The following day passed quietly, almost too quietly.
Just past noon, Estrella came to fetch me. I already knew why.
The duke had summoned me.
*********
When I entered the room, I immediately noticed that I wasn't the only one present. Standing beside the duke was a man who looked surprisingly young long blue hair flowing down his back, gentle eyes the color of clear skies, and a calm, handsome face that gave off a reassuring presence. He wore a pristine physician's coat.
So this is the physician he found…
The man noticed me at once and smiled warmly.
"Good day," he said in a gentle voice. "My name is Michael. I'll be examining you today."
Beside him stood a woman with soft features and kind eyes. She crouched slightly to meet my eye level, offering a reassuring smile.
"I'm Luel," she said kindly. "We'll do our best to help you."
The duke spoke then, his tone neutral.
"I will simply observe."
That alone was enough to make my stomach tighten.
Why is he suddenly doing all this?
Finding a physician… watching personally…
Michael gestured for me to sit on a sofa. He and Luel took the seat across from me, while the duke sat slightly to the side, his gaze never leaving me.
I felt like a specimen under observation.
Michael seemed to sense my unease.
"Since you don't speak, we'll keep this simple," he said. "You only need to nod or shake your head."
I nodded once.
"Good," he said softly.
He began with simple questions.
"Other than a weak body and difficulty speaking, do you experience any other symptoms?"
I shook my head.
"Any fever in the past few weeks?"
Again, I shook my head.
Michael hummed thoughtfully, then asked,
"And do you know why you cannot speak?"
I didn't respond.
I simply stared at the table in front of me.
The room grew heavy.
Michael and Luel exchanged a brief glance... not alarmed, but concerned.
"I see," Michael said after a moment. "Then we'll proceed with a physical examination."
He checked my temperature, examined my throat and vocal cords, measured my height and weight, and took careful notes. Everything was done gently, professionally.
Turning toward the door, Michael addressed Estrella, who had been standing quietly nearby.
"Does the young master have any known allergies?"
"No, Doctor," Estrella replied quickly. "He eats well and has never shown any reactions."
Michael nodded.
"And as an infant… did he cry? Babble?"
Estrella hesitated.
Her gaze lowered.
"That's… actually the issue," she said softly. "The young master never cried. Not once. He never babbled either. I was worried, so I called for physicians before… but none could explain it."
Michael paused.
"…Interesting," he murmured.
At that word, the duke stiffened.
A memory surfaced unbidden.
The day his wife died.
The newborn in his arms.
No cries.
No wails.
Only silence.
Not once... since the day he was born... had that child ever shown anything.
The duke's eyes darkened as he looked at me again.
Michael straightened and removed his gloves.
"Physically," he said calmly, "there is nothing abnormal. His vocal cords are healthy. His body is weak, yes... but not dangerously so."
Luel nodded in agreement.
Michael hesitated, choosing his words carefully.
"However… his condition is unusual. Not pathological. Simply… rare."
The duke's voice cut in, low and controlled.
"Explain."
Michael met his gaze without fear.
"He appears capable of speech," Michael said. "But there is something inhibiting expression... not just verbally, but emotionally as well. His face does not reflect what he may be feeling internally."
My breath caught.
...So he noticed.
"But to be clear," Michael continued, "this is not an illness. Nor is it dangerous. Some individuals are simply born this way."
Silence followed.
The duke said nothing.
Michael bowed slightly.
"That is my conclusion... for now."
I sat there quietly, my face as neutral as ever.
Inside, though, something clicked.
So that's how it looks to others…*
I could speak.
I could feel.
But to them they think that my lack of speaking and emotions to my face is concerning...
And somehow… that silence had finally drawn my father's attention...
The realization hit me like cold water.
This is bad.
Why was my father suddenly paying attention to me?
I lifted my gaze toward him, just for a moment, and froze.
For less than a second, I saw an expression I didn't recognize on his face. His eyes softened, his brows subtly knit together, as if something painful had surfaced from deep within him.
Then it vanished.
The duke's face returned to its usual cold, unreadable mask.
…Did I imagine that?
Before I could dwell on it, Luel spoke up gently, her voice breaking the uneasy silence.
"My lord," she said, "perhaps it would be best if the young master stayed at the main palace for a time. Being closer to his family may help with his difficulty speaking."
My thoughts exploded.
NO. NO. NEVER.
I screamed internally, every instinct in me revolting at the idea.
Michael's eyes lit up, clearly pleased.
"That's an excellent suggestion," he said with a warm smile. "Children benefit greatly from being with their parents. Especially when the cause of their condition is unclear."
Traitors. Both of them!
I stared at my father, silently begging him.
Say no.... Please say no.
The duke flinched slightly, as if struck by something unseen. His gaze drifted away for a brief moment, unfocused, lost in thought.
I didn't know what he was thinking.
But whatever it was… it wasn't good for me.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"In a week," he said flatly, "the child will be sent to the main palace."
My mind went blank.
…This is the end.
Michael clapped his hands together softly.
"Very well. That settles it."
Then he tilted his head, suddenly remembering something.
"Ah... there's one more thing," he said kindly. "What is the young master's name?"
The room went cold.
I stiffened.
I couldn't answer.
I didn't know it.
The maids had never called me by a name.
They simply said young master.
Even Estrella looked startled.
Michael blinked, surprised, and Luel frowned slightly. The silence stretched uncomfortably—until the duke spoke.
"His name is," the duke said, his voice firm,
"Fainyx Von Nocte."
The moment the name left his lips, something stirred in my chest.
It resonated... deep, unfamiliar, yet undeniably mine.
I didn't know why… but I felt it.
I brushed the sensation aside quickly.
Michael smiled.
"That's a unique name," he said.
Luel nodded in agreement.
The duke stood.
"The examination is complete."
He gestured toward the door, and his aides and servants moved at once.
Michael and Luel bowed politely.
"Take care, young master," Michael said gently.
Luel smiled warmly before following him out.
Estrella lingered for a moment, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at me. Then, reluctantly, she left as well.
The door closed.
Silence flooded the room.
It was just me… and him.
The duke spoke without turning to look at me.
"Prepare yourself," he said. "Pack what you consider important."
I stared at him, my expression unchanged, my thoughts spiraling.
Why does he listen to the physician so easily?
Stress gnawed at me, but my face remained neutral.
I nodded once.
A few minutes passed.
The duke rose, opened the door, and addressed the waiting maids.
"I'm leaving," he said. "I have matters to attend to. In one week, prepare for the child's transfer to the main palace."
"Yes, Your Grace," the maids replied in unison, bowing deeply.
The duke left without another glance.
I remained where I was, dazed.
My plan... to stay unnoticed, to live quietly in the annex.... had failed.
Completely...