Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse-Chapter 446: • Her Confession

His eyes widened for a moment, caught off guard by the seriousness in her tone. "Oh, okay. Go on, I’m listening."

Her gaze drifted to the side, landing on Mar’Garet, who stood nearby with her arms crossed. "Alone."

Mar’Garet narrowed her eyes. "What, don’t tell me you want to—"

"That’s enough, Mar’Garet," Alister said, his voice calm. "Give us some space. Return to the Dragon City."

Mar’Garet paused, then let out a heavy sigh. "Fine," she muttered, turning around as a golden portal shimmered and opened behind her.

She looked back over her shoulder with a sly smile. "When we meet again, darling, I expect you to have picked out a name."

Alister glanced at her, offering a faint smirk. "Of course."

She winked. "Love you. Later then." And with that, she stepped through the golden portal, vanishing as it closed behind her, leaving only silence on the rooftop.

Alister stood still as Lila slowly stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly at her sides.

"We’re all alone now," he said softly, watching her carefully. "What is it you want to talk about?"

Lila sighed, her eyes darting left and right, then settling on the rooftop floor as she gathered her courage. Slowly, hesitantly, she stepped closer to him.

"Alister," she began, her voice low, almost a whisper. "You’re... you’re an amazing guy. The day I first met you, during that dungeon raid... that place where we almost lost everything—" Her voice caught for a moment as the memory flickered in her mind. "I couldn’t help but admire how you just stood up and took control."

She stopped directly in front of him, lifting her eyes toward his but faltering just before they met, her cheeks flushing pink.

"You saved me that day," she continued. "And... I know it wasn’t just me. I know it’s because you’re special, and maybe I can’t compare to the people who always seem to surround you, but still... I felt inspired. Motivated. I wanted to push my limits, to become better, to give everything I had."

She finally looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with vulnerability. "Because of that... you started becoming all I thought about. When I trained. When I went to sleep. Even when I woke up. I wanted to be by your side—where that strength was... that confidence. That will of yours that felt like it could trample the entire world."

Her hand gently clenched at her chest as she whispered, "I wanted to be near it. To see it. Admire it. Touch it..."

She inhaled deeply, her lips trembling as she looked him fully in the eyes. "And before I knew it... I fell in love with you, Alister."

The confession lingered in the air, heavy and raw. She looked away again, a deep blush burning across her cheeks.

"I know I’m not as beautiful as Cinder... or as bold as Mar’Garet... or anyone else who might chase after a place in your heart," she said quietly. "But I just wanted to ask... please... make some room in it for me."

Her voice broke slightly at the end, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I don’t mind if I’m second. Or third. Or fourth. I just want you to... love me. Please."

Alister stood there, silent.

The wind brushed gently across the rooftop, lifting the edge of Lila’s guild uniform as she stood before him, flushed and vulnerable.

Her confession hung in the air like a fragile, trembling chord waiting to snap.

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, his expression unreadable.

Lila looked down, her fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeves. "I’m sorry if this was selfish... I just couldn’t hold it in anymore. I know you probably have more important things to focus on. You always do. You always seem to carry so much."

Alister finally stepped forward, gently lifting her chin with his fingers, guiding her eyes back to his.

"You really mean all that?" he asked softly.

Lila nodded, barely able to keep her eyes on his. "Every word."

Alister exhaled slowly. "You’re wrong about one thing, though," he said.

Lila flinched slightly, her heart twisting.

"You said you couldn’t compare to others," he continued, his thumb brushing her cheek, "but the truth is... you’ve always stood out."

Her eyes widened, caught off guard by the words.

"I remember that dungeon," Alister said. "I remember the way you kept healing the others, even when you were on the verge of collapse. You didn’t hesitate. You didn’t run, despite being a healer. You stayed."

Lila’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

"I noticed you then. And I’ve been watching ever since. Remember, you were the first to tell me to cut my hair. And during all those exhausting days training with the guild master, you were always there... bringing me food, checking on me."

She blinked rapidly, overwhelmed.

"I don’t know what the future holds, Lila," he said, voice low. "But I won’t lie—I’ve always admired your resolve. If you want to be by my side... then prove you can keep up."

A faint smirk appeared on his lips, but his eyes were warm now.

"I can’t promise a peaceful life. I’m a dragon, after all. I can’t promise you’ll be my number one. But I can promise that if you walk this path with me... I’ll protect you. I’ll be your new family. And maybe—just maybe—I’ll come to love you the way you want me to."

Lila stared at him, stunned, before tears welled up in her eyes. She threw her arms around him, pressing her face to his chest.

"Then I’ll never stop proving it," she whispered. "Not until you do." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Their embrace lingered for a long, quiet moment, neither of them saying a word as the wind whispered softly around them.

Then, slowly, Lila loosened her hold. She pulled back just slightly—just enough to look up at him again. Her eyes shimmered with tears, but there was something else now... something lighter.

Hope.