The whole way back, no one said a word.
The commotion caused by Fia’s group was huge—almost everyone in the city heard the dragon’s furious roar and saw the sky filled with purple light.
The streets were full of panicked people and noisy chatter, every house lit up with candles.
The refugees, especially, seeing the Unsinkable Moon vanish, were even ready to pack up and flee again at any moment.
But all that chaos had nothing to do with Fia and the others.
The four of them chose to return to the clinic by a deserted path.
Even though everyone wanted to say something, the strange atmosphere between them kept the conversation off track.
After Claire explained that they could fetch water for a bath in the backyard, and that Liti could sleep with her or Anastasia if she was afraid of the dark, everyone went off to do their own thing.
Fia and Liti went back to the room Claire had arranged, Claire went to the backyard to bathe, and Anastasia followed behind Fia.
“Are you okay sleeping alone, Liti?” Fia couldn’t help but ask when she saw Liti hugging her pillow and walking in by herself.
Liti waved her hand with an innocent smile.
“I’m already a grown-up, I’m not afraid of the dark, so don’t worry, sis.”
“That’s good.”
With a soft click of the door, Liti disappeared down the hallway, and Fia turned the doorknob, about to go inside.
But she noticed Anastasia behind her, clearly wanting to say something, so Fia deliberately slowed down, waiting for her to speak.
It was like Anastasia was struggling with herself.
She didn’t reach out to Fia until Fia had one foot in the room, calling out to her with unusual hesitation.
“Um… Dofi—no, Your Highness.”
Here it comes.
Fia finally felt relieved.
She turned around.
She could pretty much guess what Anastasia wanted to say, but spelling it out would just make things awkward.
Fia tried to keep her expression as natural as possible.
“There’s no one else here, Anastasia.
Call me whatever you like.
What did you want to say?” With her right hand resting on her chest, covered by golden hair, Anastasia’s bright blue eyes dropped to the floor, looking like she wanted to speak but couldn’t.
After a pause, she finally looked up and decided to say what was on her mind.
“I… I didn’t cause you any trouble, did I?”
“Trouble?” Fia tilted her head.
Anastasia hurried to explain, clutching her chest even tighter.
“I got carried away and ran to your side.
I should have realized that even without me, you could have dodged the Unsinkable Moon.
As your attendant, I’m supposed to protect you, but I just made things harder for you.
I… I lost control.”
Just as she thought.
Fia couldn’t help but find it funny.
Not in a mocking way, but with a gentle smile.
She didn’t show it on her face, though, and answered seriously.
“That’s just how it is.
If I were you, I’d have done the same thing.”
Because she’d been traumatized by the Unsinkable Moon before, when the same thing happened again, Anastasia couldn’t help but rush over.
She didn’t want to watch Fia get killed by the Unsinkable Moon again, so the moment she saw it being summoned, she lost her cool.
Sure, in the end, Anastasia did make things harder for her, but it was impossible to be mad about it.
On the contrary, being cared about like this made Fia feel really good.
Since Anastasia was still looking down, clearly unable to let it go, Fia hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and gently hugged her from the front.
“I’m really happy you did what you did, Anastasia.
You running to me just shows how important I am to you.
If I wasn’t, you wouldn’t have risked your life to save me.
That’s the national treasure of the Milcandis Holy Nation—even dragons are afraid of it, let alone elves.
You were even willing to risk your life for me.
How could I blame you for that? Your urgency means more to me than any calm, detached reaction.”
Fia paused.
“Let me ask you this: if our roles were reversed, and I just stood by and did nothing while you were in danger, how would you feel?”
“Um…” Anastasia swallowed, as if she wanted to push Fia away, but in the end, she didn’t do anything.
Her hesitation made Fia smile in satisfaction.
She stepped back and spread her hands.
“See? That’s the answer.
When someone’s that important to you, you’ll rush in no matter what.
Sure, if you want to get technical, you did make things harder for me, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle.
I never blamed you for it.”
If it weren’t for Anastasia, her life would be completely different—definitely not as colorful as it is now.
Maybe Anastasia didn’t realize it, but that didn’t change the fact: Anastasia was the one who forgave and accepted her, who gave a lost soul direction.
The name Dofilia Alexia Yusil was both the path she chose and the name Anastasia gave her.
No matter what Anastasia did, she meant more to Fia than anyone else.
At this point, Fia’s satisfied look turned a bit helpless.
“But next time, try to think things through first, okay? Just knowing you care is enough to make me happy.”
“I really did make things harder for you.”
“Haah,” Fia sighed, “didn’t I just say it was nothing I couldn’t handle? What you did just made me feel warm inside.
I don’t have even a hint of resentment.
Or do you need me to do something to prove it before you’ll believe me?” Fia looked at Anastasia’s conflicted face and tossed the question back to her.
