Drained from her trip, Sol remained asleep for two days before finally awakening. Memories foriegn to her sent her mind into a painful spiral for a moment, however they soon faded as if locked away.

Despite losing access to the memories, Sol felt as if she changed once more. She could no longer differentiate the changes though. The major changes had already happened and it felt as if it were a gradual adjustment now instead of a dramatic alteration.

There was little she could do to change her fate. Sol had long come to terms with her fate choosing to look to the near future rather than the far end. She pulled the cable beside her bed to ring a bell and with the assistance of the servants, Sol readied herself for the day.

“How long did I sleep this time?”

The servants were somewhat surprised that their Lady could tell she was asleep for a prolonged period of time, but after a quick thought, they considered she might know judging off how hungry she was.

Oddly enough, Sol could tell based on how much energy she had. Before she blacked out on her last journey, she could tell her body was abnormally exhausted. Luckily, she managed to ask enough questions to make the trip worthwhile.

“My Lady, you’ve slept for 2 days this time.”

“I see… Has my father already been informed about my trip?”

“Yes. The Duke ordered to be notified as soon as the Lady recovered. The Doctor is also visiting as well.”

“The Doctor? The same miracle doctor who diagnosed me last time? Did father invite him?”

“Yes. This servant will notify the Duke if the Lady has nothing more.“

“Go on. Bring this Lady breakfast as well.”

“Yes.”

The servant left the room after Sol put on her dress. From the crystal mirror, she could tell her skin had turned a shade pallor. A sarcastic smile worked its way across her face, however Sol pushed those emotions down a moment later.

Her breakfast was slow but delicious, the portions and food selected consistent with those bed ridden or for those struck with stomach illness. The soup was shallow with grinded meats and rice making it runny and the bread damped to ease chewing.

Sol Kept her complaints to herself while digging in. She put the entire meal down and was feeling energized when the outer door was knocked on. A servant entered with a quick bow.

“Young Lady, Duke Reviarra has invited you to the table downstairs.”

“Right then, let’s go meet him.”

Assisted from her desk, Sol made her way downstairs where she found the bulk of her family sitting in the reception room. The only member she couldn’t find was her brother, Lord Christopher. 

She understood at once that her brother returned to his schooling. Although her health was failing, it wasn’t enough to keep her brother away from his schooling as she wasn’t immediately ill.

Beside her mother and father sat an old man unfamiliar to her. Considering her parents' attitude towards him, she assumed he was the doctor who initially diagnosed her. Her appearance interrupted the group’s conversation.

“Mother. Father.”

“Sol, come sit here.”

Duchess Reviarra gestured to her lap and while dealing with the slight embarrassment, Sol acquiesced. Her cheeks turned a light red as she sat on her mother’s lap, however the group ignored her reactions for the most part.

“Doctor, if you may.”

“Hahaha. Certainly… Lady Sol, might this old man check your pulse?”

“Please.”

Sol extended her arm and the old man placed a handkerchief on it followed by a serious 2 minutes of measuring her pulse. His gentile appearance eased away to a more solemn expression as he continued his checkup until the end when he gazed at Sol with a semblance of pity.

His eyes darted to Duke and Duchess Reviarra as if to ask for their permission before he continued.

“Young Lady, this old man has lived quite a long time and has diagnosed many wondrous cases throughout my life. Despite this old man’s breadth of experience, this old man can be certain to have never crossed a case similar to yours before.”

“This lady was informed you diagnosed me last time?”

“Hahaha! The Duke and Duchess think too highly of this old man. Last time this old man visited you, this old man diagnosed you halfway and divined the other half. This old man’s medical expertise is only capable of helping protect things within the realm of man. Anything exceeding that is beyond this old man’s medical capability.”

“That’s to say you divined this Lady’s future previously? Is that to say this Lady has hope for a different future? Might this Lady be optimistic?”

“I’m afraid not, young Lady. This old man learned his divining skills from his master and can be considered an expert with great accuracy.”

There was clear disappointment shown in Sol’s eyes. Although her maturity was skyrocketing recently, there were some things even a high maturity couldn’t resist against. Her downcast expression didn’t escape the group, however she recovered just as quickly to follow up.

“Good Doctor, this Lady’s body is growing weaker just as diagnosed. This Lady noticed her mental acuity increasing unlike the Doctor’s diagnosis, though. Would the Doctor be able to explain that?”

“Lady Reviarra, deterioration of the mind is already happening. What the Lady is experiencing is no different than another living for many years. The Lady can think of your maturation as living through life at an accelerated rate. The acceleration means the Lady’s mind will also fail just as rapidly.”

“So this I’m a flare burning bright and fast?”

“Yes. This old man predicts your flame will burnout within the next decade.”

“I see… How accurate is this?”

“This old man is known for his accuracy, however if I may… The Lady has two opposing destinies when divined. The two conflict with each other and this old man has consulted other experts on the Lady’s case, however this old man has yet to find a conclusion.”

“What is this Lady’s alternate destiny?”

“This old man divined both the Lady’s death and life. The two are inextricably linked and are incapable of being repressed. The lady is both destined for a short life, and also an eternal life. Such divinations are beyond the ability of man though and this old man is incapable of foretelling anything more.”

Duke Reviarra locked eyes with his wife while the doctor and his daughter conversed. It appeared it was impossible to change his daughter’s fate and the small amount of gain they thought she obtained was just another tragedy in disguise.

“Good Doctor… Have you any suggestions for this Lady?”

The old man retained a gentle smile as he gazed at Sol. It was clear the young lady who he diagnosed months ago had already disappeared. Only a few months and she had already matured to the point near an adult. Despite that though, he was able to sense the innocence remained.

“Lady Reviarra… No, Sol Reviarra, if this old man may... If you would trust this old man, then heed this old man’s advice. Do as the Lady wishes and continue walking towards a goal. Don’t give up and hold firm to the Lady’s principles. If there was ever a way for Humans to defy fate and combat heaven’s designs, it would be to tackle it head on with persistence. Do you understand?”

“This Lady is unsure… however this Lady will heed the good Doctor’s advice. There’s little energy this Lady has left for anything outside of family and hobbies anyhow.”

Sol shrugged her shoulders and accepted the Doctor’s advice. Beside her, Duke and Duchess Reviarra made a silent oath as well. In the end, the family saw the miracle doctor off from the estate gates after many thanks.