After returning to her room, Fia used the “Cleanse” spell to tidy her clothes and wash away the dirt on her body, then flopped onto the bed.
Even though there was no light in the room, the purple glow from the shattered Undying Moon still lingered, streaming in through the window and casting a dreamlike hue over the mottled ceiling.
“Phew…” Fia let out a long breath.
The circumstances had forced her hand, but she still couldn’t believe she’d hugged Anastasia on her own initiative.
It was so embarrassing.
The scene replayed in her mind—she could almost smell the girlish fragrance from Anastasia again, feel the tickle of golden hair at her nose.
Fia’s cheeks flushed red, and she rolled over lightly.
Then—
Knock, knock.
There was a knock at the door.
The sound was soft, but it was enough to pull Fia out of her daydream.
She quickly sat up and straightened her dress.
“Fia, are you asleep?” It was Claire’s voice.
Not wanting to disturb the other two in the clinic, Claire’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Fia hurried to open the door.
She’d known Claire would come find her, so she hadn’t changed out of her clothes to sleep—after what happened to Claire, there was no way she could avoid an explanation.
The figure that appeared in her view still had black horns and a cute tail.
Claire’s waterfall of silver hair flowed down to her waist, and her eyes, shifting from emerald to deep red, flickered as if searching Fia’s expression.
It was worth noting that Claire was wearing only a thin nightgown.
With the candlelight from the hallway, Fia could just make out the outline of Claire’s body beneath the fabric.
Claire already had a great figure, and the combination of candlelight and her probing look made her even more alluring.
Fia didn’t know where to look.
“I know I should probably wait until morning… but I think it’s better to explain now, if that’s okay?” Claire said, pointing to the horns on her head.
Her long, thin black tail curled around to the front.
Unlike a dragon’s tail, which tapers from thick to thin, Claire’s was more like a cow’s, with a tuft of fur at the end—more cute than intimidating.
The way it swayed made Fia want to grab it.
“Of course.”
Fia made room for Claire.
The two of them sat down on the edge of the bed.
With no tea table between them, the atmosphere felt a bit tense.
Claire placed her hands primly on her knees and gave a wry smile.
“Sorry, I never thought I’d be having a conversation with someone in my bedroom, so I didn’t bring a tea table up here.
I didn’t think it through.”
“It’s—it’s fine.
This is good too.”
Fia replied awkwardly.
Saying “it’s fine” was definitely a lie.
If there were a tea table between them, she could at least pretend to drink tea and have something to do with her hands.
But now, the two of them just sat side by side on the bed.
Especially since Claire had just bathed and was wearing only a loose, thin nightgown, her silver hair spread out on the bed, and the faint scent of herbs around her—it was impossible to focus.
Fia didn’t even dare turn her head to look at Claire, afraid of being misunderstood.
Luckily, Claire didn’t seem to notice Fia’s awkwardness.
She braced her hands on the edge of the bed, gently swinging her smooth little feet in her slippers, her gaze lowered so Fia couldn’t guess what she was thinking.
“You must be curious about how I look right now, Fia… Do I look like a demon?” “Yeah.”
“But I’m not a demon.
I only look like this when I use high-level magic.
I once asked some members of the Darkborn—demons and moon dragons are both part of the Darkborn faction—and they concluded that I’m not a demon.
The demons couldn’t even find a race similar to me.
There are plenty of demons who can use magic to disguise themselves as humans, but a demon who only grows horns and a tail after using high-level magic? That’s unheard of.”
“Not to mention, I was born with powers that most demons could never reach in their entire lives.
If I belonged to some race, the World Tree Continent would have been ruled by them already.”
Claire stretched out her right arm.
At that moment, her pale skin glowed with a faint silver light, and the elemental spirits Fia had seen before fluttered around her hand like butterflies around flowers.
“This is another reaction to using high-level magic.
I think I told you before, Fia, that I can’t use healing magic at all.
