Chapter 97 - 98: I Dreamed I Died
Cillian Forrest watched her with his deep, quiet eyes, waiting for her to speak.
The night always seems to make it easier for people to let down their guard and reveal things they would normally keep hidden.
Sophie Wexler sat on the bed, her eyelids lowered, hiding most of the expression in her eyes.
"I died," Sophie Wexler said softly.
Cillian Forrest’s breath hitched.
Sophie Wexler looked up, a faint smile touching her lips, and repeated, "I dreamed that I died."
"I offended and hurt someone, so I was abandoned on a Barren Planet, attacked by Starbugs, and died when my Spiritual Sea collapsed."
Sophie Wexler described her dream—or more accurately, the eventual fate of the body’s original owner.
The room was utterly silent. Cillian Forrest’s gaze was fixed on her, scrutinizing every flicker of emotion on her face.
He knew she was telling the truth.
’She dreamed she died, attacked by Starbugs at the very end. That’s why she was so terrified—she had experienced the feeling of impending death.’
"In the dream, you went to the Capital Planet?"
Sophie Wexler nodded slightly. She didn’t know the plot of the original novel, but in the dream, it certainly felt like she wasn’t on Karath anymore, but on the Capital Planet.
And in a place with high-ranking officials.
"Who gave the order?" Cillian Forrest asked, staring into her eyes.
Sophie Wexler recalled the scene from her dream and slowly shook her head. "I couldn’t see their face clearly."
But even though the face in the dream was blurry, she was certain in her heart who it was.
The Imperial Marshal.
’It was him.’
Even without Sophie Wexler’s answer, Cillian Forrest already had one in his mind.
’In the dream, it was me who ordered her death.’
In that instant, all his previous questions seemed to find their answers.
’Why she constantly brought me up and asked about me, yet seemed so desperate to avoid me.’
’Why she didn’t want to go to the Capital Planet... it was because I’m on the Capital Planet.’
’So she wasn’t rejecting the Capital Planet itself, but me, the person who’s there.’
Sophie Wexler leaned against the headboard and let out a soft sigh, her eyes closed. She had finally broken free from the dream and kept telling herself...
’It was fake.’
"Dreams are fake."
At almost the same moment, a voice sounded beside her ear. Sophie Wexler’s eyes flew open in surprise.
The man’s eyes were locked on her as he said in an incredibly certain tone, "Dreams are fake."
’She hasn’t offended me. As for what happened before... I did have the fleeting urge to kill her then, but it vanished just as quickly.’
’Now, I don’t think she’s hurt or offended me at all.’
So, Cillian Forrest paused before continuing, "That was just a dream. None of the things you’re worried about will happen."
"The Empire places great importance on Healer-class individuals. They wouldn’t let a Healer-class come to harm for no reason."
"To prosecute a Healer-class, they must undergo multiple interrogations and have the alleged crimes verified. Unless the circumstances are exceptionally heinous, a Healer-class would never be sentenced to death."
"Considering Sophie Wexler’s current Level alone, the Empire would never allow anything to happen to her, to say nothing of her ability to neutralize Starbug toxins."
"Once these abilities are known, she will become a priority individual under the Empire’s protection."
’And even if I disregard all of that, I would never let anything happen to her.’
Sophie Wexler nodded, her tone resolute. "You’re right. It’s just a dream."
’I’ve already changed so much. I haven’t followed any of the original owner’s old paths, and I’ve even been so careful to avoid the male and female leads from the novel. It’s impossible for things to end up the same way.’
’I’ve tried so hard. If I still get the same ending, then what’s the point of even trying to live?’
’It must be because I’ve been so stressed about going to the Capital Planet lately. As they say, what you think about by day, you dream of by night.’
’What a stupid dream. If my brain can’t dream up something good, it should just stop dreaming altogether.’
’Wouldn’t it be better to dream about releasing hit songs, making tons of money, and becoming a rich, beautiful woman who’s reached the pinnacle of life?’
’Just dreaming useless junk all the time.’
"What time is it?" Having sorted out her thoughts, Sophie Wexler began to relax, no longer dwelling on baseless fears of things that hadn’t happened.
"It’s already two in the morning," Cillian Forrest said after checking the time.
"It’s still early. Get some more sleep," Cillian Forrest said, worried she might be too scared to fall asleep again because of the dream. "Don’t worry, I’ll be right nearby."
Sophie Wexler nodded and lay back down, reminding him, "You should get to sleep, too. It’s very late."
Cillian Forrest hummed in acknowledgment and pulled the blanket up for her before he left.
Sophie Wexler watched him, blinking a couple of times, her expression a little dazed.
’Isn’t... this a little too intimate?’
’Aside from someone you’re extremely close to, who just tucks in a person they have no real relationship with?’
But Cillian Forrest’s expression was so open, his eyes showing no emotion other than simple concern as he adjusted her blanket.
’He probably just saw that I had a nightmare and is showing a little concern.’
’We’ve been living under the same roof for so long. A little concern is normal. Totally normal.’
"What is it?" Cillian Forrest paused, noticing her stare.
Sophie Wexler immediately shook her head. "Nothing! You should get some rest. Good night." The words tumbled out of her mouth.
Cillian Forrest seemed to realize something as well. He rubbed his fingertips together, but his expression remained natural, betraying no emotion.
He straightened up and glanced at Sophie Wexler. "Good night."
With that, he turned and left.
Separated by just a wall, both of them were wide awake. An unknown amount of time passed before a glint appeared in Cillian Forrest’s eyes.
His spiritual power had been enveloping her room ever since, a presence that was powerful but not intrusive, carrying a soothing quality.
Because their spiritual powers had merged before, Cillian Forrest was able to sense the state of her spiritual power.
Sophie Wexler, likely still unsettled by the nightmare, didn’t notice this faint, barely-there layer of spiritual power.
Cillian Forrest continued to sense her condition, confirming that the earlier terror in her spiritual power had faded. The erratic fluctuations were gone, replaced by a calm, gentle rhythm.
"She’s asleep." After the soft voice faded, the room fell into complete silence.
The rest of the night passed without a dream.
The next day, Sophie Wexler was woken by Tammy entering her room. She sleepily opened her eyes and stretched.
She had thought she would sleep poorly after that nightmare, but she had surprisingly slept quite soundly.
When she opened her door, she saw Cillian Forrest already in the living room. At some point, he had even made breakfast, which left Sophie Wexler a little surprised.
Tammy slid over, its face a mask of pride. "Master, Tammy taught Cillian Forrest how to make it."
The breakfast was simple, likely due to a certain someone’s inexperience. Sophie Wexler chuckled at the sight.
Cillian Forrest: "..."
"Hurry up and eat. We have to leave soon."
"Okay." Seeing the look on Cillian Forrest’s face, Sophie Wexler decided to stop laughing. ’What if a certain someone gets angry out of embarrassment?’ she thought.