Melissa walked beside Kyle, still catching her breath from the trial. The chains might have been an illusion, but their weight lingered in her bones.
Kyle glanced at her once, his eyes calm, almost unreadable, before he spoke.
"You'll be fine now."
He said, his voice quiet, as though that settled everything.
Melissa couldn't help it—she laughed, the sound both weary and sharp.
"Young master, you're terrible at making people feel better. Do you know that? You sound more like you're making a declaration than comforting someone."
Kyle raised a brow at her words, his expression as impassive as ever.
"And yet, you're still walking."
"Because you came after me. That means more than your words. It shows you care enough not to leave me behind, and that's… that's a big deal for me."
Melissa replied, her tone softer this time.
She looked down at her hands, recalling the echo of chains.
"I was starting to think I'd always be alone."
