Vanitas noticed Kafka's thoughts immediately.
A small, knowing smile curved her lips as she stepped forward, her eyes soft with warmth.
"You don't need to feel guilty about any of it, Kafka." She said gently. "Don't trouble yourself with my pain...I deserved it. Every last punishment, every scar, it was mine to bear."
"If I had never abandoned you in the first place, none of this would have happened. I was the one who threw away my responsibilities, who chose pride over my son. So, it was only natural that I would renew those responsibilities...and watch over you no matter what."
She let out a small, almost playful laugh, her smile growing brighter.
"And, in the end, it actually worked out for me."
Kafka blinked, startled. "Worked out...for you?"
"Yes." Her gaze softened, shimmering with something like secret joy. "Because all those excuses about protecting you, making sure you were safe, gave me something I came to love more than anything else in my life."
