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Somehow, we were back to the starting point—or almost. Jane was about to rise again, fists clenched, but I stepped in before things could spiral completely out of control.
"Burst, please. Can we try to keep this calm?" My voice came out steadier than I expected, my eyes silently begging him to sit down.
He threw himself back into the chair, arms crossed, scowling. I let out a quiet breath. At least for now, the storm seemed contained.
Jane relaxed too, slipping into a more controlled posture. Her eyes, once burning with anger, turned to me with a colder, more calculating look. The tension had dulled—just enough for me to start asking questions.
"Miss Jane," I began cautiously, choosing my words, "I think I've grasped most of the situation already, so you don't need to tell me more than necessary. But there's still something I don't understand."
"Of course," she replied, her tone still taut but controlled. "I'll answer as best I can… if it helps bring that boy back."
Burst scoffed, looking away, his lips curling in disdain.
"When we found Burst," I continued, "he was in an alley, shivering from the cold. People around him acted… strange. Like he didn't exist, or worse, like he was dangerous. Why was the kingdom's heir being treated like that?"
Jane froze, eyes faltering before she lowered her head. The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating.
"Go on, sister," Burst broke in, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Tell him."
Jane pressed her lips together, hesitant, but eventually yielded.
"…It was an order."
"That's right." Burst's arms tightened across his chest, his gaze filled with bitterness. "Our father ordered me to be abandoned. No shelter, no help—nothing. Just to force me back to the castle. I've been on the streets ever since."
The shock hit me like a blast of icy wind. What?! That's insane!
Jane sighed, guilt flickering in her eyes, though her voice stayed calm.
"…I don't agree with his decision either. But I can't do anything about it. You know our father holds the highest authority in the kingdom."
"You're third in command, Jane!" Burst snapped, eyes blazing with rage. "You could at least try to help me!"
Her brother's words struck her like blades. She clenched her fists tight, meeting his glare with steel in her own eyes. For a brief second, something unspoken flickered between them before she sighed again, this time softer.
"If you'd just return to the castle, all of this would end. Staying stubborn only puts people like Victor at risk. He could be punished for helping you."
My mind screeched to a halt.
"W-wait, I can be punished?" I asked, genuinely shocked.
Jane nodded.
"Yes. Anyone who helps Burst must pay a fine of ten gold coins."
…At least I've got enough saved up, I thought, forcing myself not to flinch. The revelation shifted the air. Strangely, it almost made the situation easier to handle—or maybe it meant Jane would finally drag Burst back by force. She seemed exhausted, worn down from chasing him all this time.
The silence stretched again, heavy with things unsaid. Jane sat stiff, Burst glared at nothing, and I… well, I couldn't escape the fact that I was already involved.
I took a deep breath.
"Listen. Like it or not, Merlin and I are already tangled up in this mess," I said, trying to steady my tone. "If the issue is the fine… I'll pay it. That's not a problem." I looked Jane straight in the eyes.
Burst whipped his head toward me, wide-eyed. He clearly hadn't expected me to take his side. Jane, on the other hand, frowned, weighing my words.
"You… will pay?" Burst asked, suspicious, as if waiting for me to laugh.
"Yes," I confirmed. "But I want to talk with Burst first. I think there's still a chance to resolve this without dragging him back by force. Just give me the chance to try. In the meantime, he can stay here—with me."
Burst stared at me, stunned. The idea that someone genuinely wanted to help him seemed almost alien.
Jane narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms, visibly hesitant.
"You want to talk with him… to convince him to return?" she asked, cautious.
"Not exactly," I replied. "I want to understand what made him resist so hard. I think he needs time to process this. All I'm asking for is the chance to help him, before any final decision is made. And I promise—I'll keep it under control."
Jane exhaled slowly, her shoulders easing just a fraction.
"Victor…" she said at last, her tone softer, but still edged with doubt. "Are you sure you can handle him? If Burst refuses, things could end worse for you."
"I'm sure," I said firmly. "I just need some time. I'm not planning to drag this out forever—but maybe I can help him find his own way. And maybe, eventually, he'll see that going back to the castle is the right choice."
She studied me in silence for a long moment, her conflict clear. Then, at last, she gave a small, reluctant nod.
"Very well. I'll give you that chance, Victor. But only for a month. If there's no progress by then… I'll take him back, no matter what Burst wants."
