Volume 1, Chapter 74 – Redemption

The journey back was silent.

The commotion caused by Fia’s group had been enormous—nearly the entire city had heard the dragon’s roar and witnessed the purple radiance showering from the sky. The streets were filled with panicked citizens and noisy discussions, with every household lighting candles. Especially among the refugees, the disappearance of the Unsinkable Moon had them preparing to shoulder their burdens and flee at any moment.

Yet, all this clamor had nothing to do with Fia and her three companions. The four chose to return to the clinic via a secluded path. Though everyone had something they wanted to say, the strange atmosphere lingering among them kept the conversation from steering toward anything meaningful. After Claire explained that they could fetch water from the backyard for bathing and that Liti could sleep with her or Anastasia if afraid of the dark, they each went their separate ways.

—Fia and Liti returned to the room Claire had arranged for them, Claire headed to the backyard to bathe, and Anastasia followed closely behind Fia.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright sleeping alone, Liti?”

Seeing Liti enter the room hugging a pillow by herself, Fia couldn’t help but ask.

The girl responded with an innocent smile and a light wave.

“I’m a grown-up now, I’m not scared of the dark. Don’t worry, Sister.”

“That’s good.”

With a soft click, the door closed, and Liti disappeared down the hallway. Fia turned the doorknob, about to step inside, but sensing Anastasia had something to say, she deliberately slowed her movements, waiting for her to speak.

As if wrestling with intense internal conflict, Anastasia only reached out when Fia had one foot already inside the room, hesitantly calling out to her.

“Um… Dophy—no, Your Highness.”

Finally.

The weight in Fia’s heart finally lifted.

She turned around.

Though she could guess what Anastasia wanted to say, spelling it out would ruin the moment. Fia kept her expression as natural as possible.

“There’s no one else here, Anastasia. You can call me whatever you like. What did you want to say?”

Placing a hand over her chest, where golden hair cascaded, Anastasia’s bright blue eyes dropped to the floor, her expression torn between speaking and holding back.

After a pause, she finally looked up and chose to voice her thoughts.

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“I… I didn’t cause you any trouble, did I?”

“Trouble?”

Fia tilted her head.

Anastasia hurriedly explained, her hand clutching her chest tightening.

“Earlier, I acted impulsively and ran to your side. I should have realized that even without me, you could have evaded the Unsinkable Moon. As your guard, sworn to protect you, I ended up being a burden instead… I… I lost my composure.”

So that’s what this is about.

Fia couldn’t help but feel amused—not in a mocking way, but with a gentle warmth.

Keeping her smile hidden, she replied with utmost sincerity.

“That couldn’t be helped. If I were in your place, I’d have done the same.”

Because the Unsinkable Moon had once left deep psychological scars, Anastasia had acted without thinking when she saw it reappear. She couldn’t bear to watch Fia be killed by it again. The moment the Unsinkable Moon was summoned, her mind had lost all rationality.

Though, objectively speaking, Anastasia had caused trouble, it was hard to feel angry about it. On the contrary, the knowledge that she was so cherished by someone filled Fia with warmth.

Seeing Anastasia still hanging her head, unable to let it go, Fia hesitated before stepping forward and gently embracing her.

“I’m glad you made that choice, Anastasia. The fact that you ran to me proves how important I am to you. If I weren’t someone precious, you wouldn’t have rushed to save me without regard for your own safety. That was the Unsinkable Moon—the sacred treasure of the Milcandis Theocracy, something even dragons fear, let alone an elf. You were willing to risk your life for me. How could I possibly blame you? Compared to cold indifference, your urgency made me feel truly valued.”

Fia paused.

“Let me ask you again—if our positions were reversed, and I just stood by watching without reacting at all, how would you feel?”

“…”

Anastasia swallowed, as if wanting to push Fia away but ultimately doing nothing.

Her hesitation made Fia smile in satisfaction. She stepped back and spread her hands.

“See? The problem solves itself. When someone is truly important to you, you forget your own safety to protect them. Of course, if we must talk about whether you caused trouble, the answer is ‘yes.’ But it’s all within manageable limits. I’ve never blamed you for it.”

If not for Anastasia, Fia’s life would have been entirely different—undoubtedly far less vibrant than it was now. Perhaps Anastasia didn’t realize it, but that didn’t change the objective truth: Anastasia was the one who had forgiven and accepted her, guiding a lost soul back onto the right path.

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The name “Dofilia Alexia Yushir” was both the road Fia had chosen and the name Anastasia had bestowed upon her. No matter what Anastasia did, her significance to Fia was extraordinary.

At this point, Fia’s satisfied expression turned wry.

“Still, next time, try to stay calm and think of a better way to help me first. Just knowing you care is enough to make me happy.”

“So I did cause you trouble.”

