Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate!
Chapter 214: In This Life, I Choose You

Chapter 214: In This Life, I Choose You

After hearing Serena’s story, I finally understood why she fell in love with me.

Or more accurately, why she fell in love with Naoki—before I reincarnated into his body.

Her words made me fall into a thoughtful silence, questioning myself.

What if Serena’s love was meant for Naoki, not for me—Takahiro Nao?What should I do then? Should I keep pretending to be Naoki von Blackmore and inherit everything he once had?

I truly didn’t know the answer. But there was one thing I was absolutely certain of: I had fallen deeply in love with Serena.

Without thinking, I asked her, “Serena… I’ve lost my memories. I’m no longer the Naoki you once knew. This is who I am now—the Naoki von Blackmore who stands beside you. Do you… still love me?”

My voice trembled. I was afraid—terrified—that she might change her mind.

“Pftt, what kind of question is that?” she giggled, her cheeks glowing pink. “Do I really have to say it again?”

Then she looked at me with a smile that melted my fear.

“Listen, Naoki. Even if you lose your memories again, even if you change into someone else, I will still love you. When we met again, yes—you were different. But one thing hasn’t changed.”

“You still have a kind heart… and that’s what I fell in love with. I fell in love with you all over again.”

Her voice was calm but sincere—filled with unwavering affection.

My doubts faded away, and my heart, which had been lost in uncertainty, suddenly felt light. Everything became clear. I smiled at her, truly and completely.

“Thank you, Serena…”

Then, she looked at me with narrowed eyes and asked teasingly, “Now it’s my turn. Why do you love me? Back at the induction ceremony, you didn’t even remember who I was!”

She puffed her cheeks adorably, clearly pouting.

I gently cupped her cheek and tugged it playfully.”Pouting only makes you look cuter,” I said with a grin.

Flustered, she looked away shyly.And that’s when I began to tell her the truth:

“You know… when I first woke up in this world, with no memories, no clue about anything, it terrified me. I felt like I was standing alone in a dark, unfamiliar place… with no light to guide me.”

“But then, I saw you. And in that moment, I was captivated. I guess you could call it love at first sight. But… it felt like more than that. When I looked at you, my heart stirred—like you were the missing piece I had been searching for all along.”

Her eyes glistened as she listened, her face soft with emotion.

“When I’m with you, the darkness of this world fades. A light begins to shine… not just around me, but inside of me. Not just my body, but my soul feels at peace when I’m by your side. I love you, Serena. I truly do.”

Yes… I am Naoki von Blackmore now, and I am also Takahiro Nao.

I live in Aetheria, not Earth anymore.

Briefly, I remembered Fujimaki Arisa—the girl I loved on Earth.

I never had the chance to tell her how I felt… and I died before I could.

But I’ve let her go now.

I’ve made peace with those feelings.

Thank you, Fujimaki Arisa.

Wherever you are, I hope you’re happy… with someone who truly loves you.

I wish you nothing but the best.

Now, I walk a new path.

With a new heart.

And a new love.

I’ve accepted this life completely.

And now… I love only Serena von Winterfell.

I turned to her with certainty and said, “I will protect you, Serena. Always. No matter what happens from now on, we’ll face it together.”

She smiled with a glowing heart and whispered,”Then… please take care of me, Naoki. Because I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life.”

“I will,” I promised. “We’ll protect each other—always.”

And with that…She kissed me—softly, lovingly.

And I kissed her back—full of warmth, full of devotion.

….

It was already 8 PM.

Serena glanced at the time and told me softly that she had to return to the Winterfell family mansion.

I didn’t want the night to end just yet, so I offered, “Would you like to have dinner with me first?”

She paused to think, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. “Hmm… my family’s probably already eaten without me anyway,” she said with a slight shrug, then smiled. “Alright. Let’s eat together.”

And just like that, we walked side by side to a restaurant in the heart of Braveheart City.It was a quiet, charming place lit with warm lanterns and the soft glow of magical crystals. For some reason, even the air felt gentler that night.

It was our first dinner together—a small but meaningful milestone.

Serena looked genuinely happy, her eyes gleaming like starlight, her laughter ringing like chimes in the wind.

