Jason slowly helped me into the wheelchair. My body still felt sore, but I didn't complain. Once I was settled, he walked around to the other side of the bed where Serena lay unmoving, her thin arms limp over her lap. Quietly, gently, Jason lifted her onto the older wheelchair we had used before. She didn't say a word. Not even a whimper escaped her lips.
We finally left the room.
As soon as we passed into the hall, the warm sunlight hit my face through the tall glass panels. I drew in a deep, slow breath—my first proper breath in what felt like days. The sun washed over my skin like a memory I'd almost forgotten.
"Sir… what do we do now?" Jason asked from behind, pushing Serena's chair slowly beside mine.
"We need a shower," I murmured. "And breakfast."
Jason nodded, already understanding. "Should I bring a maid to help her?"
"Yes. Try to find one of her personal maids, if any remain. And Jason…" I turned to him sharply. "Don't let anyone know she's here. Don't let them take her back to the mansion. No matter what."
Jason bowed his head. "Understood, sir."
As he left, the large sitting room fell quiet again. It was just me and Serena.
We were alone, but her presence no longer felt unfamiliar. I had grown used to her silence.
She sat, slightly slouched in her chair, her gaze unfocused, staring past the room as if she wasn't really here. Her long pink hair fell softly over her shoulder, brushing against the armrest. I rolled myself closer and gently took one of her hands—the one resting idly on her lap. It felt light, fragile, as if it might break if I held it too tight.
"I'm sorry… Miss Serena," I said, my voice low. "I know my brother hurt you. Deeply. There's nothing I can say or do that will make that pain disappear. But still… I'm sorry. For everything he's done. For everything you've endured."
She didn't speak. Didn't flinch. Her eyes remained distant.
"I know I can't give you back what he stole. But for now, just stay here. Don't see him. Don't let him near you again. Rest. Try to breathe. I know how much you loathe him… I do too."
I lowered my head, ashamed. I couldn't face her. Not after what had happened.
Tears welled silently in her eyes, but still… not a single sound left her mouth.
A while later, Jason returned with a maid—one of Serena's old attendants. She gently helped us both clean up, and by the time we made it to the dining hall, breakfast had already been prepared.
Serena and I sat together at the long table while Jason hovered awkwardly nearby, as he always did. The maid gave him a disapproving look when he tried to sit, but I shook my head and motioned for them both to sit.
"Join us," I said. "Both of you."
Serena didn't even glance at the food on her plate. She stared blankly at the table, unmoving. My heart twisted in my chest. I tried everything—talking, asking, even gently nudging her. Nothing worked.
Eventually, I picked up a fork, scooped a piece of pancake, and held it out to her. She didn't react. I couldn't force her, not like he did. I could never be like him.
So I gave up.
Afterward, I told Jason to take us to the garden. I barely touched my own food. Serena remained silent beside me as we wheeled slowly down the flower-lined path, listening to the birds sing above us. The air was fresh, calm. Almost healing.
Later, under the shade of a tree, I opened a book and began reading aloud—more for myself than for her. But I wanted her to hear something soft. Something human.
During lunch, she still didn't eat. Her maid managed to get her to drink some water at least. It was something.
Time passed that way. Slow. Quiet.
By dinner, nothing had changed. Her untouched plate sat between us like a wall. My chest ached with helplessness.
"Master… at least eat something," Jason said gently. "You'll get sick too if you keep skipping meals."
"I just… I don't have an appetite, Jason," I replied, my voice dull. "I can't watch her like this."
Jason didn't argue.
Night eventually fell, and we returned inside. I was exhausted. We agreed that Serena would sleep in Jason's room that night, and Jason would take the couch outside.
The next morning came like the one before it.
Another shower. Another attempt at breakfast. Another silent walk through the garden. Another book read aloud beneath the trees.
Serena took a few bites today. Just a few.When her maid attempt failed after the second bite.
That night, just as Jason rolled my chair toward the bedroom, Serena suddenly reached out.
She grabbed my hand—firmly. Stronger than I expected.
...
The moment shocked me—my eyes widened.
"Miss?" I blinked, startled.
Then, the questions tumbled out before I could stop them.
"Do you need something?"
She nodded. My heart leapt. She nodded!.
