The Last Step

Celia's Perspective:

This memory is a few days before Kaiser was taken by the grotesques... The times when him and I were just living with Levi and Emma.

And the day... where I truly understood how I felt for him.

I continue wrapping the bandage around Kaiser's wrist, my fingers carefully pressing the cloth against his skin. The wound had reopened again. Of course, it had. He always pushed himself too hard, never listening, never resting.

"Celia, you know I can do it myself," Kaiser says, his voice carrying that familiar mix of amusement and stubbornness.

I don't reply. Instead, I focus on securing the bandage, tightening it slightly—not too much, just enough to make him stop arguing. His injuries were still fresh, and even though he was awake, he wasn't fully healed yet. I had to take care of him. That was final.

A light touch grazes my hand. His fingers, warm despite his exhaustion, rest over mine.

I flinch. Not because I don't like it, but because I wasn't expecting it. My eyes dart to him. He's sitting up on the bed, his expression softer than usual, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Celia, c'mon," he says. "I can handle a simple bandage. You should rest up instead."

"No, Kaiser. I'm fine," I reply quickly, shifting my gaze back to my work. "Just worry about recovering, okay?"

The window is open, letting in a cool night breeze that ruffles the curtains. The sky stretches endlessly beyond it, speckled with stars. Peaceful. It's one of those rare moments where everything feels still. No fighting, no running, just… this.

"You know, Celia," Kaiser says, his voice lower this time. "You worry too much."

I scoff. "Well, I'm not the one covered in wounds!"

He chuckles. "Maybe Emma and Levi were right."

I pause, narrowing my eyes. "Right about what?"

He gives me a side glance—playful, teasing. "That you act like my caring girlfriend."

My breath catches. My body tenses. Heat instantly rushes to my cheeks.

Before I can stop myself, I tug the bandage tighter around his wrist.

"Ow—hey!" Kaiser winces, hissing at the pressure. "Easy, Celia!"

I glare at him, lips pursed. "That's what you get for saying weird things."

"Weird?" His grin widens, despite the fact that I just inflicted unnecessary pain on him. "I mean, it's kind of true, don't you think?"

"No," I say immediately. "Not at all."

"Mmm," he hums, unconvinced. His eyes are locked onto mine now, holding something unreadable in them. "You're always looking out for me. You nag when I get hurt. You even feed me sometimes. If that's not girlfriend behavior, then what is?"

"I do that because I care about you!" I argue.

He tilts his head. "Exactly."

I stop. My heart skips a beat.

…Wait.

I meant that in a normal way. A completely normal, non-weird, definitely-not-romantic way. But the way he said it, the way he's looking at me—it's making my stomach do strange flips.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus. I'm still holding his wrist, but suddenly, I'm hyper-aware of how close we are.

Kaiser notices. Of course, he does. He always notices everything. His smirk softens, and for a moment, he just watches me. His expression is unreadable, but there's warmth there—something that makes my chest tighten.

"You're blushing, Celia."

"No, I'm not," I lie, turning my face slightly to the side.

"You totally are."

"I—I'm not!"

"You're still holding my hand."

I instantly let go, as if his skin burned me.

Kaiser laughs. A real, genuine laugh. It's not fair. He always knows how to make me flustered, and he enjoys it too much. I glare at him, but it doesn't have any real weight.

He leans back slightly, resting his arm on his knee, still smirking. "So, what now? Are you gonna keep taking care of me forever?"

My heart stutters at the thought.

I don't answer. Instead, I quickly stand up, trying to regain some sense of control over myself. "I—I'll go ask Emma if dinner's ready. I'll call you when it is."

Kaiser raises a brow, looking way too entertained. "Running away, huh?"

I turn my back to him, taking a deep breath. "Shut up."

He chuckles. "Alright, alright. Tell Emma to make something good."

I nod and step out of the room, closing the door behind me.

The second I'm alone in the hallway, I exhale sharply. My hands touch my burning cheeks. My heart is still racing.

…This is bad.

I think—no, I know—I just felt butterflies.

I press a hand against my chest, right over my heart, feeling its unsteady rhythm beneath my fingertips.

…This isn't love. It can't be.

I've only known him for a little over a week—just a short, fleeting amount of time. Love isn't supposed to happen this fast, right? It's supposed to be slow, deep, built over years of knowing someone. That's what people say. That's what I should believe.

But then… what is this?