Anastasia opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
She was probably embarrassed.
Fia cleared her throat.
“Don’t hold back.
Just say it, as long as it’s something I can do.”
Fia’s words gave Anastasia courage.
She swallowed and spoke timidly.
“I-I do believe you.
It’s just… when I saw the Unsinkable Moon aiming at you, I got this feeling I was going to lose you again.
I saw you getting hurt by it all over again in my mind… I just couldn’t control myself.
I was scared you’d disappear and forget about me… I still can’t calm down.
Can I hug you? Just for a little while, just a little…”
“Of course.”
Without hesitation, Fia opened her arms and agreed right away.
When she hugged Anastasia earlier, Fia could feel her body trembling—that was a sign of anxiety.
If a hug could calm her down, it was a small price to pay, no matter how long it took.
After a moment of silence, Anastasia pressed her lips together, then stepped forward and hugged Fia tightly.
Fia felt the warmth of her arms around her neck, the strong beat of her heart, and the pleasant scent of Anastasia’s chest filling her nose.
Then she heard Anastasia behind her, burying her face in Fia’s long hair and breathing deeply.
Normally, Fia would have frozen up, not knowing what to do, but this time was different.
She could feel that there was nothing else in Anastasia’s embrace—her trembling body said it all.
She was just afraid of losing Fia, she needed her, and wanted to feel safe through this closeness.
Just like the sense of security Anastasia gave her that night when she was held, now she was the one giving Anastasia a sense of security.
Even though Anastasia hadn’t really been able to help with the Unsinkable Moon this time, the unchangeable fact was that she hadn’t been hurt under the Unsinkable Moon, and the tragedy hadn’t repeated itself.
For Anastasia, you could even call this atonement.
Fate really likes to mess with people.
Feeling Anastasia’s breathing gradually steady, Fia tried to hug her back, but Anastasia stepped away first, letting go of Fia on her own.
Just like Anastasia had said, “Just for a moment is enough,” she didn’t push her luck, actually holding herself back a lot.
Her tense expression relaxed a lot, and a blush crept up Anastasia’s cheeks under her golden bangs, but she still looked Fia straight in the eyes, which made Fia a little embarrassed.
“Are you okay now?”
“Yeah, this is enough.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I’m really sorry you had to see me like this.”
“I won’t deny you were a bit of a mess, but people aren’t machines.
Sometimes it’s good to let it out like you just did.
Actually, I’m happy you told me what you needed.
You’ve always helped me, but I’ve never been able to help you.
After this, I finally feel like you need me too.”
“Ugh—” Anastasia froze, embarrassed, and fidgeted.
“P-please keep this a secret for me, Your Highness… It’s just too embarrassing.”
Fia smiled again, waving her hand happily.
“I’ll keep your secret, but next time you need something like this, don’t be so shy—just tell me.
Just like I’m important to you, you’re important to me too.”
At this, Fia thought for a moment, then lifted her bright face.
“From now on, when it’s just the two of us, don’t use ‘Your Highness’ or formal speech.
Just call me ‘Fia.’”
“This—” Anastasia immediately wanted to protest, but Fia put her hand in front of Anastasia’s mouth, her ruby-like eyes full of dissatisfaction, her lips puffed out.
“Am I just your monarch, is that it?”
“No…” Faced with Fia’s assertiveness, Anastasia softened.
“I—”
“‘I’?”
“Sorry.
Got it.
But only when it’s just the two of us, Fia.”
“Yeah, let’s start from here.” Satisfied, Fia took her hand back.
“Anything else?”
“No, that’s all.
Oh, right, after today’s battle, you must have sweated a lot.
Do you need me to help you clean up?”
Even though Anastasia slipped back into formal speech, habits don’t change overnight.
Besides, Fia was more focused on what Anastasia said than the honorifics.
Her expression stiffened.
“No need.
I can use ‘Clean’ magic.
You go back first, Anastasia.”
“Okay.” Anastasia nodded and turned to leave, but quickly seemed to remember something and looked back.
The strange blue markings on her left cheek made her face look even more mysterious, and her voice got quieter.
“Um…”
“What is it?”
“Can I sleep with you tonight? You said earlier I could ask if I needed something…”
That’s a huge leap! Fia grumbled inwardly, then coughed, pretending to be serious.
“Not tonight.” Since she’d just made that promise, refusing right away made her feel like she was going back on her word.
Fia looked away and added quietly, “But you can in the future.”
Anastasia was holding back well, but Fia still noticed her shoulders tremble with joy for a moment.
“I’ll look forward to that day.
Thank you, Your Highness!”
“It’s Fia.”
“Okay, Fia!” Her voice was full of barely concealed happiness, and even her steps were light and excited as she quickly left the hallway, closing the door with a “bang.”
She’s definitely not mad.
Fia had a feeling.
