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Despite the darkness that had engulfed his heart for over a decade, Shade never expected that those people who stayed by his side would change his life forever.
Those he thought to kill for being annoying, whom he kept alive only because they were valuable to the church, slowly warmed his cold, frozen heart through their stubbornness and recklessness.
And especially her, Nepheline, with her cheerful attitude, her recklessness, her smile, and her righteous mind.
Although those years when he was nothing but a husk of what he is now are long in the past, Shade could not help but recall them from time to time, never leaving his mind for too long.
It was the burden he swore to bear, the pain he forced himself to carry, perhaps to punish himself for all the sins he had committed.
"Are you alright, dear?"
While feeling Nepheline's warm hug, Shade slowly smiled at her.
"I'm fine… Thank you for being here with me, Nepheline."
"Aww, emotional all over again? Heh."
