The Last Step Chapter 110: Happy Birthday Celia!

PRESENT

9:37 PM - 31/12/2017

Celia’s Perspective:

I noticed Kaiser’s clothes were a bit ssed up, the blanket half-slid from his shoulders like soone had tugged at it in a hurry. He looked too small for the sheets — ridiculous, how soone so important could look so fragile when he slept.

"Oh Kai, you’ll catch a cold, honey." I murmured, more to the room than to him, stepping over the soft mats and padding across the floor.

The room slled faintly of herbs and warm plaster, the lantern light playing across his face like a secret. My feet made no sound. I was all careful hands and quiet breath.

I sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed his shirt the way a mother straightens a child’s collar. Fingers gentle, precise — there was love in the motion, a thousand soft ministrations learned from a life that wanted to keep soone safe. The blanket slid up, ward against his skin. He breathed slow and even, deep in the dream that dicine bought him.

Tomorrow he’d wake; today he still needed to sleep.

Watching him like that — so open, so unguarded — made sothing tighten in my throat and then bloom into sothing too big and precious. My smile widened without aning to, soft and accidental.

I moved my hand up, feather-light, and rested it against his cheek. It was warm although he was cold from the pond. His skin had that pale, perfect look a moonlight gives, and when my thumb brushed his temple a delicious, aching thing unfurled under my ribs.

"Oh Kai..." I breathed. The sound spilled out like a li’l lullaby. "If only you and Lucas hadn’t interfered." I said it low, more to myself than to him.

I saw the fairies as little glints — pretty and useless and prey waiting to be hunted.. If they hadn’t been there, there’d have been no reason for him to look away.

I would have finished what I started: ended their voices, slice their wings into nothing, left nothing to distract him from . Not because I liked killing — because I liked protecting what’s mine.

"I would’ve succeeded in exterminating these worthless fairies." I slid my palm from his cheek to his forehead, feeling the cool skin under my fingertips. My smile didn’t falter. It grew.

Linne knelt in the corner like a burned thing, eyes down, waiting.

She was watching — or rather waiting for — and I loved it. The sight of her reminded of all the ways I could keep what was mine, keep Kaiser clean of anyone else’s touch.

"Kaiser," I said, "You probably can’t hear , but I’m going to tell you anyway." I leaned close so my hair brushed the pillow.

"Honey, it isn’t your fault. That bitch Sylaphine must’ve used so sort of magic, or even if it is your fault, I don’t mind it. I’ll forget you because I love you so, so much."

I watched his lashes flutter once and kept going.

"I wasn’t as upset at first," I said, pretending to be calm, pretending the aches in my heart were just pretty lines.

"But when I saw you protecting her, it kind of hurt my heart. Especially when you caught the ice spear Veil threw at her. I was just so jealous at that mont... you and her just talking... I couldn’t control myself. The spear would’ve ended it all but... at that mont it reminded of sothing else, honey, I don’t know if you rember." I smiled into the air like a secret keeper.

Linne made a sound — a little whimper like a pet glad to be nearby. She lowered her face, closer to the floor, and I liked the sight of her humility. The power of it made my chest glow with the heat of a hearth.

I wanted to be the one who pressed him to sleep, who tied his cloak, who cooks for him. I wanted to be the one he thought of in the hollow hours.

I brushed my lips against the top of his hand. "You did so much for ," I whispered. My voice trembled in a way that said I ant it, and another way that said I ant everything else too. "You went into the dark for . You pulled out."

"Even if others were stronger than you... you didn’t care did you?"

"You... you’re my Kai."

"If anyone tries to take you," I murmured, softer now and more dangerous than the earlier sweetness, "I’ll cut them to tiny pieces and feed it to my pets. But, firstly I’d pull their eyes out for looking at you." I smiled.

"I’ll protect you. Always."

I could feel Linne’s eyes on us like hot coals. She shivered. That made smile all the more.

"Co here," I said, my voice sweet.

She hesitated for only a mont before standing, her body trembling as she approached.

"You’re still able to use illusive magic, correct?"

She nodded silently, eyes wide, throat tight.

