After lying in bed for nearly a day, Lorin felt the numbness in his body fade slightly. But he still had no strength at all.

Even Lorin had to admit—the medicine Xueyi found had a surprisingly strong aftereffect.

He got out of bed. The room wasn’t large, but it wasn’t cramped either. Yet he stumbled as he walked, bumping repeatedly into the wooden walls.

Stepping outside, Lorin finally saw the whole house.

It couldn’t compare to the noble estates he and Xueyi once lived in. But this place had everything it needed.

A small dining table and chairs sat nearby. Simple utensils rested by the window. Though basic, everything was neat and orderly. It felt like an ordinary person lived here.

Lorin tried to walk further. But by the door, he was already panting heavily. He leaned against the frame to catch his breath.

Only then did he see where they were.

Inside, he’d thought they were in a street house. But now he saw trees everywhere—surrounded by forest. A small lake glittered under the setting sun.

“Where is this place?” Lorin managed to speak, though it still took effort.

As the Second Prince, he knew little about the Royal Capital or beyond. He could only ask the Bookkeeper.

“South of the Royal Capital. Not too far.”

“Good,” Lorin thought, relieved Xueyi hadn’t taken him somewhere strange.

Just then, sounds came from the lakeside.

He shifted slightly to look.

There, a girl had hiked her skirt to her knees. She was washing fruits and vegetables by the water. Her movements were clumsy. Items kept slipping from her hands, sinking, then floating back up.

When she reached to grab them again, they drifted away with the ripples toward the lake’s center.

The girl pouted, hands on her hips. A hint of frustration crossed her face. Then she bent down to wash the rest.

“Is that… Xueyi?” Lorin blinked, staring hard to be sure.

If he hadn’t seen it himself, he’d never believe it was her.

Since arriving in this world, maids had handled Lorin’s daily life. He’d never done chores. But Xueyi’s awkward motions made it clear—she wasn’t used to this either. He guessed it might be her first time.

After finishing, Xueyi walked toward the house. She looked up and saw Lorin by the door.

“Why are you out of bed?” She approached him. “The medicine’s effect should last longer.”

Lorin barely cared about the medicine now. Xueyi looked nothing like a noble lady. She seemed like a village girl.

“You look…”

“My appearance?” Xueyi glanced at herself, then smiled shyly. “First time doing this. I’m not used to it.”

She wiped water from her forehead. Even she couldn’t tell if it was sweat or lake spray.

With Xueyi’s support, Lorin walked back inside and sat on a chair.

Treated like this, he smiled wryly. It felt like he had a serious illness.

He looked around the house again. “Whose place is this?”

“My grandfather’s old hunting cabin,” Xueyi said. “Don’t worry—no monsters or wild animals nearby. It’s safe.”

Many nobles had such hobbies. Hunting gave them social talk and a way to test heirs. So cabins like this dotted safe forests outside the Royal Capital.

Xueyi added, “Food’s easy here. Plenty of edible things nearby. No need to worry.”

Lorin sensed something in her tone. “So we’re not returning to the Royal Capital?”

“Return? Why?” Xueyi looked confused. “Didn’t I say we just need to be together?”

Lorin didn’t know the Capital’s current state. But Xueyi seemed dead serious.

“What about your father? The academy—”

Before he could finish, Xueyi stuffed an apple into his mouth.

“My father will handle it,” she said firmly. “The academy closed due to chaos in the Royal Capital. We’ll see later. It’s not safe for you there now.”

Lorin pulled out the apple. He stared at Xueyi, unsure what to say.

“You just need to stay here,” she smiled, then stood to prepare dinner.

For Xueyi, the Gret Family had troubles—but her father would fix them. She hadn’t broken her promise about the academy; it was simply closed. She didn’t know what happened in the Capital, but keeping Lorin away felt right.

Nobles probably didn’t know if Lorin had returned. Even if they did, they’d only know he’d set out… then vanished.

Here, she could stay with him. Care for him. Xueyi even wished the Royal Capital would forget them entirely. So no one would ever notice them again.

Lorin watched her. Washing produce, preparing dinner—she was clumsy at both. Yet she pushed through, adapting.

It felt unfamiliar. But then he remembered—Xueyi had always been like this. Whatever she decided to do, she’d try her hardest. Even if she’d never done it before.

Staying here forever might work, Lorin thought.

If Xueyi didn’t end up disappearing, he’d succeeded. Hiding together seemed like a solution. But if it were that simple… why had he come to this world at all?