The water... Cold, viscous, it enveloped you from all sides, pulling you deeper. Bubbles of air rushed toward the surface, but you couldn’t follow them. Somewhere in the distance, a light flickered, growing dimmer. A pool? A lake? Or maybe it was that damned fountain in the old park—the one you’d accidentally fallen into while trying to dodge... someone.

Fragments of memory pulsed in your mind: shouts, laughter, someone’s outstretched hands—and then, only darkness.

Am I dying?

Your consciousness wavered, and then—

---

Hah.

You jolted upright in bed, your heart pounding as if trying to break free from your chest. Your hands clutched the silken sheets—real, tangible. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and birds chirped outside, their cheerful chatter almost mocking your panic.

A dream? No, too real. Too... foreign.

And then—

"Master... Master..."

A voice—soft, melodious, like a drop of honey in a cup of tea. Yet it sent shivers down your spine. Who was that? You whipped your head around, expecting to see someone nearby, but the room was empty.

The door creaked open, and a maid entered—poised, with perfect posture, but her eyes held something... wary.

"Master, please rise. You have a meeting with the Crown Prince today."

Her tone was respectful, but there was a barely noticeable tremble in it. As if she expected you to burst into laughter—or strike her.

The Crown Prince... Right, that man. It was as if fragments of memories stirred in your mind, but not enough to recall everything at once. However, your guest didn’t keep you waiting—he was already in the drawing room, expecting your arrival, while the maid urged you to get up.