The silence in the room was only interrupted by soft breathing. Mechanism of the clock in the wall sounded like a beating heart. The atmosphere felt very tense and gloomy, with a sense of worry filling it. Haze sighed and looked out the window. The time stretched out and felt like forever.

Suddenly, Haze remembered something. "Hey! I just remembered. Beside that pocket watch, I also found a little bottle."

"Bottle?" Dryad turned her head to him.

Haze nodded and got up. He remembered that he placed that thing on the desk "Yes. wait.. where did I put it? There it is!" He showed it to Dryad.

Dryad frowned and examined it. A small bottle with green liquid inside, "What is this liquid?"

"I don't know," Haze shook his head.

"Let's just keep that, just in case..."

After a while, Haze sighed again then dropped himself on the bench. They had called a doctor to examine Sir Alvard. But the doctor said that they could only wait.

"What should we do now?" He whispered with a bored expression. His gaze was more distant.

"Wait." Dryad simply said. "That's what you should do."

She averted her gaze back to Sir Alvard. A long stare. She knew that Sir Alvard was 12 years above her, but now she just realized how he looked younger than his age, yet also wiser beyond his age. Her admiration towards him rose once more. The way he was taking charge of every situation at the grand library with calmness and grace, how he never lost his composure... He was truly admirable, she thought. Looking at his ill condition now, it made her heart tighten. She looked down, clutching her arms anxiously. She closed her eyes and silently prayed.

After a long while, Alvard's body finally began to move. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust the light of the room "Hm? This...Where am I...?" he mumbled drowsily, his voice hoarse and weak.

Dryad opened her eyes wide, surprised. "Sir?!"

Haze rushed to him and sat on another side of the bed.

Alvard tried to get up, but his body felt weak and he fell back down on the bed. He looked at Dryad and Hazard with confusion in his eyes "you.. Dryad...? Haze?"

"Take it easy. Here. Let me help you," Haze took one of the pillows and brought it closer to him. With a gentle touch, Haze helped him sit comfortably so that he could lean back to rest against the headboard.

Sir Alvard breathed deeply and let out a tired sigh.
"Where is this?" his voice was barely audible.

"Eurys' shop," Haze said.

"What?" Sir Alvard frowned.

"Yes. We brought you back," Haze smiled.

Dryad moved forward and took his right hand. Looking down at it, she sobbed silently. Clearly worried. "Thank goodness..." she whispered as a tear fell to his knuckle.

Alvard was still a bit disoriented, but he noticed the tears and the fact that she was holding his hand. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze to comfort her. She slowly lifted her face and met his eyes. She forced a smile but was still sobbing.

"I'm so glad... I'm scared to death that I might lose you.." she said with a shaken voice.

"Oh..." Sir Alvard's expression softened as he saw the worry in Dryad's eyes. He gave her hand another squeeze, his tone becoming gentle and soothing, "Dryad... Don't cry... I am alright now."

Haze took Sir Alvard's left hand and held it tight, "we were so worried about you."

Sir Alvard looked at Hazard and then nodded, smiling a bit. He squeezed both of their hands. "Thank you... I am grateful to have best friends like you two." He paused for a moment then spoke again, "wait! How did you two find me? I am so sure that I was..."

"Thrown to Another world, yes?" Dryad chuckled a bit.

Both Haze and Dryad shared amusing looks and smiled.

"It was quite an adventure, Sir," Haze said and chuckled along with her.

Sir Alvard raises his eyebrow, "an adventure? You mean... you two went to rescue me by yourself?"

They both nod in unison.

"Yes, Sir," Haze answered.

"You know that we will go through fire and ice just for you." Dryad chuckled. "Right?"

Sir Alvard was stunned by their answer, realizing that they had gone to such lengths to bring him back to the home world. His eyes widened and he spoke, "you two are really that brave... Are you hurt somewhere?"

Dryad shook her head, "No... Just a scratch, Sir. Nothing more."

"We're just glad that you are safe now," Haze said with a grin.

