Chapter 349: Goodnight...

’....Soren, please, stop it. It’s too much!’

Soren finally heard Ethea’s voice and turned toward her. ’D-Don’t worry. I can endure it. I was just caught off guard earlier, that’s all.’

’Still!’ Ethea’s fingers dug into his sleeve. ’You don’t have to take all of it. Let me handle some. I can-’

’No.’ Soren cut her off decisively. ’I said I love you, right? That also means I don’t want you to get hurt or be in any more pain. So let me handle this, ok?’

’...’ Ethea wanted to say something, but seeing his firm expression and the overflowing emotions in his eyes, she swallowed them back. ’...Alright.’

’Thank you.’ Soren smiled and took a deep breath before closing his eyes. However, he used his right hand to gently pry her fingers from his sleeve and intertwine them with his own, holding on as if to reassure her that everything would be okay. ’...And you can continue cultivating; I will tell you when it is over.’

’...Ok.’ Ethea replied and lay back down. However, she kept looking at him instead of going back to cultivate. Well, how could she not? She loved him too, so she didn’t want him to get hurt and be in pain either. Especially because of her.

Yet, logically, she knew this was the best option they had too, and she might have overreacted a bit. His abilities were more suited for handling the curse, and she was still... a cripple. If she tried to interfere, she’d only make things worse.

But... She couldn’t help it. Especially after hearing those words, after finally saying them back, after everything they had been through to get here.

’...No, Ethea. You have to get it together. Love isn’t all about clinging to each other and sharing every burden. It’s also about trusting each other to handle what they can, and being there for them when they can’t.’

She took a deep breath and forced herself to look away. If she wanted to truly help him, if she wanted to stand beside him as an equal rather than a burden, she needed to get stronger. She needed to overcome her own limitations or find a way to support him that didn’t rely on her broken body. Only then could she protect him the way he protected her, and only then could they move forward together.

So she closed her eyes, steadied her breathing, and returned to her cultivation. But even as she focused on her own progress, her hand never let go of his.

───────

Time passed slowly.

Soren kept his focus inward, monitoring the curse as it continued its assault. Every few minutes, it would surge, trying to break through his defenses, and every time, he pushed it back with the help of his abilities. He also used the chance to cultivate mentally.

This continued for more than half an hour and then stopped.

The last remnants of the curse dissolved, purified, and were absorbed into his core. Soren opened his eyes to find his body drenched in sweat, and his clothes clinging to his skin. The bedsheets beneath him were stained with blood and grime, and he could feel a layer of dirt covering his skin from the purification process.

’...I need to wash up.’

He carefully pulled his hand away from Ethea’s, making sure not to startle her. He then slipped out of bed and made his way to the bathroom, grabbing a fresh set of clothes on the way.

The shower was quick but thorough. He scrubbed away the sweat and grime, letting the warm water wash it all down the drain. When he was done, he dried himself off, changed into clean clothes, and returned to the bedroom.

He walked over to the bed and gently placed a hand on Ethea’s shoulder.

"Ethea... It’s over."

A moment passed, and her eyes fluttered open. "...Are you ok, now?"

"Yes, better than ever," Soren grinned. ’I got rid of all the curse, so don’t worry.’

"That’s good." Ethea sighed in relief. She checked it before opening her eyes just now, but hearing it from him made her feel a lot better.

"Ethea." He squeezed her hand one last time before letting go. "...Give me a moment. I need to clean up."

"Alright." Ethea blinked and raised her hands.

Soren chuckled and leaned down. He picked her up carefully and placed her in her wheelchair, then quickly stripped the soiled bedsheets and wiped down the floor. Once everything was clean, he lifted her again and laid her back down on the fresh sheets.

"There. Good as new."

Ethea settled against the pillow, her eyes still on him. "...You should rest too."

"I will." He climbed into bed beside her and pulled the covers over them both before hugging her. "Goodnight, Ethea."

"...Soren."

"Yes?"

"I... We’re... now... lovers too, right?" Ethea’s cheeks turned a soft shade of red as she forced the words out.

Soren tilted his head, a bit caught off guard by the question. "Y-Yes. I mean... since we’re married and confessed our love... we are lovers now. Or... should I say a loving couple?"

"...Then... I... I want to do what normal loving couples do... like... like goodnight ki... s.s..."

Her voice trailed off, growing quieter with each word until it was barely above a whisper.

’...Gulp.’

For a moment, he just stared at her, frozen by the sheer vulnerability she was showing him. Then he took a deep breath, reached out slowly, and gently cupped her cheek. His thumb traced the curve of her cheekbone, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips.

"...Ethea."

She looked up at him, her ice-blue eyes wide and perhaps a little expectant.

"I love you. And I will do my best to make you happy for the rest of our lives."

Then he leaned in, closing the distance between them, and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. It was gentle and unhurried, as if he was trying to tell her everything he felt without a single word. When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers.

"...Goodnight, my love."

"Mm... G-Goodnight to you too... my love..."