Chapter 245 245: Seeking Warmth!
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My mind was abruptly filled with vivid scenes from our childhood—the countless nights she would climb into my bed after a nightmare, the afternoons spent building forts out of cushions, and the whispered secrets shared in the dead of night. Each memory acted like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, snapping into place to complete a picture of sibling intimacy and trust.
As the weight of her unspoken need settled within me, a mischievous impulse flickered across my consciousness. A sly smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, barely visible yet potent in its intent.
This playful facade was a familiar game between us, a way to tease out the gravity of her feelings. With a strategic shift in my gaze, I looked at her coolly, my eyes deliberately devoid of the understanding and warmth I actually felt.
"Hasn\'t Ellie grown up to be quite the lady?" I posed the question, lacing my tone with a subtle edge calculated to elicit a response. Ellie was always finely attuned to my shifts in mood, a sensitivity honed through years of close companionship. As expected, her head lowered almost instantly, retreating behind a shield of timidity that had been her default response in our youthful interactions.
"Yes, brother. You\'re right. Ellie is a lady now," she answered, her voice subdued, as if affirming a fact I had long suspected but never spoken aloud. The notion of a 18-year-old girl seeking the comfort of her 22-year-old brother\'s bed did strike me as unconventional in the eyes of the world, even though the purity of her intent was beyond question to me.
Seemingly discouraged by my feigned indifference, Ellie stumbled over her next words, her voice tinged with resignation. "Brother, it\'s nothing important... Ah, good night then," she muttered, her fingers reaching out to touch the doorknob.
A torrent of conflicting emotions surged within me, each one vying for dominance. There was a pang of regret for indulging in playful mischief at a time when Ellie sought comfort. The urge to reach out, to bridge the sudden chasm I had inadvertently created, became overwhelmingly strong. Resolute, I acted quickly, determined not to let her retreat into isolation.
"Ellie," I began, my tone gentle, laden with a sincerity that was unmistakable. I aimed to convey a depth of understanding that transcended words, to let her know that her fragility, her yearning for solace, was neither dismissed nor trivialized in my eyes.
As she hesitated at the threshold, contemplating her next move, I softened my gaze and flashed a warm, inviting smile. Slowly pulling back the blanket, I made room for her, both on the bed and in my heart. "Will you join me?" I inquired tenderly.
She paused, her face an interplay of emotions, then replied with a blend of warmth and playful mock frustration, "Brother, you always have a knack for toying with my feelings, don\'t you?"
With a gentle persistence, I pressed, "So, are you not joining me?"
She playfully rolled her eyes, feigning exasperation before admitting with a cheeky grin, "No! I\'m just going to sleep right here with Ellie."
Then, with a joyous abandon that reminded me of the carefree days of our childhood, Ellie cozied up beside me, nestling in like a cherished pup seeking warmth and affection. The room, once tense with unsaid words and misunderstood intentions, now
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As we adjusted ourselves on the bed, getting comfortable under the soft fabric of the blanket, I took the opportunity to make an affectionate observation.
"Ellie, for all your talk about being a grown-up, you\'re still very much a child at heart," I mused, pulling the blanket up to make sure it covered her snugly as she shifted closer to my side.
Ellie, in a ritual as old as our bond, turned her back to me and settled into a fetal position. "Well, maybe I\'m just a perpetual child then," she retorted, her tone tinged with a touch of mock indignance and a subtle note of vulnerability.
Although her words bore the hallmark of youthful frustration, an emotion as familiar to me as the contours of her face, a swell of happiness surged within me. It was a happiness rooted in the simple, yet profound joy of being in the presence of someone who could effortlessly weave her way through the labyrinth of my emotions, who understood me as thoroughly as I understood her.
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"As much as you want to be a grown-up, there\'s nothing wrong with remaining a child at heart," I reassured her softly.
"Of course it\'s fine! It means I get to sleep beside my favorite person in the world—my brother," she replied, her words dripping with genuine affection.
Memories washed over me, nostalgic echoes of times past when a much younger Ellie would tiptoe into my room and curl up beside me, seeking the kind of comfort and security only an older sibling could provide. I had always cherished those moments, just as I did now.
After reaching for the light switch and plunging the room into serene darkness, an air of tranquility enveloped us. The subtle night sounds and soft, rhythmic breathing formed a soothing backdrop.
As the temperature seemed to dip slightly, I leaned toward Ellie, my voice tinged with concern, "It\'s a bit chilly, isn\'t it? Are you sure you\'ll be warm enough without pants?"
Suddenly, I touched her thigh gently, purely as a protective gesture, but it caught her off guard. She gasped, her thoughts swirling, unable to immediately decipher my intentions. "Brother? What are you doing? Is this some kind of prank? Are you actually concerned about me?" she asked, her voice a cocktail of surprise and momentary apprehension.
"Ellie, relax," I hurriedly reassured her, sensing her momentary discomfort. "I was only concerned about you being cold, nothing more. I\'d never engage in anything inappropriate. I apologize if my actions gave you the wrong impression."
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(A/N: Hello guys done reading. If yes, send a power stone, 1 power stone is also enough we just have to increase fan value, so 1 power stone is enough, but if you like the novel I won\'t mind if you send more stones, and plz don\'t forget the gifts.)
Thank you very much for all your support.
I will upload 5 extra chapters for every 1 magic castle . If someone is interested and want extra chapters. You know what to do.