"Hmm..." I muttered, letting the thought hang in the air like smoke before curling my lips into a wider grin. "From now on, your na will be Mirage."

She blinked, stunned. "Y-yes... my queen. I... am your Mirage."

"Linne is an ugly na," I said softly, brushing my hair aside. "Be glad I gave you sothing so beautiful."

Mirage looked down, voice trembling. "I... I love it. Thank you so much for this gift."

"I like that," I said, leaning closer. "Now—be a good girl and put an illusion for the whole night."

"W-whole night?!" she asked, startled.

I tilted my head, my smile widening into sothing far too loving. "I want to talk and play with my honey."

"But he’s asleep—" she began, but froze mid-sentence. Her instincts scread, telling her to stop talking.

"Good," I whispered, eyes glowing faintly red. "Do as you’re told."

She swallowed hard, nodding as her hands began weaving threads of illusive frost through the air.

Within seconds, the illusion took form—an image of sleeping peacefully on my bed, and Kaiser on his, both untouched, serene. Anyone who entered would see only that scene... and leave us undisturbed. And it was completely quiet even if I spoke. So, nobody would be able to hear either.

Perfect.

I smirked, watching Mirage back away slowly, her task done. She gave one last nervous glance before dissolving into the shadows, disappearing like mist under moonlight.

Then, silence.

I turned, crawling onto the bed beside Kaiser. His breathing was slow, steady—each exhale brushing faintly against my neck.

I slid closer until his arm was trapped between my chest and my heart, wrapping myself around it like a serpent protecting its treasure.

My lips brushed against his shoulder. "I love you so much..." I whispered, voice trembling, drunk on the words. "It’s been so long since I held you. So, so long..."

"You have no idea how empty it feels when you’re not here. But it’s fine now. You’re mine again. My sweet, beautiful Kai..."

My breath hitched, half-laugh, half-sob. "I won’t let anyone touch you. Not even fate."

I traced a finger across his wrist, feeling his warmth. It was enough to make my chest ache.

"Kai..." I whispered, my voice softer than I intended. "Rember that night... at Levi’s place?"

The words caught in my throat. My lips trembled. "I... I wasn’t feeling good... I was just.. not alright. Faking my happiness. My smile..."

I swallowed hard, eyes stinging as the mory surfaced. "That night you ca to my room and comforted . You... held because I was scared of being alone again."

I laughed faintly — the sound cracked, half-sad, half-sweet. "The lightning... it was so loud, rember? I was shaking when the light went out... and you held close."

My fingers tightened on his arm. "You protected there too."

I leaned closer, pressing my forehead against his shoulder.

"Not only that..." My voice wavered. "Every single ti I was sad... or breaking inside, you noticed. You always ca to talk to . Even when I lied to you — even when I pushed you away — you never got angry. You never judged ."

My breath hitched. "You just... comforted . So much."

For a mont, I smiled — a fragile, broken smile.

"But that’s not the reason I love you so much..." I whispered, clutching his hand tighter.

"It’s how you saw ."

The words ca out heavy, trembling.

"You talked to . You didn’t judge . You didn’t hurt ." My voice broke, softer now — each word escaping like a confession. "My entire life... for years, I was hurt by others. I just wanted to please them. I lied so they would like . So they’d at least talk to . Pretend to love ."

A shaky breath. "But they all lied too."

"They never liked ."

"They lied about being my friends."

My throat closed. "The mont I was cursed, they all turned on ."

I could feel tears gathering at the corner of my eyes, falling onto his arm, disappearing against his skin.

"I hate everyone," I whispered. "Because nobody loved ... when I was at my weakest."

My voice broke completely. "Except you."

The words escaped like a sob. My breath hitched, my whole body trembling.

"I–I don’t even know why I’m saying all this..." My voice cracked as the tears started falling harder. "Maybe because... I couldn’t sleep for the past few days..."

I pressed my face against his shoulder, muffling the sound of my sobs.

"I was taking sleeping pills," I stamred through hiccuped breaths. "B-but they weren’t effective. I’d wake up... in the middle of the night... crying again."

My fingers clung to his sleeve, desperate.