Didn’t you find that strange? Anyone can use healing magic as long as they know the spell, but I can’t use it at all.”
“Because Claire doesn’t have any mana?” “Exactly.” Claire confirmed softly.
“Because I have no mana, I can’t learn magic.
All the magic I use now is innate talent.
From the moment I became conscious, my mind was already filled with knowledge of this world.
Language, customs, basic knowledge of all fields, even magic that isn’t recorded anywhere—they all appeared in my head.”
“For example, the silver light I just used—people on the World Tree Continent call it the forbidden spell ‘Judgment of the Gods,’ but I know that the real ‘Judgment of the Gods’ isn’t like that.
They’re two different spells that just look similar.
A wise demon once told me that my magic doesn’t belong to this world, and even the existence of ‘Claire’ isn’t accepted by the world.
That’s why I bear the world’s curse.”
At this point, Claire paused and turned her gaze to Fia beside her.
There was a complicated emotion in her deep red eyes.
“I’m telling you all this to make it clear that I’m neither a demon nor a Darkborn.”
Realizing what Claire meant, Fia blinked.
“Claire, are you worried I’ll think you’re a demon and be afraid of you? That would never happen! First of all, it’s obvious you’re not a Darkborn, and even if you were, I wouldn’t be afraid of you.
You saw me talking to the moon dragon earlier, right? In my eyes, Darkborn and humans are equals—there’s no good or bad.”
Both sides just act in their own interests, that’s all.
“And besides… besides, I think you look really beautiful like this, Claire.”
Compared to her usual human appearance, Claire’s current demon-king look had a different kind of charm that was hard to look away from—gentle and soft as always, but just the change in appearance was enough to make her feel fresh and new.
Fia didn’t say that part out loud.
“Really?” Claire leaned toward Fia, her eyes full of disbelief and a hint of joy.
Even though the distance was already close enough to be embarrassing, Fia didn’t shy away.
“Really, I swear, I think you look beautiful right now, Claire.
If I were a man, I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off you.”
She already couldn’t look away, actually.
Fia added silently in her heart.
Claire’s breath caught, and she quickly looked away.
Her feet, hidden under the white nightgown, swung gently without her realizing, just like a shy, innocent girl.
“So if you’re a girl, you’d look away? Even after making that wish this morning…”
Now it was Fia’s turn to freeze.
Claire’s question had her cornered.
Even though Claire had answered this morning with, “If you won’t forget me, then maybe I’ll agree,” at the time Fia thought Claire hadn’t really considered what “being together, loving each other” actually meant.
But now, it was clear Claire had understood exactly what she meant back then—Fia had just been too dense to realize Claire had already agreed to everything.
Claire had said yes to her.
Realizing this, Fia’s heart suddenly burned with heat, her mouth went dry, and sweat broke out on her back.
She forgot all about her shame for a moment, and the excitement that surged up made her speak without thinking at all.
“Even if you’re not a man, I still wouldn’t look away.” The heat in her chest made Fia hold her breath.
She decided to go all in, mustering all her courage and speaking with extra seriousness.
“I like Claire.”
As the last word left her lips, Fia’s chest tightened.
—She’d been too blunt.
Maybe she should have waited a bit longer.
But what’s done is done, and right now, all Fia could do was wait for Claire’s answer.
“Um…” Faced with Fia’s honest confession, Claire, who was sitting at Fia’s feet, froze.
Her swinging legs and tail went still, and only the silver orbs of light floating around her started drifting even faster.
She won’t hate me, right? Even though Fia’s rational side told her it would be fine, her feelings didn’t agree.
She couldn’t help but ask in a small, nervous voice.
“Is… is that not okay? If you don’t like me, we can just be, like, really good friends—” Before she could finish, Fia got her answer.
It wasn’t words, but action.
Claire first wrapped her tail around Fia’s arm, but quickly thought better of it and instead placed her hand over Fia’s.
