After analyzing the unfamiliar red liquid inside the uniquely shaped glass bottle, Lucien finally opened the lid and drank every sip.
As he did, he began to feel a sudden burst of physical and mental energy surging rapidly, giving him almost no time to react to the changes. The fatigue and pain he felt just seconds ago were gone, almost instantly.
He felt anew.
"...?!"
Lucien examined every part of his body in disbelief.
Seraphina's family was highly known for their Potion Production Business, where she was the current co-owner. That explains where the High-Grade Healing Potion came from and its high-quality healing factors.
Lucien stood up from his seat and looked towards Sage.
"Sage, I'll get this mess cleaned up by the maids, and I'll take a bath for a while; you stay here for now."
Sage moved its object body up and down as if nodding in agreement. It then positioned itself on the desk, closing the pages and leaving only the intricate pattern of the cover to see.
Lucien then headed towards the large wooden door of his bedroom and pulled it open, going outside his bedroom. As he went out of his bedroom for the first time, a familiar hallway greeted him. Since he had already seen it in Lucien's memory, he wasn't as amazed by its beautiful design.
Focusing more on the important matter, Lucien looked to his left and right; however, to his disappointment, no maids or butlers were strolling around. He honestly didn't want to walk around looking so messy like this.
However, the current situation left him no choice. Lucien walked through the luxurious hallway of Lucien's estate.
He tried to focus as much as he could, trying to ignore all the luxuries this estate possessed. Although he had seen it before in Lucien's memories, he still couldn't help but pause for seconds every time he saw something that was wrapped in gold and pieces of jewelry, expensive paintings, with such high value.
He has now walked a few distances away from his bedroom, but for some reason, the estate where the original Lucien lived seemed to be so empty of life.
Lucien recalled that he had a maid who had cared for him since childhood, and she was now the Head Maid of the estate. In addition to her, there were several other maids assigned to the estate, as well as a Head Butler who previously worked in the Royal Palace, along with a few other butlers.
'Given the size of the estate, they are likely just in another part of it.'
'Normally, there would be a maid waiting for me outside my bedroom; however, the original Lucien cast them aside at the time of his depression.'
'Damn you, Lucien! You just had to make it harder for me now that I'm in your position!'
Just as Lucien lifted his head and was about to proceed, a voice suddenly emerged in front of him.
A young maid stood before him, carrying a tray of food.
A startled look crossed her face as she stared at the young man, with blood on his clothes, in front of her.
"Y—Your Highness! What happened to you?!"
Lucien was silent for a moment, gazing at the maid with a perplexed expression. 'Ah, that's right…' He had forgotten about how messy he had looked as he strolled around the estate earlier. All the luxury Lucien possessed was just too astonishing not to admire.
Lucien lowered his head, staring at the bloody mess on his white tunic, then lifted his head once again.
"I was training with my blade last night and accidentally cut myself," Lucien said calmly. "The room's a mess—have someone clean it up. And prepare a warm bath for me." He paused for a moment, then added, "Also, tell Head Butler Gareth I wish to speak with him later."
The young maid stared at him, puzzled and worried.
"...Are you not going to get treatment for your injuries, Your Highness?"
Lucien was silent for a moment, then responded.
"Ah, about that. The injuries were quite threatening, you see, so I had no choice but to consume the High-Grade Healing Potion Seraphina gave me."
The maid stared at him silently for a moment.
"I-I see, then, I'll leave now, Your Highness. I will place the food at your desk after cleaning your room."
The young maid bowed, paying her respect before leaving. However, before she could turn around and leave, Lucien spoke.
"Place the food at the dining table. I'll eat there today."
The maid froze for a second. She stared at Lucien for a moment, then said:
"As you wish, Your Highness."
She said, then bowed once again, rushing to head somewhere else.
…
Moments later, Lucien sank into the steaming bath the maids had prepared, the warm water easing the tension from his shoulders.
Lucien wanted to take all the time he needed and spend as much time as he could in this luxurious bathtub. After all, he knew the kind of journey he would go through. So he wanted to prepare himself mentally first.
All the things that had happened earlier had felt like seconds. No matter how adaptable a person he was, this was simply all too much for him.
Normally, when someone finds themselves in a completely different world, panic would be the natural response. After all, they'd be leaving behind everything—their home, their identity, the people they once knew.
But for Seojun, the life he had left behind wasn't something worth holding on to.
That's why he didn't break down easily. That's why he didn't look back. He simply accepted the strange truth.
He was no longer himself. He now carried another man's name, faced another man's burdens, and walked a path that wasn't his own.
Lucien stared at the ceiling in quiet thought for a moment before finally rising from the luxurious bathtub.
As he stood, warm water slid down his skin in slow streams, tracing the shape of his lean frame. He wasn't bulky, nor was he frail—his build was somewhere in between, toned just enough to suggest strength beneath a graceful form.
He then stepped out from the luxurious bathtub and walked towards the vanity, grabbing the towel within it. After that, he dried himself off.
Moments afterward, he went toward where his silken robe was hung and took it from the hook; he then wore it and headed to the polished wooden door, pulling it open.
There, what seemed to be a middle-aged man, greeted him with a concerned expression. For obvious reasons. He bowed after seeing Lucien come out of the bathroom, and then, he said:
"Your Highness, I heard you were looking for me."
Lucien tilted his head, staring at Head Butler Gareth with a neutral expression.
'Head Butler Gareth. He had been the one handling all of Lucien's tasks for the time being, at the time of his isolation, since he didn't have a Secretary. Therefore, he volunteered to become both his Secretary and the Head Butler of the estate.'
'No one wanted to become Lucien's Secretary because of Lucien's bad image—simply serving for a fool is not worth anyone's time.'
'What an admirable man. Anyone in his position would have abandoned their duties, serving for a fool like me. Yet, he didn't, and even became Lucien's Secretary to help him and support him with his tasks as the crown prince.'
A smile formed on Lucien's lips.
"Gareth, it's been a while. I called you to tell you something important, however, I'd prefer it if we talked in a more private place," he said, then added. "Follow me."
Lucien gestured for Gareth to follow him. He then led him to his bedroom, and there they sat across each other.
Gareth had been holding back his questions, but his curiosity got the better of him.
"Your Highness, I heard about what happened to you. Is it true that you injured yourself with a sword? And the injury was threatening enough to force you to consume the High-Grade Healing Potion from the Verdanne family?"
Lucien gave him a thoughtful look.
'Is he suspicious about my excuse? Well, that's not surprising. Why would someone who isolated himself in his room for a month suddenly start practicing swordsmanship?
"I know it sounds absurd, but don't worry. I am telling the truth. I wanted to get rid of these feelings that have been hindering me lately, and I thought that I'd start with some kind of physical training."
Gareth remained silent for a moment before finally responding.
"I see. Then, considering that you have shown yourself, Your Highness. Are you perhaps planning on your return as the crown prince?" Gareth spoke with a hint of hope in his tone.
Lucien's expression went serious.
"That's right," he said confidently. "I called you here to send a letter to the Royal Palace and request a personal audience between me and my father. I want it scheduled today, if possible."