The soft whisper of the morning breeze slipped through the tall windows, carrying with it the scent of dew-kissed flowers and the distant hum of birdsong. Alex sat in quiet contemplation at the edge of the grand bed, clothed now in the noble garments he had found in the wardrobe. The fabric was fine, embroidered with golden thread and fitting as though tailored specifically for him. A reflection of a life he didn't yet understand.
After confirming once again that all three doors in the room were locked — one large to his left and two medium-sized doors, one in front and one to the right of the bed — he returned to the center of the room, still absorbing everything. The room was nothing short of opulent, lined with deep red wood, polished until it gleamed. It was the kind of place he might have seen in web novels or fantasy games back on Earth.
He sat down again, resting his elbows on his knees.
"So… this is real," he muttered. "I'm really in another world."
He closed his eyes. The memory of that endless void, the encounter with the radiant yet clumsy goddess, and the moment Aria — his System — had awakened within him, all played back clearly. He still wasn't sure if this was a dream he would wake from, but the weight of the clothes on his back and the cool air on his skin made it hard to deny.
Just as he exhaled deeply, the sound of a latch clicking made his ears perk up.
The large door to the left creaked open.
A woman stepped through, carrying a silver tray. On it was a glass of milk and a bowl of carefully cut fruits. Her steps were light, measured, practiced — like a professional who had performed this routine a thousand times. She wore a perfectly fitted butler's uniform: black fabric, silver buttons, and a long, flowing coat. Her jet-black hair was tied into a tight bun at the back, and her black eyes shimmered faintly with discipline and fatigue.
But her figure — it could not be ignored. She was tall, poised, and breathtaking. Curves sculpted by nature, her form elegant even beneath the modest fabric of her uniform. In another life, Alex might have blushed or looked away. But now, he simply observed.
What else would one want? he thought idly.
The woman entered without initially noticing him. Her eyes were focused on the tray as she approached the table beside the bed, placing the items down with practiced precision. It was only after she stepped back and turned around that she saw him — sitting upright, watching her calmly.
Her breath hitched.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, her body froze for a split second—and then she screamed.
The cry was raw, startled, and full of disbelief.
Before Alex could utter a single word, she rushed toward him.
"Master Alex!"
She threw her arms around him and held him tightly, her face buried in his chest, her body trembling with unrestrained emotion. She sobbed — loud, heart-wrenching sobs that filled the room and shook her shoulders.
Alex stiffened, startled, but not overwhelmed. She felt warm. Real. Her tears soaked into the fabric of his shirt, and though he didn't remember her, something about the embrace felt genuine.
"It's okay…" he said softly, his hands rising uncertainly to rest on her back. "I'm… I'm here ."
The woman didn't respond immediately. She just cried harder, her breath ragged, her fingers clutching the fabric of his clothes like she never wanted to let go.
Alex had seen grief before — back on Earth. He had seen it in hospitals, in funerals, in the eyes of people who had lost something irreplaceable. This was the same. Whatever this woman had experienced, it had broken her in some way. And now, seeing him again — whoever he was to her — was putting her pieces back together, one fragile tear at a time.
Minutes passed.
Eventually, her cries softened into quiet sniffles. She pulled back just a little, enough to look into his face. Her eyes, red and swollen, scanned him desperately, as if hoping to find recognition in his gaze.
"You're… really awake," she whispered.
Alex nodded. "Yes."
Her lips quivered. "Do you… do you remember me?"
He paused. This moment, too, he had seen in Earth's stories — the tragic reunion, the emotional gamble. He felt bad giving her the answer he had.
"I don't," he said honestly. "I'm sorry."
Her expression shattered.
It was like watching a painting crack down the center. Her hands, still lightly resting on his shoulders, trembled. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. Her whole body seemed to deflate, as if the strength that had carried her into the room had vanished.
Just then, a calm voice echoed in Alex's mind — feminine, warm, and slightly teasing.
["Her name is May," Aria's voice rang softly . "She's been your loyal maid since the age of ten. She took care of you every day during your coma."]
He hesitated, then gently took May's hand and said, "I… I don't remember everything. But… I remember your name. May."
Her eyes widened.
"You… you do?" she breathed.
"I don't know how. It just… came to me."
He was lying, but only a little. She didn't need to know about Aria or the System just yet. Right now, she needed hope.
May's face lit up. Tears began flowing again, but this time they were different — relieved, joyful, cathartic.
She collapsed against him once more, hugging him tightly as fresh sobs wracked her body. But now she was smiling.
"I knew you'd wake up," she whispered. "I waited. I never gave up. Even when the doctors said… even when the Duke…"
Her voice trailed off. But Alex heard enough.
An hour passed. Neither of them moved much. May knelt at his feet, arms around his waist, crying until her eyes dried. Alex stroked her hair gently, his own heart a mix of confusion and sympathy.
Eventually, she looked up, her face blotchy but determined.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I shouldn't have acted like that."
Alex shook his head. "No… it's okay."
She wiped her eyes and stood, regaining the poise of a true attendant. Even in her emotional disarray, her posture and grace were unmistakable.
"I'll bring fresh food," she said. "And then… I'll explain everything you wish to know, Master Alex."
Alex opened his mouth to respond, but she was already moving toward the door. Just before she left, she turned and gave him a look — part gratitude, part hope.
Then she was gone.
Alex sat there, finally alone.
His fingers curled lightly into fists.
This life… this world… the power he now held… and the people who cared for this body before he awakened — all of it was real. Tangibly, emotionally, terrifyingly real.
"Aria," he whispered inwardly.
"Yes, Alex?" her voice responded gently.
"Who was I… to her?"
"You were everything," she replied. "She was abandoned by the world. You gave her kindness. You protected her. She never forgot that. Not even once."
Alex closed his eyes, the words lingering in his heart.
So that was it. He wasn't just a stranger in a new body. He was someone important. Someone loved. And someone who had already made a difference.
Even if he didn't remember the past, he could still shape the future.
And he would.