A blush of shyness colored her beautiful face.
Claire fought the urge to look away, meeting Fia’s eyes directly.
“I’m not saying no… This is the best answer I could hope for.”
After hesitating a few times, Claire continued.
“But is this really okay? I’m just a monster, and you, little Fia, are the much-admired elf princess.
You’ll meet people far better than me, maybe dozens of times better.
There’s no need to waste your time and feelings on me.
I’d be satisfied just watching you from afar, as long as you don’t forget me.”
“But I’m not satisfied.”
Fia shot her down immediately.
Claire had already agreed, so there was no way she’d let this chance slip by.
She had to push Claire a little further, and she emphasized it with extra seriousness.
“Claire, both your looks and your heart make me fall for you.
I want you to stay by my side forever.”
Silence.
Other than their serious gazes meeting, there wasn’t a sound in the room.
It felt like just a few seconds, or maybe an eternity, before Claire gave in first.
Her stiff body slowly relaxed, and the tension faded from her face, replaced by a helpless smile on her lovely features.
“I never thought that night we met would bear fruit today… Ah, if even little Fia doesn’t care, then I guess I should be brave too.”
Claire took a deep breath, then slowly and firmly gave Fia her answer.
“—I like you too, Fia.”
Hearing Claire’s reply, Fia’s tense face immediately lit up with joy.
But just as she was about to say something, Claire gently reached out her index finger and pressed it against Fia’s lips.
“But I can’t be with you just yet.”
Why? Reading the question in Fia’s raised eyebrows, Claire withdrew her hand and smiled.
“Everyone has things they must do and things they mustn’t.
Breaking the curse is something I must do, for myself and for those around me.
Fia—no, at this point, I should drop the ‘little.’ You’ve seen it these past two days, right? Whether it’s slaves, soldiers, or ordinary people, they all want to get close to you, but once they see me, they all give up.
My presence brings you trouble.”
“That’s nothing to worry about.
Claire, are you really going to leave me over something so trivial?” Claire just answered calmly.
“You might not care, but I do.
I never meant to leave you, Fia.
I just want to be able to stand by your side openly and rightfully.
If I do nothing, then in the future, when I stand with you, the curse that makes people fear me will definitely make others point fingers at you.”
“Try to imagine, Fia, if our roles were reversed, what would you think? Because of the curse on you, outsiders would think that as the elf princess, I believed in a monster.
Ministers and nobles would form factions against you, and I’d have to stand against them to protect you.
Would you still think the curse has no effect?” “…” Fia just clenched her fists, not answering.
Claire was right.
If their roles were reversed, even if Claire didn’t care, Fia would feel ashamed to be by Claire’s side because of the stain of the curse.
As time went on, she’d eventually leave Claire herself, feeling both guilty and relieved, and never contact her again.
This had nothing to do with strength or status, but with personal principles.
Even if Claire used her power to suppress everyone and rule as a tyrant, Fia would still feel bad about it, and might even feel worse because of the tyranny.
If the Moon of Sinking hadn’t been destroyed, she could have ignored the future, just like the past few days, and simply enjoyed being with Claire.
As that thought crossed her mind, the sound of fabric rustling reached her ears, and Fia felt a soft sensation on her arm.
Claire had sat down beside her, their shoulders pressed together.
A warm, fragrant scent filled Fia’s nose.
Claire took Fia’s hand and pulled it in front of her, making Fia look at her face.
That beautiful, moon-elf-like face was smiling.
“I won’t be gone for long.
If I want to completely break the curse, whether it’s seeking out a god or making myself more influential, I have to leave the Holy Nation of Milcandis.
That was your idea, Fia.”
“So we can leave the Holy Nation of Milcandis together, and figure things out as a pair.”
Claire shook her head gently.
“I wasn’t finished.
You looked like you were about to kill someone.
By the way, Fia, you don’t seem to have any qualms about killing, which is kind of scary.