"Are you hungry? Is the bed uncomfortable? Do you need water? Is the room too cold? Are you feeling bored—"
"Master."
Jason stopped me calmly.
Serena still looked distant and hollow on her chair… but I saw it—faint, subtle. She was regaining a little bit of consciousness.
"Ah… sorry. Ehm…" I leaned down to meet her unfocused gaze. "What do you need, Miss Serena?"
Her eyes didn't meet mine, but her grip on my wrist tightened.
"Are you feeling unwell?" I asked carefully.
She shook her head.
"Then… do you need something?" I asked again, gentler.
Still, she said nothing. But her hand wouldn't let go—if anything, she clenched tighter.
"Are you… scared, Miss?" My voice dropped.
A pause. Then… she nodded.
Jason glanced toward the window. "But sir, the room she stays at has curtains—and they're drawn shut whenever she's inside."
I frowned. "Then did something happen today?" I asked, but Serena shook her head again.
Slowly, she brought her other hand forward, gripping the handle of my wheelchair.
"You… want me to stay?" I blinked in surprise.
She nodded.
Jason looked confused, then thoughtful. "Sir, why don't you sleep here? I'll move the table, and you two can use the couch. I'll sleep on the floor."
"I guess we don't have any other choice… Sorry to burden you, Jason."
"Not at all, sir."
And like that, the three of us spent the night in one room. It was the first time I'd slept with so many people in the same space, and oddly… it made me happy. Like a strange, quiet school trip.
After that night, Serena began to get better. Little by little, each day.
She started eating on her own—sometimes half her plate—and she managed to bathe without assistance. We resumed our daily garden walks, and as I read to her under the sun, she'd close her eyes and nap on her chair, soft breezes brushing through her hair.
Weeks passed. A full month and a half.
Serena changed a lot. She began to talk—and eat more regularly. She even walked without the wheelchair now, reading books beside me, and though we still slept on the couch each night, she seemed stronger.
When we read together, she'd usually ask me to read aloud, but I refused gently every time.
"You'll enjoy it more if you read it yourself," I'd say.
She'd pout, but eventually pick up the book and read on her own.
Jason had also grown closer to her. She wanted to help in the kitchen, and though Jason refused at first, I allowed it. Now they cooked together almost every afternoon.
Today, we decided to go a little deeper into the forest behind my small house. Serena brought a cloth to sit on the grass while I remained in my chair.
"Caelis, read your book already. Stop grinning like a fool," she said coolly.
"Hmm? I'm just enjoying spring. You should too—you're way too stiff. Try relaxing a little."
She gave me a half-glare, then shut her book and leaned lightly against the side of my chair, closing her eyes.
"You know, Caelis… I used to dream of traveling the world. That was my dream." Her voice softened. "To climb the Great Wall of China… to see the Taj Mahal… the Great Barrier Reef, the Colosseum…"
She trailed off.
"…Then let's go, Serena," I said, without a hint of hesitation.
She chuckled, the sound light and nostalgic.
"You're serious?"
"Of course I am. I've never been anywhere either. Maybe not now, but someday—at least let me take you to the front gate. I haven't even seen that yet."
She laughed, and the sound echoed across the trees.
"That, for sure, you can do."
We talked about countless places after that—her eyes glowing every time she described one. Surprisingly, she was from Greece. She had come here to study, and somehow ended up entangled with Caspian.
She missed her hometown deeply. She told me so much about herself—how cheerful she used to be, what she wanted to do with her life. Her world was… so vibrant.
Time passed unnoticed. It was already sunset by the time we decided to return. As I was about to push myself back, Serena came behind me.
"I can push myself, you know," I said, slightly protesting.
"Stop complaining. I know you're tired," she answered simply.
Then there was silence. A warm, calm pause as the sun dipped low.
"…Caelis," she murmured.
"Hm?"
"…Thank you." Her voice was quiet.
Then, without warning, she leaned forward—gently kissing the back of my neck.
My heart nearly stopped. It pounded so hard I felt dizzy. My entire body trembled, flushing in a way I didn't understand.
"Pffft! Your skin is so pale, Caelis—i can see you're totally tomato red!" she burst out laughing.
"Ugh…" I groaned, covering my face and lowering my head in embarrassment.
She laughed even harder.