Rebirth of the Fallen Zenith.-Chapter 21: * Bonus - – Elara’s Heartfelt Resolve*

* Bonus Chapter – Elara's Heartfelt Resolve*

Elara stood frozen at her bedroom door, her breath shallow, her heart pounding beneath her fingertips. The warmth of Orion's embrace still lingered on her skin, as if the moment had been carved into her very soul.

"Laura proposed to me... but I rejected her."

His words echoed in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. She had been terrified when he first mentioned Laura's proposal, her heart nearly stopping. But then—rejected.

The weight that had been crushing her vanished, and before she even realized it, she had thrown herself into his arms.

Her arms still ached with the memory.

She pressed her hand against her chest, feeling the rapid beats beneath her palm. "I wish..." she whispered; her voice barely audible. I wish I could always hold you like that... forever.

Her face burned at the thought. Shaking her head, she walked to the window, hoping the cold night air would cool the heat rushing to her cheeks.

She perched herself on the windowsill, hugging her knees to her chest, her blue eyes gazing up at the moon. But all she saw was him—his piercing blue eyes, his soft yet untamed bluish-white hair, his sharp features that carried both strength and kindness.

"Brother Orion..."

Her admiration for him had always been there. But somewhere along the way, that admiration had turned into something... more.

And she knew exactly when it happened. Instead, the silver moonlight cast her into a memory—one so clear, so vivid, it was as if she had been transported back in time.

The golden afternoon sun bathed the Vale estate in a warm glow as a ten-year-old Elara ran across the lush gardens, her laughter ringing through the air. Dressed in a light blue dress, she chased a fluttering butterfly, its wings shimmering under the light. Orion, twelve years old, stood a few feet away, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, his piercing blue eyes watching her with quiet amusement.

"You're going to trip if you keep running like that," Orion warned, shaking his head.

"I'm not a child, Brother Orion!" Elara stuck out her tongue playfully before running further ahead.

But in her excitement, she failed to notice the twisted roots beneath her feet. She stumbled forward—her small hands flailing—straight into a low-hanging tree branch. As she caught herself, she unknowingly struck a beehive nestled between the branches.

A deep, angry buzzing filled the air.

Her blood ran cold.

Slowly, Elara looked up.

A swarm of furious magical bees burst from the hive, their glowing yellow bodies flickering with energy, their sharp stingers dripping with venom.

Terror seized her chest.

"AHHH! BROTHER ORION!!!" Elara shrieked, stumbling backward as the first wave of bees lunged toward her.

Before she could even react, a blur of bluish-white appeared in front of her.

"ELARA, GET DOWN!"

Orion's strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as he spun them both to the ground. His broad back shielded her completely as the first wave of bees slammed into him, their stingers piercing his skin.

Elara trembled. "B-Brother! No!"

"Stay still." His voice was firm but gentle. His body shuddered as more bees stung his arms, neck, and back. Yet, he didn't move.

Tears welled in Elara's eyes. "But—!"

"Don't worry," he panted, his body shaking from the venom already spreading through him. "I'm here. Just hold onto me."

Elara clutched onto his shirt, helpless as she watched the angry swarm continue their assault.

Despite the pain, Orion gritted his teeth and moved, slowly guiding Elara toward the estate while still shielding her. He winced with every sting, but his grip on her never wavered.

With every step, Elara's heart clenched tighter.

She had never felt so weak, so powerless.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the estate's main entrance, where servants and guards noticed them.

"Young Master Orion! Lady Elara!" One of the maids screamed.

A swarm of guards and maids rushed forward, wielding fire and wind magic to disperse the bees.

But Orion—his body already swollen; his skin covered in deep welts—couldn't hold on anymore. His legs buckled beneath him.

"Brother Orion!" Elara screamed as he collapsed into her arms.

Then servant bring Orion in his room but, Elara sat by Orion's bedside, clutching his cold hand as he lay unconscious.

His once bright blue eyes remained shut, his pale skin drenched in sweat. The poison had spread through his body, leaving him trapped in a deep fever.

The room smelled of bitter herbs from the healing concoctions, but none of them eased the ache in her heart.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed, "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Sera knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Elara, it's not your fault. He protected you because he loves you."

"But he—he's in pain because of me!" Elara sobbed harder, gripping his hand tighter.

Celia sat on the other side of the bed, her normally graceful face filled with deep worry. "Orion is strong. He will wake up."

Elara only buried her face against Orion's arm, refusing to move. She prayed over and over, wishing, begging, pleading for him to wake up.

However, two days later, just as dawn broke through the curtains, Elara felt a faint squeeze on her hand.

Her eyes widened.

"Elara..."

A hoarse, familiar voice.

She gasped and looked up. Orion's piercing blue eyes were barely open, filled with exhaustion—but warm and gentle, just like always.

"B-Brother Orion!" Elara choked, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.

He weakly lifted his hand, touching her hair. "Why are you crying, silly girl?"

She let out a half-laugh, half-sob. "Because you—you were hurt because of me! You almost—!"

Orion's fingers tapped her forehead lightly. "Dummy. If I don't protect you, then who will?"

Elara froze.

His voice was so soft, so soothing—as if all the pain he had suffered didn't matter to him as long as she was safe.

She bit her lip, hiccupping as she whispered, "I hate you."

Orion chuckled weakly. "Liar."

She wiped her eyes, nodding. "...Yeah."

From that moment on, something deep shifted in her heart.

It was more than just admiration. More than just gratitude.

From that day forward, she only wanted to stay by his side—forever.

------

Sitting by the window, Elara hugged her knees, her gaze lost in the glowing silver moon.

Her fingers lightly traced the fabric of her nightgown, her heart still pounding from earlier.

Her brother had rejected Laura.

She couldn't stop smiling.

Not because she hated Laura—but because... she wanted to be the one by his side.

Elara let out a small sigh, brushing her black hair behind her ear.

"Brother... you're incredible," she whispered. "The moment you step outside the estate, women will start flocking to you like bees to a flower."

Her chest ached at the thought.

She didn't mind him having multiple wives—she wasn't foolish enough to think someone as amazing as Orion would remain alone.

But she refused to be left behind.

"No," she murmured, closing her eyes. "I won't let that happen."

She sat cross-legged, channeling her mana.

A surge of energy filled her veins, burning and twisting as she pushed forward, her emotions fueling her cultivation.

A brilliant blue glow enveloped her, her energy surging like an unstoppable tide.

Her eyes snapped open, shimmering under the moonlight.

"Finally... Novice 3-Star peak."

A proud smile formed on her lips.

"See, Brother? I won't fall behind you."

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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.