I try my best to maintain my innocent facade, though my hands shake. Should I panic? No—I can't. Jung glances between Therasu and me before clearing his throat.

"Your grace, our lady's health appears stable. Her pulse is normal, no vital injuries detected. However..." he hesitates, "her body shows signs of having briefly died—from suffocation."

"Oh my... My lady..." Zoey's voice breaks as she enters with a tray of bowl soup that suddenly seems absurd. Her hands tremble so badly I fear she'll drop everything.

Nina covers her mouth, eyes wide with horror. "No... my lady..."

Their concern makes my stomach twist with guilt. Do I deserve such devotion when I'm hiding so much?

"Suffocation? Death? Explain yourself, Mr. Jung," Therasu demands, his knuckles white.

"She was... gone. Yet somehow returned." Jung's fingers trace invisible patterns in the air. "I see water... She must have been drowning, your grace."

Drowning. 

The word echoes in my mind. Should I confirm it? Deny it? My dress was wet, the waterfall roaring behind me—but what else happened that I can't remember?..

"Drowning?" Therasu ‘s voice softens as he turns to me. 

"Athene, do you remember where you woke? What did you see around you?"

I look at him, my fingers twisting in my lap. "There's a waterfall behind me and it is deep in the forest..." I pause, swallowing back what I can't say. "When I manage to get out with that helper, we travel across a moor...."

"Oh my god," Nina's voice trembles. "It is nowhere to be found in the town."

Therasu rubs his temples. "Thank you, Jung. I see now." His eyes dart between us, weighing something. 

"Everything that happens for now must stay between us. If anything about Athene leaks out..." He doesn't finish the threat.

"Yes, my grace," they murmur, though I catch uncertain glances exchanged.

"Now," Therasu continues, his voice softening then hardening again, "is there any way to cure her lost memories? I thought memories would stay if one is awake?"

Jung shifts uncomfortably.

 "It's very uncertain, your grace. One might forget their native tongue yet speak a language never learned. Her case is... unusual. She's fortunate to regain consciousness after such an episode. Her memories may return in time—we must observe her for weeks to determine if fragments resurface, if she can function normally."

"How long?" Therasu demands, hope and impatience warring in his voice. "Until she becomes normal again?"

"I hesitate to make definitive claims, your grace. Her physique appears sound, but her memory..." Jung's voice trails off. "The past is gone from her mind. It may return, or it may remain locked away forever. Teaching her old habits might coax something back, or it might only create a convincing illusion of recovery."

How can I remember a life I never lived? The thought burns in my chest……

"I understand the situation," Therasu says, his jaw tight.

"I'll prepare remedies that might help," Jung continues, not meeting my eyes. "Herbs for clarity, tinctures for dreams. Zoey can prepare them for her lady, though I can't promise results."

Therasu's voice is steady but his fingers twist the ring on his hand. "Thank you, Jung. Zoey, Nina—I'm entrusting her to you both."

"Yes, your grace," they answer in unison, but I catch Nina's sideways glance at me.

"Athene, eat this and rest," he says, gesturing to the steaming bowl. "If you need anything, ask them." His hand points to both Zoey and Nina. He then about to leave my room.

"You're leaving?" My voice sounds small, desperate. "Brother?"

"Not for long," he says, but won't meet my gaze. "I'll return soon."

"I see." I know my words taste bitter.

"I must go. Everyone, to your duties. Let Athene rest."

And he is gone and they murmur assent and file out, their footsteps fading down the hall. The room that moments ago hummed with voices now holds only me, a cooling bowl of soup, and questions I both crave and fear to have answered.