.
In the past, he had been the epitome of youthful charm, with a face that turned heads and a smile that could light up a room. But now, as he stood before the mirror, he had to acknowledge that he looked attractive in a different way. His long hair flowed like a silken waterfall, framing his face and accentuating the sharp angles of his jaw. The distinct colors—silver white and emerald green—created a tapestry that was uniquely his own.
The man in the mirror was not just a remnant of his past but a new version of himself, one who had embraced change and emerged with a captivating allure that was all his own.
“You have the contact mirror and have the means to connect now, so what's stopping you from reaching out to your mother? You were very eager to talk to her earlier.”
He cast an annoyed look at the doctor.
“Surely you can see that I am using it to assess my appearance?”
He was admiring himself, literally and shamelessly, right in front of their faces.
The two remained silent, watching him closely. It made him uneasy as if they were judging him. Was that what they had been doing all along? It gave him chills.
“Long ago only the rich had contact mirrors. Now, contact mirrors are sold everywhere. It's surprising that you don't know how to use one.”
“Huh!? How do you even use a mirror!?”
Is she hoping to see him break the mirror out of frustration? He's really losing his patience.
Doctor Happy laughed at his response. Luckily, she didn't seem upset by his reaction.
“I will show you how.”
Without waiting for his reply, the doctor grabbed the mirror and adjusted it to show her whole face.
“IG ID No. 1873905, Haunted Palace #124, North Wing of the Imperial Grounds.”
He tilted his head, puzzled by the Doctor's words.
Suddenly, the mirror began to swirl, revealing a man with a round face and round glasses. He wore a doctor's robe, and the setting resembled an old clinic.
“… .”
“… … .”
Huh? What just happened?
-I apologize for how I look!
The doctor laughed at the man.
“Don't worry about it, it's fine!”
-What can I help you with, Doctor?
“Nothing much. I'm just showing our prince's patient how to use the contact mirror.”
The man adjusted his glasses, looking curious.
-Did he finally wake up? That's wonderful news!
While they spoke, his mind was scattered.
A man showed up in the mirror. They were chatting. What is happening here!?
Confusion washed over him. What was happening here? Was this a trick of the light, a figment of his imagination, or something more profound? The chatter of the doctor and her assistant continued, oblivious to his stunned reaction.
The man in the mirror seemed to be listening intently, nodding in agreement, as if he were privy to secrets that eluded the very fabric of reality.
“Sure! I'll share the details with you later.”
-Catch you later.
Doctor Happy turned the mirror once, and it went back to its original state. She handed it to him with a bright smile.
“It's fairly simple. Just pinpoint three key details about the person you want to reach out to. For instance, I managed to get in touch with my assistant by using his employee ID number, the name of the palace where he works, and the building's address.”
“… .”
“If your mother lives outside the Imperial Grounds, you probably know her official name, identification number, and the name of her city, town, or village.”
“… … .”
“One potential issue could be if your mother doesn't have a contact mirror, as that would make it difficult for us to contact her unless we seek help from the guild to find her.”
She kept talking, but he wasn't paying attention. Her words went in one ear and out the other. He wasn't taking in anything she said.
“…Is this a joke?”
He asked after the doctor finally stopped speaking. He wondered if the mirror was just a screen and if they were playing a trick on him.
“Why would we do that?”
Her face seemed sincere, leaving him confused.
“Can I borrow it then?”
“Of course!”
Doctor Happy handed over the mirror without any reluctance.
He grabbed it and quickly examined it. Despite his thorough inspection, he found no evidence of wires, chips, or indications that it was a prank. The mirror appeared to be genuine.
“Is it okay for me to break this?”
The doctor was surprised by the unexpected question and quickly stood up. She looked at him in disbelief.
“Why would you want to do that!?”
“I can't?”
“But that item is expensive!”
“Yeah? I'm aware.”
He could tell its worth just by the mirror's substantial and high-quality design. It definitely had a luxurious feel.