In a room less than twenty square meters, a young elf girl with long black hair styled into twin tails sat across from a silver-haired girl in a dark-colored dress.
The silver-haired girl was clearly older than the elf girl, and sitting together, they looked more like sisters than friends.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere in the living room was not warm.
Even though the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the dust particles floating in the air, the only sound was the clinking of cutlery against plates.
Breathing and chewing were barely audible, as if any additional noise would make the already awkward atmosphere even more uncomfortable.
The people sitting there were, of course, Fia and Claire.
The reason for the awkwardness was simple: both were troubled by the kiss from the previous day.
Fia didn’t know what to say, and Claire found it hard to speak.
If Anastasia had been there to enjoy the breakfast of hot milk, sliced bread, and fried meat patties with them, the atmosphere would have been much livelier.
But Anastasia, inspired by Fia, had quickly finished her meal and left to gather information on the garrison in Aurora City, leaving only Fia and Claire at the table.
It was an opportunity to apologize, but Claire was at a loss for how to start.
Even though she could feign indifference and attribute her actions to a lack of options in a moment of desperation, which might earn forgiveness, that would be a cowardly approach, against Claire’s principles.
She couldn’t allow herself to say such irresponsible things.
That’s why she didn’t know how to begin.
The atmosphere was so stifling it made one want to run away.
Thinking of this, Claire picked up the wooden cup of milk, her gaze following the rim to look at Fia.
However, as Claire looked at Fia, Fia was also secretly observing Claire’s expression while she lifted the cup.
Their eyes met.
Then quickly parted.
The awkwardness intensified.
And it was impolite.
If not for her mature mindset, Claire would have already stood up, found an excuse to go outside for some air.
If she were more experienced, she could have pretended to be at ease, teasing Fia to alleviate her own awkwardness.
Unfortunately, although she thought of doing so, she didn’t know how to put it into practice.
Knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things.
Until the atmosphere became so heavy it seemed like it could condense into water, Fia finally spoke up, as if unable to bear it any longer.
“Um… I thought of some ways to break the curse last night.”
Saying this, Fia put down her utensils and, without waiting for Claire to respond, took a neatly folded piece of paper from her dress pocket.
“I’ve thought of two possible approaches.
The first is to eliminate the curse at its root.
There isn’t just one goddess in the world; what the Goddess of Life can’t solve, perhaps the Elven God of our Elven Kingdom can.
Aside from seeking answers from the gods, I also want to try if my blood can remove the curse.”
“The second approach is to eliminate the curse from its manifestation, which is what I mentioned yesterday.
Claire’s curse manifests in being forgotten and feared, but if someone knows Claire long enough, the curse’s effect weakens.
In other words, if Claire’s influence is expanded so that people frequently see her, the curse is effectively removed.
Although it sounds difficult to achieve, it’s not entirely impossible.
The simplest and most direct way to give Claire an unforgettable influence is to have her accomplish something memorable.
For example, making Claire a person of high status or even building a statue of her in the city center.
This way, people can’t ignore Claire’s presence and can constantly be reminded of ‘Claire.’ However, this method is hard to achieve in the Holy Kingdom of Milcandis, as the church state won’t allow Claire to become a prominent figure or build a statue for her.”
Fia hadn’t been idle last night.
Unable to sleep, she got up to think about how to solve the curse, writing down many plans on paper.
Although all solutions were based on assumptions, any unknown begins with a hypothesis, and Fia didn’t consider it a waste of effort.
“Did Fia come up with all this in one night?” Looking at the neatly written Holy Language of Milcandis on the paper, Claire momentarily forgot her awkwardness, turning to amazement.
Coming up with so many feasible plans in just one night is not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
Not only that, but there were even some shocking, inhumane options—like having Claire cause mass destruction to become a feared witch, which would also make her memorable.
However, this plan was crossed out by Fia, and Claire could only guess its content from the edges of the words.
It’s hard to imagine that a minor elf could come up with such things, more like a terrifyingly rational being that only pursues results rather than a creature of flesh and emotion.
“Yes.” Stopping her introduction, Fia nodded slightly with a hint of pride.
“In conclusion, regardless of the method chosen, we must first leave the Holy Kingdom of Milcandis.
What do you think, Claire? Should we choose to eradicate the curse or just address its symptoms?”
“I…” The words stopped at her lips, and Claire hesitated.
It wasn’t because she couldn’t decide, but because there were other matters waiting for her before making a choice.
Even though she didn’t know why Fia wasn’t angry, it didn’t mean she could pretend yesterday’s incident never happened.
Apologizing and seeking forgiveness were necessary.
Not to mention that Fia, without holding a grudge, was offering solutions to remove the curse.
If she let things slide without doing anything, she would find it increasingly difficult to face Fia over time, because Fia was too dazzling, and she was too despicable.
This inferiority would make her distance herself from Fia.
