Entry #3

The heavy wooden door creaked open.

Louis blinked as the man before him stepped into view.

“…Claudio?” he said, almost breathless.

Claudio, a little older, a little taller, offered a soft smile. “Louis?”

There was a beat of disbelief.

“It’s really you,” Louis said, stunned.

“I’m bac—”

Before he could finish, Louis’s fist collided with Claudio’s cheek.

Claudio stumbled back. “What the hell was that for?!”

Louis’s eyes were hot with years of bottled pain. “Do you know how many days—how many years—Celine and I spent wondering where you were? You disappeared. No word. Nothing!”

Claudio rubbed his jaw, wincing. “I’m sorry, okay? I went to the capital. I studied medicine. I met people. I changed.”

Louis folded his arms. “Why are you here now?”

Claudio didn’t hesitate. “I want to see Celine.”

Louis stared at him for a long moment…took a long breath to calm himself “I apologize for hitting you, old friend” then nodded. “She’ll be glad to see you.”

Celine’s room was quiet, the curtains drawn, the room dimly lit by warm lantern glow.

Louis knocked softly. “Celine?”

Her voice came, groggy but curious. “Louis?”

“I brought someone.”

Claudio stepped forward. “Hello, Celine.”

Her eyes widened. “Claudio? I—I'm sorry you have to see me like this.”

He smiled and knelt beside her bed. “You look just like I remember. I’ve finished my studies. I’ve earned my decree in medicine—and I haven’t forgotten the promise I made you all those years ago.”

Celine’s eyes shimmered. “You came back.”

“I came back… to keep my word.”

She reached forward, gripping his hand with her frail fingers. “I’m so happy you’re here. Brother—can Claudio be my personal doctor?”

Louis raised an eyebrow. “If he agrees, then I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you!” Celine cried, pulling Claudio into a sudden hug.

“Easy, Celine,” Louis warned gently. “You’ll wear yourself out.”

Claudio chuckled. “Louis, can we speak? Alone?”

“Of course.”

The two stood on the mansion’s balcony, overlooking the quiet town below. The night sky was painted in stars.

Claudio leaned on the stone railing, fidgeting with the edge of his coat. “I… don’t know how to say this.”

Louis smirked. “Just say it. I know that face—you’re holding back.”

Claudio took a deep breath. “If I manage to cure Celine’s condition… I want to see her smile again. Just like before I left.”

“That’s not all,” Louis said, reading him. “Come on. I’ve known you too long.”

Claudio looked down, ashamed and hopeful all at once.

“I love her, Louis. And if I can save her… I want to ask for her hand in marriage. She deserves happiness. Not just health.”

Louis was silent for a long time. Then he sighed, eyes softening.

“We’re not kids anymore, Claudio. If she chooses you, I won’t stop her. But if her smile fades because of you—I will hold you responsible.”

Claudio’s chest tightened. “Thank you, Louis. You’ve always been the best friend I’ve had.”

The laboratory was quiet, filled with scribbled papers, specimen jars, and the constant flicker of candlelight. Claudio worked tirelessly, writing, calculating, experimenting.

“So… it’s hereditary,” he muttered. “Passed through the bloodline.”

"But the symptoms are not visible through the naked eye but only through oberserving the person's blood"

He scribbled down notes. “If only I could find a way to alter it... to stop the transfer of disease entirely…”

He shut his eyes in frustration.

“You’re the one who started this story.” a mysterious voice whispered between the air and walls

Claudio looked up, startled. “Who’s there?”

No answer. Just a gentle breeze that flipped open a page on his desk.

A diagram lay there—a chemical solution.

His eyes widened. “A serum…?”

He began mixing at once, driven by instinct and obsession. Hours passed. At last, a glowing vial sat in his hand.

“I did it,” he whispered. “A answer…”

But then a cold realization struck him.

“If it’s hereditary… and my father had it…”

He stared at the vial. Without hesitating, Claudio downed it.

At first, nothing. Then he reached for a nearby candle—and the flame licked his skin.

He yelped and recoiled—but his finger, scorched red, regenerated instantly.

“What…?”

He stared at his hand in awe.

Then, focusing—he felt something ignite within him.

His finger sparked. Then flared.

“Stop! Stop!” he shouted.

The fire vanished as quickly as it appeared.

He was silent. Dazed.

“What… have I created?”

At the capital’s Grand Symposium, Sir Theodore sat in the front row as Claudio took the stage, Giuseppe standing beside him.

Claudio cleared his throat. “After extensive study, I discovered that Scarlet Fever is hereditary. Symptoms can remain dormant, passed from parent to child without ever manifesting… until it's too late.”

The room murmured in intrigue.

“But,” Claudio continued, “during my time in Atrium, I created a serum—a cure. This boy, Giuseppe, was a carrier. He received the treatment.”

Gasps filled the chamber as Giuseppe stepped forward.

Claudio placed a glass of water in front of him.

Giuseppe picked it up—only for the water inside to freeze solid the moment his hand touched it.

The room went silent.

Sir Theodore stood slowly. “An outstanding presentation, Claudio. But I had no idea… you would go so far.”

Claudio’s eyes narrowed. “We cannot remain spectators while people die.”

“You’ve altered human biology,” Theodore said coldly. “You’ve intervened in the natural path of evolution. That’s not medicine. That’s madness.”

“Madness?” Claudio growled. “This is progress! I defeated Scarlet Fever when no god came to help! I became what they couldn’t.”

“We are not gods!” Theodore shouted. “We are healers. What you’re doing… is dangerous.”

Claudio stepped back. “I only wanted to end hereditary suffering. If that makes me mad, so be it.”

Theodore shook his head. “Then I’m afraid we must part ways.”

Claudio’s world seemed to collapse as his mentor walked away.

“I can save so many,” Claudio whispered. “Why won’t anyone see that?”

Back at the Delacroix estate, Louis handed Celine a sealed envelope.

“It’s from Claudio.”

Celine opened it, reading quietly.

“He’s still grieving,” she said softly. “Even after everything, Lord Quartinus’s death shook him.”

Louis nodded. “His funeral is today.”

Celine folded the letter. Then, smiling faintly, stood up from her bed.

“I feel good today.”

“Really?” Louis asked.

Celine took a step forward.

“No… I feel great,” she said, standing on her own. “Look, brother—I can finally stand!”

Louis rushed to her side, stunned. “By the heavens…! Who did this?”

Celine smiled.

“Claudio.”

Entry# 3 End