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Join the Server“But wasn’t that Vant’s statement?”
“Ah, well… I merely mentioned it because, should Young Master Heinzel fall ill once more, Young Master Roquel might grow concerned. Young Master Roquel holds deep affection for his elder brother, albeit secretly.”
“Indeed, when you fell ill this time and lost your memories, Young Master Roquel was greatly distressed.”
‘Recalling Roquel’s behavior, it was almost impossible to believe that he and Heinzel were blood brothers. He was uttering words so preposterous, even a stray dog wouldn’t credit them.’
‘This utterly preposterous answer solidified my conviction that the man was concealing something significant. While the exact nature of it remained elusive, it was undeniable that some connection existed between Heinzel and Roquel.’
“Ah, I understand.”
“Indeed. Therefore, I implore you to dismiss all other thoughts and dedicate your attention solely to recuperating your health.”
“My body is quite healthy, actually. I may lack my memories, but beyond that, I feel completely sound.”
Heinzel offered a vague affirmation, his voice utterly devoid of spirit. In response, Vant, with a voice equally lacking in genuine concern, expressed his solicitude for Heinzel.
“I believe your visits are no longer necessary. More than half a month has already passed. Should I fall ill again, it would undoubtedly be for an entirely different reason, unrelated to my collapse and subsequent awakening.”
Vant was merely playing the part of a physician, yet offered no actual treatment or assistance. His daily inquiries about Heinzel’s health, despite constant assurances of well-being, had become increasingly vexatious.
Therefore, Heinzel, employing the utmost politeness, subtly conveyed his wish for Vant to cease his feigned medical examinations, his probing observations, and these inconvenient visits that burdened both parties.
“Indeed, I was just preparing to inform Madam of Young Master’s remarkable improvement. Continue to dine heartily and take frequent strolls for exercise.”
“You are aware, are you not, that prolonged confinement to your chamber is detrimental to your health? Should any ailment arise, do not hesitate to summon me at once.”
“Yes, yes.”
‘Was it merely my twisted perception, or did his words carry the subtle implication that he wished me ill?’
‘I yearned to embody the bright and cheerful demeanor of Haeseung, who, despite any internal vexation, consistently presented a kind and gentle exterior. Yet, inexplicably, my current circumstances seemed determined to deny me that tranquility.’
“Then I shall take my leave. Please, rest now.”
Vant, having concluded yet another consultation that resembled a casual interview more than a medical examination, rose from his seat, clutching his medical bag.
Henzel remained utterly baffled as to why Vant perpetually carried that bag, never once extracting a single examination instrument.
****
“Rosie.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Since they advise against remaining confined to my chamber, perhaps I should wander a bit.”
“Are you going outside?”
“No, merely within the mansion’s confines. Are there any suitable places for me to visit?”
Having escorted Vant out, Rosie re-entered the bedroom, her face lighting up at Heinzel’s suggestion as she moved to retrieve a cloak.
Henzel, however, urgently interceded, restricting his desired exploration to the mansion’s interior. His reluctance stemmed from not yet being mentally prepared to venture beyond the estate.
The harsh, biting winds of the North required far more time than anticipated to fade from his memory.
“Might I suggest the study? You spent the majority of your time there, Young Master; perhaps your memories could be rekindled.”
Henzel knew, with a pang of regret, that his memories would never truly return. Unable to disclose this truth, he merely offered a faint smile.
“Besides the study?”
‘Surely, within such a grand and imposing mansion, there must be more to explore than just the study.’ As if anticipating Heinzel’s unspoken desire, Rosie readily supplied a gratifying response.
“What about the glass conservatory?”
“A glass conservatory?”
“It is a magnificent garden greenhouse, crafted entirely from glass. Its vastness is such that it is rumored to house every variety of flower and tree found across the entire Empire.”
“They even say it contains flowering trees specially procured from the southern regions. The conservatory maintains a constant warmth, so I am certain you will find it delightful, Young Master.”
‘It wasn’t that he was ignorant of what a conservatory entailed.’ Heinzel observed Rosie with a troubled expression, watching her earnest attempts to mime its form with her fingers.
“That all sounds splendid, but to reach the conservatory, I would first need to exit the mansion, wouldn’t I?”
The implication was, inevitably, venturing outside, and Heinzel harbored absolutely no desire to leave the confines of the building. ‘Would he not simply freeze solid before even arriving at the conservatory?’
He felt no inclination to brave such frigid temperatures merely for the sake of visiting a greenhouse.
“There is, in fact, a connected passageway directly from the mansion to the conservatory. You need not venture outside at all.”
“Then let’s go.”
A troubled gaze lingered briefly on Heinzel’s back as he sprang decisively to his feet, though regrettably, Heinzel remained oblivious.
As he had done when seeking the main entrance, Heinzel once more relied on Rosie to guide him through the mansion’s labyrinthine corridors.
‘Surely there were straightforward passages, a structure designed to lead anywhere one simply walked, so why did it feel so utterly complex?’ He could not discern whether this complexity stemmed from the opulent interior decorations that perpetually captivated his gaze, or from the seemingly endless corridors themselves.
Having vehemently insisted he was not directionally challenged, freely attributing his confusion to the mansion’s gratuitous scale, Heinzel at last reached the passageway linking the estate to the glass conservatory.
This brief passage permitted seamless transit from the mansion to the conservatory, negating any need to step outdoors.