"Only sotis, I promise," I whispered through the tears, voice trembling with childlike sincerity. "Because... you weren’t there."

I pulled back just a little, enough to see his sleeping face, blurred by the tears in my eyes.

"I’m sorry for crying on your shirt..." I whispered, voice trembling, barely holding together. "I’m sorry..."

My hands moved weakly, brushing at my cheeks, but the tears kept coming. It didn’t matter how much I wiped them away — they just wouldn’t stop.

"Even if I’ve gotten stronger..." I breathed, the words trembling out of , "it’s because of you I worked so hard. I wanted you back so much, Kai... I worked day and night..."

My voice cracked, and I let out a small, painful laugh — the kind that wasn’t happy at all. "I turn to him again, resting my forehead on his shoulder, feeling his warmth, whispering, "The truth is... I trust you so much... You could slit my throat, and with one last gasping breath, I would still say I love you."

The words left my lips in a whisper so quiet, I almost didn’t hear myself.

"Now... people respect , you know?" My fingers brushed against his hand, tracing the lines of his knuckles, gentle, careful. "The fairies treated nicely because I was strong. When I was in Rinascita, so of the sword saints... even they looked at like I was a human being. I made a few friends too."

A pause. A bitter, shaking smile.

"In the future, I’ll get even stronger," I whispered. "More people will co to like ... maybe even love ... and want to spend ti with ."

A single tear slid down my chin. "But even with all of that... with all those people around ... I’ve never felt so lonely."

My voice fell to a trembling hush. "Because you’re the only person I want to spend my ti with."

My chest ached. My breath ca out uneven. "Because you talked to ... took care of ... saw as soone worth protecting when I was at my weakest... when I was fragile and so worthless..."

More tears fell, quiet and endless. I couldn’t stop.

"I tried to be strong," I whispered. "I tried to beco soone who could stand beside you. Soone who can take care of you. But it hurts, Kai... it hurts so much when you’re not here..."

My fingers clenched into his sleeve again. My voice broke. "I can’t lose you again. I can’t. I won’t survive it."

Each word ca out like a confession — trembling, desperate, soaked in grief.

"I’ll do anything for you... anything... I’ll protect you, serve you, kill for you... I’ll burn the world if that’s what it takes to keep you safe..."

My tears were warm against his cold sleeve. "You’re everything to ," I whispered through shaking breaths. "My reason to wake up... my reason to keep breathing... without you I’m—"

My voice faltered, choked by another sob. "Without you I’m nothing..."

Silence.

Then, in a voice that cracked open everything inside her, she whispered the last words — small, trembling, almost pleading:

"...but please..."

Her lips quivered as she pressed her forehead harder against his shoulder, eyes shut tight, tears still falling.

"...please don’t leave again."

...

"hahaha..."

Half laughter, half sob. I pressed my forehead against his shoulder again, my voice small, trembling.

"Look at ... such a crybaby, right?"

I let out a soft, shaky chuckle, though it didn’t sound happy. "I’m a ss... I really am."

My thumb brushed along his sleeve, over the faint scar near his wrist. My heart ached so deeply it felt like it might collapse in on itself.

"Yet you..." I whispered, "you used to deal with it all the ti. The mighty, scary Queen of Curses—" I laughed again, weaker this ti, "—crying for you, Kai."

I held him tighter. Too tight. Like if I loosened even a little, he’d vanish.

"I hate them," I whispered, voice trembling. "I hate the fairies so much..."

My breathing grew shallow, my words slipping through clenched teeth. "They treated you so wrong... they threw you in the dungeon... while you were only trying to help and..."

I pulled back slightly, my eyes flicking across his peaceful face.

"I was so worried about you, Kai... I couldn’t sleep at night. Were you eating okay? Were you sleeping?" My voice cracked, "Nothing hurt you inside, right? Right?!"

I stared at him, waiting for an answer that would never co.

"Oh... sorry..." I murmured with a weak smile. "You’re still asleep. Right."

The silence that followed was cruel. It made my heartbeat louder. It made my thoughts louder.

"I couldn’t stop worrying about you," I whispered after a while.

