Juno slowly opened her eyes.
“My lady.”
“Are you all right?”
John and Peter worriedly looked at her. She rose from her seat. “You woke me up in the nick of time, didn’t you?”
“That’s correct.”
“Teacher, you’re truly amazing!” She hugged him.
Peter snorted. “Thank you.” With a smug look on his face, he patted Juno on the head.
“Did you talk to him?” John asked.
“Yes,” Juno said.
“What did he say?”
Juno pulled away from Peter. “He doesn’t mind if his consciousness is transferred to a doll.”
“That’s good.” There was a glint of happiness in John’s eyes. He and Juno smiled at each other.
“There’s another option,” Peter said.
“What?”
Peter gestured to Jupiter. “Look.”
Jupiter’s fingers were shaking. As the three watched with bated breath, one of Jupiter’s eyes slowly opened.
“…Juno.” His voice was hoarse, but it was Jupiter. Juno ran to him.
This was a possible outcome Peter mentioned. By waking up Jupiter’s brain and consciousness, he could wake up normally. He said that it was highly unlikely to happen, but Jupiter woke up.
Juno stopped Jupiter from speaking. “Wait.”
Conveniently, John took out a bottle and gave it to Juno.
“Thank you, John.”
As Juno helped Jupiter take the medicine, Jupiter’s gaze was focused on her. She set the bottle aside; Jupiter grabbed her hand.
“…I met you in my dreams. So…”
“Yes, that was me.”
“Are you certain?”
Juno grinned and clasped his hand.
“Ahem, let’s save the lovers’ reunion for later,” Peter said.
Juno glared at him for ruining the mood. “Teacher.”
Peter turned his attention to Jupiter. Jupiter’s gaze flitted between Peter and Juno before he looked at his hand. “Am I in a doll?”
The sudden question reminded her of their conversation when she asked him if he wanted his consciousness placed into a doll. It would’ve been impossible normally for a person who fell into a coma to move around easily like this.
Peter answered, “No, you’re in your own body.”
“So, I woke up.”
“Correct.”
“Eight years have passed.”
“Yes.”
As Jupiter tried to sit up, the door suddenly opened.
“Mother! On my way here…”
“…Mother?”
Juno, who was looking at Hebe, glanced at Jupiter. “It’s not what you think.”
Jupiter muttered, “It’s all right if you met another man—“
Peter said, “That’s not what happened. Hebe, Jupiter is awake.”
“Really? Jupiter!” Hebe ran to Jupiter’s bed, which startled Jupiter.
“Hebe?”
Touching Hebe’s shoulder, Juno said, “This is Hebe, who became my son while you were asleep.”
“I see.”
Juno tried to explain the situation to Jupiter who had a calm expression on his face.
Peter said, “Get out, you two. And you can be jealous later. I have to check your body first.”
After hesitating for a while, Juno nodded and stepped back. “All right.”
***
“Mother!”
The sound of Hebe’s voice made Jupiter’s gaze sharp. Juno didn’t notice, but Peter did, which caused him to scoff. Jupiter who had a gentle appearance disappeared as his piercing gaze stared at the door. Yet as Juno explained the situation, Jupiter was like a harmless sheep.
“It’s all right if you met another man—”
“That’s not what happened.” Peter noticed that Jupiter’s hand was ready to tear the blanket apart. After that, Peter, who treated Hebe like his own son, glanced at Jupiter’s expression. “Get out, you two. And you can be jealous later. I have to check your body first.”
As Jupiter watched Juno and Hebe leave, Peter approached him and snapped his fingers. Jupiter’s attention returned to him.
“I hope you don’t feel too uncomfortable since we’ve been using a lot of medicine on you. Try moving your fingers.” Peter didn’t think there was a problem since Jupiter could move his hands, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Toes as well.”
It was inevitable Juno loved Jupiter; however, Peter was very concerned about Jupiter’s more sinister side.
“Move your legs.”
Thankfully, Jupiter was utterly devoted to Juno, but with that kind of gaze, he was unpredictable.
