Chapter 32

Celia had woken up to see herself in the time of her previous life before this, speaking to her was one of her best friends that she knew. He owned a little cafe specializing in various food that she always came to eat. 'Was I named Celia before?' She could not recall; it had been so long since she returned. All her previous memories were fading to accept the new ones.

"Celia, you came down to try my new strawberry shortcake! Why don't you have a seat?" He was a sweet man, almost like an uncle to her.

Celia stared at the strawberry shortcake before her, seeing that small silver fork. "Hey, do you think opening up to people who have long lost your trust is okay?" She spoke to him. There was no other that she would speak to this openly.

The man would hum; it took a bit for an answer, but he would smile at her sweetly. "Of course! Celia, there are people you will come across one day who will make you trust and love them. It is hard. Just like they say, the first love is always the hardest. It will be hard, and you can't open up to them, but if they are patient and willing to make that effort to know you, you will know if you are ready to open up to them fully." It was like he knew already what was on her mind. "Take your time. You make your choices and decisions. No one can do it for you. Now, go back."

"Huh?" Celia was confused by his last three words. "Go back?"

"Yes, you don't belong here. You aren't meant to be here. Unfortunate events occurred in this timeline for you, but… I promise you that this one will be better. Others are waiting to see you again. You will see me soon but… I won't know you." He patted her head. The kind man, he had never changed and always kept a warm and welcoming atmosphere for her.

Before Celia could give an answer, it was like an unknown force had pushed her away and shaken her awake in her body. She would stare around, confused, trying to comprehend everything that had happened before. 'A dream? Or a message?' She was sweating heavily, her eyes just staring up at the ceiling.

"How are you feeling?"

Celia turned her head, seeing Sachin there right next to her bedside. There was only a look of concern on his face; his furrowed eyebrows were easy to spot. Celia took quite a lot of time to observe him and kept staring at him as though he were the most fascinating thing to watch when she first woke up.

Sachin knew Celia did not speak, "You must still be tired. Why don't you rest more?" Sachin knew that she must be confused about her surroundings. Before he could forget, "Celia, please do not try and act out alone. I do not want you to be in any sort of danger like that again. You are still so young. You do not need to concern yourself with the dangers." Sachin did not know if she would listen, but he wanted to take it as a first step. Perhaps not one of the first few things to start talking about, but if he did not say it now, when would it be a good time to do so?

Celia stared blankly at him, but she was listening to Sachin. 'I know you want to warn me and tell me not to act wild, but I made a promise. I want to avoid anyone from death. No one is allowed to die while I am still breathing.' It was a self-made promise that she was not going to ignore. She did not speak or still plans to speak at the moment.

Sachin watched Celia's silent response, his heart aching for the girl who had been through so much. He had only recently become her father, and while he wanted to protect her, he also understood that her silence wasn't just from fatigue—it was a shield she had built around herself. "Celia," he said softly, "You are safe here. I do not want you in danger again. You are part of the family. Please, I beg you not to do this again. I am grateful that you saved your mother, but with all of you there then… I could have lost everyone in one day." Behind Sachin's expression, he was terrified of the thought but wanted to be clearer about it with her. He had the time to tell his wife and son, but not Celia.

Celia shifted slightly in the bed, her eyes never leaving his face. She had been alone for so long, her life filled with pain and isolation. The word "family" felt foreign still, almost surreal. She knew she should open up to them, but they had only obtained a bit of her trust. Sometimes, she could still barely trust them, but she knew it was slowly getting there. Celia's grip tightened around the thin blanket covering her, the only sign that his words had reached her. She wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but the words were trapped, tangled up with her fears and memories. What could they do?

Sachin knew in his heart they had to be more patient with her. He could read her as well. He only wanted to make his point and explain it to her, but as long as she heard it, then he was happy enough. He smiled and gently patted her head. Celia allowed him to pat her head; she kept lying back in the bed. The pat on the head was comforting; she kept her eyes on him before her stomach came to speak up. There would be a loud growl coming from her stomach. Sachin could only smile, "I will get them to make you something. Don't try to get out of bed. You've used too much fire magic, so you have to take a lot of rest and keep yourself cool."

It did not take too long for the maid to bring in a warm meal for Celia. Sachin would assist in feeding her and cooling down the meal when it was too hot. Celia would stare at him and hold out her hand to get the food soon after he cooled it down. She would munch away at it while keeping a tight lip as usual. 'How long will he stay here?' She would keep taking little munches, and her mind would waver back and forth. It settled when she recalled the snake woman; she was dead. She sacrificed herself to protect her in the last bit of her life. 'What made her change? There was motive before until the final moments.' Celia did not know how to feel about it other than knowing that it was a last-minute change of heart.

"She is awake!" Priti shouted, rushing into the room once she heard that Celia was awake. "Why didn't you tell me?" Priti stated angrily at her husband but rushed to hug Celia in her arms. "Thank goodness you are awake!" Priti had some hints of tears in the corner of her eyes. It had been too many days… maybe even two weeks. "How are you feeling?" Priti would give another look at the little girl, seeing her remain quiet.

Celia kept her gaze on Priti, knowing that she did not have a big belly but something wrapped around it. At this time, she would know one day what it was, but many would know it was a belly band. Yet, this was still just a child who wanted food. She stared once more at Priti and held her hand out to Sachin for the food. She was eating cool bread with a little jam.

Priti smiled, "As long as you are awake and eating, then I will feel reassured, sweet child." Combing back her daughter's hair, Celia did not seem to mind the woman for the most part. She had been around enough for her to feel comfortable, not just that. Priti was the very first one to allow herself to be in any danger from her cautious beginning. She would only allow it at times, but it would not be a forever thing.

"Archmage, there are some troublesome guests. What would you like for me to do?" Lauro looked patched up, and he was once more serving his masters. Up and moving around, it was no surprise since he was still a beast kin who had more healing properties.

'Who are the troublesome guests now? I only just woke up.' Celia did not know who it was, but she felt like it would lead to more unnecessary drama.

"Who could those troublesome guests be?" Sachin asked if he did not mind if it was spoken or mentioned.

"It is those humans who claim that the young miss here is their daughter and have brought a supposed message from the emperor that he had approved of them to take her back. Lauro did not wish that it was the first thing Celia would wake up to, but it was. She had been unconscious for quite some time, so those people had taken the opportunity to accuse the Maximus Family of mistreatment of Celia.