"Every waking hour... I was worried. I sent Crownless down there as many tis as I could. He’d tell you were okay — that you were working, writing... and for a few minutes, I’d feel relief."

I swallowed hard. "But then I’d start worrying again. If you were hungry. If the food was bad. If soone was being cruel to you."

A faint giggle slipped out of , soft and pitiful. "Sotis, using a bit of cursed magic, and Crownless would... change the food that was being delivered to you. Replace it with sothing from where the others dined."

My lips curved into a trembling smile. "It made happy, knowing at least you’d eat well... even if you didn’t know it was ."

Then, without warning — my voice shattered.

"But..."

My breath hitched. "But why... Kai..."

Tears blurred my eyes again. My hands clenched onto his sleeve, twisting the fabric like I was afraid I’d fall apart if I let go.

"Why... did you... s-say you loved her?"

The words fell from my mouth like a scream muffled by tears. "Why... Sylaphine?! Why her when I was—" my voice cracked, "when I was right here, right next to you all this ti?! I— I was the one who— who would do anything—!"

My breath was uneven now, every inhale a sob. "I c-can protect you, I am much stronger, I... I waited for you..." My shoulders shook. "I thought maybe if I just loved you enough... if I just kept believing, one day you’d look at the way you looked at her!"

I buried my face into his shoulder, tears soaking his shirt again. "It h-hurt, Kai... it hurt so much... watching you protect her... talking to her..."

My voice cracked completely. "I tried to pretend I was fine, that it didn’t break , but it did. It did! Every single ti you spoke to her instead of , it was like soone was carving into my chest!"

I hiccupped, my words half-choked. "W-why did you pick her... w-when I was r-right here... loving you...?"

My hands trembled, clinging to him with a desperate, fragile strength.

"I’d b-burn every fairy alive for you, Kai... every one of them... if that’s what it took..."

A broken sob. "So why... why did it have to be her?"

Her voice softened to a whisper — fragile, shaking, full of exhaustion.

"I love you so much it hurts to breathe... and I don’t even know if you’ll ever love the sa way..."

"That’s the only reason I went after them..." I whispered, eyes fixed on his sleeping face. "And tried to kill every single one."

My lips curled upward, but it wasn’t a smile — it was the shape of pain pretending to be calm. "Especially Sylaphine."

I could still hear her na like poison in my mouth. The way he said it once — gentle, fond. It haunted .

"I made Veil go back to his normal form," I murmured, brushing a lock of hair from his cheek with shaking fingers. "Used my magic to command him directly from my mind — to keep them busy, to distract, to burn as long as possible... while Crownless spread a disease through the labyrinth."

My tone turned low, almost tender — but it was laced with venom.

"And that bitch..." I whispered, eyes narrowing. "The one you helped the first ti... the one you called cute." My lips twitched into a bitter grin. "That pink-winged bitch Linne. Crownless found her first and tortured her to death. I made sure it was slow. Painful."

The air trembled faintly around as I spoke — like even the magic in the room could sense my emotions.

"You liked fairies, didn’t you...?" I asked softly, my voice breaking between each breath.

"Their smiles, their songs, their perfect little wings..." My hand tightened around his sleeve. "I was jealous, Kai. So jealous I couldn’t even sleep."

"That’s why I did it."

Silence fell again, thick and cold. My eyes stared through the dim light, unblinking.

"But I don’t have any regrets."

The words ca out sharp, firm. Almost frightening."I won’t hesitate to eliminate anyone — anything — if they get in my way."

My lips trembled into a whisper. "That bitch might’ve been the first..." I breathed. "But I promise you, Kai... Sylaphine will die by my hands. And when she does—" my voice softened, filled with sothing almost reverent, "—I’ll ascend her. Make her bow to . And she’ll serve ... for eternity."

"As my slave."

I was breathing hard now, chest rising and falling like I had just escaped drowning. My heartbeat echoed in my ears, faster and faster, until it hurt.

Then — I stopped. A deep breath. My voice cracked.

"I’m sorry..." I whispered. "I got too emotional again..."

Tears slipped down my cheeks before I even realized it. My throat felt tight, like the words were fighting to escape.

