The Last Step Chapter 115: Tales of My Love

Celia’s Perspective:

1/1/2018 - 9:47 AM

I stared at him for a response.

He was silent.

"Tell , Kai..." My voice trembled, the words catching between my teeth.

"I always annoy you. I always need to check up on you. I can’t even sleep properly without you wishing goodnight."

He didn’t say anything at first. I hated that silence. It always made my chest feel tighter—like I was the only one speaking in a world where no one wanted to listen.

"You should hate too, right?" I asked again, my voice shaking.

He turned his head toward , his expression calm, soft. "I could never hate you, Celia."

My gaze widened, and before I could stop myself, I stood up, standing in front of him as he leaned back against the tree. My throat ached—my heart felt heavy. He noticed the way my hands trembled, the tears that clung to the corners of my eyes.

"Don’t lie to !" I shouted. The words ca out raw, cracked. "I am annoying! You should hate ! I keep saying stupid things and making you deal with !"

My breathing beca uneven. I could feel the heat in my face, not from anger—but from how much it hurt to even say it out loud.

"How can soone even love ," I muttered, my voice breaking as I looked down at the grass, "when I’m this... unlovable?"

The tears slipped out. I didn’t try to stop them.

"I’m not even pretty," I whispered. "Wherever I go, people look at with disgust. Like I don’t belong. Like I’m so... cursed mistake they can’t stand to see."

My shoulders trembled, words pouring out faster than I could think. "Even as a kid... nobody liked for being myself. I tried to be normal. I tried to laugh when they did, to talk like them. But no matter what I did—it was wrong."

I covered my face with my hands, my voice cracking as I forced the words through sobs.

"Every ti I was honest, I got punished for it. Every ti I showed who I really was, they called stubborn. Crazy. Wrong."

I looked up at him through the blur of tears. "Do you know what it feels like, Kai? To grow up thinking that if you’re yourself, the whole world will leave you?"

He still said nothing, only listened. His eyes were steady—too kind. That made it worse sohow.

I laughed weakly, bitterly. "Even now, I can’t stop pretending. I still act like I’m strong, like I don’t care. But I do. I care too much. About everything. About you."

My voice lowered to a whisper. "And I hate it. I hate that I can’t stop caring, even when I know it’ll make you leave ."

I took a small step closer, my fists clenched at my sides. "So why don’t you just leave, Kai? Everyone else did. They all did when they realized what I really am. So why not you too?!"

My words were sharp, but my tone cracked midway—pleading, desperate. "Please... just tell why you’re still here."

That was when he slowly stood up, his eyes still locked on mine.

He stepped closer.

"I can never hate you, Celia," he said quietly.

And before I could say another word, he pulled into his arms.

My hands hung loosely at my sides for a mont, frozen. My tears soaked into his shirt, and all I could think was how unfair it felt—to be seen like this. To be held, when I didn’t think I deserved it.

He held tighter, and I could hear the sound of my own sobs muffled against his chest. My tears soaked through his shirt, and still, he didn’t move away. Instead, his voice ca softly—low, warm, almost trembling as if he felt the sa ache I did.

"You’re hurt, Celia," he said. "This pain you’ve carried... it never had a place to go. You kept it locked inside because you knew that if you told soone, they’d laugh. Or worse, mock you."

He paused, his breath brushing against my hair. "But I won’t."

My body trembled. The mont those words left his lips, sothing in cracked again—like I’d been waiting years for soone to say them.

"The mont you and I t," he continued quietly, "I never thought you were annoying. Not even once."

His hand moved up, fingers brushing through my hair gently, each motion slow, deliberate—like he was untangling the chaos in my chest.

"I admit," he said with a small chuckle, "you always check up on . Sotis you even... stalk . I noticed it."

I looked up slightly, embarrassed, but before I could say anything, his tone softened again.

"But it isn’t annoying. It makes happy you care that much."

His palm rested on my head again, his thumb tracing small circles. "Maybe it’s the way you say my na," he murmured. "I’ve never known anybody like you. You’re important, and special to , Lia."

I blinked through the tears, staring at him blankly for a mont. Then he said it—quietly, honestly— "You’re the prettiest girl, Lia. I could stare into your eyes forever"

He slowly pulled back, letting see him. His smile was soft, not forced or pitying. Just warm.

"I feel okay when I see you smile," he whispered, his own lips curling faintly as if the sight of my tears hurt him too.

My hands, shaking, reached up and wrapped around him again, holding him tighter this ti. I didn’t care if it was selfish. I didn’t care if it looked weak. I just didn’t want to lose him.

"But why..." I muttered, my voice muffled against his shoulder, "why only you? Why is it only you who never looked at like that—even when I was at my weakest... my most worthless ti?"

