Dawn was beginning to filter golden light through the high palace windows when Saruto stirred for the first time in three months. The air felt different, as if the entire palace had held its breath all that time, waiting for this moment.
He opened his eyes slowly, and the sunlight danced across his features, which had lost their usual color. He looked exhausted, his body thin as if time had gradually drained the life from him. Yet, a faint glimmer of light, which had never truly faded, remained in his eyes.
Ethan approached with quiet steps, his voice soft but full of emotion: "Welcome back... Sleeper."
Saruto raised his head with difficulty, a weak smile gracing his lips: "Ethan... how long has it been?"
"Three months, my friend," he replied, placing a hand gently on Saruto's shoulder. "The whole world has changed while you slept."
Emilia sat beside him, and moments later, servants moved swiftly, bringing warm water and a meal of soup and fresh fruit. The aroma of food filled the room, and with his first bite, Saruto seemed to reconnect his soul to his body. Every movement was heavy, as if his muscles had just remembered life after a long period of forgetfulness, but in his silence lay a clear resolve, like the calm before the storm.
Meanwhile, Ethan emerged from the room and sent an urgent summons to the heirs of the families. His voice was clear and firm: "Saruto has awakened."
The word spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. When Lucien read the news, he didn't wait. He sped off like the wind, heading for the Lewin family palace, his movements through the royal corridors a mixture of hope and fear. When he entered the room, he froze for a moment, unable to believe his eyes. There, on the bed, was his friend, the one he had thought would never wake up.
They stood looking at each other for a long moment, then a smile, a mixture of longing and relief, spread across their faces. "Hello, Lucian," Saruto said in a soft but warm voice. "Did you miss me?"
Lucian approached him, fighting back tears. "You idiot! You worried us. Don't do that again, or I'll have to wake you myself."
Before he could reply, the door suddenly opened, and Star rushed in, her face wet with tears she couldn't hold back. Seeing him sitting there, her instinct took over, and she threw herself into his arms, sobbing, "Finally... you're awake! I was afraid I'd lose you forever, Saruto!"
He gently stroked her hair, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'm here now... there's no need for all this crying."
A wave of warmth swept through the hall, and the remaining members of the families, Kyle and Ryan, entered one by one, checking on Saruto.
"Finally, you're back, Saruto," Ryan said, a smile spreading across his face. "I was worried I wouldn't find a worthy opponent like you to fight. It's good that you're healed."
Saruto smiled back. "I'm not completely healed, Ryan. Wait until I recover, and then we'll decide who's stronger."
Ryan nodded in agreement, his eyes blazing with excitement. Kyle said, "Rest now, Saruto. You've been through a lot and need to rest so you can return to the academy as soon as possible."
Everyone stood around him in a circle of solemn silence, chatting amongst themselves. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, its light reflected in his eyes, revealing a small glimmer—a glimmer of hope that had returned after a long period of darkness. As if fate were whispering to everyone: "The heir of darkness has returned… from his slumber."