III

"He can't remember?" A sudden look of pity appeared on Gohen's face and looked at me.

"I'm sorry." He started to say in a sad tone, "You have gone through a lot. I am happy to see that you are already awake." 

For some reason, I felt that something was off when he said those words. It felt like there's something missing on it when compared to the excited expression he showed a moment ago.

He showed an expression of sorrow and disappointment, and offered a word of sympathy. He then moved and greeted Zane.

Gohen looks at me from time to time when they talk, until he invites Zane to talk in private.

"We'll just be by the door, you can call for us when you need something." Zane said before they head out.

I hid myself within the confines of the blanket as I waited for them to come back. 

How could this be?

Why do I feel like everything that is happening to me is real?

I want to convince myself that I am only inside a dream but from how clear I perceive things, I could not believe that all of these are just the product of my imagination. 

I heard the door open and I immediately took a peek to see who it was. 

It was Gohen And Zane, they are back.

Strangely, they were not that eager to talk to me anymore but they checked up on me amidst their conversation from time to time.

I heard the door open once more and three women chattering to themselves entered the room.

When the one leading them saw Gohen, she paused. It was clear that she didn't expect his presence. She composed herself before she greeted,

"Sir Gohen, I didn't know that you would arrive today." The calm and dignified voice of the woman said. The chatter of the other women who went with her immediately died out. 

Unlike the two ladies that are dressed just like how Zane is, she wore a much more elegant looking dress that extended all the way to her ankles. A belt was fastened around her waist that kept the dress in place and outlines the alluring curves of her body.

She has a different way of composing herself which is very unlike the ladies behind her. Nobleness, elegance and grace, this is how I would describe her.

"Lady Eshurine, apologies if I didn't visit you first before going here." Gohen stood up and faced her, his tall stature towering over hers. 

She did not seem faltered by it as she replied with a warm smile, her demeanor overshadowing his'.

"Don't worry, I don't mind it at all. My husband and I welcome anyone from the household of Doshium." She said.

"You have my Lord's and Lady's utmost thanks." Gohen replied.

She nodded.

"I believe he's the young Lord?" She said and looked at me.

"Yes." Gohen replied.

She smiled at me with a smile full of grace, she must've practiced it more than a thousand times. 

"Hello, young Kael. I'm Eshurine." She greeted me.

At once, she gestured for the ladies behind her and they began to do their work. I noticed that each of them was holding something in their hands. One is holding a tray of food while the other is holding a set of clean clothes.

The maids were just about to approach me but Zane stopped them and instructed to put the things on the side table instead.

"Apologies Lady Eshurine, he has fears of strangers going near him." She briefly explained her actions.

"Oh, is that so?" Eshurine replied and studied my face. "Very well."

She turned to face Gohen and asked, 

"Sir Gohen, do you mind if you go with me? My husband would be very much interested to hear of your journey to the way here." 

"Of course." Gohen replied and looked at me, "I'll be right back, Kael. Stay and rest." He then faced Zane and said, "Zane, I'll leave him in your care." He said and followed Eshurine out of the room.

The maids, I assumed, were quick with their work and did not speak much as they do so.

"Do you need any more assistance, Madam?" One of the maids addressed Zane.

"No, you may go." Zane replied and dismissed the two maids.

Again, I am left alone with Zane in this room. She stood up and approached the side table where the maid put the tray of food. 

The moment she opened the containers, the fragrant smell of food filled the room. I suddenly felt a sense of hunger the moment I caught scent of it. Have I not been in this situation, I would have immediately checked what's on that tray.

Zane began preparing the food for me. When she's done, she puts it on the table near the bed along with a set of eating utensils.

"Come, move out of bed and eat." She said as she grabbed a chair and sat on the opposite end of the small, rounded table.

I looked at the tempting food and at the welcoming look on Zane's face.

I clicked my tongue silently and sneered in my mind, "Ha! You think this kind of bait would make me do as you say?" 

A minute hasn't even passed and I find myself sitting by the table - examining the delicious looking food displayed on it.

I don't feel uncomfortable with Zane, she just has this motherly feel that makes you, subconsciously, open up to her.