“Sit up.” Peter nodded, vowing to himself to observe Jupiter in the future.
“Hm, it appears everything is in working order,” Jupiter said.
“It is because of the medicine Master and my lady made,” John said as he approached them.
Peter nodded and looked at Jupiter. Specifically, he noticed Jupiter only had one eye. Peter pointed to where Jupiter’s right eye would’ve been. “What shall we do about that?”
Jupiter frowned. It didn’t hurt, but it was uncomfortable having only one eye to see.
Peter observed Jupiter’s lack of a reaction. “Did you know you lost the other one?”
“Yes, I remember it happening before I lost consciousness.”
“I’ll give you a replacement.”
“Thank you.”
Peter sighed as he saw Jupiter continue to glance at Juno who was smiling with Hebe. Peter didn’t like this, but Juno loved Jupiter very much.
“Juno looks happy.”
Peter murmured, “I’m glad you came back alive.”
Jupiter turned to look at him. He appeared to be surprised.
Peter noticed Jupiter didn’t like him. “I’ll give you some alone time. Thank you for being Juno’s pillar of support.”
“You’re welcome.” Jupiter smiled.
Peter didn’t like that pretentious face either. After all, Peter was part of Juno’s family who cared for her. “Hmph.”
Juno returned to the room. “Teacher?”
Peter had no intention of looking at Juno and Jupiter. He grabbed Hebe’s hand. “Let’s go find him a new eye.”
“Oh, can I pick it?”
Juno nodded at Hebe. When Hebe turned to look at Jupiter, Jupiter also nodded.
Peter dragged Hebe out of the room. “There’s a lot to choose from.”
John pulled up a chair for Juno to sit in. “My lady, please call if you need me.”
“Thank you, John.”
“Goodbye, Jupiter!” Hebe exclaimed.
The three left Jupiter’s room. Hebe hummed as he walked; John and Peter were right behind him. Arriving at the study on the third floor, Peter entered the workshop and took out a box containing eyes. He opened the lid.
“How’s the girl?”
Now that the problem of Jupiter was solved to some extent, it was time to check in on the other issue.
Hebe said, “Everything’s all right, but I’m a little worried.”
Peter nodded. “Tell me.”
“She’s very interested in Mother.”
“How so?”
“She wants to be treated like family.”
Peter snorted. “That’s not even a good joke.”
“Mother will accept her at this rate.” Hebe had a disgruntled expression on his face.
Peter felt the same way. He looked at John. “What do you think?”
Indifferent, John said, “The timing isn’t good at the moment.”
With a frown, Peter asked, “Does that mean she’ll be useful later?”
“Haven’t you noticed? She’s strong, but she still has a soft spot.”
“Ah, of course.”
Juno was in a better position, but she was still weak. It was natural since she was a human. The uninvited guest who entered their mansion reminded Juno of her past.
“It’s not necessary to keep the child separated from her. She’ll be useful, politically and emotionally.”
That child was needed for Juno’s growth. Peter responded, “Then we should keep our distance as before.”
“Since Lord Jupiter is awake, she’ll be focusing on him for a while. I do not think there will be any major issues.”
Peter nodded and turned to Hebe. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Master. She’s not that annoying.”
Fortunately, Hebe didn’t mind observing the child. Peter said, “Hebe, don’t forget.”
“I know. Don’t get too close, right?” Hebe smiled. “She thinks we’re so kind. Really, we’re probably more selfish than humans.”
Peter raised one of the corners of his mouth. “Perhaps it’s because I’m your creator.”
Hebe giggled.
John asked, “Master, what do you plan to do with Lord Jupiter?”
“We’ll see if he causes any trouble.”
“Understood.”
“What about Prince Argos?”
“I don’t think we need to worry since he’s better than the crown prince and the emperor. I’ll have to ask you to go outside as usual.”
“Understood.”
It was part of Peter’s responsibility to deal with risks in advance. After finishing his report, John left the room. Hebe returned to being a talkative child, and Peter began to look for Jupiter’s new eye.