"I just... I j-just..."

"I just don’t w-want anyone to take you away from , Kai..."

My fingers clutched his sleeve again, desperate, trembling.

"I c-can’t— I c-can’t bear it... the thought of you liking soone else, smiling at soone else—" a small sob escaped , "—it feels like my chest is tearing apart, it hurts, it hurts so much..."

I buried my face in the crook of his neck, whispering between uneven breaths,

"I’ll be good, I promise, I’ll protect you, I’ll l-love you more, just... don’t leave again... please..."

I folded over him like a broken thing, arms clinging to his arm so hard my nails bit into the fabric. My face pressed into his sleeve, the salt of my tears soaking through.

"S—sob... sniff... I’m— I’m sorry..." I choked out, the words torn from between gasping sobs. "Huh—hh—"

My body shook. Each breath ca ragged and thin, like I was trying to breathe through a storm. I pressed closer until the steady beat of his heart was the only thing I could feel — the only thing that kept the world from folding in on itself.

"B—buh—please don’t leave ..." I cried, voice raw, the sound muffled into the cloth of his sleeve. "Wah— I can’t do this without you—sob—I can’t—"

Even in the corners of the room, my demons resting at my demonic realm could sense . Crownless’s shoulders drooped as if he could feel the weight of my grief. The great thing that had been so monstrous in battle tilted its head, a low, almost-human rumble passing through it — sympathy or the mory of a promise kept. Veil’s cold eyes glimred faintly from where he lingered in my demonic realm; the creature bowed its head, the scrape of bone against stone a soft, mournful sound. Even they seed to shrink beneath the force of how much I hurt. Ronan and Mirage but just siting on the ground in my realm.

I clung to him, breath hitching between each sob. "Sniff— I tried so hard..." I hiccupped, each word a splinter. "You don’t know how much I cried—how long I feared—"

My voice broke into smaller pieces. "Huh—huh—why did you leave alone?" I begged the air, though he could not answer. "I— I’ll never let anyone—"

"S—sob... I love you, Kai..." The confession ripped out of like a wound. "I love you so much—"

My tears kept coming, hot and relentless. I buried my face deeper into his arm. The room blurred; the illusion on the other bed remained normal.

"Please— please—" I wailed, letting the sobs swallow whole. "Don’t— don’t do that again..."

I kept sobbing quietly, my body trembling against his. Ti slipped by — seconds, maybe minutes — until the sound of my crying dulled into shallow, uneven breaths.

Then... warmth.

A gentle hand slid over my head, fingers threading through my hair. It wasn’t a dream. The touch was real — warm, alive, steady. It ruffled my hair softly, again and again, until my tears slowed on their own.

My breath caught. Slowly, I lifted my head from his shoulder, strands of white hair sticking to my wet cheeks.

His eyes were open. Calm, tired... but awake.

"K–Kai...?" my voice trembled. "H–how long... have you been awake?"

He gave a small, almost tired smile, his hand never leaving my head. "Just a minute ago," he said quietly. His voice was gentle — too gentle.

For a mont, I couldn’t speak. My heart thudded once, twice, uneven. I turned my head away and pressed it against his shoulder again, hiding my face.

I was so glad... he didn’t hear what I said earlier. About the fairies... about Sylaphine. He didn’t need to know. He didn’t need to see that side of .

When I finally felt the strength to move, I tried to slip away, fingers trembling as I loosened my grip on his arm. The bed creaked softly.

But before I could take a single step, his arms wrapped around again — firm, certain.

Kai had turned, pulling into his embrace.

My breath hitched. My eyes widened. My entire body froze in place. His arm around felt heavy, grounding — almost too much for my heart to handle.

"...H–Hey..." I managed to whisper, my voice small and shaky, cheeks blushing.

"Who said you could leave?" he murmured.

I stamred, my fingers twisting in the sheets.

"Umm..." I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kai tilted his head, brushing a few damp strands of hair from my face. "First... how long have you been crying alone for?" His voice was soft, calm, almost like a warm blanket wrapped around .

I hesitated, my cheeks heating. "F...for a bit..." I muttered, keeping my eyes down as his fingers smoothed through my hair.