If you were a man, I think that decisiveness would be attractive, but you’re an elf princess.
If you get too much blood on your hands, you’ll be less cute, and as your big sister, I don’t like that—Fia, can you promise me something? Unless your life or someone else’s is in danger, don’t kill unless you absolutely have to, okay?” “…Then what about you, Claire? A promise goes both ways.”
Claire was right—Fia really didn’t care about killing.
To her, lives were just numbers, and the only difference was whether someone got in her way, and whether her methods were efficient or not.
“Let me think… I don’t have anything to give you right now…” Claire pressed her index finger to her chin, thought for a moment, then pointed at her own chest with a wry smile.
“Can I give myself to you? Though I guess that’s me taking advantage of you.”
Ignoring Claire’s joke, Fia insisted.
“In that case, I order you to stay with me—” “No, breaking the curse is something I have to do.” Claire smiled and refused.
“I wasn’t finished.
I want to try finding a god first, to break the curse at its root.
You were right, Fia.
If the Goddess of Life can’t do it, maybe the Elf God can.”
So that means going back to the elf kingdom with me, right? Fia’s ruby eyes filled with confusion.
Before Fia could answer, Claire continued.
“But that’s going to be a long journey, and it might not even work.
If it doesn’t, then I’ll have to do what you suggested—make myself so influential that no one can forget me.
And to do that, I need some foundation of my own, so I have to go back to where I was born, get what’s mine, and bring it to the elf kingdom.”
“So, to be with you forever, I have to go home first.
It’s basically like moving house, I guess.
I’m not letting you go, Fia.
At this point, even if you want to give up on me, I’ll still stick to you.
I’m your curse now—even if a god comes, they can’t pull me off you.”
By the end, Claire couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Saving the most important thing for last—was Claire teasing her on purpose? But all Fia felt inside was relief.
She wasn’t leaving alone, just going home to get something, and then they’d solve the problem together.
That answer let Fia finally relax, sweeping away all her earlier frustration.
She instinctively reached up to cover her smiling mouth, but since Claire was holding her dominant hand, she couldn’t.
Fia had to cough twice, putting on a show.
“Fine, I’ll accept it, I guess.
Where’s your hometown, Claire? Let’s go there first, then head back to the Elf Kingdom.
Anastasia seems to want me to study some magic outside for a while, so we can use this chance to visit your hometown.”
“That’ll take a lot of time.
The place where I was born is at the southernmost tip of the World Tree Continent, and the Elf Kingdom is up north.
Normally, a round trip would take years.
But if I go alone, I can make it back in less than two months.
Fia, you still need to return to the Elf Kingdom to secure your place as crown princess.
Why don’t we agree to meet in the Elf Kingdom in two months? How about it?” Claire’s pure crimson eyes were full of sincerity as she looked into Fia’s eyes, squeezing her hand even tighter.
Claire was serious.
She was asking Fia to agree.
Her gaze was telling Fia just that.
For Claire, this was probably her final compromise.
She didn’t want to leave Fia either, but to break the curse, she had to make preparations.
Even though parting was hard, it was all for a longer reunion.
Still, Fia couldn’t help wanting to keep her here.
She looked right back into Claire’s eyes, straightened her back, and squeezed Claire’s warm hand in return.
“Are you sure I can’t go with you and Anastasia? I’ll try not to slow you down.”
“…Of course I want you to come with me, Fia, and I’m not saying you can’t.
It’s just that the journey is long, and traveling day and night is really boring.
Plus, you have the whole throne thing to deal with.
Think of it this way: to meet the Elf God, you need the Elf King’s permission.
If you lose the throne, I won’t get to see the Elf God, and I won’t be able to expand my influence in the Elf Kingdom.
So you should focus on things there.
Anastasia wants you to stay outside and learn more magic because your claim to the throne isn’t stable yet.”
The throne didn’t matter to her at all.
