Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 47 ==Unconscious==

"Here it is, Father—Grandfather!"

Both Mother and Francis burst into the room, breathless from running. They each held small glass vials of glowing yellow extract.

"Good," Grandfather said, calm yet commanding. "Now, you two—hold Edward's and Amelia's hands."

They both paused, confused by the order—but didn't question it. Francis gripped my arm, and Mother took Amelia's hand gently.

"Page 143," Grandfather said firmly, his voice low but urgent. "Alyssa, recite the second paragraph. First sentence only. Everyone—close your eyes."

I flipped quickly through the weathered, leather-bound book in my hands. The pages hummed with a strange warmth. My fingers landed on the right one, and as I stared at the unfamiliar language, something inside me... knew.

I took a deep breath. Grandfather placed his hands gently on the feet of both Father and Amelia. His eyes closed.

And then, in a voice steady and clear, I began the chant.

"Valen'thar solvi et menari, Caldrein tua'nora levistra. Ad omrin cail, nerivast'a imora. In my blood, I command—return."

The moment the last word left my mouth, the room was consumed in a blinding golden light. I instinctively shielded my eyes, unable to withstand the brilliance. My chest tightened. My vision blurred.

And before I could open my eyes to see if it worked—
everything went dark.

I could hear nothing—
Except the voice that echoed, just before I was pulled into unconsciousness.

"Alyssa!!"
It was Grandfather.

⸻

—Grandduke Edward Silverton—

Pain left my body like water draining from a cracked bowl.

My chest rose. My limbs, no longer stiff. I gasped.

"E-Edward?"

I blinked slowly, my vision clearing to see a tearful, familiar face hovering over me.

"Joanna..." I whispered hoarsely.

She broke down in sobs and wrapped her arms around me. Her warmth. Her trembling. It was real.

"I don't know how... but I feel fine now," I said, voice smooth, body no longer heavy.

She helped me sit up gently. My eyes scanned the room.

That's when I saw her—Amelia—sleeping beside me, breathing softly. Her bandages were gone. Her wounds, fully healed.

"Father! You've awakened!" Francis exclaimed, stepping forward with relief painted all over his face.

I nodded slowly, lips twitching into a faint smile.

Then, my eyes caught a sight near the doorway.

Grandfather stood there... holding Alyssa in his arms.

She was limp—unconscious.

"Father! What happened to her?!" I asked, my voice sharper than I expected.

"She'll be fine," he said flatly. "There's no need for you to know more. Our work here is done."

He turned to leave.

"Father—wait!" Joanna said, voice cracking. "She's our daughter! What happened to her? All she did was read some spell. How could that leave her like this?! And—and how could she read ancient scripture?!"

I stared at her, stunned. Ancient spells?

Those texts were destroyed centuries ago... weren't they?

Grandfather finally stopped. A deep sigh escaped him, and when he turned to face us, there was a tired fury behind his eyes.

"Why do you suddenly care?" he asked coldly. "When did either of you treat her like your daughter? I accepted your decision to hide her, to keep her in the shadows—publicly—for her own safety. But even in private, you denied her love."

His voice deepened.

"You should thank her. If it weren't for her, neither of you—nor Amelia—would have survived. She absorbed the poison from your veins. Her power nearly broke her. She is only sleeping because her body is trying to recover."

Guilt tore through me like a blade.

He was right.

We knew so little about Alyssa... and never tried to learn more.

"I won't tell you who she truly is," Grandfather said. "That will be her decision, when she's ready. Until then, stay away from her. She'll be protected—someone has already volunteered."

He paused before snapping his fingers once.

"And don't worry about the rat in this house—we've already caught it. Alyssa will handle the rest. Now if you'll excuse us."

With that, he disappeared into the hallway, Alyssa still in his arms.

We were left in silence.

I lowered my head, shame building in my throat like bile. My fists clenched.

"What... happened while I was on the edge of death?" I murmured.

"As soon as Grandfather found out," Joanna whispered, "he rushed here with Alyssa. Then he gave us some sort of command we didn't understand. And the next thing we knew, Alyssa cast a spell and saved all of you."

"There's something... we don't know about her," Francis added, eyes narrowed. "Something he's hiding. But I heard her clearly. She didn't hesitate with the incantation. It was as if the words were part of her."

He paused.

"And that kind of healing magic—it doesn't exist in our recorded history. It wiped out the poison instantly. Healed Amelia, completely."

"She's not just anyone," I muttered, eyes falling on Amelia's sleeping form. "She's far more than we thought."

"I think Kian knows the truth," Francis said, glancing at me. "I've seen the way they've grown close these past few months. I don't think it's just a relationship. I think... he's protecting something."

I stood.

"Then go to him. Quietly. Find out what he knows. Be careful—if Grandfather finds out, he'll be furious. And whatever that man demands in return—give it."

Francis nodded. "Yes, Father."

I looked at the door where Grandfather had disappeared with Alyssa.

"I have a bad feeling about this," I said, voice low.

"Whatever it is that we're about to face... it's beyond anything we've ever imagined."