Why does my chest tighten whenever he looks at me like that? Why does my skin burn at the slightest touch of his hand? Why do I feel this unbearable pull toward him, like if I step too far away, I'll be leaving behind something I can't bear to lose?

I close my eyes, exhaling softly. Maybe it's just admiration. He's strong, after all. Confident. He makes me feel safe. That's normal, isn't it?

But admiration shouldn't make my stomach twist like this. It shouldn't make me want to stay by his side, not because I have to—but because I want to.

I press my hand a little tighter against my chest, as if I can quiet the restless beat beneath it.

This feeling… whatever it is… it's dangerous.

Because if it's not love—

Then why does it feel like it could become something even more terrifying?

I shake my head, trying to snap myself back to reality. No, no, no. I can't fall for him. Like, actually—I can't.

…Right?

I don't even know anything about him. Not really. Not in the way people should when they start… feeling things.

Maybe—maybe it's just attraction. Yeah. That makes sense. I mean, he's him. He's strong, he's kind, he's… infuriatingly charming. It's normal to feel this way, right? It's not like it's love or anything.

…Right?

I sigh, rubbing my temples before forcing myself to focus. This is ridiculous. I have better things to do than overthink feelings that shouldn't even exist.

I step down the stairs, feeling the warm coziness of Levi's home settle around me. It's nice here. Comfortable.

To be honest… I've been enjoying my life with them.

It's strange, really. I never thought I'd have a place like this—a place where I felt wanted. Even if it's temporary, even if I know it won't last forever… I like it here.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I glance toward the dining area, about to head in, when something catches my eye.

Through the nearby window, I see it.

Rain.

Falling steadily, tapping against the glass like soft whispers of the past trying to remind me of things I don't want to remember.

I pause.

…Rain has never been my favorite.

If anything, I hate it.

It brings back too much—too many things I want to forget. The coldness, the loneliness, the feeling of being drenched in something that isn't just water. It reminds me of nights I spent with nothing but my own shivering body for warmth.

I look away, pushing those thoughts aside. Not now.

That's when I hear voices.

Levi and Emma.

I don't mean to hide. I don't have to hide. But something in my gut tells me to stay quiet—to listen.

So I do.

Levi's voice is the first to break through. Confident. Casual. Self-satisfied.

"Oi, Emma, is dinner ready?"

Emma's reply is instant, laced with sarcasm. "Do I look like your personal chef?" Then, with a huff, she adds, "And yes, it'll be ready soon."

I hear Levi scoff, and even without seeing him, I know he's got that signature cocky smirk on his face.

"Tch. You're lucky I'm granting you the authority to cook for me," he says, his tone dripping with self-glorification. "I mean, I could cook, obviously. I'm a man of many talents. But I'll be generous today and let you handle it."

Emma snorts. Loudly.

"Pfft—oh please. You can't even boil water without nearly setting the kitchen on fire. The last time you tried, you made something so bad even the cockroaches wouldn't eat it."

I can't help it—I smile.

Yeah. Levi and Emma.

Kaiser might've been the first person to look at me and not see the Queen of Curses, but they were the next. They never treated me differently, never looked at me like I was something to be afraid of.

It's… nice. Really nice.

And then—

Emma's voice shifts slightly. Still casual, still teasing, but there's something else underneath it now.

"Hey, Levi, can I ask you something?"

Levi hums. "Sure. What's up?"

Emma doesn't answer right away.

And for some reason, that silence makes my heartbeat quicken.

Finally, she speaks.

"It's about Kaiser and Celia."

My stomach tightens.

Levi raises a brow. "What about them?"

I swallow.

My heart beats faster.

What does she want to say about us?

I stay hidden, pressing myself against the wall near the doorway, listening as the conversation continues.

Emma hums, stirring whatever she's cooking. "So, why exactly are you letting them stay here, huh?"

Levi leans back in his chair, his usual overconfident smirk evident even in his voice. "Tch. Ain't it obvious? Me and Kaiser go way back. Years, actually. We were a temporary team back in my adventuring days, back when I was still training to be a Sword Saint."

Emma pauses, her tone shifting slightly. "Wait—what? You and Kaiser? That half-bandaged guy?"

Levi chuckles. "Yeah. Hard to believe, huh?"

Emma tilts her head. "I mean, I figured you knew each other, but you're telling me you guys were actually teammates?"

