It took Sophia some time to understand what Celitia was expressing.

In magical concepts, curses didn't belong to any of the seven schools of magic and were usually classified as "dark magic."

"Why would you be cursed? Did you offend some dark wizard?" Sophia became even more anxious. "Or did you accidentally enter some forbidden place?"

Celitia remained silent.

Once she started explaining the curse to Sophia, there would be endless things that needed further explanation.

She should have just let herself rot alone, but instead things were getting more and more entangled.

It was enough.

Don't... continue getting more involved.

"I don't know."

Celitia's voice was muffled under the blanket, almost inaudible. "You don't need to worry about me. After tonight passes, everything will be fine."

"How can that be okay?!" Sophia reflexively objected without thinking.

But if it was a curse, going to the hospital might have limited effect.

Mahee was better at healing diseases and didn't delve deeply into curses.

"Then we won't go to the hospital. We'll go to the church—I can find you either the bishop or the saintess!"

"That's even worse. I absolutely won't go to the church."

Celitia's voice grew even heavier. "You should know what kind of place the church really is."

Sophia was stunned, then fell silent.

She had to admit that Celitia had a point.

Seeking help from the church would only make things more complicated.

Not only might they not be able to lift the curse, they would also investigate the curse's origin, inquire whether she had contact with dark magic, judge whether she secretly worshipped heresy, and might even forcibly detain her.

Once confirmed as a heretic, only the stake awaited her.

Perhaps things wouldn't go to such extremes, but there would definitely be endless troubles.

"But... but..."

Sophia was still hesitant.

Should she just watch Celitia be tormented by the curse?

"There are no 'buts,'" Celitia interrupted her. "If you want to send me to the stake, you can take me to the church right now."

Celitia's words were harsh, and Sophia immediately fell silent, not knowing what to do.

She must be hiding many secrets.

Otherwise, Sophia couldn't imagine how such a mysterious, powerful yet fragile person could emerge from the terrible environment of the Herbert family.

Afraid she was pressing down on Celitia uncomfortably, Sophia quickly loosened her grip and moved half a step to the side.

Celitia wrapped the blanket even tighter around herself, curling up into a round, bulging bundle on the bed.

"Do you understand how scary it is now? Then hurry up and leave—ugh!"

Halfway through her words, the girl's body began trembling violently again, a pained whimper escaping from her throat like that of an injured small animal.

"Lily?!"

Sophia panicked and hurriedly forced the blanket off Celitia.

She saw the girl curled up, both hands pressed tightly against her chest, her long curly hair tangled messily behind her and spread across the wrinkled sheets.

"Is it very painful? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Sophia leaned down, wanting to lift the girl from the bed.

Celitia used her last bit of strength to forcefully push away her hands.

"Don't come near me... Please, Sophia... don't come over..."

Her voice was chaotic and broken, carrying a plea filled with pain.

"What if... I drag you down... ugh, ugh..."

Sophia was pushed so hard her body swayed, nearly falling backward.

Those hands lost their last bit of strength and fell softly onto the bed.

This scene seemed familiar—Sophia suddenly recalled that on their first day meeting at the dormitory, Celitia had pushed her away like this too.

"Last time... I mean, that time outside the dormitory, was it also because of the curse?"

Sophia suddenly realized the truth.

She had been worried that if Sophia got close to her, she might also be afflicted by the curse, so she pushed her away so mercilessly?

Why would she rather be misunderstood than speak the truth?

Why did she always want to bear everything alone...?

Looking at that pale face soaked with cold sweat, Sophia felt her chest tightening with pain.

Without hesitation, Sophia threw herself beside Celitia, spread her arms wide, and hugged her tightly.

"Sophia?!"

Celitia's voice changed with shock, and she began struggling frantically in Sophia's arms, trying to push her away again.

But no matter how Celitia struggled, Sophia just held her firmly, using both hands to confine the girl in her embrace.

"If you insist on being stubborn, then please, let me stay with you..."

Her azure eyes revealed empathetic sadness as Sophia hugged her even tighter, letting the girl's head nestle into her chest.

"I'm not afraid of any curse. If it's real, then let the curse come to me instead.

That way, I can share your pain..."

Sophia spoke word by word slowly, her voice slightly trembling, filled with emotions she couldn't let go of.

Her body was cool, like glaciers beneath the ocean surface.

But it was okay—as long as she held her tightly and shared her warmth with her, surely... surely she could help her get better again.

Celitia's head was buried in Sophia's chest, clearly hearing her heartbeat.

One beat after another, firm and strong, without a trace of confusion.

The embrace holding her tight was very, very warm.

Like walking through ice and snow, about to collapse from exhaustion, when suddenly encountering a blazing campfire.

Celitia's vision became slightly blurred.

"Are you... an idiot..."

Actually saying she wanted to share the curse with her.

Incomprehensible.

"Who told me I met a stubborn idiot?"

Sophia's voice carried a hint of laughter. "I don't need to say who infected me with this, do I?"

Her hand stroked through the tangled curls behind the girl's back, gently smoothing out each strand of long hair.

"Since we need to get through this night, then I'll stay here with you, okay?"

"Are you really not afraid?" Celitia asked. "It's probably... a strange curse that even the church can't handle..."

Sophia smiled: "I'm not afraid."

Celitia was silent for a long time.

After a while, she finally spoke sullenly: "You'll regret it."

In the first half of her life, she had made a complete mess of interpersonal relationships—stubborn, self-righteous, and ending up in such a state was what she deserved.

Even now, she hadn't changed much.

Perhaps the current Sophia was still willing to tolerate her, which was why she would say such foolish things about "sharing together."

Later on, when those feelings wore away, she would surely regret today's decision.

"I won't."

Sophia held the girl even tighter, her voice becoming more determined. "Rather, if I let go of you now, that's when I'd truly regret it."

In the rich but not cloying lavender fragrance, Celitia slowly closed her eyes.

"...Idiot."

This complaint melted into their shared breathing, so blurred it was almost inaudible.

The starlight outside the window flickered gently, falling through the open window to softly illuminate the dim room.

Under the night sky, two girls with intertwined long hair embraced tightly, gradually falling into peaceful sleep amidst the gentle, continuous sound of breathing.