The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
Her footsteps echoed against polished stone, uneven—no longer measured, no longer disciplined. The composure she had carried so perfectly before had shattered the moment she turned her back.
Tears blurred her vision.
Her breathing trembled.
Still—she walked.
Faster.
Until she reached the medical ward.
The door—
She pushed it open.
Hard.
The sudden sound of wood striking the wall echoed sharply inside the room.
A woman inside—dressed in clean robes, hands mid-motion over arranged tools—startled instantly, her body flinching at the abrupt entrance.
"Wha—?!"
But before the doctor could finish—
The maid had already moved past her.
No greeting.
No explanation.
No restraint.
She walked straight to one of the empty beds—
Dropped onto it—
And buried her face into the pillow.
Then—
She broke.
"We made love each other!" she cried out, her voice muffled but filled with raw, unrestrained emotion. "You said you love me! You said you'd marry me!"
Her fingers clenched tightly into the fabric.
"You said you would never leave me!"
The doctor stood frozen for a moment, eyes wide, trying to process what she had just heard.
Then instinct took over.
She moved quickly—
Closed the door.
Locked it.
The outside world was shut away.
Silence remained inside—
Except for the sound of a heart breaking.
"And yet…" the maid continued, her voice cracking, shaking under the weight of years held inside. "You married a whore… and ran away with her?!"
Her body trembled violently.
"Do you have any idea… how hard it was for me to survive alone?!"
Her voice rose—no longer just pain—
But anger.
Grief.
Betrayal.
"Carrying your child?!"
The doctor's expression changed.
Shock—
Then realization.
The maid's words came faster now, spilling without control.
"Do you have any idea what it's like to hide that truth?!" she cried. "To hide that she is yours?!"
Her grip tightened.
"From our Master…!"
Her breath hitched.
"…From Lady Maria…!"
The room felt heavier.
The air itself seemed to hold its breath.
The doctor did not move closer.
Did not interrupt.
She understood—
This was not something to stop.
This was something that needed to be released.
The maid's voice dropped suddenly.
Quieter.
But no less intense.
"…And now you come back…"
A pause.
"…with children?"
Her fingers loosened slightly.
Her body sank deeper into the bed.
"You have your own children now…"
Her voice trembled again—
But differently.
"You have a daughter… with me."
Silence.
Then—
"…And you don't even remember me?"
Her shoulders shook.
A broken laugh escaped her lips—bitter, hollow.
"You jerk…"
She pressed her face harder into the pillow, as if trying to disappear into it.
Time passed.
Just a few seconds.
But it felt longer.
Then—
Her voice changed.
Softened.
The anger didn't disappear—
But something else surfaced beneath it.
"…Do you have any idea…" she whispered, "…what I felt when I heard you came back?"
Her fingers relaxed completely now, clutching nothing.
"I was happy…"
A tear slipped from beneath the pillow.
"So happy…"
Her lips trembled.
"I thought… maybe…"
She swallowed.
"I thought I could forgive you."
Her voice cracked again.
"I thought… I could finally introduce you to her…"
A quiet, fragile breath.
"To your daughter…"
Silence filled the room once more.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Then—
Her final words came out, almost like a whisper—
But carrying everything she had left.
"I hate you, Lucas…"
Her body stilled after that.
Not because the pain was gone—
But because she had nothing left to release.
The doctor remained where she stood.
Watching.
Listening.
Understanding more than she wished to.
She didn't approach.
Didn't offer empty comfort.
Some wounds—
Needed to bleed before they could be treated.
And this one—
Had been buried far too long.
Outside the room—
Life in the manor continued as if nothing had happened.
Servants walked.
Guards stood.
Voices carried on.
But inside—
A truth had surfaced.
One that had been hidden.
One that had been denied.
And one that would not remain buried for long.
Because somewhere in that manor—
Unaware—
Unknowing—
Lucas stood.
And the past he thought he had lost…
Had already found its way back to him.
The room slowly quieted.
The storm had passed—
Not gone…
But spent.
Eva, the maid, lay still for a moment longer, her face pressed into the pillow, her breathing uneven but no longer breaking apart. The weight in her chest remained, but it no longer crushed her the same way.
Gradually—
She lifted her head.
Her eyes were red.
Her cheeks damp.
But her expression… steadier.
She wiped her face with the back of her hand, then sat up slowly on the edge of the bed. Her posture straightened—not as perfect as before, but enough to resemble the composure she once carried.
Across the room, the doctor watched quietly.