She burst out laughing when she saw me sipping on fruit juice.

“Seriously, juice? You’re really not used to drinking alcohol, huh?”

I scratched the back of my neck, a bit embarrassed. “I can drink… I just get drunk easily. I’m afraid I might do something… I can’t control.”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Oh? Then maybe I should drink with you one day—just to see what kind of chaos you’d unleash.”

That teasing grin of hers… it could melt icebergs.

I narrowed my eyes, pretending to be serious. “Careful. I might end up attacking you.”

She leaned slightly forward, resting her chin on her hand, and whispered with a playful smile,”Then I’ll just surrender to you…”

I choked on my drink, my face heating up instantly.

Was that a green light?! Did she just—?!

Before I could gather my wits, she laughed and added, “Surrender… to knock you out and freeze you if you get out of hand! Pfftt—Naoki, why is your face so red? You weren’t thinking something naughty, were you?”

I had totally walked into that one.

She got me. This girl was dangerous.

“Ack—I wasn’t thinking anything weird! I’m the kind of man who protects his girl’s honor… until the time is right.”

She blinked, surprised, then giggled again.

“Hehe… I like that about you. That’s a relief to hear.”

Her smile was so pure, so genuine.

That whole night… she radiated joy, and so did I.

After dinner, Serena mentioned again that she needed to return.

Her family’s carriage had apparently been waiting for some time.

“I’ll walk you there,” I said without hesitation.

We strolled together under the night sky, the city lights shimmering like stars fallen to earth. When we arrived at the waiting carriage, Serena turned to me with a faint, wistful look in her eyes.

“This night… it’s been perfect,” she whispered. “The best night of my life, really. But I guess it has to end.”

There was a tinge of sadness in her voice, and it tugged at my heart.

Without thinking, I blurted out, “Then… what if I go with you? To your mansion? To meet your family?”

Serena froze. Her eyes widened. I froze too.What the hell did I just say?

Her face turned red… and slowly, she nodded.”If that’s what you want… I don’t mind. You can come with me, Naoki.”

Inside, I screamed,

What am I doing?!

We just barely started dating and now I’m going to meet her parents?! Am I bold, stupid, or just insanely naïve?

I imagined my system, Envi, waking up just to mock me. This is totally something he’d laugh at.

But it was too late to back out.

I climbed into the carriage beside Serena, my heart racing wildly.

The journey took about thirty minutes.

The Winterfell mansion was northeast of Braveheart City—not as distant as the Blackmore estate, but still a prestigious location.

During the ride, Serena leaned gently against me.

Her warmth, her calm breathing, her presence—it all felt so peaceful.

She even fell asleep for a few minutes, her head resting on my shoulder.

Moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating her face like a dream.

She looked… angelic. Like the very spirit of winter in human form.

I almost dozed off too, but then I remembered—I was about to meet her parents.

Technically, this was my first-ever meeting with my girlfriend’s family in both this world and my past life.

Still, I tried to steady myself.

Sooner or later, I would have to build a relationship with the Winterfells. After all… Serena was now my partner. My love.

We arrived.

The carriage stopped at the grand entrance of the Winterfell estate.

The mansion was breathtaking—its architecture a symphony of icy whites and cool blues, like a palace carved from frost and moonlight. Elegant, regal, and utterly enchanting.

Servants had gathered at the doorway. Serena greeted them warmly, but they all paused in surprise when they saw me step out beside her.

I could only smile awkwardly, trying my best not to look like I was about to pass out.

The doors opened… and then—a figure appeared.

An older man, in his fifties perhaps, with short white hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore simple night robes, but in one hand was a sword.

More than that—he radiated immense magical pressure, cold and bone-piercing, like standing in the eye of a blizzard.

I couldn’t move. My muscles tensed. My breath caught in my throat.

His gaze met mine—and in that moment, I truly thought he was about to cut me in half.

But then, Serena stepped forward without a hint of fear and said softly,

“Father… I’m home.”

Of course.

He was Serena’s father.

And judging by his aura, strength, and presence… he was no ordinary man.He reminded me of King Aslan, or even my own father—Patriarch of the Blackmore family.

This was going to be a problem.

I had a very bad feeling about this.

…

..

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