Levi nods. "Mhm. He's a pretty nice guy, y'know. Doesn't look like it—definitely doesn't act like it half the time—but he understands people well."

Emma raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, sure. The half-bandaged guy totally screams 'understanding' to me."

Levi laughs. "He hides it well, but I've seen it in action. The guy's got layers. You think you know him, but then you realize—hell, even after years, I still know nothing about him. Actually, literally nothing about him."

I bite my lip, my fingers curling slightly.

Emma frowns, stirring the pot again. "Weird. Why's he so secretive? That's kinda sus."

Levi shrugs. "Beats me. He's never told me a damn thing about his past. All I know is his name, his skills, and the version of himself he chooses to show the world."

Emma smirks, twirling a spoon in her hand. "Ooooh, mysterious~ How intriguing. So because you trust this E-ranked guy called Kaiser, you're letting him crash here?"

Levi grins. "Yeah, pretty much." He pauses for a second before turning to her with that signature confident look. "And Emma?"

She looks at him. "Yeah?"

Levi leans forward slightly. "Don't underestimate Kaiser. He might be E-rank, but I know a side of him that'd make even sorcerers feel fear."

Emma raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Pfft—yeah, sure. Totally. I'll definitely believe that."

Levi smirks. "I'm just saying, don't be too shocked when he does something insane one day."

Emma scoffs, flipping her hair dramatically. "Oh please, the only thing that'd shock me is if he ever smiled."

Levi suddenly chuckles, a teasing glint in his voice. "Still, be careful, dear sister. Kaiser tends to make women fall for him. Wouldn't want you catching feelings, now."

Emma's eyes widen for a second before she slaps his shoulder. "EW—what?! No way. That's like saying I'd fall in love with a brick wall."

Levi laughs. "Good, 'cause I don't want Kaiser worming his way into my family."

Emma dramatically gags. "Yeah, well, trust me, I'm not interested."

The two of them burst into laughter, the lighthearted energy in the air making me instinctively relax.

But even as I smirk at their usual antics, my mind lingers on something else.

Levi is right.

Kaiser is a total mystery.

I know nothing about him.

And yet… why do I trust him so much?

Why does my heart cling to him when I barely know anything about who he really is?

Then—

I hear something.

Emma's voice.

But this time, her tone is different.

Not playful. Not teasing.

Serious.

"…Levi. Now tell me. About Celia."

Levi sighs, leaning back in his chair. "What about her now?"

Emma crosses her arms, voice low. "You know how she looks, Levi. It's obvious. She's like the Queen of Curses."

Levi shakes his head. "Tch. Don't worry about it."

Emma narrows her eyes. "How can I not? I mean, come on, Levi. Just look at her. White hair, red eyes. It's too similar. The way she moves, the way she fights—it reminds me of her. And honestly?" She exhales sharply. "I don't trust her."

Levi's usual confident smirk fades slightly as he drums his fingers against the table. "Emma…"

Emma presses on, serious now. "You saw her fight too, right? She's dangerous, Levi. You know it."

Levi stays quiet for a second. Then, reluctantly, he nods. "Yeah. I've seen it. She can be."

A small pause.

Then he shrugs. "To be honest, though? She's only here because Kaiser trusts her. And he wants her here. I really don't care much about her."

Emma hums, nodding. "Yeah, well. I find her pretty weird and untrustworthy."

Levi sighs. "Well, for the sake of it, let's just pretend we're her friends for now. We'll let Kaiser recover—he's the priority anyway. And she's taking care of him, so whatever."

Emma smirks slightly. "Yeah, well, I think I've been pretending pretty well so far. She actually thinks we're her friends."

A quiet chuckle between them.

I don't hear the rest.

I don't think I can.

The air feels heavier, pressing against my chest like an invisible weight. My fingers twitch slightly at my sides, my breath caught somewhere between inhaling and exhaling—like my body doesn't know what to do anymore.

They don't care about me.

It's… a stupid thing to feel hurt over, isn't it?

It's logical that they wouldn't trust me. Of course they wouldn't. Why would they? My face alone screams the kind of person they should hate.

I shouldn't feel anything.

I should understand.

But—

My heart hurts.

It physically hurts.

Like something is twisting deep inside me, squeezing, breaking—slowly, painfully—little by little.

I was so happy.

I was starting to think—just for a moment—maybe, maybe I wasn't alone anymore.