Then, seeing the moment had come—
She approached.
Careful.
Measured.
Not as a physician now—
But as someone who cared.
She sat beside Eva, leaving just enough space to not overwhelm her.
"Eva…" she said gently. "I'm sorry if I pried into your life."
A pause.
"If there's anything you need… or any help you want… just let me know."
Her voice softened slightly.
"You know I'll always be here for you… and your daughter."
Eva lowered her gaze.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then—
She exhaled.
"…Thank you so much, Karly," she replied, her tone firm—but carrying a quiet warmth beneath it. "But I don't think you can help me with this one…"
Karly studied her carefully.
"…Is it about Lucas?"
Eva flinched.
Just slightly—
But enough.
Karly saw it.
And continued.
"If it is because of Lucas…" she said calmly, "then speak to him again."
Eva frowned faintly.
"Introduce yourself," Karly added. "I'm sure he could remember you."
She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms in thought.
"Because there's no way Lucas could forget about you, Eva."
Eva's expression tightened.
"But I did speak to him," she said, frustration creeping back into her voice. "And yet he didn't even remember me?!"
Karly didn't react immediately.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly.
"…But did you even say your name?" she asked.
Eva froze.
"…Or at least introduce yourself properly?"
Silence.
Eva's throat moved as she swallowed.
Her eyes shifted slightly to the side—
Avoiding.
Realizing.
Karly saw it instantly.
And this time—
She didn't hold back.
"Here's the thing," Karly said, her tone more direct now. "Lucas is a renowned knight—a warrior. It's expected that he knows a lot of people."
She raised a finger.
"You can't assume you're the only one he needs to remember."
Then—
She leaned forward slightly and poked Eva's forehead.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Until seven.
Each poke light—but deliberate.
"Eva," Karly said with emphasis, "you do realize there are seven of you."
Eva blinked.
"…What?"
"Seven," Karly repeated plainly. "Seven women who, in one way or another, claim Lucas is theirs."
She began counting on her fingers.
"You."
"His wife."
"Young Lady Maria."
She glanced back at Eva.
"And four others."
Eva's eyes widened slightly.
Karly shrugged lightly.
"You're not as unique in that situation as you think."
Eva stared at her.
Speechless.
Then slowly—
Her shoulders dropped.
"…I'm sorry," she muttered quietly. "I should have said my name to him."
"Yeah—you should," Karly replied immediately, without hesitation.
Eva looked at her.
Karly leaned closer, her tone shifting again—this time, more practical.
"Maybe you should bring your daughter with you," she suggested. "Introduce her properly."
A small pause.
"…Lexy, right?"
Eva's expression softened.
At the mention of her daughter—
Something in her changed.
Less anger.
More… purpose.
Karly nodded slightly.
"Let him see what he left behind," she said. "Not just hear it."
Eva lowered her gaze again.
Thinking.
Processing.
Her fingers tightened slightly against her skirt—
Not in anger this time—
But in resolve.
"…Yeah," she said quietly.
Then a little stronger—
"…Yeah."
She took a breath.
And for the first time since she entered the room—
Her voice steadied completely.
"I'll do that."
Karly smiled faintly.
"Good."
Silence settled between them once more—
But this time—
It was not heavy.
It was waiting.
Because somewhere in the manor—
Unaware of what was about to confront him—
Lucas continued his day.
And soon—
The past he failed to recognize…
Would stand before him.
Not as memory.
But as truth—
With a name.
And a child.
However, the conversation between Eva and Karly had barely settled when—
BANG!
The medical ward door flew open without warning.
"AUNTY KARLY!!! ARE YOU HERE?!"
A small figure rushed inside like a storm.
Both women jumped in surprise.
"Lexy!" Eva exclaimed immediately.
The little girl froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Mother! You're here!"
Before Eva could respond, the child had already run across the room and wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.
Karly let out a long sigh.
"There goes the door again..."
Lexy laughed sheepishly.
"Hehe..."
Karly shook her head before smiling softly.
"Hello, Lexy. What brings you here?"
The seven-year-old blinked.
For a moment, she looked completely lost.
Then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Oh!"
She pointed dramatically toward the ceiling.
"Mom! You won't believe what I saw earlier!"
Eva and Karly exchanged a glance.
"What did you see?" Eva asked.
Lexy's face brightened.
"I SAW AN ANGEL!"
Silence.
The room became very quiet.
Eva blinked.
Karly blinked.
