And now, whether she stays or leaves depends on just one word from Anastasia.
Thinking of this, Fia’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly with nervousness, so she had to put the cup back on the table.
It was then she realized that in just this short moment, her clothes were already soaked with sweat.
She felt like a criminal about to walk to the gallows, her intense inner struggle making her breath quicken.
To calm herself, she took a deep breath and turned her gaze to Anastasia, who was sitting opposite her.
However, Anastasia was no longer in her original position.
“An—”
“Your Highness.”
Suddenly, warmth spread from her shoulder, then her back, and finally her neck and cheek.
Anastasia gently embraced Fia from behind, pressing her cheek against Fia’s.
Like a mother comforting a child, Anastasia asked softly in a gentle tone.
“You’re trembling a lot.
Are you scared?”
“No…” Fia wanted to say no, but the words disappeared before they reached her lips.
This was exactly what she wanted.
This warmth, and the care hidden behind it.
For a moment, Fia’s heart wavered again.
She feared that Anastasia would reject her after hearing the truth.
At this moment, as long as she said nothing, she wouldn’t have to face the consequences of confessing, and she could enjoy all of this in peace.
Enjoy Anastasia’s gentle embrace meant to comfort her, bringing her an unparalleled sense of security.
She completely forgot how intimate Anastasia’s actions were and didn’t realize that Anastasia was someone she had only known for less than a day.
At this moment, she only felt the care of a family member from Anastasia, a warmth like lying on the grass in spring, basking in the sun’s gentle caress.
“Although showing such a childlike fear might damage your reputation, Your Highness, since you’ve lost your memory, there’s nothing to be done.
But I will protect you, ensuring your safe return to the capital.
You may have forgotten, but I haven’t.
I swore to be your sword, never to let you down.”
The gentle tone was soothing, enveloping her heart.
However, when Fia heard the last sentence, her heart, which had been beating fervently, quickly calmed down.
Just now, her emotions had taken over completely, but now, reason was gradually restoring her peace of mind.
She wasn’t here to be scared like a child, but to bravely seek answers like a warrior.
Fia’s body stopped trembling.
Calm, she gently broke free from Anastasia, turned around, and took a deep breath.
Just as Anastasia had gently embraced her, she responded to Anastasia with an equally gentle voice.
“Anastasia, I didn’t get to finish earlier.
You thought I was just suffering from amnesia due to severe injury, that I was still me, but my answer is ‘not quite.'”
Even though she had gathered her courage, Fia couldn’t help but pause here.
“If I were truly just amnesiac, I shouldn’t have other memories in my mind, memories that don’t belong to this world, with a completely different history, culture, language, and even the foundation of the world—yes, you heard right, my mind is filled with memories that don’t belong to the elven princess.
Even so, do you still think I’m the elven princess?”
After her words fell, the room instantly fell silent.
The whole world was still, as if a divine pause button had been pressed, freezing time at this moment.
Only the sound of Fia’s heartbeat remained.
She resisted the urge to look away, staring intently into Anastasia’s eyes, not wanting to miss any change in her expression.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly.
She didn’t know how long had passed, maybe just a breath or two, or perhaps a quarter of an hour or even longer.
When Fia thought all was lost and was ready to say her goodbyes, Anastasia finally reached out her right hand, tucking the golden strands of hair that had drifted to her forehead behind her ear, and then answered with a puzzled expression.
“But aren’t you still you? The magic surge has explained everything.”
“Listen, I have memories that don’t belong to this world, and even so—”
“Even so, you are still you.
I don’t understand what you mean by ‘memories that don’t belong to this world,’ but I know the magic surge within you hasn’t changed.
Just this alone confirms your identity.
I think even if His Majesty the King were here, he wouldn’t see you as someone else because of your current nonsense.”
Saying this, Anastasia crouched down, letting her eyes be slightly lower than Fia’s, and took Fia’s cold hands resting on her knees, gently placing them in her own palms.
“The memories you say don’t belong to you might be the negative effects of the ‘Unsinkable Moon,’ perhaps the memories of souls once killed by the ‘Unsinkable Moon,’ or maybe wandering souls in the wilderness touched your seemingly dead body and tainted your soul.
But regardless, you are still the eldest princess of the elven kingdom, Silvar, the first genius, Dofilia Alexia Yusil.”
Anastasia paused, her blue eyes looking at Fia filled with a vague, indescribable emotion.
“And also my half-sister, the sun that pulled me out of the mire.”
“So, Anastasia, you’re accepting me?”
“I’ve never distanced myself from you.”
The soothing tone was filled with unwavering conviction.
Although Anastasia’s answer was simple, it was still a positive response.
And before coming here, Fia had mentally prepared herself that no matter what form, reason, or emotion Anastasia used to affirm her, she would become the person Anastasia hoped for.
To become the elven princess, to become that distant yet close existence.
To strive, to strive even harder, to eventually become a more outstanding elven princess than the one named Dofilia, even to become the first elven princess, unparalleled in history.
And all of this began with the affirmation given by the elven girl before her tonight.
Allowing her to move forward boldly, without confusion or hesitation.
A sourness welled up at the tip of her nose, Fia’s ruby-like eyes gradually widened, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and tears began to fill the corners of her eyes.
As if trying to hold back her voice, she pressed her lips tightly together.
However, these actions didn’t work, and to prevent Anastasia from seeing her unsightly side, she covered her mouth with her hand, her throat constantly swallowing.
Anastasia became flustered, straightening her back and leaning forward anxiously.
“Could it be that Your Highness has always been afraid of ‘not being yourself’?”
“I… ah…”
As soon as she spoke, Fia couldn’t hold back a sob, and then, her overflowing emotions burst through her reason like a flood, and she hugged Anastasia tightly, crying loudly.
Though embarrassing, it was reassuring.
No longer needing to tread carefully, because she was no longer the person who had no one to communicate with, now she had a solid support.
“An… Anastasia, thank you… thank you.”
“Please don’t say that, Your Highness, I… I would be troubled.”
Fia’s tearful gratitude left Anastasia at a loss for what to do, the usually calm and orderly Anastasia suddenly didn’t know how to act.
But what was certain was that for Fia, tonight was destined to be an incredibly peaceful night.
No longer needing to walk alone, nor needing to search for the meaning of living, at the moment of forming a bond as intoxicating as a drug, the elven princess gained the meaning of existence.
This was a precious gift bestowed by God.