"Because you don’t have to be an angel for ."

"You’re lovely the way you are."

My grip tightened around him, my heart pounding so hard it almost hurt.

"Don’t I... get in your way?" I stuttered, my voice faint, almost childish.

He chuckled quietly, brushing my hair again. "Sotis you check up on at night. Obsess over my small wounds. Follow everywhere I go. Maybe you can be a little bratty sotis, Lia."

I frowned softly, my lips trembling. "I’m not bratty..." I muttered, still hugging him.

"Yes, yes, I know, princess," he said, a smile in his voice now. "You’re my heart, after all."

He tilted his head slightly, resting it against mine. "And it’s stuck with you forever."

He didn’t let go. Not even for a second.

"It’s not your fault you were chosen, Celia," he said softly, his tone heavy with aning. "I can tell it haunts you. Every ti you look in the mirror... you don’t recognize yourself, do you?"

My breath caught. The words hit harder than I expected—they weren’t sothing I wanted to hear, but sothing I needed to.

He was saying out loud the things I spent years pretending didn’t exist.

He lowered his voice, almost a whisper.

"Even angels can fall."

For a heartbeat, the world stopped.

Those words... they slipped into the cracks of my heart like they belonged there.

Even angels can fall.

"You don’t need to be perfect for ," he said, brushing my hair behind my ear with his fingers. "I accept you for who you are. I love you the way you are."

My eyes burned again. I pressed my face into his chest, hiding the trembling that wouldn’t stop. His heartbeat was calm—steady—like he was reminding that being broken didn’t an I was unworthy of being held.

"Every day I’m getting further from who I was," I muttered, my voice barely audible. "But I... I don’t care. My past is gone. Left behind. This is who I am now. I want to be like this."

He smiled faintly above .

"You’re my fallen angel, Celia," he said. "And I promised you—I’ll protect you, no matter what."

My hands tightened around him, desperate, trembling. His shirt crumpled under my grip as if holding him tighter could stop the world from taking him away.

I looked up, my voice trembling but certain.

"Then I’ll always keep you with ," I said, my breath shaking between words. "No matter what happens. I’ll be yours."

He didn’t answer right away. He didn’t need to. The way his arms wrapped around again—firm, unwavering—was enough.

He looked at quietly for a mont, and I thought maybe he’d say sothing serious again... but instead, his lips curved into that familiar, teasing smile.

"You know," he began softly, brushing a tear from my cheek, "I think I finally figured it out."

I blinked. "Figured what out?"

"Why you always follow around." His tone was light, playful. "It’s not because you’re worried about , is it? You just can’t stand it when I talk to anyone else."

I frowned, my lips twitching. "That’s not—!"

He tilted his head, pretending to think deeply. "Oh, right. You’re not jealous, you’re just... inspecting the threat level of other females in the vicinity."

I hit his chest lightly, "You’re so annoying!"

"Admit it," he grinned, "you were jealous that ti at the banquet, weren’t you? When I was speaking to Sylaphine?"

My eyes widened. "I—I wasn’t! I just didn’t like her face!"

"Sure, sure. You glared at her like you were deciding which curse to use."

I turned away, cheeks burning. "I was just... warning her not to get too close, that’s all."

He leaned in a little. "You’re cute when you try to sound dangerous, you know that?"

"Stop teasing ."

"But it’s fun." His voice carried that quiet amusent that always made my heart race. "You get so flustered. Like that ti you threatened to kill anyone who looked at too long."

"That was different!" I snapped, though my voice cracked halfway.

He chuckled. "Was it? You literally said, ’Anyone who stares at him will lose their eyes.’"

I pouted. "I was joking..."

"Were you?" He smirked again, eyes glinting. "Because I believed you."

I turned my face away, trying to hide my smile. "You’re making things up."

"Maybe." He leaned back, pretending to think. "Actually, I t soone on the way here."

My heart skipped. "You what?"

"Yeah," he continued, tone nonchalant, "a fairy with long brown hair. She said she liked my eyes."

I froze, my expression shifting fast. "She—what?"

He looked serious now, just for a second. "Yeah, she said she’d never seen blue eyes like mine before."

A sharp pang hit my chest. "...oh."

He glanced sideways at , pretending to suppress a laugh. "Then she asked if I had soone special."

I clenched my fists, looking away. "And what did you say..."

He smiled, leaning close enough for to feel his breath. "I told her yes."

My eyes flicked back to him. "Y-you did?"

"I told her I already have a jealous, scary white hair girl who follows around like a shadow."

I gawked. "You—you’re making fun of again!"

He laughed softly, his voice warm. "You should’ve seen your face."