Maybe these people—the ones who laughed with me, ate with me, spoke to me so casually—maybe they were different.

But it was all just an act.

Just pretending.

I can feel my throat tightening, something stinging at the corners of my eyes.

I won't cry.

I won't cry.

But my body betrays me. My chest trembles, my hands clench at my sides.

I don't even know why it hurts this much.

Maybe because I thought I had finally found something.

Maybe because I let myself believe—even for a second—that they saw me as Celia, not as the cursed girl.

That I wasn't just a reminder of someone else.

That maybe I was… worth something.

But I was wrong.

So, so wrong.

Emma sighs, stirring whatever's cooking in the pot. "I still don't get it, though. Why is Kaiser trusting her?"

Levi leans back, arms crossed. "Simple. Pity."

Pity?

Emma raises an eyebrow. "Pity?"

Levi nods, voice calm. "Think about it. She's alone, no family, no friends, probably lived a life filled with people either fearing her or hating her. That's why he's nice to her."

Emma hums, tapping her wooden spoon against the pot. "So you're saying Kaiser's just… taking care of a stray?"

Levi smirks slightly. "Yeah, pretty much."

A pause.

Then Emma chuckles. "Yeah, that makes sense. Kaiser doesn't actually care about her, does he?"

Levi shrugs. "Not in the way she probably thinks."

Emma snickers. "I mean, she does look at him like he's her savior or something."

Levi laughs. "Yeah, it's kinda sad, really. She probably thinks she's important to him."

Emma grins, adding, "When in reality, he'd probably be fine if she just disappeared."

Silence.

Then Levi speaks again, voice more serious. "Kaiser is the type to fight alone. He doesn't need Celia."

Emma nods. "Yeah. He's a lone wolf. Doesn't seem like the kind to let people in."

Levi taps his fingers against the table. "Yeah. And once he's recovered? He'll probably tell her to leave."

Emma clicks her tongue. "Yikes. That's gonna be rough for her."

Levi exhales, shaking his head. "That's just how he is. He's never needed anyone, never will."

A beat of silence.

Then Levi speaks the words that shatter everything.

"…You know, maybe Kaiser is just pretending to be her friend."

Emma tilts her head. "Huh?"

Levi leans forward, voice quiet. "I've known him for years. And in all that time, he's never once trusted anyone."

A pause.

A slow, suffocating pause.

Then Emma laughs lightly. "Damn. That's brutal."

I felt it all at once.

Like something deep inside me cracked—no, shattered—splintering into jagged, cutting pieces that tore through my chest.

My legs wobbled. My breath hitched.

Before I could stop myself, I felt my back slowly slide down the cold wall, my body losing its strength. My hands, trembling, pressed weakly against my knees as I sat there, curled in on myself, trying to breathe.

But I couldn't.

The weight in my chest was suffocating.

It felt… wrong. Unreal. Like this wasn't happening.

But it was.

Levi's words rang in my head, looping over and over like a cruel, inescapable curse.

"Pity."

"She's just a stray."

"He doesn't actually care about her."

I gritted my teeth, gripping my arms so tightly my nails dug into my skin. It hurt. It all hurt.

I thought—I thought I had finally… found something.

People I could trust. People who saw me beyond my face, beyond my cursed blood.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my chest rising and falling unevenly.

No. No, they're wrong.

Kaiser… Kaiser wouldn't—

But my heart knew the answer before my mind did.

Levi's voice echoed again, striking deeper this time.

"Maybe Kaiser is just pretending to be her friend."

My breath caught.

My hands flew up, clutching the fabric near my heart, as if pressing down on it would somehow keep it from falling apart.

No, that… that can't be true. It's Levi. He's just saying things, right?

Right?

I gasped in a shaky breath, but it only made the tears come faster, hot and relentless.

But Kaiser... never told me anything about himself.

I thought... maybe he just wasn't the type to open up, but—

My throat tightened.

What if it was because he never cared to?

I clenched my fists over my chest, shaking my head. No. No. No.

But Levi's known him for years.

He'd know better than me.

The pain deepened, spreading like poison through my veins, sinking into the very core of me.

I had known him for barely a few weeks.

And yet...

I felt something for him. Something I didn't understand.

Something that made my heart feel warm when he was near.

Something that made me feel safe.

Something that made me trust him completely.

And yet—

He was probably just pretending.

