Chapter 19 – One Year In Deep Ocean Of Time
The first thing I felt—
Was breath.
Heavy. Slow. Real.
The weight of my own chest rising and falling, like the rhythm of waves returning to a still shore.
I opened my eyes.
The ceiling above me… was familiar.
Too familiar.
The walls held soft curtains, decorated in golden crest patterns. Morning light slipped gently through the windows.
For a moment, I forgot where I was.
Then—
> "...This is… my room."
---
My body felt stiff, as if made of rusted iron.
But not broken.
Not in pain.
I tried to sit up—
Slow, awkward, like moving inside water.
A soft rustling came from the far corner.
A maid—no older than twenty, dressed in the white and gold of the royal house—was gently dusting the corner shelves.
She turned—
And froze.
Her eyes widened, the feather duster trembling in her hands.
> "Y-Your Highness…?"
Her voice cracked. Her mouth quivered.
> "Y-You're… awake…"
---
Before I could say anything, she dropped everything and ran toward the door.
> "SOMEONE GET THE KING!! THE FIFTH PRINCE HAS AWAKENED!!!"
---
Moments passed.
Not even two minutes.
And then—
> BOOM!
The door slammed open so hard it nearly broke the frame.
> "ALEIN!!"
It was my father, King Lunstein von Airillesta, his royal cape still trailing from his rushed appearance, armor half-buckled.
Beside him—my mother, Queen Millia—her eyes already wet with tears.
> "You're awake… You're really—"
> "Thank the heavens…"
---
They hurried to my side, father placing a hand on my shoulder, mother grabbing my hand gently with both of hers.
I blinked slowly, my voice still dry.
> "...How… long…?"
> "A year," my father answered. "Exactly one year since Captain Reinhart brought you back."
> "You've been asleep ever since."
> "No change… until today."
---
My mother leaned forward, brushing my hair from my face like I was still a child.
> "Does it hurt? Can you move your arms? Your legs?"
> "Your breathing… it sounds normal. Praise the Saint…"
---
I flexed my fingers slowly. My joints cracked.
My legs refused to move at first, but I could feel them.
> "Strange…" I muttered.
> "My body… feels exactly the same."
> "No muscle loss. No stiffness. It's like I just… laid down yesterday."
My father nodded grimly.
> "We tried everything to awaken you."
> "The palace priest said your body wasn't dying… but it wasn't living normally either."
> "It was like… time itself stopped around you."
---
I smiled faintly.
> "In a way… it did."
---
They blinked at me, confused.
But I said nothing more.
Because how could I explain… that I had lived three trillion years in a shattered world?
That I had trained with a goddess in silence…
...Just to come back to the people I swore to protect?
---
My father finally let out a sigh of relief.
> "Rest, Alein. You've done more than enough."
> "Once you're ready, there are things to discuss… and people who want to see you."
I nodded silently, sinking slowly back into my pillow, staring at the ceiling once more.
One year here.
Three trillion in there.
And now…
> I was back.
---
The warm light of late afternoon filtered in through the tall palace windows. After the emotional rush of my awakening calmed down, the quiet returned—except for the echoing sound of footsteps.
Not mine.
Not yet.
It was my brothers.
---
The door creaked open again, and the first voice I heard was a cheerful scoff.
> "Tch. Still alive, huh? What a pain…"
It was Nolliem, the second prince, arms crossed but clearly holding back relief.
> "Don't take that as an insult. I just lost a bet," he said, trying to act annoyed.
> "I told everyone you'd wake up in two years."
> "Guess I owe Hyarus a steak."
---
Behind him, Allcrine, the eldest prince, stepped in calmly.
> "...You look thinner, but sharp as ever."
> "Good to have you back, little brother."
His golden armor was polished. His expression mature. But even he couldn't stop the small smirk on his face.
And then—
Edrin, the fourth prince, nearly ran into the room, holding a folded napkin and a letter in his arms.
> "ALEIN!! You're really—!!"
He stopped short, probably realizing he wasn't supposed to yell.
> "Ahem… I mean… Welcome back."
---
They all gathered around my bedside for a few moments.
Laughing. Bickering. Trying to make jokes even though some of their eyes were still red.
But… something was missing.
> "Where's… Hyarus?" I asked softly.
The room went slightly tense.
They exchanged glances.
No one answered immediately.
Until Edrin, the youngest, looked away.
> "He… hasn't come."
> "Not even once since the day you fell asleep."
---
My fingers clenched slightly on the bedsheet.
That idiot...
---
Later that evening, I began trying to move again.
My legs shook, my arms were weak—but there was no pain. Just… stiffness.
> "My Lord, please don't rush," the head butler, an old man named Gerath, said gently.
> "You've been asleep for a year."
> "Miracles are one thing, but muscles still need patience."
He placed a thick cloak over my shoulders and offered a polished cane, though I refused it.
Step by step, he helped me walk down the marble halls.
---
We were heading to the royal dining chamber.
A place usually reserved for announcements or celebrations.
This time…
It was for neither.
> "Your father requested this, Prince Alein," said Gerath quietly.
> "He… has something he wishes to speak of."
---
As we entered the chamber, I saw the long, grand table illuminated by golden chandeliers.
Servants lined the walls. My brothers already seated.
And at the head of the table, standing with his hands behind his back—
Was King Lunstein.
His eyes met mine the moment I walked in.
---
He smiled faintly.
> "Sit, Alein."
> "We have much to discuss."
---