Claire raised her head, looking at Fia, who sat across the table with her shoulder-length twin tails.
In those ruby-like eyes, there was an incredibly sincere emotion.
Fia was already immersed in solving the curse, her clear eyes devoid of any ulterior motives, allowing Claire to see her own slightly swaying reflection clearly.
It was the first time in her short life that she had seen such clear eyes.
Claire had met people who didn’t hide their inner selves before, but those people never showed it to her, as their expressions were always filled with fear upon seeing Claire.
If someone were to ask Claire at that moment what the most beautiful thing in the world was, she would undoubtedly answer Fia’s eyes.
So pure that it was intimidating, as if they contained the entire world, no, they were the world itself.
“Claire?” Fia’s question snapped Claire back to reality.
Since Claire remained motionless, Fia boldly leaned over the table, waving her hand in front of Claire’s eyes.
“Ah, I’m, I’m fine.”
“It’s not about being fine or not, it’s about which solution to choose.”
—If she didn’t speak now, it would be hard to find another opportunity.
Claire had this premonition.
She gathered her courage, sat up straight, bit her lip lightly, and finally spoke with difficulty.
“…Fia, I need to apologize to you.”
“Apologize?” The words seemed stuck in her throat, and Claire struggled to get them out.
“Yesterday, I acted impulsively and did that to you… I’m sorry.
Is there anything I can do to earn your forgiveness?”
“Ah?” After a moment of confusion, Fia understood what Claire meant, her cheeks reddening as she shyly looked away to the floor.
“There’s, there’s no need to apologize.
I didn’t really mind, after all, it was to avoid the soldiers.
Honestly, unless absolutely necessary, I also want to avoid hurting others.
Just, if there’s a next time, Cl-Claire, let me know in advance so I can be mentally prepared.”
Without a doubt, Fia truly didn’t mind.
Whether it was her shy shoulder movements or her cheeks so red they seemed to drip water, they all conveyed this to Claire.
Claire was about to say, “It wasn’t just to avoid those soldiers, it was more because I was out of my mind,” but she swallowed the words back.
She straightened her posture even more, and her speech quickened.
“Did you really not mind? I, I did that kind of thing, and we’re both women…”
“Ahem,” Fia cleared her throat, trying to hide her blush, “It’s okay, really.
If Claire were the opposite gender, that would be a problem.”
I don’t want to be kissed by a man.
Besides, Claire is gentle and considerate, and she’s as beautiful as the elven princess, hitting all my sweet spots.
What happened yesterday was truly a blessing from the gods.
The weight on her shoulders finally lifted, and Claire’s straight posture relaxed.
As long as Fia doesn’t hate her, there’s still hope.
She hasn’t lost the only person who won’t forget her due to a moment of impulse.
Of course, being forgiven by the person involved doesn’t mean Claire has forgiven herself.
She sat up straight again, adjusted her emotions, and emphasized each word.
“Even so, I must do something to make it up to little Fia, or I won’t be able to forgive myself.
Is there anything I can do for Fia?”
“Let’s talk about that later—oh, wait, Claire, can you teach me some simple and practical magic, like the kind that can hit a target from five hundred yards away? Then, when people ask who taught me magic, I can say your name.
With the influence of the elven princess, maybe a lot of people will remember you.”
Fia’s tone was as if she was stating the obvious.
But this doesn’t count as compensation; if anything, she owes Fia even more.
Rather than calling her the elven princess, it’s more like she’s an angel sent by the gods to bless her.
Staring at Fia’s delicate features and fair face, Claire couldn’t help but think this way.
“Anyway, Claire, don’t dwell on what happened yesterday.
If you feel like you need to make up for something, just teach me magic without holding back.
I’ll humbly accept it.
Or, regarding the curse, do you want to solve it from the phenomenon or seek answers from other gods?”
“No…”
“No?” Fia tilted her head.
“No need.” No longer conflicted, Claire’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed, revealing a relieved smile.
“At least while we’re in Aurora City, let’s put the curse aside.”
Because, compared to the elusive gods, an angel has already descended by her side.
Claire didn’t say such cheesy words out loud.
She had once begged the gods for answers, but they never gave her one.
And now, even though she had acted out of selfishness and offended Fia, Fia was still offering her advice.
If Fia isn’t a pure, unblemished angel, then there must be no gods in the world.
“I don’t understand, Claire, you’ve been troubled by the curse for so long…”
Without answering Fia’s question, Claire just smiled gently.
“We have plenty of time in the future.
Instead of focusing on the future, let’s focus on the present.
Let’s eat first, and then I’ll teach you magic later—we need to avoid Anastasia.
If she finds out I’m teaching you magic, she’ll definitely be angry.”
“If that’s what Claire says, then fine, let’s put the curse aside for now.”
Spreading the paper on the table, Fia and Claire resumed their breakfast.
Unlike before, the atmosphere between them was no longer awkward, like any ordinary breakfast time.
