Chapter 352: Eternal Bond [3]

’However, she’s incredible as I imagined her to be. No... She is even more incredible than I thought.’ Soren chuckled to himself and made a mental note to talk about these later too. She probably knew about some of them already, but maybe not all. ’...Especially the Fated One.’

With many theories already forming in his mind, he closed the window, and his thoughts drifted back to the Eyes of Truth. He had used it on Ethea, but nothing resembling ’truth’ appeared.

’...Was there no truth to reveal? Or... did I miss it? Or... used it incorrectly?’

He frowned, thinking it over. Maybe the truth only appeared when there was something to reveal. Or maybe he needed to concentrate harder. Either way, he would figure it out eventually. For now, he had more important things to focus on.

He glanced down at Ethea, who was still sleeping peacefully.

’...Let’s make this morning unforgettable as well.’

───────

’...’

Ethea drifted through a sea of stillness, floating freely among burning constellations like a newborn star. Consciousness returned in slow waves, carrying her awareness across a luminous void that resembled a vast galaxy. The soothing warmth surrounding her felt completely foreign to her body, washing away the bitter cold that usually eroded her bones. Time lost all meaning in this expanse, leaving her content to exist within the serene flow of the cosmos.

"..."

"...E...a."

After an unknown amount of time, a distant sound reached her from somewhere beyond the stars.

"...Et...a..."

"...Eth....a."

The voice kept echoing, growing clearer with every pulse.

’So...’

"Ethea..."

’...Soren?’

The familiar voice and name anchored her wandering thoughts and gradually drew her back toward reality. The celestial realm faded, replaced by the physical sensation of silk sheets and a hand on top of her forehead.

"...Good morning, my love~"

"..." Ethea’s lips curled up on their own. "Good morning, my love."

Soren’s leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Did you sleep well?"

"...Mm." She nodded slightly, still blinking away the last traces of the stars. "I dreamed of something. I was like a star, flying freely across the whole universe."

"That sounds amazing." Soren smiled, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes. "Unfortunately, I didn’t have any dreams. I was hoping to see us together. Hah..."

"Pfft!" Ethea giggled at his words and paused. "...Actually, I dream about us often. I even saw us... happily living in our own house with... our bonded partners."

Soren blinked, caught off guard. "You do?"

"Mm..." Ethea nodded with a bashful face, a little bit embarrassed and guilty about leaving out the rest. ’...I can’t talk about children yet or how the dream ended...’

"That’s amazing, I wish I could... Wait! I thought of something cool!" Soren’s smile widened. "Let’s watch it together later."

"Huh?" Ethea raised a brow in confusion.

"I’ll explain it to you later," Soren said with his signature mysterious smile. "We have a lot to talk about."

"Oh, ok." Ethea didn’t pry any further, realizing it might be something important and secretive.

"Anyway, let’s get you up and ready for the day."

Ethea nodded, and Soren helped her sit up, then lifted her into his arms. As he carried her toward the bathroom, she suddenly froze.

’W-Wait...’

’What is it?’

’The pain...’ She looked at him, her expression a mix of confusion and wonder. ’It’s gone. I... I don’t feel it anymore.’

Soren just smiled, saying nothing.

Ethea stared at him, puzzled. ’How did you do it?’

’...Later,’ he said softly.

She wanted to press further, but the look on his face told her to wait. So she nodded and let him carry her into the bathroom. He helped her wash up, then brought her back to the bedroom and laid her down while he picked out fresh clothes for them both. Once they were dressed, he put her in her wheelchair and wheeled it to the table where breakfast was already waiting.

They ate it together while feeding each other like yesterday. Surprisingly, Ethea told him she could use her hands freely now, and there was no need to use her mental power to aid.

Soren was relieved and told her she would be able to move her whole body soon.

They spent the rest of breakfast talking about what to do today, when to go to the academy, and so on. Afterward, Soren cleaned up the dishes and put everything away. Then he walked back to Ethea and sat down beside her.

"Ethea, I have something I want to give you."

Ethea tilted her head slightly.

"Actually, I wanted to give it to you yesterday, but we both ended up falling asleep," Soren explained as he raised his palm, revealing a small wooden box. "Ethea... I know I’m not usually good with words or expressing what I truly feel, but I hope what I’m about to say conveys everything my heart holds for you... Thinking about our past and the time we’ve spent together has made me realize one simple truth: I want every step of my future to be alongside yours. I want us to build a life together, standing side by side through every hardship and every joy, as partners for all eternity."

He pressed the side of the wooden case, and the small box popped open to reveal a pair of silver rings. Their polished surfaces caught the sunlight, each band bearing a unique pattern that fit seamlessly into the other.

"I love you, Ethea." Soren met her stunned gaze, his expression filled with an unwavering devotion. "Will you share forever with me?"

"...Yes." Ethea nodded, raising her hand. "You gave me a life I thought was lost to me. Sharing forever with you is the only promise I ever want to keep."

Soren’s smile widened, and he carefully lifted the slightly smaller band from the velvet lining. Holding her delicate fingers, he guided the silver ring onto her left hand, letting it settle perfectly into place.

He then handed the open wooden case to Ethea. She reached into the box and gently picked up the other ring. Soren extended his left hand, allowing her to slide the matching silver band onto his finger.

"Now, you are mine, and I am yours forever."