Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out? - Chapter 1959: Celica & Zephyrus [2]
Chapter 1959: Celica & Zephyrus [2]
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Celica hugged Zephyrus tightly, catching him off guard as she buried her face in his shoulder and cried. Most of her childhood had been a nightmare—tormented by a world that rejected her, starving, suffering endless discrimination. But now, wrapped in his arms, all those old pains seemed to fade slowly away.
“When I’m in your arms, I feel like I no longer have to worry about anything,” Celica said softly. “It’s… a unique feeling, hehe…”
“Celica…” Zephyrus gently caressed her face. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
“Ah… Um…” As they drew closer, Celica grew shyer and lowered her gaze. “Is it okay for you?”
“Hm?” Zephyrus tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”
“I… My skin is blue, my hair is white… my eyes are unnaturally yellow, and I have big horns,” she murmured. “I really am not… normal, I guess?”
“What?” Zephyrus felt his heart break hearing her speak so harshly about herself.
“Don’t I look like a weird horned blueberry?” she asked quietly.
“Who said that?!” Zephyrus demanded, anger flaring. “Who would ever say something like that about you?! Tell me and I’ll give them a beating!”
“N-No… I… it was what the children used to call me…” Celica whispered.
“Celica…”
Zephyrus paused, shook his head, and looked straight into her eyes.
“Celica, do you really think I would ever think such a thing about your appearance after everything we’ve been through?” he asked gently.
“Y-You don’t?” Celica asked, surprised.
“No, of course not! Why would I?” Zephyrus replied. “From the moment I met you, I never once thought you were weird. I grew up surrounded by all kinds of people—of every shape, size, and appearance. And Celica, you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever known. You’re also the kindest and the cutest.”
“Really?” Celica blushed deeply, eyes wide.
“Yes…” Zephyrus chuckled softly. “I’m honestly in awe that you don’t see how beautiful you are. Your fair azure skin is magical—every time I look at it, I think, ’Wow, how can someone be this beautiful?’ Your yellow eyes gleam like stars. When I touch your fluffy white hair, it feels like I’m holding clouds. Your horns are beautiful too—they’re strong and proud, a mark of your ancient heritage. Demons are the oldest species in the world, and I respect them deeply for their history and their endless struggle. There isn’t a single thing about you that you should ever be ashamed of. Everything about you is beautiful and perfect exactly as it is.”
“A-Ahh… Awaahh…” Celica covered her face, tears streaming as embarrassment overwhelmed her. “Z-Zephyyyy! You’re embarrassing me! Nobody has ever said things like that! H-How do I even respond?!”
“Hahah, s-sorry, did I go overboard?” Zephyrus laughed sheepishly. “I… I was just confessing everything I love about you. And… um, when I was away—when I struggled and fought—I always thought of you to give me strength. Of course I thought about Mom, Dad, my sister, and our friends too, but… it was you. When I battled my own demons, when I tamed the darkness in my soul, you were always in my heart.”
“Uuhh…” Celica bit her lip. “Z-Zephy… so we’re getting married then?”
“Of course!” Zephyrus nodded firmly. “When? When do you want to get married? I don’t care anymore what other people think! I only care about making you happy—and being happy with you.”
“A-Ahh! Awaa?! N-No… Not now…” she stammered. “But… later? In a couple of years? Maybe when we finish the academy?”
“It’s decided!” Zephyrus declared. “The entire Kingdom will witness our union. Anyone who disagrees can go to hell for all I care! The world will know of the noble elven prince who married a beautiful young demon lady like you. Those who hate it will keep hating—they won’t be able to do anything. And anyone who tries to stop us will meet my blade. Nobody will ever separate us.”
“Zephy… thank you,” Celica said, smiling through her tears. “Heheh, but don’t go overboard, okay?”
“It’s just a saying—I wasn’t going to go that far… well, unless someone else goes too far first,” Zephyrus replied with a nod. “Want to see the stars above the clouds?”
“Oh? How?” she asked curiously.
“Like this.” Zephyrus scooped her up in his arms, carrying her like a princess as his golden wings carried them higher and higher.
“Woah?! Haha!” Celica giggled, safe inside a protective barrier that shielded her from the cold.
FLASH!
Zephyrus broke through the clouds, soaring ever upward.
And then they reached it.
The Starry Canopy.
In this part of the world, the stars shone clearer than anywhere else.
“Wooow! It’s… like an ocean of stars!” Celica exclaimed, stretching her hands toward the sky. “Haha…! Heheh! It’s awesome!”
“Yeah,” Zephyrus agreed, holding her close. “Now that I can fly wherever I want with my wings, I like coming up here from time to time. It really helps me clear my mind of all the bad things I don’t want to dwell on anymore.”
“It does… it does help,” Celica nodded sleepily. “Yawn…”
She yawned, eyes growing heavy as she gazed at the stars until she drifted off in his arms, completely at ease and trusting him fully.
“Geez, you fell asleep in the sky?” Zephyrus chuckled quietly. He descended slowly, returned to Felicia’s house, and carried Celica to her room. He laid her gently on the bed.
He covered her with a warm blanket and slipped off her shoes so she could rest comfortably.
As he turned to leave, her hand caught his arm.
“Zephy… let’s snuggle together?”
She was half-asleep, voice soft and pleading.
“A-Ah…”
Zephyrus flushed bright red. Could he really refuse such an adorable request?
He couldn’t.
He gently climbed in beside her. After removing his jacket and shoes, he settled close.
“Zephyyy…”
Celica yawned again, snuggling against him and resting her head on his chest as she fell fully asleep.
“Celica…”
Zephyrus smiled warmly, wrapped his arms around her, and closed his eyes.
He made sure never to let go.
Both slept soundly that night, safe in each other’s embrace.
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