Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine-Chapter 242 - 241- Last wish

Natasha and Alice didn't stay much longer. It was getting late, and tomorrow Natasha had to leave for the Beast Realm, where the contest would take place. She was one of the three warriors chosen to represent the Blood Domain—and her time to fight was almost here.

"Alright then, see you later," Edric said, raising his hand in a wave as he stood beside Amanda near the glowing portal.

Amanda turned to her sister. "Sis, you should head home too," she said softly, a hint of concern in her voice.

For the past few months, Sarah had been living in the Cathedral. Officially, it was part of a sacred ritual—one meant to help her connect with the Goddess and learn more about the Celestial Trials. But in truth, it had been her way of staying close to Alex, hidden away in the Blood Domain, far from prying eyes.

Now, with the Trials approaching fast, Amanda wanted her sister to come back. Not just for a visit—but to be with her family, even if only for a short while.

"I'll come in a few days," Sarah replied with a warm smile, her voice calm yet gentle. Before Amanda could argue, Sarah added quickly, "Now go, before the Gods start sensing the Curse's presence."

Amanda sighed, her eyes lingering on her sister for a moment. Then, shaking her head with a soft smile, she turned toward the portal.

"See you in fifteen days?" Edric asked, looking over at Alex.

"Yeah," Alex nodded, his expression light but steady. "And hopefully we'll both be in the contest."

Edric let out a quiet laugh. "You can stop teasing me about it now."

But they both knew Alex wouldn't. Not yet, at least.

A moment later, the portal shimmered—and then they were gone, swallowed by the light, leaving only five behind.

The air felt a little quieter after their departure. It's a little heavier, too.

The countdown to the Trials had truly begun.

Only Rebecca had to leave tomorrow, but there were still more than eighteen hours left—and she was determined to spend every minute of it with Alex.

"So," Alex asked, standing with his hands in his pockets, "what should we do now?"

Rebecca and Celestria exchanged a quick glance before the vampire stretched her arms and said with a playful smirk, "I'm feeling sticky... how about we take a bath?" Then leaning in a little closer to him, her voice lowered teasingly, "Wanna join?"

Alex raised a brow, a crooked smile playing on his lips. "Kill me if I say no to that."

....

The bathing pool was wide—easily large enough to fit all five of them.

Alex gently warmed the water with a flick of his hand, and the steam quickly began to rise around them. The silence was comfortable, broken only by the soft ripple of water.

"Haah... this heals me," Celestria sighed, letting her head fall back as she soaked in the warmth.

"It kind of feels like an onsen," Sarah mumbled under her breath, almost to herself.

"What's an onsen?" Jullie asked, curiosity tugging at her voice.

Sarah froze for a second—not because of the question, but because she'd said it so naturally, forgetting where she was.

"It's like a hot spring bath," Alex answered smoothly, glancing at Sarah with a subtle nod that told her not to worry. "Pretty common in the beast realm."

Just then, Celestria's eyes lit up with mischief. "Hey, Alex... what if you made a grand entrance on reveal day? You know, with a cool outfit?"

Her imagination sparked, and she added excitedly, "Like brown pants, a red shirt, a cowboy hat, and long boots... mm, you'd look hot."

She could already see it: Alex leaning against a wall, head tilted down, that lazy grin on his face—it was perfect.

Alex chuckled and gently pulled her into his arms from behind, whispering near her ear, "I can wear that for you tonight if you want."

A visible shiver ran through her as she glanced at him over her shoulder, her cheeks turning red.

"A-Alex! We're still here, you know!" Rebecca protested, trying not to laugh, while Jullie silently nodded with wide eyes.

Sarah, resting her arms on the edge of the pool, just smirked. "Well, Alex knows what I like."

"A leash and dog ears," Alex said without missing a beat.

Sarah froze.

"Alex!" she snapped, face instantly burning.

"Haww~ Sarah, you're so kinky~" Celestria giggled.

"I always knew you were a bit twisted, but damn, Sarah," Rebecca joined in, grinning.

"…Youngsters these days," Jullie muttered under her breath, ears reddening slightly as her mind—against her will—pictured Alex in that exact situation.

"Is it really that embarrassing?" Alex asked innocently.

"Yes!" Sarah answered immediately, before tossing a towel straight at his face.

Wiping the towel off with a sheepish grin, Alex made a mental note: some things are better kept private... maybe.

.....

They returned to the room after a long, relaxing bath.

They didn't do much—just talked, laughed, and shared small moments.

Everyone knew what was coming. But if they kept worrying about the future, they'd lose the warmth of now.

"Hm? But why?" Alex blinked in surprise as soon as they entered the room.