"And why were you crying, hmm?" His tone was gentle but teasing, like he knew too well.

"I... um... I was missing you," I admitted shyly, voice trembling.

His hand moved with care, wiping away my tears, thumb brushing along my cheek. "No more crying, got it? My heart isn’t allowed to cry, especially around ."

I blinked, startled, and my lips parted. "Y...you called that... again?"

He smiled softly, eyes warm and unflinching. "Yes, I did. Because you’re my one and only heart. Isn’t that right, Lia?"

I hid my face against his chest, voice barely audible. "Y...yes, Kai."

"Aww, so cute." He chuckled, teasing.

"I’m not cute! Stop ssing with !" I huffed, flustered, pressing closer into his embrace.

He grinned, fingers poking my side lightly. "Cutie, cutie! Celia is a cutie pie!"

"NO I’M NOT!" I shouted, lightly slapping his chest, cheeks flaming.

He didn’t stop, tilting his head closer. "Then... you’re just my cutie?"

I stopped, muttering softly, cheeks burning, "M...maybe..." hoping he wouldn’t laugh.

He leaned back slightly, smirk curling his lips. "Good girl."

My eyes went wide, breath hitching. I couldn’t speak, frozen between disbelief and shyness.

"Hmm... why aren’t you saying anything, cutie?" His voice pressed, teasing yet gentle.

I shook my head, silent, cheeks flushed and heart hamring.

"Mhm," he murmured knowingly, eyes glinting.

"I... I’m... h-horny..." I whispered suddenly, and then my mind hit like a brick.

"Huh?" His brow arched, amusent already flickering in his eyes.

"What... what did I just say?!" My hands flew to my face, flustered.

"I... I ant... hungry, not horny!" I scread, panic lacing my voice as I peeked at him through my fingers, teary and completely mortified.

He laughed, a soft, rolling sound that made my ears burn hotter.

"Horny, huh?" His grin widened, fingers teasingly ruffling my hair again. "Look at you, hiding your face like that. So adorable... My little cutie pie."

"No! I’m not Horny! Stop teasing !" I tried to hide, curling into him, but the warmth of his chest and that smug smile made it impossible to pull away.

"Co on, Celia... don’t hide. I like this shy, flustered side of you," he whispered, smirking as he leaned closer, teasing with his gaze.

I buried my face fully against him, heart hamring, muttering, "N...n...not shy... stop... stop..."

He laughed again, the sound soft and comforting, and I could feel the tension in unraveling slightly — even as I stayed pinned under his teasing, completely, hopelessly flustered.

"Oh look, it’s turning 12 AM. soon," Kai said with that lazy smirk that always made my heart skip.

I blinked toward the clock. "It’s... 11:38..." I muttered quietly.

"Then I still have ti," he said, grin deepening as his eyes softened on .

"For... for what...?" I stuttered, feeling the sudden shift in his tone.

Before I could even think, his hands slid around my waist, pulling closer until I was lifted against him — our faces barely an inch apart.

My breath caught instantly.

What the hell, Lia?! Get a grip! You’re the Queen of Curses! You literally tear monsters apart, and now you’re... flustered?! Over this?! I have to be stronger. You can do this!

My mind scread, but my heart... it wasn’t listening.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the trembling in my hands. "W-what is it that... y-you need?" I asked, voice quivering.

He smiled, his voice low and soft. "I need you, birthday girl."

"B-birthday... girl?" I repeated, blinking in surprise.

The words hit like lightning. Today... 31/12/2017.The date I told him about — the one I never thought he’d rember.

"You... rember?" I whispered, eyes wide.

"Of course I do," he said gently, brushing a thumb along my cheek. "You’re my precious one, Celia. How could I ever forget?"

My lips parted, breath trembling — he rembered.

He smiled faintly, though a shadow of pain crossed his face. "Even if I’m dying from Hyperthymia , even if I can’t get out of bed for now, I’ll still make sure to give you a gift — one you’ll rember."

My chest tightened painfully. "A gift...?" I echoed softly.