I crossed my arms. "I hate you sotis."

"No you don’t," he said.

"...maybe," I muttered, pouting again.

"Maybe?" He smiled wider. "Should I find that brown-haired girl again and ask her what she thinks?"

I gasped, glaring up at him. "You wouldn’t dare!"

"Oh, I might."

I shoved him lightly in the chest. "You’re the worst!"

He caught my wrist before I could turn away, still laughing. "Okay, okay. I’m joking. There’s no girl. You’re the only one, Lia."

I stared at him, heat flooding my cheeks. "You shouldn’t joke about that..."

"But it made you smile again."

He was right. I didn’t even realize it until I felt it—my lips curving, the heaviness in my chest lightening, the tears drying on their own.

He looked at softly. "See? You’re prettier when you smile."

I stared at him for a long mont, the air between us quieter now.

A small laugh escaped , weak but real. "Oh, Kai..." I whispered, shaking my head. Thank you."

He smiled. "Your welco"

I leaned forward, resting my forehead against his chest. "With you... I can actually be myself," I murmured.

Maybe... maybe I’ll try to be my real self around others too. Because you gave the confidence to.

"...Kaiser," I murmured, my voice quiet but trembling with sothing I couldn’t contain. "Can I... truly be myself around you?"

He turned toward , his eyes steady — that kind of gaze that makes you forget every wound, every lie the world told you about being too much, too strange, too hurt.

"You already are," he said softly, almost like a promise. "And I’ll always want you to be."

My lips parted — I didn’t an to smile, but I did. A real one this ti, not the kind I wear to keep people comfortable.

"I want to get dizzy," I said suddenly, a small giggle escaping before I even realized.

He blinked, amused. "Dizzy?"

"Mm-hm!" I nodded, stepping back, spreading my arms wide. "When I was a child... I used to spin until I couldn’t see straight. I wanted to fall and laugh and forget everything. But they told not to. They said it was childish... that I’d hurt myself."

The lanterns shimred around as I backed away, standing in the middle of the empty square where old rides stood silent — a rusted carousel with chipped horses, a cracked fountain reflecting fragnts of moonlight, and faded banners fluttering.

I turned toward him, grinning. "They said I’d fall, Kaiser. But I think I want to fall this ti."

His voice ca, warm, indulgent. "Then go ahead, Celia."

And I did.

I spun. Slowly at first, my skirt catching the light, the world blurring around . I felt my hair whirl around, the wind tugging at it, my heart tumbling faster with every turn.

I don’t care anymore.

If only he accepts ... if only he looks at and smiles like that... then that’s all I need.

Let them say I’m strange. Let them whisper that I’m cursed. I’ll spin until all their voices fade. I’ll erase every lie until only he remains.

"Ahahahahhhaaaaaa"

I laughed — maybe too loudly — the sound carrying through the empty park. My chest felt tight, my vision beginning to tilt, colors bleeding into one another.

"Celia—" I heard his voice faintly through the spinning haze.

But I didn’t stop.

They told not to fall. Screw them all!

I spun faster. My balance slipped, my knees trembled—

—and then the world tilted completely.

For a mont, everything went white.

Then I felt safe.

Strong hands caught before I hit the ground. The scent of his coat, that faint trace of winter air and sothing purely him, surrounded .

When I blinked, his face was right there. His eyes looked onto mine.

"You really would’ve fallen," he said quietly, almost scolding, but with a smile hiding at the edge of his voice.

I could barely speak, my head still spinning — but I smiled anyway, my fingers brushing lightly against his chest.

"Then... it’s fine," I whispered. "Because I knew you’d catch ."

And in that dizzy haze, I realized — I didn’t just fall.

I chose to.

Kaiser sighed, brushing his hair, his blue eyes glinting with that mischievous calm he always carried.

"Sure, sure, princess," he said, smirking just slightly. "It’s not over yet."

I blinked at him, confused. "W-what... what do you an?"

His hands reached for mine, both of them, warm and strong. "You wanted to get dizzy, right? I’ll help."

My heart skipped. His hands around mine—so simple, so intimate—and my stomach fluttered.

Then, in a heartbeat, he lifted slightly off the ground. My breath hitched, my hair floating in the air around my face.

"K-Kaiser!" I squeaked.

He grinned. "Relax, princess. Trust ."

And suddenly, we were spinning. He held onto my hands, and my body flew around as he spun faster and faster. The lights of the Fairy Labyrinth stretched and blurred; the carousel’s chipped horses and the glowing lanterns all streaked past like colors from a dream.

"Stoooop!" I squealed, my hair whipping around, my skirt fanning out like wings.

"Nope," he replied, a playful laugh escaping him. "Not until I see that dizzy little smile you promised ."

