Chapter 306: Thank You

Adrian stepped into his room and quietly shut the door behind him.

The comforting familiarity of the space welcomed him — soft candlelight flickered on the bedside table, and the cool night breeze whispered through the slightly parted window.

He loosened his coat, setting it aside, and then sat down on the edge of the bed, boots thudding softly as he pulled them off one by one.

With a long, steady breath, he lay back against the plush pillows, arms folded behind his head as he stared up at the carved ceiling.

For the first time in what felt like ages, the mansion was quiet… and his heart, too, was still.

His mind drifted, unbidden, to that very first day — the day he had transmigrated into this world.

A stranger in a noble boy's body, his past life abandoned, and a future uncertain. He'd been confused, cautious… yet resolute.

He had never imagined how deeply this world would pull him in, or how many lives he would touch.

Then came Chris doing the chores inside his room while he was confused at the situation.

A flicker of warmth tugged at the corner of his lips.

He remembered their first night together — not just the passion, but the emotion that surged between them.

The desperation, the vulnerability in her eyes as she had given herself to him. It hadn't just been desire — it had been trust, which even surprised him given his reputation at that time.

Though it might also have been the gap in their status as noble and a peasant. He was not sure how she felt but he felt glad that everything worked out in the end.

Chris had always carried more than her fair share. Providing for Christine, shielding her younger sister from the harshness of their world.

Bearing the weight of their mother's condition, unaware of the curse that leeched at their happiness.

And yet… she never complained.

She stood tall. Fought harder. Loved fiercely.

Adrian's eyes softened. "She's a strong woman", he mused silently.

And now, she could finally breathe — finally live without that invisible weight dragging her down. He was glad he could give her that. He would give her the world if she asked for it.

A slow wave of exhaustion began to settle over him. His body relaxed, his thoughts blurring at the edges. As sleep gently pulled him under, he let himself savor the peace — fleeting as it might be.

Knock. Knock.

Adrian stirred, his brow furrowing in half-conscious confusion.

Knock. Knock.

"…Come in," he mumbled sleepily, eyes still closed.

The door creaked open, followed by the soft click of heels against marble. Adrian blinked groggily and slowly turned his head.

There, standing just inside the doorway, was Chris.

She wore a long beige trench coat that reached her knees, buttoned all the way to her collar. But what drew his gaze wasn't just the mysterious glint in her eyes or the slight flush dusting her cheeks.

It was the pair of black cat ears perched atop her head.

Adrian blinked, rubbing his eyes as if unsure he was seeing correctly. The cat ears twitched slightly atop Chris's head, and for a moment, he wondered if sleep had already taken him into some strange dream.

"Chris?" he murmured, sitting up fully now, his voice rough with lingering drowsiness. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your mother?"

Chris stepped further into the room, the door clicking shut behind her. The candlelight flickered against her face, catching the faint sheen of unshed tears in her eyes.

"Mother is stable," she said softly. "Christine fell asleep beside her, watching over her. And I…" She swallowed, her fingers tightening briefly around the hem of her coat. "I needed to see you."

Adrian pushed himself up fully, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He had barely gotten to his feet when Chris suddenly rushed forward.

She crashed into him with enough force that he stumbled back, the backs of his knees hitting the mattress as they both tumbled onto the bed.

Her arms locked around his neck, her face buried against his shoulder as her body trembled.

For a moment, Adrian was too stunned to react. Then, slowly, his arms wrapped around her, one hand settling at the small of her back while the other cradled the back of her head.

"Thank you," she choked out, her voice muffled against him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you—"

The words dissolved into quiet sobs, her fingers clutching at his shirt like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go. Adrian exhaled, his grip tightening slightly as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"You don’t have to thank me," he murmured. "There’s nothing to thank me for."

She shook her head violently, her tears dampening his shirt. "You saved her," she whispered raggedly. "After all these years of torment… you gave her back to us. You gave me back to me."

His throat tightened. He stroked her blonde hair gently, letting her cry, letting her release the weight she had carried for so long.

"Chris," he said softly, "you don’t owe me anything. You never did. You’re family. You’re mine. I’ll do anything for you—protect you, fight for you, anything."

She trembled harder at his words, her breath hitching. Slowly, though, her sobs quieted, her grip loosening just enough that she could lift her head.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, her cheeks tear-streaked, but she looked at him with an expression so full of love, so full of gratitude, that it stole his breath.

Then, before he could say another word, she leaned in and kissed him.

It wasn’t desperate, nor hungry. It was slow, deep, achingly tender—a silent promise, a wordless confession. When she finally pulled away, her lips lingered just a breath from his, her eyes still closed as if savoring the moment.

Then, with deliberate slowness, she stood up from the bed.

Adrian watched, still dazed, as her fingers moved to the buttons of her trench coat. One by one, they came undone.

And then, with a soft swish, the coat slid from her shoulders and pooled at her feet.

Adrian’s breath caught.