Aldric sat by the window in his study.
Moonlight spilled across the floor.
A small knock came at the door, then It opened slowly.
Seven-year-old Arthur stood there holding a book.
Aldric blinked."Arthur? You aren't asleep yet?"
Arthur shook his head slightly."I couldn't sleep."
Aldric studied him for a moment."Do you want some company?"
Arthur nodded.
"Come here."
Arthur walked closer.
Aldric lifted him easily and placed him on his lap.
The two of them looked out at the moon together.
Silence filled the room.
Then Arthur spoke quietly."Father… can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you tell me anything about the sword mages… or about grandfather?"
Aldric looked genuinely surprised.
Arthur continued."I learned today that grandfather was the strongest sword mage of his time."
Aldric leaned back slightly."Tell me something first."
"What did you feel when you heard that in class?"
Arthur stared at him for a second, then blinked."What I felt?"
He touched his chest slowly."Well… everyone was looking at me."
He thought for a moment."It felt like our family..."
He shook his head." No. I was in the spotlight.
Aldric nodded."Go on."
Arthur smiled faintly."I felt proud knowing my grandfather was the strongest."
Aldric laughed softly.
He ruffled Arthur's hair."Exactly what I hoped you would say."
Arthur looked confused.
Aldric's voice grew calmer."That feeling… Arthur. That is a noble's pride."
Arthur's eyes sparkled."A noble's pride… So the feeling I had… was pride."
"Yes," Aldric said.
Arthur straightened."Father. I've decided something."
"Oh?"
"I want to become a sword mage who protects others."
Aldric smiled."That's a good dream.You'll become strong, just like your grandfather."
Arthur looked up."You really think so?"
Aldric placed a hand on his head."Of course. After all… you're a Valtoria. My son."
Arthur smiled brightly.
The memory skipped like a broken recorder.
Now Arthur stood before Aldric again but the warmth was gone.
Aldric looked down at him with cold glowing blue eyes."Who are you?"
Arthur froze."I… I am—"
"You're useless to me and to this family."
The words struck like blades.
Arthur lowered his gaze slowly."I am…useless."
——————
Arthur's eyes snapped open.
He was staring at the ceiling, his shirt clung to his skin.
He was drenched in sweat.
Morning sunlight filled the room softly.
Arthur slowly sat up and walked towards the window.
The landscape stretched endlessly outside. Forests… fields… sky.
A knock came and the door opened.
Liana stood there."Good, you're awake. Breakfast is ready... come downstairs."
Arthur didn't answer.
He kept staring out the window.
Liana stood there a few seconds longer.
Then she quietly closed the door.
Outside the room she nearly jumped.
Luca and Mira were standing there."You two! What are you doing here?"
Mira fidgeted."We wanted to check on Arthur."
Luca looked worried."Mum… is something wrong?"
Liana forced a small smile."Everything's fine."
She placed her hands gently on their shoulders."For now let's go downstairs Arthur will join us soon."
Some time later Arthur entered the dining room.
The smell of fresh bread and stew filled the air.
Liana was busy in the kitchen .
Mira and Luca were setting the table.
Liana turned."Arthur, you're here. Grab a seat. Breakfast will be ready."
Arthur walked forward.
Then reached for the tray."I've got it."
Liana looked surprised."Arthur, you don't need to do that. You're a no—"
Arthur spoke quietly."You should probably avoid calling me that. I'm just Arthur."
Liana froze.
Arthur took the tray from her hands."You're giving me shelter.The least I can do is help."
Liana blinked slowly."A noble… doing chores…"
Arthur set the tray down on the table.
"Good morning, Arthur!" Mira said brightly.
"Morning," he replied.
Luca watched him carefully.
Something about Arthur felt strange.
Luca glanced at Mira and Mira glanced at Liana.
Liana only gave them a small reassuring nod.
Breakfast was quiet.
Luca tried telling a joke, but It died halfway through the table.
When they finished eating, Arthur stood and gathered the dishes.
Liana and the children watched.
He washed everything alone .
Luca whispered."Mum… is he really a noble?"
Liana answered softly."I'm not sure myself."
Arthur returned from the kitchen.
He bowed his head slightly."Thank you for the meal."
All three of them froze.
