Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Orange-colored rays that seeped through the window told me that the sun was setting.

Duke's condition was not changing, and I was restless.

Over the last three years, I was used to instant healing and visible results, and this stillness didn't work for me. Especially not because this was my Duke.

The sight of him in that state was painful to bear. I needed to know he was OK. I needed him awake.

I wanted to know his condition and prognosis. Maria told me that things are looking good and that Duke will wake up, given enough time, but I needed more than that.

I knew that my father will probably scold me the moment we meet, but he would be the most knowledgeable about Duke's situation, and I also wanted to apologize for being reckless.

I freshened up quickly and headed for the lab.

My anxiety increased with every step I made, but I steeled my resolve.

Whatever father has to say, he will say it, and we will get it out of the way. Only like that, we can clear the air between us, and the healing can begin.

By hiding in the bedroom, I am being a coward and that's not how a Mezzanotte acts.

After a few deep breaths, I stepped into the lab and looked around.

"Father?", I called.

Was he in the library or in the indoor garden, or maybe in the back room where he conducts sensitive experiments?

"Serina…", Krob's raspy voice came from the side. "It's good to see you moving."

"Hi, Krob", I greeted him while glancing around, hoping to see Aldus. "Do you know where my father is?"

Krob nodded. "He is here."

He didn't move or say anything else.

I frowned. "Well? Where is he? I don't see him."

Krob moved toward the wall that didn't have a door, and I realized where he was going.

Was father tinkering with that cylinder for sustaining life?

I thought that considering Duke's condition, we are not going to proceed with tests, but knowing my father, he always thinks that something can be improved further. He is detail-oriented and a perfectionist.

I pushed the brick in the wall, and a passage opened for me.

I stepped into the room and looked around.

This didn't look right.

The containers that used to hold colorful liquids were empty now and my father was not in sight.

"Where is my father, Krob?"

I realized that Krob was standing next to the cylinder.

The display on the side was lit up, and the multilayered runes on the metallic part of the cylinder were glowing occasionally. The sight would be fantastic if not for the silhouette visible through the section covered in glass.

What!? No… no, no, no, no… NO!

I had no idea at what point I managed to reach the cylinder.

The area exposed by the glass allowed me to see my father.

His eyes were closed and other than his slightly sunken cheeks, he looked fine, like he was sleeping.

"Father?", I called, and I placed my hand on the glass. "Father!"

"He can't hear you.", Krob said.

I struggled to breathe. This is NOT real!

"What happened?"

Krob breathed wheezily for a few seconds, and I lifted my gaze impatiently.

"Tell me!"

"Master told me not to tell."

I gritted my teeth. "Look at him! You better tell me, or I will never talk to you again!"

Krob pressed his dry lips into a line.

I chided myself. It was not right to steam out on Krob.

"Krob, please. I need to know. You said that he can't hear us, and I won't tell him when he wakes up." IF he wakes up.

Krob nodded faintly and started talking, "When Master brought you here, your vitality was leaking. He created barriers, but they were not enough. Master used his power to stop it, otherwise, you wouldn't make it."

My stomach sunk. "He is like this because of me?"

"No. The man who came with you was in a worse condition. Master removed the bullet, but he was dead and the only way for him to be saved was for Master to act personally. The bullet went through the heart and was lodged into the spine. Master didn't know how much vitality the boy will need to wake up, and what we had stored was not enough. By the time he finished, Master was too weak. He left you a message."

I looked at the folded paper and I took it from Krob's bony hand.

With the back of my palm, I wiped the tears from my eyes so that I can see better.

The handwriting was shaky, but even with that, I could recognize the elegance of my father's penmanship. It must have been difficult for him to write this.

[ My dear, Seraphina,

I feel foolish while writing this, as only a few days ago I told you that I won't be using this contraption, yet here I am.

Don't blame yourself, Serina. This was my decision to make.

I hope you will take care of my assets and the company. As my daughter, you have the full right to make decisions in my absence. If anyone gives you a hard time, contact Killian.

You are aware how I don't believe that eternal sleep is the end, and I always wondered what a person goes through in suspended animation, so this is my chance to experience the unknown.

If you want to bring me back, study hard. If anyone can do it, that would be you.

Enjoy your life, no matter how it turns out.

Don't allow others to use you, you are a Mezzanotte and we live our lives on our own terms.

My familiars will be watching over you even if you don't know they are there.

I suggest you keep my condition a secret as long as possible. I don't need to explain why.

Trust no one.

P.S. Password to open my locked files is the date when you woke up in my lab in Venice.

Your father, Aldus Mezzanotte ]

I couldn't believe this.

I refused to accept this.

Yes, it was right in front of me but… how can I accept this?

Aldus said not to blame myself, but whose fault was that he ended up stuck in this stupid container!?

If I didn't use my power recklessly, I would be fine, and my father would focus on saving Duke and I might be able to help instead of being totally useless.

"Don't do that, Serina…", Krob's voice reached me, and I looked at him blankly.

"Master wouldn't want to see you like this.", Krob said. "Master researched many things, including eternal sleep. Take your time to process this, but don't allow grief and despair to win. You can continue his research and bring him back."

I pressed my lips into a line and blinked my tears away.

Krob was right.

This was no time to cry. Aldus is not dead and as long as he is alive, there is hope. I will hold onto that hope, and I will bring him back even if that's the last thing I will do.

I placed my palm over the glass surface of the cylinder and looked at the man who became my father three years ago.

"You brought me back to life, father. I promise to do the same for you."

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