Then both spoke at the same time.
"...What do you mean?"
Lexy immediately began waving her hands excitedly.
"There was a boy with the famous warrior!"
"The famous warrior?" Karly asked.
"Yes! The one everyone keeps whispering about!"
Eva already knew exactly who her daughter meant.
Lucas.
"Anyway!" Lexy continued. "The boy was covered with bruises and injuries!"
Eva's eyebrow twitched.
Karly's expression became concerned.
"But when I saw him..."
The little girl placed both hands over her heart.
"...I think I'm in love."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Eva slowly turned toward Karly.
Karly slowly turned toward Eva.
Neither spoke.
Neither knew what to say.
Finally—
Karly rubbed her forehead.
"You're seven."
"I know."
"You don't even know his name."
"I know."
"You saw him for less than a minute."
"I know."
Karly sighed.
"Then what exactly are you in love with?"
Lexy smiled.
"His face."
Karly immediately covered her eyes.
"Oh, Saints preserve me..."
Eva looked equally defeated.
The little girl continued without mercy.
"Which is why, Aunty Karly!"
She suddenly grabbed the doctor's hands.
"Please teach me how to treat injured people!"
Karly blinked.
"...Why?"
"So I can talk to him!"
Eva nearly choked.
Karly stared at the child.
The child stared back.
The doctor looked toward Eva.
Eva looked toward the doctor.
Neither could find a flaw in Lexy's childish logic.
Eventually, Karly released a long sigh.
"Fine."
Lexy's eyes sparkled.
"But," Karly continued firmly, raising a finger, "Lord Ascirick specifically ordered that they are not to be disturbed."
Lexy's shoulders drooped slightly.
"So I can teach you basic treatment."
The girl's eyes brightened again.
"But I cannot promise you'll get close to him."
Lexy nodded repeatedly.
"That's okay!"
Then she turned toward her mother.
A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Mother is the Head Maid."
Eva narrowed her eyes.
"Lexy..."
"She has authority!"
"Lexy..."
"She's the most important maid in the entire manor!"
"Lexy."
"And I'm sure Mother will need a helper!"
The smile on the girl's face somehow became even larger.
"Hehehe~"
Eva buried her face in one hand.
Karly laughed.
Actually laughed.
The first genuine laugh she had managed all morning.
"Well..." Karly said between chuckles. "The child certainly inherited someone's stubbornness."
Eva glared.
"I wonder whose."
Karly wisely chose not to answer.
After a moment, Eva looked down at her daughter.
Lexy's hopeful eyes met hers.
The excitement.
The innocence.
The pure joy.
How could she refuse?
Eva released a defeated sigh.
"Fine."
Lexy immediately jumped.
"Really?!"
"Yes."
The little girl practically glowed.
"But behave yourself."
"I will!"
"I mean it."
"I know!"
"No running through hallways."
"...Maybe."
"Lexy."
"Okay! Okay!"
Eva finally smiled.
A real smile.
One she hadn't shown all day.
The little girl immediately threw herself into her mother's arms.
"Thank you, Mother!"
Eva wrapped her arms around her daughter and gently patted her head.
The familiar silver hair brushed against her fingers.
For a moment—
Everything felt peaceful.
Then reality returned.
And so did her thoughts.
As Lexy happily chatted about meeting the mysterious boy one day, Eva found herself staring at her daughter in silence.
I suppose they should meet each other someday...
Her eyes softened.
Even if they are half-siblings.
The thought alone made her chest tighten.
Because Bereshith knew nothing.
Lexy knew nothing.
And Lucas...
Her expression darkened slightly.
Lucas doesn't know anything.
Not about Lexy.
Not about the years.
Not about the nights she cried herself to sleep wondering if he was alive.
Not about the sacrifices.
Not about the loneliness.
Not about the child she raised alone.
Eva lowered her gaze.
How am I supposed to explain all of this?
She imagined Lucas' face when he learned the truth.
The confusion.
The disbelief.
The guilt.
Then she imagined Lexy's reaction.
"Mother, that's my father?"
Another sigh escaped her lips.
Exhausted.
Hopeless.
And yet—
A small part of her heart felt lighter.
Because for the first time in years—
The possibility existed.
Lucas was here.
Not a memory.
Not a dream.
Not a ghost from the past.
He was alive.
Breathing.
Walking these halls.
And perhaps...
Just perhaps...
The story she thought had ended long ago had not ended at all.
Perhaps it had only been waiting for its next chapter to begin.