Consciousness returned slowly, pressing heavily against Aurelian's mind.
It did not feel like waking from a peaceful sleep.
His eyes opened to the same unfamiliar ceiling above him.
The golden patterns no longer shocked him as before.
"…I'm still here, so this is real."
A dull pain remained deep within his mind.
It was not sharp, but it refused to fade away.
Fragments lingered without clear meaning or proper understanding.
Symbols, voices, and strange impressions stayed buried within him.
Aurelian slowly pushed himself into a sitting position.
His body felt lighter, yet strangely distant and unfamiliar.
Memories from earlier returned without needing much effort.
The trumpet, the butterfly, and that overwhelming knowledge remained clear.
His eyes moved around the room once again.
Everything looked calm, yet something felt deeply wrong.
"…So none of that was just a dream."
A knock interrupted his thoughts at the perfect moment.
Three soft taps landed evenly against the wooden door.
"Young Master Aurelian, are you awake right now?"
The voice sounded calm, respectful, and carefully controlled.
There was politeness, but no warmth behind those words.
"…Come in, you can enter the room now."
The door opened without making any noticeable sound.
A maid stepped inside with perfect posture and balance.
Her uniform looked flawless, without a single visible crease.
Every movement she made seemed practiced and rehearsed many times.
Her eyes briefly met his before quickly lowering again.
That single moment felt longer than it should have.
Aurelian felt something strange from that short glance.
Not curiosity, but something closer to silent evaluation.
"Are you feeling better today, Young Master Aurelian?"
"…I am fine, there is nothing to worry about."
The answer came naturally, even though it was clearly false.
The maid gave a small nod, accepting his response immediately.
"Lord Veythorne has been informed about your condition."
"You are requested to present yourself when you are able."
Requested, yet it sounded closer to a quiet command.
Aurelian noticed the difference but chose not to question it.
"…I understand, I will follow your instructions."
The maid stepped aside and gestured toward the open doorway.
"Please follow me, Young Master Aurelian, without unnecessary delay."
Aurelian stood up carefully, steadying himself before walking forward.
His legs felt weak, but he refused to show any hesitation.
The moment he stepped into the hallway, everything expanded.
The space felt larger and far more alive than expected.
The floor reflected light too clearly, almost unnaturally smooth.
Golden frames decorated walls filled with silent painted figures.
Servants moved quietly through the halls without wasted movement.
Each step they took felt precise and perfectly controlled.
Then Aurelian noticed something far more unusual than servants.
Nobles stood along the hallway, speaking in lowered voices.
Their clothes were elegant, matching the mansion's high status.
Yet their presence here felt strange and slightly unnatural.
They were not moving toward any destination or purpose.
They were simply standing, waiting, and watching everything around them.
"…That is him, the youngest one from Rosemary's line."
"…He should not be walking after what happened earlier."
Their whispers stopped the moment Aurelian looked toward them.
Smiles appeared instantly, polite yet completely empty underneath.
Aurelian looked forward again and continued walking silently.
Something about this place felt deeply wrong beneath perfection.
Everything looked correct, yet nothing truly felt natural anymore.
"…This place feels like it is watching me constantly."
The maid did not respond to his quiet observation.
However, her steps slowed slightly for a brief moment.
Then she continued walking as if nothing had happened.
They turned a corner into a noticeably quieter section.
The air itself felt heavier as they moved forward.
Aurelian felt a faint pressure building around him slowly.
Like something unseen was paying close attention to him.
"…What is located beyond this part of the mansion?"
The maid stopped walking immediately after hearing his question.
For the first time, she hesitated before answering him.
"That area is restricted, and not accessible to you."
Her reply came quickly, almost as if prepared beforehand.
Aurelian's eyes moved past her toward the distant corridor.
It was darker, quieter, and completely separated from everything else.
At the far end stood a single closed door.
It did not feel locked, yet something sealed it tightly.
"…Who is inside that place beyond this door?"
Silence followed his question for a few seconds.
The maid's voice returned, quieter and more careful.
"That is not something you need to know."
Aurelian did not respond, but his gaze remained fixed.
For a brief moment, he felt something strange again.
Not from the hallway, but from beyond that door.
A faint presence, distant yet clearly aware of him.
"…Let us continue moving forward from this place."
The maid nodded quickly, almost showing hidden relief.
They resumed walking without looking back at that corridor.
Aurelian kept his expression calm and controlled.
But the feeling did not leave him completely.
At last, they stopped before a pair of large doors.
The surface was carved with detailed and complex patterns.
"Lord Veythorne is currently waiting for your arrival."
Aurelian placed his hand against the door slowly.
His heartbeat remained steady, not rising as expected.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Light filled the room, along with a strong presence.
At the far end sat a single man.
Calm, elegant, and perfectly composed.
He was already looking directly at Aurelian.
As if he had expected this exact moment.
"…Aurelian, come closer and stand before me."
For the first time since arriving in this world—
Aurelian felt something far worse than simple fear.
He felt completely seen.