He leaned closer, hand sliding behind my head, beneath my white hair, guiding forward — his touch gentle, careful, as if I were made of glass.

"Happy birthday, Celia," he whispered, his breath warm against my lips.

"From yours only... Kaiser."

Then his lips t mine.

For a second, my mind went blank — the world lted away. The air, the bed, even the cold moonlight — nothing existed but him.

My tears, my exhaustion, my endless pain — all of it faded as happiness consud . I closed my eyes and just... felt it.

Every sleepless night. Every hour of training. Every tear I shed for him. It was worth it.

When he pulled back, his forehead still resting against mine, he smiled faintly.

"Happy?" he asked, voice gentle.

I stared up at him, lips trembling, eyes dazed. Then I nodded shyly, whispering, "I’m happy..."

"That’s good," he said, pulling close again. My head rested against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat filling my ears — strong, calm, real.

"May I make another request?" he asked quietly, his voice low — gentle, almost hesitant.

"Y-yes?" I replied, my heart still fluttering from his warmth.

He smiled faintly, eyes soft and tired. "Can you... hold as I sleep? I feel cold."

I froze for a second, staring at him. Then, with a small breath, I nodded. "I... I can do that for you," I said, voice trembling as I shifted closer.

I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into — feeling his breath, his heartbeat, his warmth.

He sighed, relaxing instantly. "Thank you..." he whispered, his tone full of that quiet sincerity only he could pull off.

Then he added, almost teasingly, "I’m also scared of ghosts. If you leave while I’m asleep, I’ll have nightmares. You won’t leave ... right?"

My heart lted right there.

He was saying this — so I could stay. So I didn’t have to beg. He knew too well, reading the thoughts I didn’t even speak.

I smiled softly. "I’ll protect you from every ghost, every monster. You won’t have any nightmares ever."

"Yay!" he said with mock cheer, though his voice was already growing sleepy. "The mighty Queen of Curses will protect ."

"Yep," I whispered proudly, smiling. "The Queen of Curses — I, Celia — will always be by your side, Kai. As long as I live... no, even beyond that. For eternity."

He chuckled quietly, tightening his arms around . "Then keep your word, alright?"

"I will!" I said brightly, eyes glimring with joy.

He smiled faintly, closing his eyes. "Good girl... now sleep. No more crying."

I pressed my face to his chest, breathing him in — the sound of his heart slowing under my ear.

"Okie..." I muttered, eyes heavy.

This happiness... this silence... this peace. My mind whispered the words like a prayer. This is the best gift I could have ever gotten.

Every mont of pain, every sleepless night, every wound I endured — it was all worth it, for this.

Just this.

My best birthday ever...

In the quiet of my mind, my thoughts reached out into the darkness — toward my demons.

Crownless, I murmured telepathically.

From within my demonic realm, his distorted voice echoed, loyal as ever.

Yes, my Queen.

Kill anyone who dares to wake us.

There was a pause — then a rustle of excitent, almost like wings opening. As you command—

Wait. I smiled faintly in the dark. No... that’ll draw unnecessary attention.

Crownless stopped instantly. Understood, my Queen.

Just make sure I can sleep... holding him as long as I can, I whispered, my consciousness fading.

Always, Crownless replied, his tone softened with sothing almost like affection.

And then... everything went quiet.

I fell asleep.

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Sohow moonlight filtered through the window, painting silver streaks across the bed. Kaiser’s arms were draped around Celia, one hand gently resting on the back of her head. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his torso, her cheek pressed against his chest, lips curled into a faint smile.

Outside the illusion, the world continued to turn — but inside that dimly lit room, ti itself seed to stop.

The Queen of Curses, and the man she loved, sleeping in each other’s arms —two broken souls finding warmth in the coldest night.

What sleeping pills couldn’t do, his arms did.

After days of nightmares, tears, and sleepless nights, she finally rested—cradled in the safety of his chest. No pills, no magic, no redy could compare to the happiness of him rolling closer in his sleep, pulling her against him, wrapping her in a quiet, unspoken promise. In that embrace, every fear, every sorrow, every lonely night dissolved, and her life felt, for the first ti in forever, wholly complete.