I clutched his hands tighter, laughing even as the world spun into a glittering chaos. "Kai! I... I’m gonna...!"

"Gonna what, princess?" he teased, grinning like a child himself.

"You... you’re mine! All mine!" I shouted, my voice carrying through the empty labyrinth.

"EVERYONE LISTEN! HE’S ALL MINE!"

He chuckled nervously, trying to pull closer. "Celia, s-stop screaming—"

"NO!" I yelled back gleefully, my voice cracking with joy. "You’re mine, Kai! NO ONE ELSE CAN HAVE YOU!"

I felt his grip tighten on my hands, his arms straining just slightly as he spun even faster, laughing despite himself.

"Okay, okay! That’s... enough!" he gasped, still spinning .

I just laughed harder, shouting into the night. "I LOVE YOU, KAI! YOU’RE ALL MINE!"

He tried to protest, but I wasn’t done. I leaned back, shouting to the world with every ounce of my energy, my voice carrying across the park. "EVERYONE! THIS IS MINE! HE’S MINE, MINE, MINE!"

Then he laughed, too, the sound mixing with mine, and in one playful, terrifying mont, he tossed into the air.

"AAAAAH!" I scread, flailing joyfully, the lanterns spinning around .

But of course, he caught . My arms clung to him, and I realized I was dizzy, my head spinning, my laughter spilling uncontrollably.

He staggered slightly under my weight, and then—sohow—he fell backward, landing on the soft grass, still holding in his arms.

We collapsed together, the world still spinning, our laughter echoing through the labyrinth.

"Celia... stop screaming that," he said between chuckles, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.

I shook my head, breathless, still laughing. "No! I want everyone to know! He’s mine! YOU’RE ALL MINE!"

He groaned dramatically, letting his head fall against mine. "What are you even saying, princess? Seriously."

"I’m saying... I love you, Kai! Only you can make happy like this! Only you!" I yelled happily, my cheeks flushed, hair wild, still spinning slightly in the aftereffects of our ga.

We lay there, tangled together, laughing until our lungs ached.

"Ha... ha... ha..." I gasped, my arms wrapped around him.

"Haha... ha..." he echoed, shaking his head, smiling faintly at the chaos I’d made.

I nestled against him, still dizzy, my arms lazily draped around his chest. "I... I’m not getting up yet," I muttered softly, nuzzling into him. "I want to hold you a little longer."

He chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "You’re being awfully clingy, princess."

I looked up at him, eyes sparkling, teasing. "Am I? Or am I just... showing you how much I like being close to you?"

"Both, probably," he replied, smiling softly. "I... I like it. You... like this, being yourself... It’s cute. Really cute."

My heart skipped, and I felt my cheeks warm. "Cute?" I repeated, in disbelief. "You... you really an that?"

"I an it," he said firmly, leaning closer so our foreheads almost touched. "You’re adorable, Celia. You don’t have to hide or try to be perfect. I like all of you—even the ssy, dizzy, screaming parts."

I giggled, brushing my nose against his chest. "Even the parts that are... a little obsessed and crazy?"

He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Especially those parts."

My chest swelled with happiness, and I pressed closer to him. "Promise ... promise you’ll never leave my side."

He tilted his head, curious. "Never leave? Why would I leave, princess?"

I shook my head, voice quickening with urgency. "Now, now, now! I want that promise. Pinky promise!"

He blinked, clearly surprised by my insistence. "Pinky... promise? That’s... been a long ti since anyone asked that." He chuckled, faintly reminiscing.

"Kai! Say it, promise !" I tugged gently at his hand, making him focus on .

He laughed, warmth in his voice. "Alright, alright, sure thing, Celia. Pinky promise it is."

Our pinky fingers held together, sealing the fate forever.

I squeezed his hand with a grin that stretched across my face. "I’m so happy today..." My voice softened, vulnerable but full of happiness.

"I’m glad to hear it," he said, smiling down at . "Your smile... it really does make my day."

We finally let go and settled onto the soft grass, sitting side by side, leaning back against the tree again. The Labyrinth shimred around us, lanterns swinging gently in the evening breeze, casting tiny golden specks across the winding paths and carousel shadows.

From the distance, a familiar voice rang out. "Yooooo! Guys! I found you!"

I stiffened slightly, glancing toward the sound.

"My queen, it’s Sir, Lucas. Google it if you don’t believe " Crownless said within my mind.

"Ahh... Google user."

"Google what?" Kaiser asked, raising an eyebrow.

I bit my lip, looking at him with a sly grin. "Nothing," I whispered.

He shook his head, chuckling. "Alright... let’s see what awaits us, then."