I choked on the realization, my body trembling as the tears kept falling, slipping past my cheeks, staining my hands, my clothes.

He never trusted anyone.

He never needed anyone.

He never needed me.

I tried to stifle a sob, pressing my palm against my lips, but my body betrayed me. A strangled sound escaped, broken and pitiful.

I felt so stupid.

He probably just sees me as a burden.

He's only letting me stay because I'm taking care of him.

He's just waiting until he doesn't need me anymore.

And then...

He'll tell me to leave.

Like I was nothing.

Like I was just another stranger he happened to meet.

The weight of it was too much.

I buried my face into my knees, my shoulders shaking, my breaths coming out in ragged, uneven gasps.

I felt so cold.

So empty.

So alone.

I wiped my tears fast, my fingers shaking as I pressed them against my cheeks. Breathe in. Breathe out. If I keep thinking about it, I'll cry again. And if I cry again, my eyes will be swollen. And if my eyes are swollen—

They'll know.

Levi and Emma's voices faded into the background. I wasn't even listening anymore. Their laughter, their chatter—it didn't matter. Not when my heart felt like it was about to split apart.

Then Emma's voice rang through the house. "Celia, Kaiser! Dinner's ready, so come down!"

My breath hitched.

I pressed my fingers under my eyes, forcing any trace of tears away before going back up and stepping toward Kaiser's door. I couldn't see him. Not face to face. Not like this.

I knocked twice, my knuckles light against the wood. "Kaiser… dinner."

My voice came out softer than I wanted. I clenched my hands, afraid they'd tremble.

A pause. Then, a quiet reply.

"I'm coming."

That was all I needed. I turned away.

I can pretend. I can smile. I can laugh. I can do it.

The dinner table was warm. Cozy. It smelled nice.

I wasn't hungry.

Levi was laughing about something. Emma was giggling. The atmosphere was light, casual, fun—like nothing was wrong.

Like they hadn't just been talking about me behind my back.

Emma was saying something about a mission she and Levi took last week. Something about a rogue mage, a burned-down tavern, and a narrow escape.

"And then Levi, the absolute idiot, decided to taunt the guy instead of running!" Emma huffed, shaking her head.

Levi grinned. "Oh, come on. You should've seen his face when I dodged his fireball. Priceless."

"Oh wow," I gasped, widening my eyes dramatically. "Levi being reckless? I'm shocked. Truly."

Emma burst out laughing. Levi rolled his eyes.

"I'm telling you, Celia, he nearly got us both killed."

"And yet, here you are, alive and well," I said, resting my cheek on my palm. "Almost like you enjoy his recklessness."

Emma scoffed. "Yeah, right." But she was smiling.

I smiled too.

Like I didn't hear her voice just minutes ago.

"She's always acting like we're best friends."

I took another bite, pretending the food didn't feel heavy in my throat.

"Celia, you should've been there," Levi said, leaning forward. "I bet you would've frozen up the moment things got chaotic."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"You're terrible under pressure," Levi continued, smirking. "The second things get bad, you just stand there like a lost child."

I opened my mouth to protest. To remind them that I was holding back because I was waiting for an opening. Because I didn't want to hurt anyone.

But then I saw their expressions.

They weren't being mean. They were just teasing.

Laughing.

Joking.

Like real pretending friends do.

Right?

So I laughed too.

"You got me," I said, grinning. "I guess I really am useless, huh?"

Levi waved a hand. "Not useless, just slow."

"And really bad at keeping up," Emma added, snickering.

Levi pointed at her. "Exactly."

I smiled.

"She always clings to Kaiser like he's her only friend."

I felt my fingers twitch under the table.

"Celia, you're spacing out again," Levi called.

I perked up. "Oh? Oops, sorry! Guess I was thinking about how you two would be doomed without me."

Levi scoffed. "Oh please."

Emma giggled. "Yeah, we'd be doomed to a much quieter life."

I chuckled, but it was hollow.

Kaiser was still silent.

I glanced at him.

He wasn't eating much. Just sitting there, watching.

Was I… bothering him?

Was my fake happiness that annoying?

I felt my chest tense.

I should stop. I should pull back.

Maybe if I smiled less. Maybe if I spoke quieter.

Would he talk then?

Would he stop looking at me like that?

But Levi and Emma weren't slowing down. They kept going, teasing, laughing, playing around like nothing had changed.

