Dream Visit.

The medicine made my eyelids heavy, and the dull ache in my head clouded everything like fog over glass. But even in that haze, I could sense something had changed.

The room had fallen into a tense silence. Even the two bickering brothers—who had earlier treated me more like a burden than a patient—stood frozen, quiet. Why? Why were they suddenly silent?

I forced myself to tilt my head, just enough to glimpse the doorway.

Someone had entered.

Someone powerful.

My vision was still blurred from the drowsiness, but I could make out the figure's silhouette. He moved with silent authority, each step radiating an overwhelming pressure. The atmosphere had shifted the moment he stepped in—as if even the air had bowed in submission.

He wore a deep charcoal black coat adorned with intricate gold embroidery. A high-collared inner shirt peeked out from under a dark vest, and a neat cravat rested at his throat. His pants, matte black with gray undertones, flowed with rigid nobility.

The man didn't need to raise his voice to command the room.

"What's the matter?" he asked, his tone smooth but emotionless.

The physician immediately bowed his head slightly. "Your Grace..."

Your Grace?

So... this was him. Liora's father.

Now… my father.

I slowly lowered my head back onto the pillow and tried to keep my breathing calm as I listened.

The physician cleared his throat and began cautiously. "Lady Liora is stable... her condition has improved significantly. She has regained consciousness,though..."

But before he could finish, the blond-haired brother interrupted coldly. "Stable? She didn't even recognize us. When she heard her own name, she acted like she'd never heard it before. And she didn't even know her maid's name—the same girl who's always by her side. How is that improved?"

The physician turned to the Duke and the others, his expression calm despite the tension in the room.

"It's not unusual. After being unconscious for a long time, some patients experience temporary memory loss. It's called post-traumatic amnesia. Lady Liora seems to be in that category. At first, she was startled to hear her own name, but within seconds, she recognized it. She even called her brother 'brother' shortly afterward. That alone is a strong sign her memory is recovering."

He paused, folding his hands behind his back.

"Nearly all patients regain full memory— eventually. Around 90 to 95 percent recover completely. However... In rare cases, some only regain 50 to 70 percent. This could be due to emotional trauma or the nature of the injury itself. But for now—there is no reason to panic."

Without a word, the Duke turned and walked out.

I blinked slowly.

That's it? No questions? No concern? Just… silence and departure?

Why bother coming at all if you didn't intend to stay? Didn't he care about his daughter…?

But just as the door was about to close behind him... I heard the low, irritable voice of the black-haired brother.

"Let's go. We have more important things to attend to. She's doing this just to get attention. Same as always."

His words hit me like a slap.

If I'd had the strength, I would've sat up and shouted, Who do you think you are?! Why would I ever want attention from someone like you?!

But before I could form the words… sleep dragged me into its depths.

In the depths of sleep, another world unfolded before me—familiar yet distant.

A hospital room. A different body.

I was watching through a window that didn't exist, like a spirit lingering in between.

Liora… In my body.

Her eyes fluttered open, just like mine had hours ago. She looked around—wide-eyed, panicked, lost.

My mother gasped. Souta clutched the arm of the chair so hard his knuckles turned white. My friend and his sister both jumped to their feet.

"Yuna!" they all cried, rushing to her side.

Liora looked confused, dazed. "Wh-Where am I? Who are you…?"

Silence.

Everyone froze, exchanging glances.

Mom's face crumpled. She reached for the doctor. "Something's wrong! She doesn't recognize us—what's going on?!"

Souta, eyes brimming with tears, grabbed the doctor's coat. "Why is she acting like this?! What happened to her memory?!"

The doctor walked in and tried to calm the chaos.

"She may be experiencing trauma-induced confusion. It's not uncommon in coma patients," he explained. "Let me examine her—please calm down."

But then…

Liora began to cry.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she clutched the hospital blanket like a lifeline.

She whispered shakily, "Mo… Mother… B-Brother…?"

And like a dam bursting, everyone began to cry.

Mom wrapped her arms around her. "Yes, yes—I'm your mother! I'm here! I love you, Yuna, I'm so sorry… I love you so much, my child!"

Souta held her hand. "We love you. We're here, Yuna. You're safe now."

My friend knelt beside her. His sister wiped her own tears as she looked at Liora—no, me—with such love it pierced the heart.

And Liora… smiled weakly. "Thank you… for giving me so much love… I love you, too… forever."

Her eyes slowly drifted shut.

Mom panicked. "Doctor! What happened? She's not answering—Yuna?!"

The doctor checked her pulse and vitals calmly.

"She's just asleep. Her body's still weak. Don't worry—her vitals are stable. Let her rest now. I'll conduct a full exam later."

My mother and brother exhaled in relief.

"Let's let her sleep," the doctor said gently. "Don't crowd her. She needs rest."

Then—

Through the haze of sleep—

I heard something...

A voice.

Not a dream.

Not a memory.

A real voice—piercing through the dream.

Calling my name.

Faint. Urgent. Reaching through the darkness.

"...You—!"

"Y—...!"

"...!!"

A flash of light ripped through the dream.

I gasped—

Someone was calling me.

But who?