While he had encountered structures of greater complexity and refinement, the sheer existence of such a building, realized within a medieval fantasy setting, invariably struck him as both novel and astonishing.
“Wow, a passage! And a real conservatory! It’s warm!”
“The temperature is regulated by the use of magic stones.”
The interior of the conservatory felt almost uncomfortably humid. It was astonishing to find a building so similar to a modern greenhouse existing in a world without advanced mechanical civilization.
Rosie smiled, observing Heinzel’s quiet astonishment. Her smile held a subtle pride, much like a civilized person gazing upon a savage. Heinzel often marveled at things not found in modern civilization, yet each instance seemed to inflate Rosie’s misconception, deepening Heinzel’s own disquiet.
“Magic, then?”
“Yes. Your bedroom, Young Master, is also heated in the same manner. This conservatory, however, is set to an even higher temperature than the rest of the mansion.”
Heinzel nodded, finding even this fact remarkable. To think that the reason he felt no cold within the mansion, despite the frigid external weather, was due to temperature regulation by magic stones. A stone floor without a boiler, yet no chill—it truly made him feel like a savage.
Humbled, Heinzel resigned himself to being a 21st-century savage, unaccustomed to magic.
“So many flowers and trees! It’s beyond anything I imagined.”
Before seeing it firsthand, he had pictured a small plastic greenhouse. This, however, was on par with a botanical garden. To have such a glass conservatory attached to one’s home surely meant the Duke’s estate was even more colossal than he had assumed.
“It’s beautifully arranged. Maintaining this must be quite a task.”
“Nevertheless, the glass conservatory is the pride of this place.”
‘The study is as vast as a library. The study is magnificent, and the conservatory is magnificent. Anyone listening would think this was the Imperial Palace.’
Heinzel let out a soft chuckle. Rosie, like a civilized person imparting knowledge to a savage, slowly explained to him.
“This glass conservatory was bestowed by His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of that time, to celebrate the birth of the Duke two generations prior. It is said to be a glass conservatory with nearly a century of tradition.”
‘Why would the Emperor arbitrarily construct a conservatory in someone else’s home?’ Heinzel paused, pondering whether that question itself should be his primary concern.
Unlike Heinzel, who struggled to comprehend, Rosie was deeply moved, as if it were her personal family’s glory. He doubted he’d be so moved even upon receiving the Order of Mugunghwa. He worried it would take a long time to grow accustomed to this stratified society.
“It’s certainly nice to be warm. Is there anywhere to sit?”
While exploring it like a botanical garden was pleasant, he also yearned to simply sit and unwind. Just as fatigue dissipated after a nap in a slightly warm jjimjilbang, he wished to warm his body with a gentle heat.
“There’s a tea table over here.”
“A sofa?”
“There couldn’t possibly be a sofa in a conservatory.”
“There could be. Some people might prefer a soft sofa to a hard tea table chair… People like me.”
Rosie’s curt dismissal left Heinzel pouting as he grumbled.
As expected, a charming tea table and chairs were situated in the center of the conservatory. Heinzel’s expression soured slightly when he sat down; the chairs were utterly devoid of cushioning.
“Shall I prepare some tea?”
“…I think I’d just like to be alone for a while. People don’t frequent this place, do they?”
“No. Madam rarely visits, except for tea parties. The other Young Masters do not often use the conservatory either. If you are here, the conservatory’s attendants will not enter.”
This was precisely the answer Heinzel desired.
“Then I shall spend my time here. Rosie, you may go rest as well. If you have tasks, attend to them, then come collect me in about three or four hours.”
“Might you not grow hungry? Shall I bring you a light snack?”
“It’s quite alright. I can eat in three or four hours. I wish to rest, so please go.”
He waved his hand, implying he wouldn’t perish from such a short wait. Rosie, her face clearly showing her internal debate over leaving him alone, finally departed, yielding to his insistence. Only after confirming her presence had completely vanished did Heinzel leap from his seat.
To think the chairs were so hard, and there wasn’t even a cushion! His fondness for the inconsiderate tea table vanished. Brushing off his bottom, Heinzel rose and ambled aimlessly through the conservatory, his gait far more relaxed than when Rosie was present.
Curiously, the conservatory, heated by magic stones, had varying temperatures in different sections. The edges of the conservatory were the most humid and sweltering, while the temperature decreased towards the center, where the tea table was, making it similar to the mansion’s indoor temperature.
Henzel strode towards the edge of the conservatory. Since the conservatory was made of glass, the interior was visible from outside. He found a suitably sized tree, leaned against it, and sat on the ground.
“I should have worn my cloak.”
Henzel regretted not bringing his fur cloak, which would have been perfect to spread on the ground and lie down upon.
He mentally thanked Rosie for insisting he wear a jacket when he had initially intended to go out in just his shirt. He then rolled up the jacket, using it as a pillow, and lay down.
The ground was slightly damp from the high humidity, but its warmth made him feel as though he were lying in a jjimjilbang.
A wave of drowsiness washed over him, and Heinzel let out a yawn. He spent his days doing nothing but eating, playing, and sleeping, yet it was astounding how quickly sleep found him the moment his back touched the ground. Having sent Rosie away with the intention of warming himself, Heinzel peacefully closed his eyes, planning to sleep for three or four hours.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Not Me, The Fans is a must-read. Click here to start!
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