Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 231: Alice Evergreen [2]

Isabella placed a comforting hand on her father's arm. "We're doing everything we can, Dad. Let's stay hopeful."

Dereck managed a small smile, appreciating his daughter's support. "You've grown into a strong and wise woman, Isabella. Your faith gives me strength."

There was a short silence as both father and daughter stared at Alice inside of capsule.

"Here, Father take this, It's the Healberry fruit that Lucas was talking about earlier." After a moment of silence, Isabella took out the Healberry fruit that Lucas had given her earlier.

Dereck's eyes widened as he looked at the Healberry in Isabella's hand. The significance of the moment struck him, and he gently took the precious fruit from his daughter.

"So this is the Healberry?" he asked, a mix of hope and hesitation in his voice.

Isabella nodded determination in her eyes. "Yes, Father this is the Healberry fruit."

"Did he tell you what sort of preparations are needed for the fruit?" The Dereck asked Isabella, who nodded her head in response.

"Yes, he said that squeezing the fruit and extracting the juice will be enough."

"Okay."

Casually tossing the fruit in the air, the fruit halted mid-hair. A white glow slowly enveloped Dereck's hand as he twisted his fingers slightly, crushing the fruit completely.

Viscous golden liquid immediately dropped down from the fruit as Dereck completely crushed it with his hands.

As the liquid dropped toward the ground, right when it was about to touch the ground, twisting his fingers in a circular motion the juices came to a stop. Then, bending his fingers in his direction, the liquid moved in his direction, slowly accumulating together and forming a small golden ball.

Slowly, a golden line formed in the air as Dereck controlled the juices with his extreme control over mana Pointing towards Alice who was lying down on the capsule, the liquid seeped through the small hole at the top of the capsule before making its way towards Alice's mouth.

Once the liquid stopped before her, Dereck turned to look at Isabella and nudged her head.

"Open her mouth please."

"Okay."

Isabella leaned over, gently opening Alice's mouth as Dereck maintained his focus on manipulating the golden liquid. The room seemed to hold its breath, the only sound being the soft hum of magical energy at work.

It took about three seconds for all the liquid to completely enter Alice's body, and once it did, Isabella finally let go of her chin and looked at her with eyes filled with anticipation.

Once all liquid entered Alice's mouth, a faint glow surrounded her, creating a mesmerizing display of golden light. Dereck's eyes were fixed on his daughter, a mixture of hope and worry etched on his face.

Slowly time started to tick away, and it wasn't before long that a couple of minutes had passed.

"Did it not work?"

Disappointment flashed across the faces of both Isabella and Dereck as the two of them had a hard time hiding their disappointment.

Although only a couple of minutes had passed, Lucas had previously mentioned that the curse would break as soon as the liquid was ingested, and ever since giving her sister the fruit, she had not once shown signs of improvement, indicating to them that something had gone wrong.

Twitch.

However, just when they thought that all hope was lost, Alice's eyes twitched.

"!"

The golden liquid from the Healberry began its work, coursing through Alice's body. Isabella watched intently, her heart pounding with anticipation.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Alice's body stirred. A subtle movement, but it was enough to break the heavy silence in the room. Dereck's eyes widened, and Isabella's heart skipped a beat.

"Father, look!" Isabella exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

Alice's eyelids fluttered, and her hand moved slightly. Dereck's expression shifted from cautious hope to an overwhelming surge of emotion.

"It's working," he whispered, awe in his voice.

Twitch. Twitch.

With another twitch, Alice's eye once again twitched and her pale complexion slowly turned rosier. It wasn't before long that warmth spread across her body, and a gentle colour returned to her cheeks. The golden glow persisted, illuminating the room with a miraculous radiance.

Isabella couldn't contain her joy, and tears of relief welled up in her eyes. Dereck, overwhelmed with emotion, knelt beside Alice's capsule, witnessing the transformation unfold before him.

"Isabella," Dereck's voice trembled with a mixture of gratitude and joy. "We owe this miracle to Lucas and the Healberry. It's like a dream come true."

Isabella nodded, her voice choked with emotions. "I-I can't...A-After this long...Sh-She f-finally waking up..."

As they marvelled at the scene, Alice's eyes slowly opened. The once vacant gaze now held a glimmer of awareness.

The moment Alice opened her eyes, she had to squeeze her eyes multiple times to get adjusted to the bright lights coming from above. Then looking around the room, she opened her mouth and asked in a croaky, borderline hoarse voice.

"...Where am I?"

A croaky and weak voice resounded across the small room as both Isabella and Dereck froze on the spot where they were standing.

Blinking her eyes a couple of times, Alice's eyes slowly adjusted to the light, and when she did, a familiar figure appeared in her vision.

"...F-Father?

Extending her hand out the narrow gap of the capsule, Alice asked.

"Father, is that you?"

Dereck's eyes glistened with tears as he gently reached out and held Alice's outstretched hand. "Yes, Alice, it's me. Your Father. You're here in the Evergreen Clan's private chamber. You've been through a lot, but you're safe now."

A mixture of confusion and relief flickered in Alice's eyes. "What happened? Why am I in this... capsule?"

Isabella, unable to contain her emotions, spoke with a quivering voice, "You were under a curse, Sister. But it's fine now. You're waking up after a long time."

Alice's gaze shifted from her father to Isabella, and a faint smile graced her lips. "Isabella... Is that you?... You have grown a beautiful woman."

Isabella just smiled at her sister, this was her first time smiling from the bottom of her heart, and it was all thanks to Lucas.

'Ah...Lucas.' Isabella's heart skipped a beat, she didn't know why but her face started to grow hot thinking of him.

Dereck however didn't notice this suitable change in his younger daughter as his all attainion was on Alice.

"Your finally awake my daughter." Dereck said, his was horse as he trying to hold back the tears from coming.

Alice nodded weakly, her eyes scanning the room. "I can't believe I'm really awake. Everything feels so surreal."

Dereck reassured her, "It's real, Alice. Everything is real, this no to a dream. We were worried for so long."

Alice's gaze turned introspective. "I can feel a change in me. It's like a heaviness has lifted."

With a newfound strength, Alice attempted to sit up, and Dereck supported her. "Thank you, Father. Isabella."

As Alice took in the surroundings, she noticed the remnants of the golden glow that had enveloped her. "The light... it was beautiful."

Alice touched her face, feeling the warmth and vitality that had returned. "I feel different, like I've been given a second chance."

Isabella hugged her sister gently, tears of joy streaming down her face. "You have, Alice. We thought we had lost you, but now you're here with us."