Theresa blinked in confusion, still caught between sleep and wakefulness. The sarcophagus had risen to a forty-five-degree angle, yet she lacked the strength to sit up.
After a moment, she slowly lifted her right hand and gently rubbed her eyes.
The unfamiliar ceiling above her felt strangely comforting, bathed in a faint warmth that resembled sunlight.
Only then did she realize how utterly weak she was. Even the simple act of trying to rise demanded immense effort. When she managed to lower her gaze, she noticed she was not wearing any clothes.
Yet what drew her attention was not her lack of clothing, but the fact that the fatal wound she once bore had completely vanished. There was no scar, no trace of injury. Her skin was smooth and unblemished.
She tried to speak, but even forming words proved difficult.
Her eyes moved slowly until they settled on the young man standing beside the sarcophagus. No, not a boy. A man.
"Can you hear me?"
It was a voice she had not heard in a long time, one that made her want to cry in secret. He turned toward her, still as striking as the day they first met. Time seemed to have left no mark upon his face. He remained as handsome as ever, though his expressive eyes now carried depths she could not yet comprehend.
"Blink if you can hear me."
Theresa blinked obediently.
"Blink if you still recognize me."
She blinked again, more rapidly this time.
Seeing her response, he smiled then held her cheek.
"Theresa... You're as beautiful as the day I lost you."
Theresa closed her eyes, feeling Felix's touch after so long.
After few seconds, Felix retracted his hand and continued.
"Theresa, you were attacked by assassins during your last mission. But that wasn't what pushed you into a coma or brought you to the brink of death. Passing the Black Crown to Amiya drained your life force to a level as fragile as an infant's. Using Originium Arts on the Doctor only accelerated your body's collapse."
"This is the year 1097. Three years have passed since that day."
"Your body has recovered. However, without the Black Crown, your Originium Arts may never return to their former level. Now… wait a moment. Let me help you up."
He reached out to her, then paused as if recalling something. Instead of pulling her upright directly, he gently took the hand that lay at her side. When he realized she lacked the strength to sit up on her own, he hesitated briefly before slipping an arm behind her back and lifting her into his arms.
A princess carry.
Theresa closed her eyes slightly, savoring that fleeting warmth. Only then did she remember she was still completely naked. Despite her long life, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. Perhaps only someone as naïve as she could still feel this way after everything she had experienced.
He laid her gently on the bed and reached for a blanket to cover her, but she shook her head lightly to stop him. With visible effort, she tightened her abdomen and pushed herself into a seated position.
"Is that supposed to prove you're strong?" Felix asked as he sat down on a nearby chair.
"I just wanted to know what it feels like to be carried like that… Is that not allowed?"
Theresa smiled faintly, resting her head against her folded arms. "Could you bring me a coat?"
"Okay."
Felix agreed without hesitation. He had seen Theresa unclothed more than once before.
He suspected she was aware of that as well, though she had never spoken of it.
He retrieved clothing from the wardrobe, returned, and handed two pieces to her before sitting back down on the sofa and turning his gaze toward the window.
He waited outside while she changed.
He found himself thinking of the Doctor, who had lain in bed for years and, upon awakening, had been immediately pulled up by Amiya and thrown into directing battles and retreats with remarkable energy. If the Doctor could manage that, there was no reason Theresa could not.
Unexpectedly, it seemed Theresa had outmaneuvered him in a single move.
"Um… what style of clothing is this?"
Her voice was still weak and fragile, yet curiosity colored her tone.
Felix turned to look at her. The outfit she wore was modern and practical, yet it accentuated her noble bearing and graceful figure.
He opened his mouth, then fell silent. How was he supposed to explain the aesthetic?
If he had to pinpoint it, the closest comparison would be a Final Fantasy style, the kind most popular among players.
With that in mind, Felix had instructed the mechanical factory to forge equipment in that style while answering inquiries accordingly.
"These are clothes and equipment I designed after gathering feedback from adventurers."
"Eh…"
Theresa let out a soft sigh, her gaze following the floating figure that had appeared before her.
The Clever hovered up and down, observing her with equal curiosity.
"And this…?"
"Clever," Felix replied. "A portable terminal equipped with artificial intelligence. It's also a partner. You'll have one of your own in the future."
Theresa had always been a patient person. Rather than overwhelming him with questions, she began quietly observing her surroundings. The modern bedroom did not feel entirely unfamiliar, but what truly caught her attention was the scenery beyond the window.
Why is the land moving? Why is it drifting farther away?
"Where are we now?"
"On a landship, like Rhodes Island," Felix replied with a smile. "This is the Venus, completed while you were asleep. It carries the ideals of Tomorrow's Development."
"Time passes so quickly…" Theresa paused, then smiled softly. "Or perhaps even the most difficult feats become simple in your hands."
Felix shook his head, unwilling to take the credit. "I was only a guide. In the end, it was the people of Terra who made the choices, reached the decisions, and helped build and operate this ship."
"Oh?"
Theresa smiled, her lips curving faintly.
She rose carefully, still a little unsteady, and reached out her hand to Felix. "My throat feels dry. May I have something to drink?"
At her gentle request, Felix instinctively conducted another thorough assessment. Theresa had once been the Sarkaz king and was a long-lived being. The Doctor could not compare to her. In such a short time, she had already regained much of her strength. Still, before drawing conclusions, the operators from the medical department would need to perform a complete examination.
He also sensed that her mental state felt different. It was not deterioration from prolonged sleep. Rather, compared to the Theresa of the past, the present Theresa felt more like a teenage girl.
Once, she had borne the weight of the Sarkaz upon her shoulders. Compassionate and merciful, her eyes always carried a sorrowful gentleness, as though her smile might shatter at the slightest touch.