"You don't have to do that," Liana said awkwardly.
Arthur straightened."I'll be off then."
Liana blinked."Going somewhere?"
Arthur simply walked upstairs.
Mira frowned."I thought he was going out."
Liana sighed."So did I."
Arthur closed the door to his room.
He looked around quietly. His gaze stopped at a small bookshelf.
He walked over.
The books were old.
He picked one up and blew lightly. Dust floated through the air.
Arthur carried several books to the floor, then sat down.
The books surrounded him like a small wall.
He opened one and began reading.
Hours passed.
When he finished one book, he placed it beside him.
Another, then another.
Soon two small piles formed.
One finished. One waiting.
——————
Darkness swallowed everything.
Not the soft darkness of night, but the kind that felt heavy… thick… like ink spilled across the world.
The only light existed in one small place.
Right where Arthur sat.
A faint glow fell over him and the scattered books around his feet. Pages open. Some stacked. Some fallen sideways.
Arthur sat cross-legged on the floor. Reading.
Then—
A calm familiar voice slipped out from the darkness.
"So… you've returned to your old habit of hiding in your shell like a snail."
Arthur's eyes paused over the page.
For a second he didn't move, then slowly… he lifted his head.
The footsteps echoed softly . Each step sounded louder than the last in the endless quiet.
A figure emerged from the darkness and stepped into the faint circle of light.
Arthur's fingers stiffened around the book.
His breathing caught."…Conrad."
The man standing before him smiled warmly."It's been a long time… Albert."
Arthur's eyes lowered again.
The page in front of him blurred slightly.
He turned another page slowly as if nothing had happened.
Conrad tilted his head, watching him."I expected you to be happy to see me again."
Arthur said nothing.
The only sound was the quiet rustle of paper as he turned another page.
Conrad sighed and pointed at him."Enough with the silent treatment, Albert."
Arthur finally spoke. His voice came out calm."You seem to be mistaken."
He flipped another page."I am Arthur now. Not Albert."
Conrad let out a long sigh, like a man dealing with a stubborn child.
He walked forward and sat down across from Arthur.
Books crunched softly beneath him.
He reached over and grabbed one from the scattered pile.
The cover creaked as he opened it.
Pages flipped beneath his fingers.
"A fantasy world of sword and magic…" he murmured."How fascinating."
He looked up slightly."It's almost like a dream, isn't it?"
Arthur stayed silent. His eyes remained glued to his book.
Conrad chuckled softly."You say you're Arthur now."
He closed the book slowly."Then tell me something." His voice grew quieter."Why are you hiding in a shell… just like Albert?"
Arthur stopped reading.
His eyes lifted slowly."What do you mean?"
Conrad raised a finger and pointed behind him."Look."
Arthur turned. He froze.
Behind him were endless bookshelves. They stretched out like towering walls. Shelf after shelf packed with books surrounding and twisting around him in strange directions like a maze.
Arthur's eyes widened.
Conrad's voice came from behind him."You shut yourself away from the world."
Arthur turned back toward him.
Conrad spread his arms slightly."And built walls. Walls made of the only thing that ever kept you company." He continued." Books. You're back to being alone again."
Arthur stared at him.
Conrad's voice softened."You're hurting inside. But you've locked your emotions away… so you won't feel anything."
Arthur's gaze dropped.
"…Just so you can keep living without feeling the pain."
Arthur's fingers tightened around his book.
The pages crumpled slightly.
Conrad sighed."That's typical Albert behavior."
Arthur's grip tightened further. His knuckles turned pale.
His voice came out low. Almost shaking."That's not true."
Conrad leaned forward and cupped his hand over his ear."Huh? I can't hear you."
Arthur suddenly yelled."That's not true!"
The sound echoed violently through the empty space.
Conrad's expression changed.The smile faded.
"Alright then."
He leaned forward slightly. "Tell me." His eyes locked onto Arthur's."Who are you?"
Arthur froze.
The question slammed into him.
A memory surfaced. A cold voice. Sharp and disappointed.' Who're you ?' Aldric's voice echoed in his mind.
Arthur's fingers trembled.
Conrad continued calmly."Are you Albert? Arthur the noble son? Or are you simply… Arthur?"