"Emma!" Anna’s voice rang with pure joy as she leaned forward, her arms outstretched. The sudden movement caused her wheelchair to tip precariously, but she didn’t seem to care as she wrapped her arms tightly around Emma.

Emma stirred, her head pounding and her vision blurred, but the warmth of Anna’s embrace grounded her. Slowly, she sat up, her movements sluggish and deliberate as though her body were shaking off the weight of an endless slumber. The room came into focus... a pale, sterile hospital room bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through enchanted glass windows. She was back in Windfield, safe.

She returned Anna's embrace weakly, managing a small smile. "Sit still, Anna," she murmured, her voice a chuckle. "You’ll fall if you keep hugging me like that."

Anna reluctantly loosened her grip, sitting back in her wheelchair with tears streaming down her cheeks. She wiped them away hastily, her deep green eyes shimmering with relief and joy. A smile broke through her trembling lips as she said, "I’m so glad you’re awake."

Emma nodded, her lips curving into a teasing smirk. "I can see that."

Anna’s face flushed, and she turned away, puffing her cheeks indignantly. "It’s not funny! I was so worried about you!"

The seriousness of her words was undercut by the laughter that bubbled up between them. The sound was light, almost surreal, breaking through the stillness of the room. But as Emma laughed, a sharp pain surged through her head, forcing her to clutch her temples. A coughing fit followed, harsh and unrelenting.

"Emma!" Anna’s voice turned frantic as she wheeled herself to the small table near the window. She grabbed an empty cup and brought it to Emma in haste. "Here, take this!"

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Emma took the cup, her hand trembling slightly as she held it. She glanced at Anna with a faint smile, attempting to dispel the tension. Holding the cup to her mouth, she spoke through it, her voice echoing humorously. "Is this supposed to help?"

Anna let out a soft laugh, though worry still lingered in her gaze. "Stop joking around," she said. Placing one of her hands over the cup, she concentrated. In the blink of an eye, water began to form above the rim, swirling in a delicate dance before dropping into the cup. The liquid rippled gently, filling it to the brim.

Emma stared at the cup in mild astonishment before looking back at Anna. "You’ve awakened," she said, her voice filled with both surprise and admiration.

Anna nodded, her expression a mix of pride and modesty. "Yes," she said softly. "Almost three weeks ago. But there’s still so much I can’t do yet." She brushed her silver-white hair back with a shy motion before adding, "It seems your brother has awakened too."

Emma tilted her head, her thoughts racing. "Ethan?" she asked. Anna nodded in confirmation.

"He started showing signs just a week ago," Anna continued. "He’s already begun lessons. Your mom and dad are so proud of him."

Emma’s brows furrowed as she tried to piece together the timeline. Something wasn’t adding up. She remembered the day she and her mom returned from the Royal Bookstore Opening so vividly... it felt like only yesterday. Yet, Anna had just said she awakened three weeks ago. A sudden unease prickled at the back of her mind.

"Wait," Emma said, her voice tinged with confusion. "When did you say you awakened?"

Anna blinked, slightly taken aback by the question. "Almost three weeks ago," she repeated, her tone steady but curious about Emma’s reaction.

Emma’s heart sank. She swallowed hard before asking the question she dreaded. "Anna... how long have I been asleep?"

Anna’s smile faltered. For a moment, she looked hesitant, as though weighing whether she should be the one to answer. But Emma’s expectant gaze left her no choice. She lowered her head slightly, her voice soft and hesitant.

"Today makes it four weeks," she said.

Emma’s eyes widened, her breath hitching. "Four weeks?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

The words hung in the air like a heavy weight. Emma’s mind reeled, trying to grasp the enormity of it. Four weeks she had been asleep..

And many things had happened just in four weeks...