Relief washed over me. I nodded quickly, clinging to the comfort of her reluctant acceptance.
"One month," I repeated under my breath. "That's more than enough."
Burst looked between us, something shifting in his expression—lighter, though not gone.
"You… you'd really do that?" His voice wavered, laced with surprise, maybe even hope.
I smiled, hoping to pass on the confidence I was trying to hold onto myself.
"I would. And I'll do my best."
Jane's sigh was softer this time, almost resigned.
"All right, Burst. You have one month. Don't waste it."
The silence that followed was different—less hostile, almost… possible.
Jane rose with graceful precision, straightening her posture.
"I'll check on your progress. When time is up, I'll come for him. Until then, he's your responsibility, Victor. If anything gets out of hand, call me immediately."
I nodded. She cast one last look at Burst before leaving.
Once she was gone, Merlin floated to Burst's side, her usual glowing bubble appearing.
"[I'm happy for you, Burst. This is an important step.]"
Burst blinked, caught off guard by her kindness. He scratched the back of his neck, awkwardly trying to smile.
"I… uh… thanks, I guess."
Merlin drifted closer, her glow comforting.
"[But you know you still need to find a real solution, right?]"
His expression tightened. He turned away, her words hitting a sore spot. Shoulders slumped, he let out a weary sigh.
"…I know," he muttered, barely audible. "But it's not that simple."
Merlin lingered patiently, no pressure in her presence—just quiet understanding.
"[I trust you, Burst. So please… do your best.]"
Silence stretched again, gentler this time. Burst looked at her, absorbing the warmth of her trust. When he finally nodded, it was small but genuine.
"…I'll try."
As Merlin stayed with him, I followed Jane to the door. At the threshold, she paused and turned, her gaze fixed on me.
"Thank you for accompanying me this far, Victor," she said politely. "Before I go… may I ask you something?"
"Of course," I answered.
She studied me quietly, though I could tell she wasn't using her analysis skill.
"Why do you want to help Burst?" she finally asked, her curiosity edged with something sharper. "You didn't have to. Most in your position would have just… stepped away."
I crossed my arms, thoughtful. Her authority was leagues above mine, and this was her brother. A wrong word could sound foolish or arrogant.
"I think Burst is a good kid," I said at last, keeping my tone steady. "He's got his problems, sure. But you can see he's carrying something heavy. And sometimes…" I hesitated. "…sometimes people just need someone to believe in them. Even when they can't believe in themselves."
Jane went quiet. Her expression hardened, but her eyes wavered—shimmering with something unnamed. Pain? Envy? Loneliness? I couldn't tell.
She looked away, staring at the ground as if steadying herself.
…Did I say something wrong?
When she raised her face again, her mask was back—posture perfect, eyes firm.
"I see." Her voice was cold again, distant, as if speaking from behind a wall. "I suppose that makes sense… for you." A pause, then a smile—forced, one that never reached her eyes. "I just hope your trust isn't misplaced."
With that, she turned and left, the rain still falling outside—but not a single drop touched her, as if even the storm knew to stay away.
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Jane walked in silence through the drenched streets, the rain bending away from her like it knew it wasn't welcome. Her reflection rippled in the puddles, twisted by water, dim streetlamps, and restless thoughts.
Victor's face lingered in her mind. Not the face itself, but the way he stood—steady, unyielding. Not insolence. Conviction. He believed every word.
She closed her eyes briefly, the sound of rain smothering all she didn't want to hear.
He said Burst was a good kid.
"Sometimes people just need someone to believe in them."
The words weighed heavier than they should. Not because they were wrong. But because they might have been too true.
Her lips pressed thin, her pace quickening, as if she could leave those words behind.
It wasn't anger. Not exactly. Not sadness either, nor pure envy. It was something deeper—something she refused to name.
Victor was a stranger. A newborn monster—she could tell with her analysis. Yet in mere minutes, he'd spoken things no one else ever dared—or cared—to say.
And somehow… she couldn't bring herself to hate him for it.
Her eyes lifted to the dark sky, to the city beyond, blurred by mist and rain.
And Burst…
Jane drew a deep breath. She didn't know if it was hope. She didn't know what she wanted it to be.
She only knew she was tired. But she would never admit that—
not out loud.
Not even to herself.
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