“Subterfuge is an interesting concept, diluting the truth for personal gain, huh… Personally, I’m not a fan. But I will admit that there are types of subterfuge that I can stomach more than others; for example, telling parts of the truth is better than a straight out lie, but not by much. I would rather live a much more straight life, one where I and all those around me are frank with each other. I know that not everyone thinks this way, but maybe I can lead by example?” – a truthful philosopher

Again light worms its way into Alex’s eyes, forcing them open to the harsh world. After a few moments of panic, remembering what had happened seemingly minutes ago, Alex calms himself down.

‘I’ve been avoiding thinking about it, but something really weird is going on here.”

Alex sits up.

‘you would think I would become a professional at sitting in bed by how much I do it.’

Alex chuckles to himself and then thinks.

‘I clearly died at least that time Robert stabbed me.’

Alex shivers at the memory, and after slowly breathing in and out, continue to move his mind forward.

‘Now that I think about it, probably more than that, at least twice if you include just now, but maybe three times if that earlier incident was me dying as well.’

Alex stares out the window, seeing distant hills and mountains, and a well-maintained courtyard.

‘I wonder why I never noticed the view.’

Alex sighs and then goes back to pondering.

‘No matter what, at least right now, I feel alive. So, something is either saving me…? No. I doubt it, I don’t think Ivona would have let Robert near me if she knew, then what is it, some sort of time travel?’

‘At least for the moment, it doesn’t really matter, what does is that Robert needs to go, out of my 2(3?) deaths he’s been responsible for both.’

Alex continues to sit and ponder for another hour or so and then sighs.

‘With my current condition, I guess there’s no avoiding it, in order to get rid of Robert I guess I’m going to have to use him. I just hope that Walter(my father? It still feels weird to call him that) loves me enough to do so…’

Alex then says, “Excuse me, is anyone there?” in a semi-loud voice, and a familiar white-clad figure enters.

‘Here it is, let’s hope it works.’

Alex sighs and then asks the figure he assumes to be Robert, “Could you please let my father know I’m awake, and that I’d like to speak with him at his earliest convenience.”

‘though sooner is definitely better.’

“… Of course, sir,” Robert then bows and leaves the room.

Alex sighs.

‘Let’s just hope that the duke shows up then.’

Alex didn’t have to wait too long, and the duke showed himself not 10 minutes later. The duke entered the room along with Ivona and Robert, Alex trembling at the sight of the later one. Alex takes a deep breath and then smiles at the sight of his father. The duke then proceeded, not garbed in the antiseptic clothing, to hug his son.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, son,” Walter says while crying, after maybe thirty seconds or so he stands, composes himself, then asks, “Robert told me that there was something you wanted to talk about, what is it, Alex?”

‘Now’s my chance, but Robert’s still here…’

“Is it okay if I talk with you alone a bit, father?” Alex whispers to his father while staring at Robert.

Alex’s father, noticing this, says to Ivona, “The harms already been done to the sanitary conditions, no?”

“They only really mattered directly before, and after the Surgery, the reason I wanted them kept was to give Alex some time to rest, which is really something we should do right now, of course after a check-up,” says Ivona while leaning on the wall, twirling her hair as if bored.

“If it’s okay, can we schedule that a bit later,” says Walter, now standing to his full height.

“I really-“

“That’s an order, Ivona.”

Ivona throws up her hands and leaves the room, Walter then turns to Robert, “Robert if you could talk with the secretary about how they order my files, it’s a right mess.”

“Yes, sir…”

Robert then follows Ivona and closes the door behind him.

“Now, what was it you wanted to talk about, son?”

‘I have a good father, don’t I’ Alex thought, almost feeling his heart burst for a moment before he enacted his plan.

“Robert said something to me, and I wanted to know what it meant…”

“What was it?” Walter says while pulling up a chair and sitting down.

“Um… he called me a monstrosity and said I would bring destruction to this kingdom.”

‘which is technically true, just before he killed me twice actually…’

Alex’s father goes stock still, and a bit pale, “Son, I don’t mean to doubt you, but are you sure?”

Alex nods.

Walter’s shoulders drop, and he sighs, “My dear friend, why?”

“Father?”

‘From what I can see, he deserves to be called that.’

“Ah yes,” Walter says, with a despondent and almost lost look on his face. “This wasn’t something I wanted to talk about yet, I was hoping you would be a bit older first,” Walter ruffles Alex’s hair, “ Don’t worry, I’ll deal with this, we’ll talk later…”

Walter then slowly gets up and then starts to leave.

“Father, I’m sorry.”

‘It’s clear Robert is important to you…’

“Don’t worry Alex, it’s not your fault…” Walter says, and as he walks through the door, “make sure to rest now, okay?” Walter then smiles and leaves without leaving time for a response.

Alex later learned that Walter had fired Robert and exiled him from the manor.