Her gaze remained initially lowered with gentle and practised movents that she had trained for months.
But sensing a subtle difference in the room’s atmosphere, she lifted her head instinctively, imdiately freezing in place as her eyes widened dramatically, heart thundering wildly within her chest.
The basin slipped unnoticed from her trembling fingers, landing upon the polished floor with a sharp, echoing clang.
Tears instantly filled her wide eyes, streaming quietly down her flushed cheeks, breath catching softly in her throat.
Standing tall and very much alive in front of her was Orion, transford and matured, yet unmistakably himself. His warm smile, gentle eyes, and comforting presence filled her entire body with overwhelming happiness, disbelief, and relief.
"Y-Young Master...?" Rina whispered shakily, voice choked and fragile from powerful emotions flooding through her. Her entire body trembled softly, yet joy radiated beautifully from her tear-filled gaze.
Orion’s expression softened imdiately, heart swelling tenderly at seeing Rina’s intense reaction. He stepped forward quietly, voice gentle and filled with warmth. "I’m back, Rina."
Her legs moved before conscious thought could form, instinctively carrying her forward. Within monts, Rina collided softly into Orion’s firm embrace, her slender arms encircling him tightly, face pressing gently against his warm chest.
She cried softly, overwheld with countless emotions—joy, relief, and gratitude that he was fine.
"You finally woke up..." Rina murmured softly between quiet sobs, voice trembling with deep emotion. "Thank the heavens... you’re back, Orion."
Orion smiled, seeing her address him directly with his na due to her emotions. He gently wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her tenderly yet securely. His fingers brushed soothingly through her silky hair, his quiet voice resonating gently with reassurance. "I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Rina. I’m truly grateful for all your care."
Rina shook her head slightly against his chest, refusing to release him. "I would wait forever for you, Young Master," she whispered quietly, sincerity clear in her voice. "As long as you’re back safe, nothing else matters."
The warmth between them filled the room quietly, tender emotions flowing freely and gently healing the lingering wounds from Orion’s long absence.
anwhile, inside Orion’s mind, Asteraxa chuckled softly in gentle amusent, voice filled with subtle satisfaction.
[Ara~ how romantic. Should I give you two so privacy, Orion?]
Orion rolled his eyes slightly yet smiled warmly, silently enjoying the quiet, heartfelt reunion with Rina.
After eight long months, Orion had finally awakened, and in this quiet mont, he knew clearly that he was deeply missed by his entire family.
After several long monts wrapped warmly in Orion’s comforting embrace, Rina slowly drew back, gently disentangling herself.
Her hands lingered briefly on Orion’s strong arms as she stepped back slightly, blinking softly to clear the lingering tears that blurred her vision.
Her gaze now studied him closely, curiosity mixing with subtle amazent as she fully took in his changed appearance for the first ti.
Orion stood tall before her, clearly transford after regaining his human form. His previously long, neatly kept black hair had grown significantly longer, now cascading smoothly around his broad shoulders.
Rina’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as she noted the substantial increase in his height—Orion had grown remarkably from his forr stature of around 170 centiters to an impressive 190 centiters, now towering over her considerably.
He radiated a calm presence, the youthful softness she once rembered now replaced with a more refined, powerful bearing.
Yet what captured her attention most were Orion’s eyes, no longer their forr uniform black, but strikingly heterochromatic.
One was a lightning purple, reminiscent of thunder falling from the sky, while the other shone fiercely, blazing with fiery red brilliance. Each eye clearly symbolized a facet of his draconic heritage, further accentuating his unique charisma.
Rina felt a soft warmth spreading across her cheeks as Orion caught her closely observing him. His lips curled into a gentle, teasing smile, voice light yet playfully curious, "How do I look now, Rina? Did I beco more handso?"
She felt her blush deepen slightly, embarrassed yet unable to hold back the tender smile forming on her lips. Shaking her head softly in mild exasperation, she murmured warmly, "You really never change, Young Master."
A gentle quietness fell between them, their eyes eting silently for several lingering seconds. In the depths of Rina’s gaze, a subtle shadow flickered briefly—a quiet echo of pain, helplessness, and regret from the harrowing events in the forest months prior.
She vividly rembered her own powerlessness when Orion faced down those ruthless kidnappers, fiercely fighting to protect Fiora whom he cherished while she could only stand by helplessly.
But Rina swiftly shook her head slightly, gently pushing aside those lingering thoughts. Her resolve hardened quietly once again, determined to never let herself remain helpless in the future.
She took a small step backward, composing herself calmly. eting Orion’s eyes with steadiness, she spoke softly, "I’ll go and inform Lord Eldric about your awakening, Young Master."
Before Orion could open his mouth to respond or ask anything more, Rina swiftly turned, leaving the room quietly, the door clicking softly shut behind her.
Orion shook his head slightly, a gentle smile still lingering on his lips as he turned toward the bed, sitting down heavily on its soft edge. He exhaled quietly, processing the emotional reunion and Rina’s subtle reaction, clearly understanding the burdens weighing on her heart.
Inside his Sea of Consciousness, Asteraxa’s voice resonated gently, carrying a note of subtle insight. [Looks like that battle impacted her deeply...]
Orion nodded slightly in thoughtful agreent, speaking quietly within his mind. ’Indeed, she already lost her family once before. I’m certain she doesn’t want to experience losing soone close to her again, especially not in such a manner.’
He leaned back gently, his eyes drifting toward the sunlight softly filtering through the partially opened curtains, illuminating his quiet, empty room.
Silence briefly settled between Orion and Asteraxa, both quietly enjoying the gentle, comforting tranquility around them.
After several long monts, Asteraxa’s voice echoed softly again, carrying subtle amusent tinged with a hint of wistfulness.
[It feels rather empty without that little cat keeping things interesting, doesn’t it?]
Orion chuckled gently in agreent, recalling fondly Lumi’s energetic personality. ’Indeed, Lumi truly added life to everything. She even woke up briefly a few months ago, but almost imdiately had to undergo a forced evolution due to issues related to the Supre Grade Ability Eye of Revelation. We didn’t even manage to exchange more than a few words before that ability began rging forcefully with the system.’
Asteraxa humd thoughtfully in response, clearly intrigued by this revelation.
[Such a troubleso little creature, always getting caught up in complicated matters. Do you have any idea how long her forced evolution will take?]
Orion shook his head slightly and said with a sigh, ’Unfortunately, no. But I feel like she will be back in the next couple of days. The evolution this ti is rather special, I might gain a new ability. And knowing Lumi, she would be rushing to complete the evolution as soon as she can.’
Asteraxa chuckled softly, amusent clear in her voice.
[True enough. I doubt that energetic kitten will allow herself to remain away from you for too long. After all, she’s grown quite attached to you, hasn’t she?]
Orion smiled faintly, warmth clear in his quiet voice. ’Indeed, we’ve both grown fond of each other.’
The two continued their casual conversation, their voices gently filling the quiet emptiness left in Lumi’s absence. Orion gradually relaxed, savoring the peaceful ti in his room after living for so long inside his Sea of Consciousness.
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