A bit confused, Shin let out a small breath and stepped closer. Instead of overthinking it, he gently reached out and patted her head.
The moment his hand touched her… The mark on her right hand began to glow faintly, pulsing with a gentle warmth.
Then, the gentle warmth of the boy's touch spread through Lara, surprising her. She didn't feel even the slightest trace of fear. Actually, it was almost as though all her fears had vanished as she gazed into his handsome eyes.
Lara's eyes widened, then softened into a quiet smile.
"I knew it," she whispered. She looked at him again, this time with calm certainty. "Normally… I would feel uncomfortable with any man touching me," she admitted softly. "But with you… it's different."
Her fingers curled slightly, as if trying to hold onto that warmth.
"You're not like them," she continued. "You're… something else." Her smile deepened, filled with trust. "You must be an emissary of good."
