Clair was advised to remain indoors for the time being, allowing her to fully recover while staying out of sight from those who continued to hunt for her. She initially refused the arrangement, unwilling to be confined or held back from her responsibilities. However, after constant persuasion from everyone, especially Zach, she eventually agreed to stay at a house in a different location.
Per entered her room and found her sitting quietly on the bed, her eyes fixed on her phone.
"You've been staring at that phone for a while now. He's probably in the kitchen helping Mrs. Rowland." Per said, picking up the laundry basket beside the closet.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Clair replied quietly. "I'm stuck here." She fell silent for a moment before adding, "I swore I would find Eifrit alive."
Per set the basket down on the table and walked toward her. "And you did everything you could." Her voice softened. "This is only temporary. You just need to stay out of sight for a while. Don't forget, they almost caught you."
"Yes... and I should stay away from Zach too, just so Euphilis won't catch us together," Clair said with a hint of sarcasm. She sighed, leaning back slightly. "But who knows? The Council might already know everything by now."
Per studied her for a moment. "And you don't care?"
"I don't know, Per. Part of me just doesn't care anymore. I can't even tell what's right or wrong now." Clair looked down, her voice rising as her emotions broke through. "Letting him go feels selfish... but keeping him with me feels selfish too."
She met Per's eyes. "If you were in my place, what would you do?"
"I can never answer that, Clair. I wish I had all the answers you're looking for." Per's shoulders sank slightly. She looked away, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"But you know... sometimes I wonder what it feels like to love someone and have that love returned. Seeing you and Zach together, seeing how happy you are just by being with each other... it makes me happy too." She paused, letting out a small breath. "And maybe a little curious."
She looked back at Clair. For a moment, she simply stared, until her expression became more serious.
"I always point out the risks and the consequences of your choices. That's what I'm supposed to do." Her voice softened. "But sometimes, there's a part of me that wants to tell you to stop running from what makes you happy... to fight for it instead." Her expression grew gentler. "Isn't that what life is about? Finding happiness?"
She reached for Clair's hand and held it gently. "I always pray to Father that you'll find happiness," she said, her voice sincere.
Clair looked at her for a moment. "Thank you, Per." A brief silence passed before a teasing smile crossed her face. "Maybe you should try finding yourself a boyfriend."
Per blinked, caught completely off guard. "What? No. Absolutely not."
"You said you were curious," Clair reminded her.
Per shook her head. "Well, yes... but I don't have a heart like yours. How am I supposed to just fall in love with someone?"
"Then maybe start with Ark?" Clair suggested, though the uncertainty in her voice made it clear she wasn't entirely convinced herself.
Per stared at her in disbelief. "Wh- Ark? Are you serious? Him? No way. We could never..."
She stopped mid-sentence.
"Oh, speaking of..." Clair said, turning her attention toward the door.
Per exhaled quietly and straightened herself, quickly regaining her composure.
YOU ARE READING
Divine & Wicked: The Strayed Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach awoke a few days after his surgery, his mind foggy and his heart empty, as though his life had been reset. He moved through what he believed was his normal routine, unaware that fragments of a forgotten past were slo...
