Episode 10
Should I go out?
But at all times, my eyes just happened to meet him before I could change my appearance.
[Who are you?]
The young duke spoke to me again. I fixed my wandering eyes on him and gave an awkward smile.
It’s normal for strangers to appear in dreams, so I’ll just brush it off.
Maybe I’ll go with the story that I’m a maid in the mansion.
[Young Master Yustin. It’s already lunchtime.]
I quickly changed my face and outfit, speaking politely. The duke narrowed his silver eyes and tilted his head to the left.
[Weird, as expected.]
[…]
[I’ve never had a dream get out of my control. And now suddenly you’re a maid.]
Well, just ignore it, you picky little thing.
I forced a small smile to stay on my face, biting the inside of my cheek.
From what he said, it seems he’s not new to lucid dreaming.
Also, this place is well-kept.
Even in a lucid dream, backgrounds usually get messy or feel unnatural, but in Yustin’s dream, nothing like that appeared.
A boy my age, with similar abilities and symptoms.
Maybe if I talk more, I can find some clues about my illness…
[Again, I ask. Who are you?]
Lost in thought, I heard Yustin frown and demand an answer.
Looking at his suspicious eyes, it seemed my “maid” plan had failed.
I hate clever kids sometimes.
Anyway, if I don’t speak, even a lucid dream expert would just think this is a strange dream.
[Don’t be afraid, human.]
Fine, let’s boldly switch to an angel persona.
Dreams and angels go together angels appear in dreams, and remember, even Saint Joseph got angelic messages in dreams.
Immediately, I used all my “big data” and transformed into an angel.
Six wings of pure white feathers appeared, and a halo glimmered around me.
Yustin looked confused and opened his mouth.
[Angel?]
Yes, believe it as it is!
[Yes, I am—]
[You don’t exactly look like an angel…]
[Ah, really.]
Does this kid ever just accept things? Have you ever even seen an angel?
I muttered in disbelief, and Yustin instantly raised his eyebrows. I smiled gently again.
Fine, believe it or not, it’s up to you. I’ll do my job.
[…If you are an angel, why come to my dream?]
[Your mother’s prayers reached heaven because you are ill.]
[Hmm.]
Yustin’s fierce eyes softened slightly. He seemed to accept that I was an angel… or maybe just resigned to thinking this is a strange dream.
[So don’t be surprised, child. I will help you.]
[I’m not surprised.]
[Bold, aren’t you?]
I had declared myself an angel, yet he still acts defiant. Looks like he’s destined for something big.
I pressed down the small furrow of my brow and snapped my fingers.
The stiff study around us twisted and changed into a peaceful, cozy lounge.
Of course, Yustin still looked as stiff as before.
Don’t like it? This is a special clinic just for you. You can lie down if you want. Right now, I’m a very kind angel.
‘I won’t hurt you, my patient.’
I gestured to Yustin with a sincere smile.
[Sit.]
[…]
[Didn’t I say I would help you?]
You can’t get a prescription without an examination, right, patient?
I’d also like to collect cases, and if there’s a connection, study it further.
As I approached the chair, I heard a small, surprised breath from him. He probably couldn’t easily understand what was happening.
[…How do you plan to help me like this?]
Finally, Yustin sat in the chair across from me and asked.
His expression was far from believing he was facing an angel.
I wasn’t an angel, so I just smiled gently.
[I heard the prayer about your illness.]
I read the letter from your mother saying you can’t return home yet.
[I extend my hand with compassion. Tell me honestly about your routine.]
He’s busy anyway; let’s get this over with. I wrapped my words in gentle sincerity. Yustin’s frown matched a tiny smile at the corners of his mouth.
[You choose a very inefficient method for a messenger of an omniscient, omnipotent god.]
[You aren’t a believer, right?]
I could tell he looked like an atheist.
[Then shouldn’t you show more power?]
[Even if I saw a miracle, I wouldn’t become a believer.]
I answered calmly, pretending it was no big deal. Yustin fell silent. My guess was correct.
Atheists are predictable. They never see miracles as divine blessings—they always think it’s human effort. How do I know? I’m like that myself.
Magic exists, but miracles don’t.
Even if an angel appeared and spoke to them, they wouldn’t reach out unconditionally.
[What strange dreams life gives.]
Yustin probably thinks he’s just too tired, and his lucid dream is blurry, not that I’m an angel.
Whatever. I just have to do my job.
[So, exactly where does it hurt?]
I lowered the halo slightly and leaned forward, creating a comfortable space. Yustin sighed and slowly began to answer.
[…My head always feels heavy.]
[Do you have a fever?]
[Recently, I think I’ve had headaches with a fever.]
[Ah.]
[I have no appetite, my heart races, I get short of breath, and feel dizzy.]
Of course. Otherwise, his mother wouldn’t have written, “Symptoms similar to Miena.”
I nodded and added my thoughts.
[Also, sunlight makes you dizzy, walking tires you, greasy food upsets your stomach, and if this continues, you could cough up blood and faint…]
[Isn’t that a deadly disease?]
[…Not quite.]
That explains why his mother said, “He should recover soon.”
I envied him a little—wealthy, loved, and not dying from this illness.
I leaned back, relaxing my posture. Angels can do this.
[Now, tell me about your usual daily routine.]
[Even if you aren’t omniscient, shouldn’t you know this?]
[Then become a believer if you’re unhappy.]
He doesn’t believe I’m an angel.
Yustin sighed heavily. I thought I heard him mutter, “What a crazy dream to have…”
Still, he answered seriously. He’s controlled, cynical, but a kind person.
[…In the morning, I skip breakfast because my stomach feels bad, read the newspaper, take succession lessons, practice hunting in the afternoon, check on charity work, report to my father about estate management…]
[Do you do anything else besides work?]
[Of course, I take lunch and dinner. I must attend luncheon or dinner events.]
[No, I mean rest.]
[At night, I sleep.]
[…And in dreams?]
[I review theory books or lessons I memorized.]
Yustin said this with a frustrated look, clearly unhappy he couldn’t follow his routine.
I smiled and nodded.
Now I know your illness.
You, my friend, are overworked.
