The prince waited for the familiar thread of fate to reveal Zorba more details about what had transpired… but nothing appeared.
"It's not working?!"
Surprise flickered through him, but he didn't dwell on it.
"My Lord, I'm back—What's wrong?"
Seeing his friend alive, standing before him in the flesh and speaking, Louis felt a torrent of emotions crash over him at once—relief, guilt, gratitude, sorrow, joy.
"I'm sorry, Zorba, for never appreciating you enough. You are not merely my subordinate. You are my brother."
"…? L-Lord Louis."
Zorba's mouth fell open, stunned by the tenderness in his master's voice.
Louis placed both hands on his shoulders and gave them a gentle pat… but the restraint broke. He pulled Zorba into a tight embrace.
"A-Ah…!"
Zorba froze, so shocked he thought his heart might stop.
"L-Lord Louis?!"
He could scarcely believe it was happening.
"Am I dreaming? Is this a dream, Lord Louis?! Wait—maybe I died and this is heaven?!"