Sigh. Fia exhaled deeply. “I already said it’s within manageable limits. Your actions only made me feel warmth—I don’t resent you in the slightest. Or do I have to do something to prove it to you?”

She fixed her gaze on Anastasia’s conflicted face, leaving the question hanging.

Anastasia opened her mouth but said nothing.

Probably too embarrassed.

Fia cleared her throat.

“Don’t hold back. Say what you want. If it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”

Encouraged, Anastasia swallowed and spoke timidly.

“I… I do believe you. It’s just… When I saw the Unsinkable Moon aimed at you, I was overcome with the fear of losing you again. The memory of you being hurt by it that day flashed before my eyes… I couldn’t control myself. I was terrified you’d disappear again and forget me… I still can’t calm down. Can I… hold you? Just for a little while. Just a moment…”

“Of course.”

Without hesitation, Fia opened her arms and agreed.

When she had embraced Anastasia earlier, Fia had noticed her trembling slightly—a sign of unease. If something so simple could soothe her, it was a small price to pay. She wouldn’t have minded even if it lasted longer.

After a moment of silence, Anastasia pressed her lips together tightly, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Fia slowly but firmly.

The warmth of Anastasia’s arms around her neck, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the faint fragrance of her clothes—all of it flooded Fia’s senses.

Then came the sound of Anastasia burying her face in Fia’s hair, breathing deeply.

Under normal circumstances, Fia would have stiffened, unsure how to react. But this was different. She could tell Anastasia’s embrace held no ulterior motives. Her trembling body made it clear—she was simply afraid of losing Fia. She needed her, seeking reassurance through physical contact.

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Just as Anastasia had once given Fia a sense of security when she held her that night, now Fia was returning the favor. Even if Anastasia hadn’t been able to help against the Unsinkable Moon this time, the fact remained: Fia hadn’t been harmed. The tragedy hadn’t repeated itself. For Anastasia, this was nothing short of redemption.

How ironic fate could be.

Feeling Anastasia’s breathing gradually steady, Fia tried to return the embrace, but Anastasia stepped back first, releasing her.

True to her word—”just for a little while”—Anastasia hadn’t overstepped. If anything, she’d been overly restrained.

The tension in her expression had eased, and a faint blush colored her cheeks beneath her golden bangs. Yet her gaze remained fixed on Fia, which made Fia a little self-conscious.

“Feeling better now?”

“Mhm… This is enough. Thank you, Your—Fia. I apologize for showing you such an unsightly side of me.”

Fia smiled.

“I won’t deny it was ‘unsightly,’ but people aren’t machines. It’s good to let loose sometimes. In fact, I’m glad you told me what you needed. You’ve always been the one helping me—I’ve never been able to do much for you. After this, I finally feel like I’ve been of some use to you.”

“Urk…” Flustered, Anastasia stiffened, fidgeting. “P-Please keep this a secret… It’s too embarrassing.”

Fia chuckled and waved cheerfully.

“I’ll keep your secret safe. But next time you need something, don’t hesitate to tell me. Just as I’m important to you, you’re important to me too.”

Pausing, she thought for a moment before brightening.

“Actually, from now on, when it’s just the two of us, drop the formalities—no more ‘Your Highness’ or ‘you.’ Just call me ‘Fia.’”

“B-But—”

Anastasia immediately tried to protest, but Fia pressed a finger to her lips. Her ruby-like eyes gleamed with dissatisfaction, her cheeks puffing out.

“Do you really see me as nothing more than your sovereign?”

“N-No…” Faced with Fia’s insistence, Anastasia relented. “This subordinate—”

“Subordinate?”

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“Sorry. I understand. But only when we’re alone… Fia.”

“Good. We’ll start there.” Satisfied, Fia lowered her hand. “Anything else?”

“No. Ah, actually, after today’s battle, you must have worked up a sweat. Would you like me to help you clean up?”

Though Anastasia had slipped back into formal speech—habits weren’t so easily broken—Fia’s attention was caught more by the offer itself.

Her face stiffened.

“No need. I can use a [Cleanse] spell. You should go rest.”

“Understood.” Nodding, Anastasia turned to leave but quickly spun back, her expression unreadable, a faint emotion flickering across her face, partly obscured by the faint blue markings on her left cheek. Her voice softened.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“Can I… sleep with you tonight? You said I could ask for anything…”

That’s quite the leap!

Fia coughed, feigning seriousness.

“Not tonight.” Having just made such a promise, refusing outright would make her seem unreliable. She averted her eyes and added quietly, “Maybe another time.”

Though Anastasia controlled it well, Fia noticed the slight tremble in her shoulders—suppressed delight.

“I’ll look forward to it. Thank you, Your Highness!”

“Fia.”

“Right—Fia!”

Her voice brimming with unconcealed joy, Anastasia practically skipped down the hallway, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Fia had a feeling—this definitely wasn’t out of anger.