Chapter 11

My feel was so bad, still feeling tired even though my body was more refreshed than before. My head was no longer as painful as it had been when I first fainted, but my mind was filled with worry. Every once in a while, the healers would come and check on me, bringing herbs that tasted quite bitter but had a calming effect on my body. I had no choice but to drink it, trying to pretend that everything was fine, even if it wasn't.

The arrival of the healers was always accompanied by their whispers exchanging opinions. I knew they were still confused about my condition. They might not fully know what was wrong with me yet, but I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that they would soon discover something they shouldn't know. One little mistake, and my entire cover as Dean could come crashing down.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. It was only a matter of time. I had to focus on finding a way to get back to my own world before everything was revealed.

However, just as I was trying to rest, the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching from outside the room. Heavy, firm steps, a sound that instantly made my heart beat faster. A few seconds later, my bedroom door opened, and the figure of King Domiano appeared in the doorway.

"I wish to speak alone with my son," he said in a low but firm tone to the healers still in the room. The healers immediately bowed respectfully before leaving me alone with King Domiano.

I swallowed nervously. My mind immediately spun, thinking of all the bad possibilities of what might happen in this conversation. Did he suspect something? Does he know that I'm not Dean?

But I quickly dismissed all those thoughts. There's no point in being paranoid. This is just a conversation between a father and his son... or at least that's what I should do now.

Despite the fact that the man is not my father but Dean's father but still the body I'm in now belongs to that man's son. I had to get used to acting like a child in front of that man because I was acting as his son since I was borrowing Dean's body.

"Dad," I greeted in a tone that I made as calm as possible, trying to hide my nervousness. "What brings you here?"

This was quite ridiculous because I hadn't called someone father or anything like that in a long time. It felt intriguing, but it also made me smile because I could relate to calling someone that, which meant that for the time being I had a father figure I could call like that.

It was so sad that in my original life I lived alone with no one to accompany me.

King Domiano approached and sat on the chair beside my bed. The look on his face was serious, though there was a hint of doubt behind his eyes. For a few moments, we were silent, the atmosphere in the room becoming more and more oppressive.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Dean," he said finally, his tone softer than usual. "Are you feeling better? Is there anything you need?"

I smiled slightly, though the anxiety still hung over me. "I'm fine, Father. The healers have taken very good care of me, and all my needs are met."

King Domiano nodded, though his expression showed that something was bothering him. I could sense that this was no ordinary visit to inquire about health. There was something else he wanted to talk about, and I knew that I wouldn't like it.

After a while, he started talking again, this time in a more awkward tone, as if he himself was unsure of what he wanted to say.

"Dean... there's one more thing I want to talk to you about," he said quietly, his gaze not directly looking at me. "It's about... your arranged marriage."

Just now I felt the emotion and also the warmth when having a conversation between father and son, but in fact this man again destroyed the feeling of having to be in my heart. Couldn't he just not think about the match between Dean and that demon and angel for a moment?

I immediately felt my blood boil at those words. Matchmaking? In the middle of a situation like this, when I was still trying to make sense of this body, trying to survive all the memories and burdens that weren't mine, he was talking about an arranged marriage?

"Father," I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended. "Is this really a good time to discuss such things?"

King Domiano seemed a little surprised by my sudden reaction. But he continued anyway. "I just want to make sure you know that our time is limited, Dean. Your match with Junigo and Jade is an important part of the future of this kingdom. They've both been waiting for your approval for a long time, and---"

"Is that what matters now?" I couldn't hold back my temper anymore. "Is the arranged marriage more important than my situation? More important than what's really happening to me?"

I could see King Domiano's face stiffen. "Dean, this isn't just about you. It's about the kingdom, about the future of us all."

I shook my head in frustration. How could he possibly think of something like this? While I was still struggling with all the chaos going on in my life both here and in my home world, he was focusing on things like this ridiculous arranged marriage.

"Father," I looked at him sharply. "You know what I'm going through right now. My body... my mind... everything is not what it used to be. And you're still insisting on talking about an arranged marriage? As if I'm just a tool to settle political affairs?"

"I am not forcing you," King Domiano argued, though his voice sounded increasingly strained. "I merely reminded you of your responsibilities as part of the royal family. Junigo and Jade are-"

"I know who they are!" I cut in again, my voice growing louder. "But is that reason enough for you to continue to force me? Do you really care about me as your son, or just as a political tool to maintain your power?"

The atmosphere in the room turned tense. King Domiano seemed speechless, not knowing what to answer. His face paled slightly, as if he hadn't expected me to speak to him like this. But I was already too angry to care.

"I'm your child, a child who should feel warmth and a sense of family from you." I continued in a lower but still angry tone, "but I feel like a stranger here. Have you ever thought about how I feel? About the burden I'm carrying? No, you only care about this arranged marriage, about how I can benefit the kingdom."

I paused, trying to contain my growing anger. King Domiano was still silent, perhaps he was still trying to digest my words. But I couldn't hold it in anymore. All the feelings I had been holding back finally burst out.

"Do you really love me as your son?" I asked in a voice that was almost shaking. "Or am I just a tool to maintain your power and wealth? If that's the case, you'd better stop all this treatment. Let me suffer until I die."

The words slipped out before I could hold them back. I knew they were harsh, but I didn't care. I was fed up with all this. I was sick of the way he treated me, as if I were just a pawn in his political game.

King Domiano looked shocked, his eyes widening at my words. The atmosphere in the room became heavier, the air seemed to press in, making it difficult for me to breathe. I could feel his piercing gaze, but I didn't shy away. I wanted him to know that I really felt this way. That I would not remain silent and take everything for granted.

Without a word, King Domiano rose from his seat, his face looking more tense than ever. For a few seconds, he just stood there, looking at me with a gaze that I could hardly read. Then, without saying anything, he turned around and walked out of my room.

The door closed quietly behind him, leaving me alone with all my mixed feelings. I felt tired, angry, and confused. But underneath it all, there was a slight sense of relief. At least I had revealed everything. I didn't know what would happen next, but now I was stuck in a polemic of mixed feelings. I'm quite relieved after saying what I just said, but at the same time I also feel guilty for saying harsh words to the person who is now my father.

This is really a dilemma.