Chapter 174…………………………….
“I don’t care. Even if it’s just for one day, I want to go back and see the people I love.”
Claire’s resolve was firm. If she could see them, even an hour would be enough, not just a day.
Priscilla, sensing Claire’s lingering attachment and longing for the living world, spoke as if she couldn’t understand.
“But you chose to return the blessing to His Highness the Crown Prince and risk your life yourself.”
“That’s not true.”
Claire corrected her calmly. Priscilla’s eyes widened slightly.
“Rune said I might die, not that I would die.”
She found room for possibility in Rune’s words. That was why she had answered so clearly.
“Of course, if he had said I would definitely die, I would’ve still returned the blessing. But I chose to hope for the slim chance I wouldn’t die.”
Just as she had thought she would die helplessly before, who could know that another miracle might occur?
Though seeing her past self like this made it seem unlikely there would be a second miracle, which was a little disappointing.
Still, she wanted to make it clear that her choice wasn’t made solely with death in mind.
“If I let go of myself too easily like before, the people I treasure will be sad.”
Especially Theodore, who had given her the blessing.
A deep, gentle smile appeared on Priscilla’s lips. Looking at Claire with eyes full of pride, she suddenly asked:
“What’s it like to be the master of the power of blessings? Was it too heavy for you?”
“Hmm… The weight of that power wasn’t light, but it wasn’t so heavy that I couldn’t bear it.”
Claire faintly smiled as she recalled everything she had done with the power of blessings.
She had created and grown her own trading guild, saved people, and even restored her family’s legacy.
She had truly used her power to her heart’s content.
Priscilla, as if she understood everything, nodded gently and stepped closer, taking Claire’s arm.
“Why do you think you were able to become Claire Lavell?”
It was a somewhat unexpected question, different in tone from before.
Claire thought for a moment before answering:
“Well… because His Highness entrusted me with the blessing.”
“That’s not what I mean. I mean, do you know how you were able to grow?”
Priscilla shook her head softly, her voice growing deeper.
“Dragon’s blessing is indeed extraordinary, but it cannot turn back a single person’s time.”
Her tone was warm, like an adult speaking to a child. For some reason, Claire felt as if she were speaking to someone entirely different and paused.
Is the Priscilla before her really her past self?
“When God gives blessings to humans, He also attaches eyes to watch over them. They mustn’t use the power I gave for evil.”
Like reading a storybook to a child, Priscilla continued softly.
“When the bloodline of the Mutants faded the power of growth, you faced it alone. It was a tiny struggle, but I saw it clearly.”
“……”
“That’s why I took the blessing from the Mutants and gave it to you. Silrund’s blessing served as a perfect medium.”
“Are you… God?”
At the puzzled question, the figure beneath Priscilla’s shell smiled widely.
“Actually, before, I only temporarily gave you the power. Until the masters regained their senses. But after watching you all this time, I see that you have fully earned the right to be the master of blessings.”
“……!”
“The power of growth is truly yours now.”
God declared kindly.
The light from God flowed into Claire’s body. She could feel the power that would continue through her bloodline for generations.
But in this moment, there was only one question on Claire’s mind.
“Then… can I go back?”
To see Theodore, Franz, and all the others again.
“Yes.”
God smiled broadly, his eyes green with hope.
Seeing Priscilla’s radiant smile, which she hadn’t seen since childhood, Claire felt an unusual sense of relief.
Even the past she had left behind seemed to have found happiness, and she felt joy.
Finally, Claire, having fully absorbed God’s blessing, was engulfed in a bright light. As she slowly disappeared, Priscilla waved.
“Go live your given life diligently. Only blessings await your future.”
“Thank you.”
Claire placed her hand over her chest and bowed respectfully. When she raised her head, the white light completely filled her vision.
She instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
Slowly, the sensations of her long-dormant body returned.
First, hearing.
“I missed you…”
A low voice, moist at the edges, echoed near her ears.
Next, touch.
A large, warm hand enveloped Claire’s. The heat transferred sharply.
“There are so many things I couldn’t tell you… I was afraid I’d never get the chance.”
The sincerity in his words was palpable. Claire’s eyelids twitched.
Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Theodore leaning down, resting his forehead against her hand.
Claire gently pressed her fingers, lightly holding his hand and moving her lips.
“Don’t be afraid…”
“……!”
Theodore lifted his head sharply, meeting her gaze.
“My lady!”
He stretched trembling hands toward her, as if he couldn’t believe it, but couldn’t quite touch her for fear they’d melt like snow.
Claire held his hands firmly and smiled faintly.
“I have so much I want to say to you too, Your Highness.”
“Is… this not a dream? You’ve truly awakened, right?”
Theodore furrowed his brow, his facial muscles trembling. Claire’s voice and warmth reached him so vividly, yet he was uneasy.
He feared it was just another one of the countless illusions he’d experienced over the past month, or that he hadn’t fully awakened to reality.
Claire, forcing her body to rise, gently cupped Theodore’s fragile, childlike face.
“Are you crying?”
As she softly wiped his eyes with her thumb, a clear tear fell.
Claire comforted him tenderly.
“Don’t cry. If Your Highness cries, I will be sad too.”
“……I won’t. I can’t let you be sad.”
Buried in Claire’s palm, Theodore inhaled deeply. Even as her hands gently stroked his cheek, he still felt tense. He lifted his head slightly and asked:
“Could you pinch me once?”
“Of course.”
Without hesitation, Claire pinched his cheek sharply.
“Does it hurt? This is really real.”
“……Thank goodness, I’m not hallucinating.”
The sting of her pinch was sharper than expected, and Theodore barely managed a smile.
Relieved that he hadn’t lost her, and wouldn’t, his chest swelled with emotion.
He silently pulled Claire into a tight embrace. Leaning his chin on her broad shoulders, Claire, hugging him back, said:
“Silrund showed me all of Your Highness’s memories.”
Theodore paused.
He had expected this when he heard she had chosen to return the blessing, and Rune had explained it to him.
“……I’m sorry I couldn’t be honest all this time. Seeing you start a new life, I wanted to support that.”
“I completely understand. Thank you for thinking of me.”
Patting his broad back, Claire hesitated briefly, then asked:
“Even though you knew who I was… are you still happy?”
It was the question she truly wanted to ask.
Not because she doubted him.
Through Rune, she had glimpsed his deep feelings, but she wanted to hear it directly and gain absolute certainty.
Theodore gently pulled back, holding her shoulders, and looked her squarely in the eye.
His blue eyes gazed at her honestly.
One had been lying down all this time, one had suffered emotionally, so they weren’t perfect physically—but they felt more in love than ever.
Theodore tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, caressing her now-thin cheek with a warm smile.
“I don’t care who it is. I love you.”
It was as if someone had breathed warmth into her chest; it swelled softly. Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled brightly.
Simply seeing each other brought happiness.
“I love you too.”
It was a confession long awaited by both.
Theodore could no longer resist and kissed her. Their shared breaths filled them completely.
The sunlight streaming through the curtains wrapped them in radiant warmth.
