Ocean’s eyes opened in a different room than usual and he found Sol and Kai sleeping beside him along with Davian who had dozed off on the armchair on his other side.

But apart from that, there were some unread notifications that were flashing before his eyes and some messages that were incessantly running along.

Ocean watched the sleeping individuals with with tender eyes feeling guilty for making them all worry so much before he soundlessly got down from the bed and walked over to the window watching the twilight sky outside.

He glanced at the notifications.

[The Preserver is glad to see you awake.]

[Goddess of Wisdom is happy to see you awake.]

[Defender of Divine Glory sighs with relief.]

[Giver of Gifts asks if you are feeling all right.]

"I’m fine, besides, you guys are back. Has your punishment period ended?" Ocean thought.

[Goddess of Wisdom says that the one month was long enough.]

[Defender of Divine Glory says that it’s good to see you healthy.]

[Giver of Gifts says she was scared to see you collapse.]

"You saw me collapse?"

[Giver of Gifts says The Preserver told them.]

Ocean sighed before he placed his hand over his hip with a small smile watching their messages before he noticed a different notification.

[Congratulations! You have recieved a blessing from the God of Dragons.]

"God of Dragons?" Ocean thought before he focused on that notification and more intelligent poured through.

[God of Dragons has declared himself to be your guardian. You shall carry his authority and every Dragon will feel his essence through you. If anyone dares try to harm you then God of Dragons himself will exact a revenge for you.]

Ocean’s eyebrows jumped reading this and almost chuckled.

"Who is this God of Dragons and how did I impress him so much that he’s willing to be my guardian?" Ocean asked.

His Patrons remained silent.

"What you’re not allowed to tell me?"

[The Preserver asks you to not think about that and focus on the task at hand.]

Ocean sighed again, running his hand through his hair noticing as how sticky and damp he felt.

"Ah, I need a bath." He spoke to himself.

Just then he felt the movement behind him and he saw Davian waking up. He saw Davian getting shocked before looking around about to call out.

Ocean smiled as he spoke, "The kids are asleep, Your Highness,"

Ocean saw Davian slowly turning and looking at him. Ocean was able to see the disbelief and shock cross through his face as the sunlight slowly started seeping through the room from behind him.

"Good morning, Prince Davian." Ocean spoke.

Davian still seemed stunned before he slowly walked towards Ocean and stopped a feet away from him. Ocean looked up at him with a smile on his face.

Davian’s trembling hand reached out and Ocean felt his cool fingers brush over his cheek.

"It’s not a dream, I’m awake." Ocean spoke to make him snap out of his shock.

Ocean noticed as how Davian’s eyes glistened with unshed tears before his arms came around his neck pulling him into a tight embrace. Ocean could feel Davian’s body trembling ever so slightly and he sighed with a smile before he patted his back gently.

"I’m sorry for worrying you all... But I’m fine... now that I’ve made my decision too." Ocean spoke.

Well, he had made a decision on doing whatever he wanted by keeping the part about his missions and tasks out of his personal life. He was going to cut the strings attached to him and be like an assassin he was.

Follow the quests and tasks as per the requirements and not let the system override his thinking process. It was a job after all and not something that required for him to sacrifice everything else that was granted to him in the process.

Reina had her own life, her family, her friends, allies and even the right to have a partner. There was no way that she couldn’t do all that. Ocean almost cursed himself for believing otherwise when his own existence was forced for that sole purpose. It was to keep Reina’s identity out of the dangerous equations while having him play the part.

It was simple yet, it ended up weighing on mind so much that they lost the sight of one simple move that was always available on the chess board for them.

Davian’s eyes were slightly bloodshot by the time he released Ocean and Ocean walked over to Sol and Kai. There was a knock on the door and Sol stirred awake.

He turned his head and was shocked to not see Ocean in his spot but then his eyes widened as he saw him standing in front of him with a smile on his face.

"Good morning, Sol." Ocean smiled.

Sol couldn’t believe his eyes for a moment before he reached out and Ocean walked closer to him taking his hand. The doors of the room opened. Enora and Remi walked in with the basins.

"Young Masters, it’s time to-"

The two stopped as they realised that Ocean was awake.

