A deal(2)

The water in the bathtub started to get colder, and Ethan got out of there. He dried himself with the towel somehow and dressed himself in fresh underwear and a nightgown.

[Shouldn't you drain the bathtub?]

"No need. It drains itself automatically."

As if in response, there was the sound of water draining from the bathtub.

[Interesting. Is this some kind of magic? And what with that light source on the ceiling?]

What is with these strange questions? It's common sense in this world that everything works thanks to magic. But why is this person asking such strange questions? Where did this person come from? Ethan almost wanted to ask, but remembering how easily that person can become annoyed, he decided against it.

"Yes, they had a magic circle carved. Is it your first time seeing something like that?"

[No, but in my world, these things work without magic.]

"Where are you from?"

Ethan knew that he shouldn't ask this question, but it happened instinctively. He waited for an annoyed response, but it didn't happen. Contradictory to his expectations, the voice responded calmly.

[It's a secret. You wouldn't understand it even if I explained it to you.]

"Um, okay."

With these words, Ethan switched off the light in the bathroom and walked out slowly.

In the time when Ethan was in the bath, the room and his bed were tidied, the curtains were drawn, and the light was switched on. And Ethan, with effort, went and sat down on the chair.

"Um, mister, so how can I become stronger?"

[Before that, we need to find a new way to communicate. People would think you had gone crazy if you continued to talk with air.]

"You're right, mister. How should we communicate then?"

[Try using your mind instead of your mouth.]

Ethan pondered slowly about it.

"My mind..." [Like this? Do you hear me, mister?]

[Yes, I hear you. It's good that we managed to deal with this problem. And about becoming stronger: You should rest now to recuperate. We talk about it after that.]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan stood up, switched the light off, and went to the bed. The night passed without any accidents.

***

The next morning.

[Good morning, Ethan.]

[Good morning, mister.]

Ethan answered, rubbing his eyes.

[How do you feel?]

Before answering the voice, Ethan stretched and yawned.

[Much better than yesterday.]

[Glad to hear it. Then, do your memories come back? Yesterday, you didn't even know where you were.]

[Yes, they come back. Actually, they came back yesterday evening, after I woke up. I know where I am now.]

[So where is this place, then? Where are we now?]

[It's the outskirt mansion near Anselm City. It's in Anselm County. I was in this place before, last summer, at the twins, the daughters of Uncle Karl and Aunt Brenda, birthday party with my mom and dad.]

[Is it right if I assume that Uncle Karl is the count? And you, his nephew?]

[Yes, Uncle is the Count. But I am not his nephew. I just heard that my mother grew up in his family, and our families are friends.]

[So, you are now a member of the Count family?]

[I don't know. My mom grew up in this family, but it was like a guardianship, so I heard.]

[You know what...]

The voice was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.

"Young master, are you awake? May I come in?"

Ethan was flustered by the sudden voice but managed to keep himself together.

"Yes. You can come in."

The door opened, and the maid came in. It wasn't Lena, but another maid. She was around her twenties and had brown hair. If Ethan remembers correctly, her name should be Leta. Her posture and steps were dignified, unlike another maid with wheat-like hair. She came closer to the window and opened the curtains, and the sunlight poured into the room. The sun was already high, but not as high as it would be at noon. It was between nine and ten hours.

[You should really get the clock in this room.]

But Ethan didn't respond. He was too afraid to show strange behavior in front of the others.

"Young master, you should get yourself ready to receive the guests. The doctor from Anselm was invited to check your condition. He is waiting downstairs now. Can I invite him in, or do you need more time to get yourself ready?"

"Uh, okay. You can invite him in."

Ethan was bewildered by this sudden information, but nonetheless, he decided it would be better to finish this checking faster. And hearing Ethan's agreement, the maid made a perfectly executed courtesy and left.

***

Shortly after, there was the sound of steps, and three people came inside the room. Two people were familiar to Ethan. One was his aunt, and another was the maid Leta. The other person wasn't familiar to Ethan.

He wore a khaki-colored three-piece suit with a white shirt and a deep brown tie. His hair was short and deep brown, and he had a well-trimmed moustache and a golden monocle on his right eye. This man showed all his self-confidence by his mere appearance.

But his expression didn't match his appearance. His eyebrows were lowered and furrowed, with a wrinkle between them. And his lips were pressed together tightly. He looked like he had chewed a bug.

When he looked at Ethan, his face became even more displeased. His hazel eyes narrowed, and his gaze became sharp.

"Ethan, this is Doctor Lee. He will check your condition."

Brenda Anselm introduced that person. She didn't notice Doctor Lee's expression because he stood behind her.

"But before that, I have a question."

Doctor Lee's voice was low, as if he were trying to control the overwhelming anger that was rising inside of him.

With such words, Doctor Lee walked forward, bypassing Brenda and Leta brazenly. His gaze was still piercing, and his steps were strong. Ethan involuntarily shuddered. The doctor swung his right hand sharply and pointed it at Ethan.

"Why is this kid still alive?! Can anyone answer me?"