"Now I can tell you everything. I thought this dream was just a simple nightmare. But as it repeated more and more, I could no longer see it as a coincidence. I quickly began to search for the woman from my dream and started to make the things I saw in the dream a reality. The dresses that suited her, and even the handkerchief she had embroidered. Finally, I appeared before her, just as planned. When I met her in real life, I felt my heart was about to explode. And by now, you must have realized who the girl in that dream was, right?"
Tears began to well up in Laya's eyes as she called out to Alen. He squeezed her hand tightly, placed his hand on his chest, and sincerely expressed, "I've wanted to see you again so much, Laya."
The next morning, Alen elegantly cut and speared a piece of meat. He pushed the plate towards Laya, inviting her to eat more.
She gently held up a hand to refuse. "No, thank you. I still haven't finished what I have."
Right after that, Alen became more insistent. "You'll get weak if you don't eat. If the food at the abbey isn't to your taste, then—"
Just then, the director approached from behind and interrupted. "Hold on, please forgive the interruption. I know you're in the middle of a meal, but I have some urgent news to report right away."
Laya, extremely worried, turned to ask, "Is this about Gray?"
"Yes. And upon learning that her son has arrived, she has expressed a desire to meet and speak with you."
This news made Laya incredibly excited. She covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Really? That's wonderful. Truly wonderful."
Alen also let out a sigh of relief. "It seems her recovery was faster than expected. We should reward Dr. Zihawk handsomely. As for my mother wanting to see me—"
Seeing his hesitation, Laya grew very worried. She immediately suggested that Alen go and speak with Gray, saying, "She must have been longing to see you."
Alen lowered his head, voicing his hesitation. "I'm not so sure. I'm worried I might end up hurting her. It might be too late, and she might only feel resentment towards me now."
But then, she gently placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "Alen, Gray loves you so much. Based on Helena's memories, as well as my own experiences, I'm sure that she misses you terribly."
Her words made Alen pause and blush. He remembered the day Gray had gently held him. "My son, you're so adorable."
At that moment, Alen had been overjoyed, hugging her and calling out, "Mom!"
And so, the three of them headed to Gray's location. He gently opened the door. The moment he stepped inside, the air seemed to grow cold. Alen lowered his head grimly, then steeled his resolve and called out, "Mother."
Gray smiled overjoyed and called, "Alen, come here, my son."
Alen, deeply moved, cried out, "Mother. Mom, I missed you so much."
Alen and Gray spoke for a long, long time. They told each other everything, even things they had never dared to speak of before. After a long while, Gray paused as she realized, "Oh my, time has flown by. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you all waiting for so long."
Laya smiled happily and replied, "Not at all, Lady Gray. The director left to tend to his work a long time ago. And besides, I love watching the two of you sitting and talking like this."
Alen blushed and cried out in embarrassment, "Laya."
At this, Gray smiled kindly and said, "I was just worried that I haven't done anything for you yet, but now, seeing you with such a wonderful partner, this mother has nothing more to worry about."
"Mother, why would you suddenly say something like that?"
Laya blushed in surprise and said emotionally, "Thank you, Lady Gray."
Her heart was filled with happiness. The pocket watch didn't just bring a new opportunity for her, but for Alen and Gray, too.
By now, night had completely fallen, and Gray sat across from Laya, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you so much, Miss Laya, for taking care of me again."
She quickly replied, "Duchess Gray, you don't have to be so formal."
But Gray shook her head and expressed, "As the new Duchess of the family, I cannot address you so casually like that. But if you don't like it, I will stop. If my memory were intact, I would have been able to thank you more. It's a shame I no longer remember Miss Laya reading books to me, or when I brought the pocket watch to find you."
At that moment, Laya realized, "Oh, that's right. Should I return the pocket watch to you?"
Gray refused without hesitation. "That's not necessary. It has already found its new owner. Magical items sometimes have a way of finding new owners like that. You treated both my son and me very well."
Laya hesitated and tried to respond. "I was simply repaying what I had received."
Gray quickly realized, "If it's about what you received—"
That left her a little surprised. "Duchess Gray, how did you know that?"
Gray immediately explained, "Although it's quite hard to believe, that dream probably really happened. It seems the pocket watch took pity on us and gave us a new chance."
Laya's eyes widened in confusion as she cried out, "It really is the power of that watch."
She bowed her head sadly. "Actually, I don't know much about it either, because in my entire life, I've only ever been able to use it to tell time. However, my late mother once said that if you keep the pocket watch, it will prevent upcoming misfortunes."
Laya exclaimed in utter astonishment, "Prevent misfortunes?"
Gray continued with her story. "But she also said that although that mystical power can prevent misfortune, it can't bring happiness."
She cried out in complete shock, "Those words."
At this, Gray became more cheerful, smiling as she affirmed, "That's right. Happiness can only be created and preserved by oneself. Since the pocket watch's power chose you, Miss Laya, you surely understand the meaning of this, right?"