The food were unfamiliar delicacies for me, as I can't recognize what they are made of but they look delicious.

I held the spoon and fork as I thought which food I would eat first but then decided to eat them all at once. I am too hungry to choose.

I swallowed portion after portion of food, barely taking any breaths in between.

"Hell, I'm starving." I thought as I realized I'm hungrier than I thought I would be.

While I ate, I looked at Zane, sitting at the other end of the table, through the corners of my eyes.

"Are you alright?" I asked when I noticed that Zane was staring at me for quite some time as I ate. Nearly choking with the combination of the food that is still in my mouth and how unused I am with my voice.

"I'm fine. This is the only time I can see you eat so..." She paused and thought for a while, as if trying to find the right word to describe it, "so...unrefined."

I suddenly froze when I heard what she said and looked at the mess that I made on my tray.

She produces her usual smile afterwards but there was something in that smile that wasn't there before.

I unconsciously slowed down and would look at Zane from time to time while I eat. She has this look that kept putting me off. It feels like she knows something but is just waiting for the right moment to say it.

"Eat more of this," she pointed to one of the foods on the tray. The manner she said those words sounded like it was a command rather than a request.

I didn't notice when but the atmosphere in the room changed as I felt that every move I make and about to make is being observed.

"Go on." She encouraged me. 

I am now absolutely certain that something has really changed. It's not only in her voice or in the room but also in the way she treats me, it changed. 

The spoon suddenly felt heavy on my hand as I moved it and grabbed a scoop from that food. She didn't take her eyes off me until I ate that portion of it.

It must've taken me a lot of time to swallow that smaller amount of food compared to the big bites I just had a moment ago.

"How was it?" Zane asked.

I must've flinched a little when I heard her voice. I became nervous as I thought of what I should answer next. 

I felt a chill run through my spine and a pressure started to appear on my chest.

I remained silent as I didn't know what I should say next. For some reason, I could not bring myself to face her.

Should I say it's tasty?

Too bland?

A detailed description?

What if I answered wrong?

"I know who you are." Her chilling voice said. I didn't notice that the room turned darker and darker as I lost myself in the feeling of dread, anxiousness and fear.

I can suddenly feel a pair of eyes searching through the deepest secrets I have in my mind, the feeling makes me nauseous.

"How did you get inside this body?" I hear her ask. The pressure I felt intensified, her voice was accompanied by an intent, ordering me to answer and make sure that I do not lie.

"A book." I said without thinking. 

I was surprised how quickly I answered her question. I have my own guesses but I have no proof to conclude which of it has triggered all this. Her question seemed intent to search for an answer and it made me say the most convincing reason I have in mind.

"Look at me." She commanded, I can feel that my breath is taken away the moment she did.

I forced myself to resist the urge to look up but my body won't listen to me as I raised my head and looked straight at her.

Her pair of blue eyes glows amidst the dark room and it looks like it could see any falsehood in what I do or tell.

She put something on the table and moved it near me. When she removed her hand, a pendant was revealed beneath.

I immediately examined the pendant down to it's every detail. It's a simple pendant composed of a silver chain, a miniature of a book hangs on it.

An immediate shock ran through me when I saw that book. It's the book that I have found lying on that pedestal, the book that started it all.

"What do you think of this pendant." Zane asked and to which I made an immediate response.

"The book that hangs on it. It's the book that brought me here." I replied and looked at her with disbelief written on my face. 

She remained alert for a few moments, and then released a big sigh. 

The room returned to normal and looked like nothing had happened. The atmosphere became breathable and the darkness retracted out of the room as it returned to its usual brightness.

The tray was still in a mess, the spoon and the fork on my hands still remained in there, exactly like how I remembered before that happened. 

If not for the pendant lying on the table and the great amount of sweat that still remains on my back, I would've thought that I was only imagining things.

A sudden surge of weakness ran all over my body as I caught up to the rhythm of my breathing by taking deep and rapid breaths.

"Finish your meal, you'll be needing it." She instructed and stood out of her seat. Before she reaches the door and goes out of the room she seriously said, "Don't lose the pendant."

I was left so shocked that I wasn't able to react when I heard the door close with a loud bang.