Alvard's expression softened even more as he smiled at them. He suddenly pulled both of them into a hug, his tone now sounded like that of an older brother.

"You two are the best friends I could ask for... no, not just friends. You're my brother and my sister. Thank you so much..." Alvard whispered, "you're all my precious..."

Melted by his words, Dryad sobbed and returned the embrace. Hazard also did the same. He closed his eyes and smiled. Found solace by the heartwarming moment.

Sir Alvard hugged them both tightly, he looked like a proud big brother. He then pulled away.

"No more tears," he said while gently wiping away the tears on Dryad's cheek. "Dryad... Haze... I am sorry for worrying you two so much. Oh! Right... I lost track of time. How many days have I been here?" Sir Alvard asked.

"Three days, two nights," Haze answered.

Sir Alvard swallowed hard. "Oh..., I see.."

Haze's face became somber, "Sir... We are sorry that we could not find Virgil."

"Virgil..." Sir Alvard sighed heavily and his face suddenly turned somber, pinching the bridge of his nose "He is no longer with us..."

"What? How?!" Haze frowned.

As if understanding that Sir Alvard was not ready to answer that question for now, Dryad quickly nudged Haze's arm with her free hand, "Haze. Don't rush."

"Right... I am sorry," Haze muttered sheepishly and shifted a bit uncomfortably, while rubbing his arm.

"Ah! How foolish I am! You must be hungry, right?" Dryad changed the topic. "Yes, of course you must be hungry! It's been days you haven't eaten or drank anything! Let me prepare something for you," Dryad got up.

Sir Alvard smiled as she left, "Right. That would be nice. Thank you, Dryad."

"Then I will prepare a warm bath for you. And a nice aromatherapy candle! Sounds great? My sis had many of them! Wait a moment." Haze rose from his seat and swiftly exited the room.

Sir Alvard chuckled a bit, "Thank you too, Haze."

He smiled even more, feeling grateful and satisfied that he had those two people who had risked so much to save him.

Sometime later after taking a bath and having a delicious dinner of soup and fresh fruit, Sir Alvard felt better physically and mentally.

Dryad and Eurydice were in the living room, talking about some random things when Sir Alvard stepped down the stairs in rush. Eurydice glanced up,

"Oh? Sir Alvard! It's good to see you back on your feet."

"It was all thanks to you, Eurys," Sir Alvard said, giving a faint smile. "I am sorry I don't mean to be so rude and ungrateful, but I do really need to go now." He said while giving a slight bow.

Eurydice blinked, surprised.

Dryad was a little startled herself. She couldn't help but frown, feeling uneasy about that sudden change of mood from Sir Alvard. "Um... Sir Alvard? You're not in condition to go. Where will you go anyway? Can we take you there somehow?" She said.

A bitter smile appeared on his lips. His eyes lowered to look at the floor, before he continued, "...I appreciate your concern, Dryad. And Eurys, thank you again for your hospitality, but I don't expect to stay for very long. I need to attend to some matters of my own. So please, do not concern yourself over me."

Haze came from the kitchen carrying a tray full of toast and night-tea. "Are you sure, sir?" he said, placing the tray on the table, "you can tell me where and how, and I'll accompany you there."

Sir Alvard smiled and tapped Haze's arm. "Oh, it is fine. Really. You needn't have to. Don't worry, I will not go for too long.. or too far. It is an easy matter, after all. No need to trouble yourself."

Haze shook his head, "it won't trouble me in any way!"

Sir Alvard sighed but still smiled to him, "I can take care of myself, especially now that-"

"Please! I insist. At least allow me to walk you," Haze said, looking straight into his eyes as if almost pleading,"Please, just let us make sure that you are alright."

Alvard looked at the young man, noticing how sincere Haze's eyes seemed to be. He hesitated before nodding, a bit reluctantly, "Alright.." he murmured. "To the train station, then..."

Haze smiled gratefully and rushed to get his coat.

"I'm coming too!" Dryad exclaimed.