"M-Master!" Enora gasped letting her original emotions take over her usual composed expression honed by years of experience of her work as an assassin.

"Master, you’re awake!" Remi beamed.

Ocean smiled at then before he felt Sol throw himself over him and he chuckled. Kai also stirred awake and sat up rubbing his eyes before he turned his head watching Ocean awake with Sol already in his arms.

Kai’s eyes glistened at once and Ocean stretched his free hand at him while holding Sol with another. Kai also scrambled close to Ocean and both the little Dragons hugged Ocean while he held them with a smile on his face.

"Y-You’re awake! You’re really awake!" Kai cried and Ocean sighed.

Sol didn’t say anything as he just kept latched onto Ocean tightly.

"Master... A-Are you feeling all right? Do you feel weak or any pain anywhere?" Enora asked and Ocean smiled at her.

"I’m fine now, Enora. I apologise for making you all worry so much." Ocean said.

Enora smiled, "We are just happy to see you awake, Master. Both the Young Masters handled everything well in your absence."

Ocean was impressed, "Is that so? Then I guess they should be rewarded."

Enora was relieved and Remi grinned, "Well, now that Master is awake we must take good care of him so that he won’t fall sick again."

He placed the basin down and Ocean chuckled, "It’s fine, it probably won’t repeat again."

"Probably?" Davian asked.

Ocean chuckled, "Well, I am strong but not a God after all."

Kai looked up at him, "I-In that case, you must promise that you will tell us about it beforehand. Do-Do you know how scared we all were?!"

Ocean’s smile turned apologetic before he brushed Kai’s head.

"I’m sorry, Kai. I’ll be more careful next time."

Sol still didn’t say anything and Ocean noticed it but thought that maybe he was too overwhelmed to say anything.

"Still, I think I do need something on urgent basis." Ocean spoke making everyone look at him with rapt attention.

"What is it, Master? We’ll prepare it for you right away." Enora said and Ocean smiled.

"First, I need a bath and second, I’m so famished I can eat an army." Ocean said making everyone pause for a moment before they laughed.

"R-Right away, Master!" Remi said and Enora looked at him.

"Remi, prepare the bath for Master, I’ll head to the kitchen." Enora instructed him and he nodded before the two left the room.

After a while, Reina was sitting in her vast bath that resembled a living pool, its surface rippling faintly as if it breathed with her. Lukewarm water lapped against his skin, strewn with petals and herbs whose deep, mellow fragrance curled into the air—something between ocean mist and sandalwood, calming the mind like a half-forgotten lullaby. Steam softened the light, cloaking her in a quiet that felt almost sacred.

The water slid down her flawless skin and the droplets made her hair glimmer like diamonds. She closed her eyes relaxing her body until she started forming the next moves in her head.

She was out for two days so, that must have given the enemies plenty of of time to run around even if they didn’t know of her condition. Regardless, now that she was roused from her sickness she felt refreshed and energetic again. It was time to end the farce that had been going on.

While Reina was planning, everyone who had been on edge worried sick for the past two days were happily back to their work.

The entourages from Denril were going to return within a week and before that Reina/Ocean was planning on putting an end to the show that the enemy was putting behind the scenes for a while now.

After a good soak, Reina stood up from the bath and toweled herself off, she hadn’t allowed anyone else to assist her as she wanted some alone time in silence.

After toweling herself off she picked out the outfit to wear, a white shirt with black loose fitting trousers along with the best that he had recieved from Mordino a while back.

Reina placed the earstud on her ear, reverting to Ocean’s form before she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," Ocean commanded and the door opened while Ocean stood behind the changing platform.

Ocean could sense that it was Sol who had entered and he waited for him to speak as he pulled the trousers over his long legs.

"Ocean," Sol started and Ocean hummed.

"Are you hiding something from us?" Sol asked and Ocean chuckled.

"What do you mean? What am I hiding?" Ocean asked while he slid his arms over the sleeves of the shirt.

"Then... Will you answer me truthfully if I ask you about some things?" Sol asked.

"What are you so curious about?" Ocean asked.

Sol remained silent for a beat and Ocean was done wearing his clothes. He was in a good mood until he heard the question that followed which stunned him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Then, can you tell me what kind of a deal have you made with the Gods?"