"Just get ready already. We'll be back," Celestria said, handing him a formal outfit. She gave him no explanation before closing the door and leaving him behind.

"…I'll never understand what they're thinking sometimes," Alex muttered with a sigh.

He looked at the black suit and decided to just follow her words.

While doing so, he casually asked, "Hey, Curse… if we make it through and you get to see your parents again… what would you do?"

[Hmm? That's random.]

The reply came a moment later.

Alex gave a small shrug. "Just curious. You must have some wishes too, right?"

[I used to. But I don't really remember them anymore.]

Alex paused to think, then asked, "Have you… made any new ones lately?"

There was silence. He continued buttoning his shirt and adjusting his sleeves. Then finally, Curse answered.

[Maybe… I'd want to live with my family.]

Spending time with Natasha and Alice had softened something in him.

Though he never said it out loud, he cherished those moments—quiet talks, shared smiles.

They were the only ones besides his parents who saw him for who he was… and still stayed.

Not just stayed—welcomed him.

[…Anyway, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Trials come first.]

Alex chuckled. "You don't have to hide it. I get it."

There was no reply. But the silence felt warm.

Then suddenly, a voice echoed in his head.

{Alex, can you come to the living room?}

It was Rebecca.

She rarely used their bond like this. That alone made him move fast.

He rushed to the living room—only for his mind to go completely blank.

His breath caught.

Four girls stood before him, dressed in pure white gowns, each holding flowers, their eyes soft and filled with affection.

All the memories of their past outfits, all the beauty he had seen so far… it all faded beside this.

This was different. This was unforgettable.

"…I didn't see this coming," he said, stunned.

His words showed surprise—but his eyes… they sparkled with joy.

Rebecca stepped forward first, holding her bouquet a little tighter than necessary. Her fingers trembled ever so slightly, but her eyes never wavered.

"I thought that we shouldn't say farewell with any unfulfilled wishes," she said again, her voice steadier now, carried by the silence in the room.

Alex looked at her, then at the others. Thankfully, he had followed Celestria's orders and was dressed properly.

He took a few slow steps forward, his smile growing softer but deeper. Emotion welled up in his chest as he looked at each of them.

"I-I can't even tell… how beautiful you all look right now," he said, voice shaky with awe.

"We know that," Sarah replied with a teasing grin, her confidence shining brighter than ever.

"We've been planning this for a while," Celestria chimed in, glancing at Jullie with a thankful smile. "She helped us pick the dresses."

Alex chuckled quietly, but his heart was pounding. He couldn't stop staring. His gaze danced between them—between each expression, every fluttering breath, the quiet joy in their eyes.

He didn't know where to look. Every second, he was falling for them all over again.

"But… who'll say the vow?" he asked, glancing around.

[I can do that.]

The voice was calm, resonant, and unmistakable.

The air shimmered—and there he was.

The same man who once haunted them within the Cathedral, now standing in a tailored suit, calm and composed.

He hovered just a little above the ground, eyes filled not with malice—but reverence.

Without a word, he gestured for everyone to take their places.

Alex moved to one side. The girls stood across from him, hand in hand, forming a line as graceful as moonlight.

The man raised a hand, and the space around them changed.

Soft petals fell from nowhere. A warm light surrounded them—neither too bright nor too dim.

It felt like time slowed down… allowing them to feel every heartbeat, every breath.

"Today," the man spoke, voice clear and even, "we are gathered here—not to bind with promises, but to honor a bond already forged in fire, trial, and love."

Alex looked into their eyes—Rebecca, Sarah, Celestria, and Jullie.

Each held memories with him. Each carried pain, laughter, and countless moments shared.

He knew them. And somehow, he felt truly seen by them, too.

The man continued, "Speak not of eternity. Speak of now. The time you've shared, the lives you've touched, the hearts you've chosen."

He turned to the girls. "Do you, who stand before him, choose this man not because of his strength… but because of the person he is to you?"

One by one, they answered.

"I do," Rebecca said, voice filled with quiet certainty.

"I do," Sarah whispered, eyes shining.

"I do," Celestria smiled, her fingers brushing the side of her gown.

"I do," Jullie breathed, a little nervous, but glowing with happiness.

Then the man turned to Alex.

"And you, Alex… Do you choose them, knowing that loving them means walking with both joy and burden, through the light and through the storm?"

Alex didn't need to think.

"I do," he said softly. "With everything I have."

The petals kept falling.

The moment stretched, yet none wanted it to end.

The man gave a small smile. "Then this moment is yours."

There was no kiss. No loud cheers.

Just silence.

Beautiful, tender silence—where hearts beat in unison, and four hands reached out to hold his.

And for the first time in a long time…

Alex felt whole.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading this last chapter before chaos. Drop a comment. You have to!