Now, she no longer gave him the impression of Sarkaz king Theresa. Every smile, every word, felt closer to that of a girl next door.
At the very least, she had never acted coquettishly before.
Felix had ensured her room was fully furnished, including a small kitchen.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Something sweet…"
"Then let's make fresh apple juice."
He picked up an especially red apple from the fruit basket. "It's not apple season in Kazdel, and we're not known for exporting them. Victoria's apples are sweeter. But Kazdel's apples have their own charm. They're crisper."
"Eh?"
Theresa sat beside him and gently rested her head against his shoulder, a trace of disbelief flickering in her eyes. "This is… a Kazdel apple?"
"Yes. It's the second year of harvest. We're self-sufficient now, and we even sell to passing merchants. Kazdel may not be famous for apples, but we are known for tomatoes and peppers," he added with a quiet laugh. "All bright red crops that thrive under the scorching sun."
"Kazdel's… apple."
When Theresa spoke those words, they seemed to carry a quiet magic. She picked up one from the basket, lifted it to her lips, and took a small bite.
A crisp sound echoed softly.
Sweet juice filled her mouth. She looked at Felix, her voice muffled as she asked, "Is it truly… from Kazdel?"
"Yes."
Her bright pink eyes slowly grew moist. Tears gathered, clear and unrestrained, before sliding down her cheeks. She hurriedly wiped them away, yet they continued to fall.
Felix smiled gently. "Kazdel has changed. It has become more beautiful. It's not what you once imagined."
"Mmm…" Theresa's voice trembled slightly. "I want to walk through every street and alley of Kazdel with you."
"You will, once you've fully recovered."
Felix gently clasped her slightly cold hand. "The Kazdel of today will surprise you."
Theresa brushed away her tears with her sleeve and smiled faintly. "Then don't tell me what happened yet. I want to see it with you. No spoilers."
"Alright."
Felix prepared the apple juice while Theresa leaned quietly against his shoulder. For a time, neither of them spoke. The only sound in the room was the steady hum of the juicer.
A moment later, Felix poured the freshly made apple juice into two glasses, handing one to Theresa while keeping the other.
Theresa pursed her lips slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth. It was truly sweet.
She had never tasted Victoria apples before, but she was certain she would always prefer the flavor of Kazdel's apples.
"Where are we heading now?"
She glanced at the passing scenery beyond the window before lifting her gaze in quiet curiosity.
"Kjerag."
"Kjerag… the land of ice and snow?" Theresa's eyes brightened. "I've read about it in historical records, but I never had the chance to visit." She continued watching the landscape drift by.
In her past life, she had devoted everything to Kazdel. Even earlier, when her destiny was already set to become the Sarkaz king, her world had never extended beyond its borders. Before ascending to the throne and after claiming it, she had never once left Kazdel, nor had she imagined doing so. There were always people there who needed her guidance.
Her knowledge of Kjerag came only from books. She had never set foot there. Moreover, since Kjerag had once been closely tied to Victoria and had never waged war against Kazdel, her memories of it were faint at best.
"The New Year is approaching. How do you plan to spend it?" Felix asked.
Theresa let out a soft sigh. "I don't want to cause you trouble, Felix. It would be better if I simply stayed here alone. My current identity would make things awkward for you and for the people of Kazdel. Perhaps it's best if I don't appear before anyone again." She paused, then added with a faint, self-mocking smile, "Doesn't this feel like keeping a mistress hidden away?"
Felix smiled calmly. "It wouldn't matter even if you stood before the people of Kazdel."
"Really?"
Theresa truly did not wish to burden him. She understood how delicate her existence was. That was why she had passed the throne to Felix and entrusted the Black Crown to Amiya. If Amiya had died, everything would have ended. But as long as Amiya lived, even without the crown, Theresa's legacy of leading the Sarkaz for a century would remain. She feared that legacy might cast a shadow over Felix.
Death would have been simple. Living forced her to confront questions she did not know how to answer.
How should she face Kazdel?
How should she face Felix?
"Kazdel was built by the hands of its people," Felix said evenly. "And by my hands, and by the hands of those who will shape tomorrow. Though I am Sankta, I am now Kazdel's sole ruler. The only king. The King of Liberation."
"Theresa, do you wish to reclaim your former identity as Princess, as Sarkaz king?"
"No." This time, her answer came without hesitation. She studied his face carefully. "The mission of Sarkaz king Theresa has already ended."
"What comes next is a new life. As a civilian staff member named Theresa."
"You think too little of yourself. Just a clerical worker?"
"Hehe."
Theresa let out a small, adorable yawn. Felix pulled her gently into his arms.
"I'm… a little tired…"
"That's normal. You need proper rest right now. Don't worry. Clever will monitor your physical data. Nothing unexpected will happen."
He carried her back to the bed and tucked the blanket securely around her.
Her gaze never left him. Her hand clung tightly to his, as though afraid he might disappear.
Gradually, her grip loosened.
Theresa drifted into sleep with a peaceful smile.
Felix switched off the lights and instructed Clever to maintain close observation before quietly leaving her room.
They would reach Kjerag in a few days. I wonder what she looks like now.
Outside the window, snow had begun to mingle with the passing scenery.
Felix returned to the office floor.
From a distance, he spotted a girl standing before the door, two distinctive horns rising from her head. He did not need to look twice. Only one person would wait for him like that.
"Seriously… where did you go just now?" W's tone carried a trace of accusation, though it soon softened into something almost childlike.
"Come in."
Felix smiled lightly and stepped forward. She had not come here out of mere loneliness.
As she approached him, she caught a faint, familiar fragrance.
It stirred something deep within her chest, something that made her eyes prickle.
What was this feeling rising from the depths of her heart?