Chapter 53 - I've wanted you by my side for a long time, I guess.

<Thalia's POV>

Upon entering the room, I discovered Zeph reclining on the bed, basking in the soft radiance of the warm room's light.

Our gazes locked, and he sat up, his expression a delightful mix of surprise and eager expectation. "Why now, Thalia?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

My heart thudded in my chest as I hesitated, but I could no longer suppress my true emotions. "I came here because I wanted to be with you," I confessed, my voice barely rising above a whisper.

A gentle, sincere smile graced his features, and he responded, "Thank you, Thalia. You don't know how much you mean to me."

His words enveloped the room in a comforting warmth, and I couldn't help but ponder whether his feelings for me extended beyond mere friendship.

My intuition seemed to echo the same sentiment.

Taking a step closer, the room seemed to shrink around us. "It's not just about the accidents, Zeph," I continued, my voice quivering with emotion.

"I wanted to be by your side because... because I genuinely care about you."

My heart raced as I gazed deep into his eyes, searching for any sign of his emotions.

He reached out and tenderly cupped my cheek, his touch sending a delightful shiver down my spine.

"Thalia," he whispered, his voice infused with tenderness, "I've wanted you by my side for a long time." His words served as the confirmation I had longed to hear.

Our hearts beat in unison, and he pulled me into his embrace.

In that tranquil moment, everything felt perfect, and I knew that our love would continue to blossom. With Zeph by my side, I felt capable of achieving my ambitions.

But as I couldn't entirely trust my own racing heart, brimming with anticipation, I relied on my ability, <intuition>, which seemed to confirm what my heart already knew.

As we reluctantly parted, he requested some time alone. Knowing that my own heart was not in the best state, I acquiesced and left the room, leaving him to his thoughts.

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As Thalia exited the room, leaving Zeph alone. The room that had once been filled with their tender conversation was now consumed by a loud, maniacal laughter.

"HAHAHAHA!!"

"Damn, it works!!"

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<A while ago>

As I watched Thalia enter the room, the first thing that struck me was her unique ability, <Intuition>.

My newfound determination was crystal clear: if obtaining what I wanted peacefully wasn't an option, I would resort to other means.

My mind raced, processing all the information I had about her in rapid succession.

Thalia's ability was akin to super luck, often allowing her to make remarkably accurate predictions about upcoming events.

But it had its flaws.

There were times when her intuition had failed her, especially in guessing the outcome of a battle. Battles were volatile, and a single factor could tip the scales.

'What is that factor?'

I urged myself to think quickly. And then it hit me like a lightning bolt – <Intent>.

Intent had the power to change everything, to alter the course of events.

"I have to use this," I thought resolutely, brimming with newfound confidence in my intent-controlling skills.

The reason for this confidence was straightforward – my previous life. I had grown up as an orphan, and my world had taken a turn for the worse when our caring orphanage director passed away. To survive in a harsh world, I had been forced to take on various jobs, often stepping into the role of a conflict resolution specialist or mediator between feuding parties.

They had to trust a kid who appeared kind but was adept at navigating conflicts.

In my previous life, there were only two talents I was truly confident in – my exceptional acting skills and my ability to control my intent.

These talents had been my lifeline, and now, they would be the keys to unlocking the future I desired.

As Thalia entered the room, I played the part of a pleasantly surprised host, my eyebrows arching slightly. "Why now, Thalia?" I inquired, my tone holding a hint of curiosity.

Her response caught me off guard, and I maintained my façade of mild surprise. "I came here because I wanted to be with you," she confessed, her voice carrying a touch of vulnerability.

Internally, I understood her feelings, but I couldn't help feeling amused by the simplicity of it all. So, if someone saved you again, you'd fall for them too? I thought, keeping my amusement concealed. It wasn't love, I knew, but rather a natural human inclination towards those who were willing to make sacrifices for you.

"Thank you, Thalia," I responded, my voice filled with 'sincerity', and I accompanied it with a genuine smile. My intent was unmistakable – I wanted to convey my gratitude for her concern and worry,

As Thalia spoke those words, affirming her genuine care for me, it became evident that my acting skills were as sharp as ever.

Her abilities couldn't detect my true intent, and I took this as a calculated advantage.

Now, a critical decision lay before me.

Should I send her away, maintaining the secrecy of my true motives,

or should I keep her close, using her as a means to achieve my goals?

It was a choice I had to make carefully.

After a moment of contemplation, a decision was made.

I moved closer to her, gently cupping her cheeks in my hands. "Thalia," I said softly, my voice filled with warmth and affection, sealing my intentions. "I've wanted you by my side for a long time."

I embraced her, understanding that for now, she could be a valuable tool in my plans.

At least until the day she outlived her usefulness.

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<Present>

"Ha... It was really fun," I thought to myself, relishing the satisfaction of successfully fooling Thalia.

But this was only the beginning.

I couldn't afford to stop here; there was much more to be done.

I recognized that each one of them had vulnerabilities in their abilities, and with careful manipulation, I could potentially take advantage of those weaknesses.

First, Let's handle

Kael

Before that 'Zendal, Focus on healing my wounds rather than enhancing strength '

I ordered as closed my eyes.