Episode 44
“Of course…”
Making a blind person see was beyond even a god.
No matter how great a dragon’s power, miracles were unlikely.
Reina felt bad for asking Kaiden such a futile question.
Meanwhile, Kaiden was flustered by her visible disappointment.
‘Does she know someone blind?’
Ben’s reports said she had no close connections.
Even her relatives couldn’t approach her.
There was a way, but it could only be used with one person in a lifetime, making it practically impossible.
Then, the clock struck midnight.
Ding, ding—
At the twelve chimes, Reina’s face went blank, like waking from a dream.
She felt pressed by time.
Though the fever was far off, her body already stiffened.
Trying to act calm, she turned, and Kaiden, now close, whispered tenderly.
“Happy birthday, Reina.”
“Oh!”
Startled by his proximity, Reina stepped back instinctively.
Stumbling against the railing, Kaiden caught her waist, pulling her close.
It was a reflex to keep her from falling.
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence followed, but neither moved away.
Or rather, they were frozen, unable to act.
Kaiden thought his heart had completely broken.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t race like this.
Even facing mutant beasts, his heart stayed calm, but Reina made it leap.
Then, he recalled Aiden’s words before his wedding.
“Brother, I’m shaking. Amy becoming my wife, it’s unreal. What if she suddenly doesn’t want to marry me?”
“You’re totally lost. Don’t make a fool of yourself staring at your bride. It’s embarrassing.”
“Hmph. If you fall for someone, you’ll act just as dumb.”
“Never happening.”
“Maybe worse.”
Kaiden gripped Reina’s slim waist tightly.
Her closeness made him feel like he’d lose his mind.
He wished time would stop.
The thought made him laugh.
Aiden would’ve said, “See, I was right!” and laughed.
“Kaiden?”
Reina peeked up, calling him.
Their eyes met, her blue gaze locking with his.
His reason snapped, and kissing her cheek was inevitable.
* * *
The moon was especially bright that night. Reina was elated throughout the banquet.
A birthday celebration just for her. Dancing, laughing, and chatting with Kaiden was pure joy.
It felt like a dream, time passing unnoticed.
When the clock struck midnight, she thought it was time to wake.
This dazzling scene would vanish.
She’d live in darkness again.
But unlike her past, she had Kaiden, which was a relief.
Her first changed future after regression.
Repaying his kindness was an excuse.
His warmth before her death had driven her.
She knew he’d accept her.
Yet, guilt lingered for using him.
That’s why she tried so hard to prove her worth.
She didn’t want to burden him.
Or be hated.
But she was still scared.
She couldn’t imagine his reaction if she revealed that her power cost her sight.
Fear of rejection kept her silent, she had nowhere else to go.
But she couldn’t delay explaining her condition.
For his sake, as he’d worry without knowing why she suffered fevers.
Gathering courage, she turned to him as he stepped closer.
His purple eyes, unusually intense, captivated her.
“Happy birthday, Reina.”
His congratulations silenced her.
It wasn’t something to celebrate.
At this moment, she’d gain unwanted power and lose her sight.
She knew how harsh life would be after.
Yet, his words strangely warmed her.
Once, her birth felt like a curse.
In the basement, she’d resented God on her birthdays.
Why was she born with this power, this pain?
Better not to have been born.
Cold and lonely.
Now, someone was celebrating her.
An unfamiliar tickle rose, and she stepped back.
The wine made her sway.
When she came to, she was in Kaiden’s arms.
“!”
Their startled gazes met, and she quickly looked away.
She couldn’t face him.
Waiting for him to let go, she felt his grip tighten instead.
Looking up, she called.
“Kaiden?”
Their eyes met again.
His gaze never left her.
That fact made it impossible to look away.
Time seemed to stop.
His steady eyes gave her peace.
Unlike her past, his honest gaze held no loneliness, embedding itself in her heart.
He demanded nothing yet seemed ready to give everything.
Reina didn’t know how to handle him.
As they stared, his lips suddenly touched her cheek.
“!”
Time, frozen, rushed back.
Shocked, she squeezed her eyes shut.
The sensation of his lips was foreign.
Her face burned, her breathing awkward.
His lips pressed firmly, trembling slightly.
A light, fleeting kiss.
She couldn’t open her eyes.
Wondering how this happened, he stepped back, startled.
Opening her eyes, she met his gaze.
“!”
He quickly looked away, ruffling his hair and muttering incoherently.
He looked utterly confused.
His flushed ears, mismatched with his size, caught her eye.
“Kaiden?”
Her soft call made his broad shoulders flinch.
Stepping back further, he stammered.
“Sorry, I mean…”
About to call it a mistake, he clamped his mouth shut.
It wasn’t.
He’d kissed her deliberately.
She was too beautiful.
He wanted to touch her.
Feeling cowardly for almost excusing it, guilt washed over him.
Unable to meet her eyes, he rubbed his face.
An awkward silence filled the terrace.
Knock, knock.
A sharp knock brought a savior.
😊😊😊😌