Golden Carnation

Chapter 1: Coulin Danford

"Urgh…"

I rubbed my head due to frustration, the phantom pain still haunting my body. It aches everywhere, but I still somehow felt fine. The first thing I saw waking up was the ceiling, it looked too fancy to be coming from a hospital.

At the center of the room there hung a chandelier, the surface of the ceiling had markings of flowery patterns and golden lining. The bed I was laying down on felt oddly soft. 

'A design my grandma would love.'

Come to think of it, my body seemed a tad less bulkier than before. How long was I even out?

Bringing myself to get up, my body stuttered, fully seeing the room I was in.

It looked out of the ordinary, grandeur to be specific. Each and every corner is furnished with expensive objects. Dragging my feet towards the huge full-body mirror on the side, I noticed the lack of injuries in my figure. I expected myself to have a bunch of bruises and cuts from the glass shards that pierced my skin. I didn't think I'd have my body parts and organs intact either.

As I slowly looked up to my face in the mirror, an unfamiliar person appeared. It mimicked my movements, even my facial expressions. Was it making fun of me?

It was clearly a mirror, it didn't have anything behind it. I had a silly hunch in mind, thinking that maybe it was enchanted. But there was no such thing as magic in the world.

Or so I thought. Catching onto the situation, I eventually accepted that the boy reflected in the mirror was me. It's either I've been reincarnated, or currently in a dream while my actual body laid on the hospital bed.

Focusing my attention back to the reflection, I couldn't help but be in awe of this body's visuals. He definitely is more good-looking than how I originally looked. His blonde, medium-length hair covered some parts of his face, almond-shaped eyes whose irises are akin to an emerald, a small beauty mark located just below his right eye. The body I was possessing looked like it belonged to a 14 year old, which explained why I felt a little scrawny.

After scanning my new self in the mirror, I went back to my bed. A few knocks were then heard from the door.

"Who is it?"

I asked loud enough for the person to hear. They went silent for a brief moment before answering.

"Your butler, young master."

"Come in."

The fancy-looking door opened, giving way to the middle-aged man who was wearing a suit, looking surprised. Before him was a two-deck metal trolley with a beverage set, a plate of pancakes which I assumed to be my breakfast, and some utensils. 

"You're already awake?"

His expression was a mess, displaying a mixture of shock and relief as he rushed towards me, handing a glass of warm water.

"Umm… yeah."

I replied before downing the glass. Of course I am, I wouldn't be answering him if I was still asleep. The previous emotions he showed now transitioned into worry.

"How are you feeling?"

The butler's behavior made me think. Was this body previously injured? Seeing that it's unscathed, maybe it got into an accident that suffered internally instead.

I have no idea about this new body's life. There was no use pretending when I didn't even know its previous owner's name and personality. Taking my chances at the assumption, I opened my mouth.

"I don't know, I can't remember anything."

I replied in a nonchalant tone. His worried expression worsened, bowing at me before gently placing the wheeled table which had a plate of food and utensils beside my bed.