[: Daniel POV :]
As we awaited the Ice Saint’s return to consciousness, Bella turned to me with a voice choked by tears and questioned, “Daniel…, what’s going on?”
Her curiosity and anxiety were palpable, but she didn’t shy away from seeking answers.
I took a moment, carefully selecting my words, and eventually replied, “I’m reviving your mother,”
I reiterated, fully aware of the incredulity of the situation.
Her immediate reaction was just as expected.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, her brows furrowed as if what I had just said defied all logic.
It was understandable, considering the Tear of Phoenix was an exceedingly rare treasure, possibly unheard of by most.
“Reviving…?”
She repeated the word, her expression shifting from incredulity to a mixture of hope, confusion, and anticipation.
The concept was so foreign and surreal that it was difficult for her to wrap her mind around it.
“I… don’t understand,” she asked again, her voice tinged with disbelief.
“It is exactly as it sounds. I used a treasure to revive your mother,”
I explained, making sure to clarify that it was indeed a rare treasure.
I didn’t want her to be confused about how I possessed such an ability, given its rarity.
My explanation seemed to have convinced her, as she contemplated it for a moment.
But then she asked, “But… why? Why would you use such a precious treasure on someone like me?”
Her voice held a mix of gratitude and self-doubt.
She seemed to question whether she deserved such an extraordinary gesture.
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly.
I could see that both her eyes and lips trembled under the weight of my words.
Uncertainty lingered in the air.
“But one thing’s for sure, you’re precious to me, almost like a little sister.”
Inexplicably, I felt an urge to comfort her, and before I realized it, my hands were gently patting and caressing her hair.
She reacted with a sudden jolt, looking up at me, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity, wondering what I was about to do next.
“Is that true…?”
She questioned, locking eyes with me, her gaze holding a hint of desire.
Her sudden change in demeanor was peculiar, but I attributed it to the rollercoaster of emotions she was experiencing.
“Do you feel that way towards me?”
She inquired further, clutching the ends of her clothes nervously, as if awaiting my response.
I saw no harm in being honest with her, especially since my feelings were more akin to those of a protective older brother.
“That’s right. If I had a little sister, I think you’d be the closest one,”
I answered warmly, accompanied by a gentle smile.
Her tears began to flow even more freely, as though a dam had burst.
“Then…then…can I call you Brother…?” she asked hesitantly.
I was momentarily stunned by her request.
I hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.
But reflecting on everything we’d been through, I understood why she might feel this way.
Bella was an only child, and with her father’s illness, she must have felt utterly alone.
My presence had brought a sense of protection and companionship into her life, akin to that of a brother.
“Yeah..you can call me that if that makes you feel better,”
I answered with a small, warm smile, my heart touched by her request.
It was a strange feeling, but I found myself thinking that having a little sister like her, even though we weren’t blood-related, wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
Upon hearing my words, Bella threw herself into my embrace, her hands firmly encircling my waist, and her head nestled against my chest.
I was taken aback by her sudden action, but as I felt her warm tears soaking through my shirt, I knew she needed this moment.
So, I held her close, allowing her to let out all the emotions she had been holding in.
She cried softly, repeatedly calling my name and referring to me as “Brother,” her grip on me tight as if she never wanted to let go.
I couldn’t help but smile softly as I continued to stroke her hair, gently caressing her trembling form.
Each stroke seemed to provide her with some comfort, and it was as if she wanted to bury her head deeper against me, seeking solace like a kitten wanting to cuddle with its protector.
After a few minutes of embracing me, Bella finally separated herself from our tight hug.
Her face was flushed with embarrassment, as if she had just realized the boldness of her actions.
“Sorry, Daniel… but I needed that… thanks,”
She said in an embarrassed tone, running her fingers through her hair to adjust it.
I smiled warmly at her response, understanding the emotional turmoil she had been going through.
However, as the last remnants of the consumed flame coalesced into the final stages of the resurrection, the Ice Saint’s fingers trembled as if signaling her impending awakening.
“Bella, it seems that your mother is about to wake up,”
I warned Bella, and my words made her jump slightly.
She then hardened her expression, preparing herself for what was about to happen.
Seconds passed by, and the Ice Saint’s body began to tremble.
I watched as her eyes struggled to open, and eventually, she spoke, her voice weak and confused.
“Where… am… I? Where… is… this?”
She questioned, her gaze darting around the unfamiliar surroundings.
She appeared utterly baffled and in a state of profound confusion.
She couldn’t comprehend how she had arrived here, why she was still alive, or what was happening around her.
Her mind was swamped with countless thoughts and questions.
However, as her gaze wandered, she was taken aback to see a familiar face before her, a face stained with tears.
“Mother!”
Bella couldn’t contain her emotions any longer.
Without a second thought, she ran toward her mother and leaped into her arms, embracing her tightly.
At this moment, she didn’t care if it was real or an illusion.
All that mattered was that she could finally hold her mother, whom she had yearned to meet for so long.
The Ice Saint, on the other hand, was utterly bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
She couldn’t fathom how she had ended up in this place.
Her last memories were from that dreadful ‘place,’ and now, she found herself in a strangely familiar location, sparking a rush of confusing thoughts and emotions, including memories of her past hatred.
Despite her numerous questions, the Ice Saint realized that it was crucial to understand what was happening.
She gazed at the tearful face of her daughter, who was embracing her with warmth and love.
“Mom! I always wanted to meet you!”
Bella cried out, her face buried in her mother’s chest.
In this moment, she let all of her emotions pour out without reservation, right in front of her mother.
“Bella.”
The Ice Saint spoke, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and affection.
She had no doubt that this was her daughter.
After all, the resemblance was uncanny, and the love in Bella’s eyes was unmistakable.
Hearing her name called out by her mother, Bella trembled for a second, overwhelmed with emotions she had been longing to feel.
“I’m back… and sorry to make you wait,”
The Ice Saint said, her words causing Bella’s tears to flow even further.
She gently caressed her daughter’s hair with her fingers, her smile filled with warmth and love.
“Welcome back… mother,”
Bella welcomed with a shaky voice as the Ice Saint continued to stroke her hair.
It was a moment that fulfilled her deepest wishes, and she didn’t want it to end.
Witnessing this heartfelt reunion, I couldn’t help but smile.
It made me realize that this was the kind of future I desired – a future where my loved ones and I could live happily ever after without any worries.
However, I knew that to achieve it, there were still more challenges to face.
After a few minutes, we spent half an hour explaining the circumstances to the Ice Saint.
I was relieved to see that she quickly grasped the situation and accepted what had happened to her.
It was a rather amusing sight when Bella covered my eyes as her mother needed to change into some clothes, which she seemingly conjured out of thin air.
“So, my dear husband is in a coma due to a sickness poisoned by that bastard Jake, and now, my daughter has been seeking factions for support, and this gentleman, Mr. Daniel, used a skill to resurrect me?”
Elia Hugh, who was known as the Ice Saint, summarized the situation after hearing it from her daughter, her expression filled with anger.
“These bastards. Just when I disappeared, all sorts of treachery were revealed. And that Jake, I never expected him to be that way. It seems he was a snake on the inside all this time,”
Elia clenched her fist in anger, but her wrath soon gave way to a sense of resignation.
“Still, I’m proud that my daughter has been doing well all this time and even reached level 999,”
Elia remarked with a hint of pride despite the grim situation.
Her optimism shone through despite the challenges they faced.
Recalling her surroundings, Elia decided to question Bella and me.