Not only did the throne hold no appeal, but if it came down to it, who could withstand an orbital bombardment? Even if they survived once, what about twice, three times, a hundred, a thousand? In the face of absolute power, authority was just a toy to be picked up and tossed aside.
Still, Claire wasn’t wrong.
Violence could bring power, but it wasn’t everything.
Instead of wasting time on a long, boring journey, it was better to use methods that could solve the root problem and secure her position sooner.
That way, Claire could meet the Elf God easily, and they could gather nobles and wise men to discuss how to break the curse.
She knew so little about this world—gathering everyone’s wisdom couldn’t hurt.
But two months was just too long.
She didn’t want to be apart.
If only there were a lightspeed engine or a particle transporter, two months could be over in a flash.
But this world didn’t have anything like that.
She took a deep breath and let it all out at once, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
“Fine, I get it… But Claire, you have to keep your promise.
You have to be in the Elf Kingdom in two months.”
“Yeah, it’s a deal.”
Claire let go of Fia’s hand and smiled gently, holding out her pinky.
She wanted to make a promise.
So the World Tree Continent had this custom too.
Feeling both reluctant and amused, Fia looked at Claire’s face, hooked her pinky around Claire’s.
“It’s a deal.”
It was just their fingers entwined, but Fia felt something strange inside, like from this moment on, she and Claire had formed an unbreakable bond.
No matter how far apart they were, they’d never drift away.
Not even the gods could break this tie.
The promise ended quickly.
At the same time, Fia and Claire both looked down at their hands.
It was a first for both of them.
“Now you don’t have to worry.
But let me say this first—if you forget about me, Fia, I’ll get mad and tie you up and hang you at the city gate for everyone to see.”
“Yeah, yeah, if I forget you, Claire, you can do whatever you want.
I’d deserve it.”
“Hehehe…” Claire giggled, turning to face Fia directly.
Their eyes met.
The mood quietly shifted, becoming more intimate.
Urged on by the atmosphere, Claire leaned in, one hand brushing Fia’s black hair aside, the other caressing her cheek.
She lowered her head, pressing her forehead gently against Fia’s.
“Thank you.”
“I—I should be the one thanking you.”
With Claire holding her face, Fia felt embarrassed.
She reached out, wrapping her arms around Claire’s smooth neck, her gaze falling on Claire’s tempting cherry-colored lips.
The distance between them shrank.
At the last moment, Fia stopped, looking up shyly to check with Claire.
“Claire, is it okay if I…?” “Yeah.”
Claire answered softly, her deep red eyes locked on Fia.
No more hesitation—Fia leaned in.
Their lips met.
It wasn’t the first time, but it felt even more intense than before.
The feelings between them were stronger and hotter than ever.
Claire had probably expected this all along, which was why she’d changed into that thin nightgown from the start.
So sneaky.
Thinking that, Fia felt a little annoyed and got more aggressive, pressing Claire’s shoulders and pushing her down onto the bed.
The nightgown slipped loose, Claire’s silver hair spreading out and mixing with Fia’s black hair, but she didn’t resist.
Instead, with a glowing smile, Claire cupped Fia’s face, her crimson eyes full of sticky emotion, panting softly.
“Fia, you smell so sweet…” “So do you, Claire.”
Going a step further—ah, the curtains.
Following Claire’s gaze, Fia saw the starlight pouring into the room.
So unromantic.
With a gentle wave of her hand, Fia used Wind Blade to softly close the curtains.
The room instantly went dark, and even the silver orbs of light swirling around Claire shyly hid themselves in the corners.
“Fia… you really aren’t used to wearing underwear.”
“I… I don’t know how to wear that.
Can I have Claire help me put it on from now on?”
“Of course you can.”
With the soft rustle of fabric and quiet, shallow breaths, the two girls pressed close to each other, and in the end, melted into one.
On this new moon night, only this place burned so hot.
