* Bonus Chapter – Elara's Heartfelt Resolve*
Elara's stood frozen on her bedroom doorway, her shallow breath, the pounding heart below her fingertips. The heat of Orion's embrace still lingered on her body, as though the moment was etched onto her very essence.
"Someone proposed to me… but I turned them down."
His words rang in her head, a chill running down her spine. She had been frightened when he first spoke of Laura's offer, her heart almost stopping. But then—rejected.
The burden that had been weighing on her disappeared, and before she even knew it, she had flung herself into his arms.
Her arms still hurt from the memory.
She pushed her hand against her chest, her hand covering the frantic beats against her palm. "I wish." she whispered, barely able to get the words out. I wish I could always hold you like that… forever.
She flushed at the idea. She shook her head, crossing over to the window, hoping the cold night air would abate the flush that rose to her cheeks.
She sat on the windowsill, wrapping her knees to her chest, her blue eyes staring up at the moon. But she saw only him—his blue eyes, his bluish-white, soft but untrammeled hair, his sharp face that bore both force and gentleness.
"Brother Orion…"
She had always admired him. But somewhere along the way, that admiration had become. something more.
And she knew precisely when it occurred. Rather, the silver moonlight placed her in a recollection—one so vivid, so precise, as if she had traveled back in time.
The sun was setting into the west with a warm, golden glow on the Vale estate as ten-year-old Elara played across the green gardens, her giggles echoing in the air. Wearing a pale blue dress, she followed after a flitting butterfly, its wings glowing under the sunlight. Orion, age twelve, leaned against a nearby tree a few feet away with his arms folded, his own piercing blue eyes observing her silently.
"You're going to trip if you continue running like that," Orion cautioned, shaking his head.
"I'm not a child, Brother Orion!" Elara stuck out her tongue playfully before racing ahead.
But in her haste, she did not see the tangled roots underfoot. She tripped forward—her tiny hands flailing—right into a hanging tree branch. When she steadied herself, she inadvertently hit a beehive lodged between the branches.
A low, furious buzzing filled the air.
Her blood turned cold.
Slowly, Elara raised her eyes.
A horde of angry magical bees exploded from the hive, their bright yellow bodies pulsing with energy, their pointed stingers wet with venom.
Fear gripped her chest.
"AHHH! BROTHER ORION!!!"
Elara screamed, backing away as the initial wave of bees charged towards her.
Before she could even move, a flash of bluish-white materialized before her.
"ELARA, GET DOWN!"
Orion's powerful arms enfolded her, holding her close as he whirled them both to the ground. His wide back protected her entirely as the initial wave of bees crashed into him, their stingers burrowing into his skin.
Elara shook. "B-Brother! No!"
"Be still." His tone was hard but soft. His body convulsed as more bees stung his arms, neck, and back. Still, he didn't budge.
Tears rose in Elara's eyes. "But—!"
"Don't worry," he gasped, his body convulsing with the venom already coursing through his system. "I'm here. Just hold on to me."
Elara held on to his shirt, paralyzed as she watched the enraged cloud finish their attack.
Beneath the agony, Orion gritted his teeth and moved, leading Elara toward the estate slowly while still protecting her. He flinched with each sting, but his hold on her never faltered.
With each step, Elara's heart tightened further.
She had never been so weak, so helpless.
At last, after what had seemed like forever, they arrived at the main entrance to the estate, where guards and servants saw them.
"Young Master Orion! Lady Elara!" One of the maids shrieked.
A group of guards and maids mobbed out towards them, using fire and air magic to repel the bees.
But Orion—his body already distended; his flesh bespotted with dark welts—could no longer manage. His legs gave way beneath him.
"Brother Orion!" Elara cried as he fell into her arms.
Then servant lead Orion to his room but, Elara sat beside Orion's bedside, holding his cold hand as he was unconscious.
His bright blue eyes were still closed, his pale face covered in sweat. The poison had coursed through his veins, and he was stuck in a raging fever.
The air was filled with the acrid scent of bitter herbs from the healing potions, but none of them could soothe the pain in her heart.
Tears streamed down her face as she wept, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Sera knelt beside her, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Elara, it's not your fault. He protected you because he loves you."
"But he—he's suffering because of me!" Elara cried harder, clutching his hand more tightly.
Celia sat on the opposite side of the bed, her usually elegant face creased in severe concern. "Orion is strong. He will wake up."
Elara buried only her face into the crook of Orion's arm, holding her position steadfastly. She prayed and prayed and prayed, hoping, entreating, supplicating for him to awaken.
But two days later, just as sunlight was breaking past the curtains, Elara detected a weak grasp around her hand.
Her eyes snapped open.
"Elara."
A scratchy, known voice.
She gasped and stared up at Orion. Piercing blue eyes, barely visible through the rim of eyelashes, were framed in exhaustion—but warm and gentle, as they always were.
"B-Brother Orion!" Elara choked, new tears streaming down her face.
He raised his hand weakly, stroking her hair. "Why are you crying, foolish girl?"
She half-laughed, half-cried. "Because you—you were injured because of me! You nearly—!"
Orion's fingers tapped her forehead gently. "Dummy. If I don't guard you, then who will?".
His voice had been so gentle, so calm—as though all the agony he'd endured didn't concern him at all as long as she was okay.
She bit her lip and hiccuped as she whispered, "I hate you."
Orion had smiled weakly. "Liar."
She touched her eyes, nodding. ".Yeah."
From that time, something profound changed in her heart.
It was greater than admiration. Greater than thankfulness.
Since that day, she just wanted to be by his side—forever.
------
Sitting beside the window, Elara clasped her knees, her eyes lost in the shining silver moon.
Her fingers traced the edge of her nightgown with a light touch, her heart still racing from before.
Her brother had turned Laura down.
She couldn't stop grinning.
Not because she despised Laura—but because. she wished to be the one by his side.
Elara sighed softly, pushing back her black hair from behind her ear.
"Brother. you're wonderful," she said softly. "The minute you venture out of the estate, women will begin swarming you like bees around a flower."
Her chest hurt at the mere idea.
She didn't mind him having several wives—she wasn't dumb enough to expect someone as great as Orion would stay single.
But she refused to be left behind.
"No," she whispered, closing her eyes. "I won't let that happen."
She sat cross-legged, cultivating her mana.
A burst of energy coursed through her veins, burning and writhing as she pressed on, her feelings driving her cultivation.
A blinding blue aura surrounded her, her energy pouring like an unstoppable wave.
Her eyes flashed open, shining under the moonlight.
"Finally… Novice 3-Star peak."
A smile of pride formed on her lips.
"See, Brother? I won't fall behind you."
Pulling her pillow close, she murmured sleepily, "Goodnight, Brother. and love."
Before she could finish, sleep claimed her, and she drifted into a dream of him.