Because for them, nothing had changed.

But for me?

Everything did.

I heard you.

I heard you say I was annoying. I heard you say you didn't actually care.

But I had to pretend I didn't.

Because if I stopped pretending—if I showed even a little bit of what I was actually feeling—

Then I'd be alone.

And that was scarier than anything else.

So I kept smiling. Kept laughing.

Even as it hurt.

The sound of the rain hitting the windowpane echoes through the room. It's a soft, rhythmic sound, but it feels... heavy. Like it's filling the spaces where my heart should be.

I stare at the food in front of me, but I can't even remember the last time I cared about food. Not when my stomach feels empty no matter how much I force it to fill up.

I always pretend so well. I'm really good at it. The fake smiles, the fake laughs, the fake happiness that I wear like a mask. I've perfected it. I've learned to hide it all – the cracks in my heart, the loneliness that kills me. No one sees it. No one has to. I'm good at pretending.

But right now... right now, it's harder than it's ever been.

I force a smile, the kind I know will fool everyone. It feels like a plastic smile, stretched too wide, and my cheeks ache from holding it. They all think I'm fine. They think I'm strong.

But they don't know. They don't know what it feels like to laugh when everything inside you is screaming to cry. To speak like you're okay when you're dying on the inside.

It's easier to just pretend, isn't it? Easier to let them believe you're happy rather than let them see you break.

I glance out the window, the rain falling faster now, matching the rhythm of my thoughts. It's stupid, really. Why am I still pretending? What's the point? I'll never fit in. I'll never be one of them. I'll always be the girl who was abandoned, the one who no one really understands.

I blink and notice Kaiser's eyes on me. His expression is unreadable, like always. I can't tell if he's noticing my fake smile or if he's just... observing.

I don't know what he sees when he looks at me. I want to believe he sees me, the real me. The me that's not broken. But I can't trust that. I can't trust anyone. Not anymore.

His gaze shifts away, and for a moment, I'm thankful he doesn't press me. But then it hits me. Am I just pretending, too?

I don't even know if I belong anywhere, if I really matter.

I can feel the emptiness creep back in, like a cold wind that chills my bones. I look down at my plate, pushing the food around with my fork, pretending I'm hungry. Pretending I care.

I'm not. I'm not hungry. I'm not hungry for anything.

This is all... this is all so exhausting.

I feel like I've been broken into pieces and no one knows how to put me back together.

Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. I'm not meant to be whole. Maybe I'm not meant to be loved. Maybe... maybe it's better this way. Maybe it's just easier to let myself be invisible. Easier to let everyone think I'm fine.

But... then there's Kaiser.

I can't stop the way my heart aches when I think about him. He makes me feel like I matter. Like maybe, just maybe, I could belong somewhere. But... is it real?

Does he really care about me?

I glance at him again, and there's that same expressionless look on his face. It's like he's always so far away. So distant, even when he's close.

I... I don't know what to make of it. I want to believe he cares. I want to believe that this feeling I have around him is real. That I really do belong with him.

But what if it's just another lie?

What if he's just pretending, too? Just like Emm, just like Levi. They were all just pretending, weren't they? Pretending to like me, pretending to care, pretending that I mattered.

It was all just a game to them. They never really saw me. Not the real me.

And now... now I'm sitting here, pretending to be okay, pretending to eat, pretending that everything's fine.

But I'm not fine. I haven't been fine in a long time.

I can't help but feel like I'm drowning in all these lies. Drowning in my own need for love and acceptance. But maybe I'm not meant for it.

Maybe I'll always be alone. Maybe I'll never belong anywhere.

And maybe... maybe I'll never truly know if Kaiser cares for me. Because deep down, I don't think I believe it.

Soon, dinner was over. I waved Emma and Levi goodnight, my smile as warm as I could manage… but it was fake. I was so good at that by now.

"Goodnight, Levi and Emma," I said, though it didn't feel real. It was just another act. Another thing I had to do to make them think I was fine.

They both wished me a goodnight back, but I could tell it wasn't genuine. Did they even care? Did they ever care?

I turned to see Kaiser still sitting at the table, lost in his own thoughts. I wanted to say something to him. To ask him if he really cared about me.

But the idea of hearing him say "no" felt like it would crush me completely.

I opened my mouth, but my voice faltered. "K-... Kaiser?"

He turned towards me, his eyes cold, as if he'd been pulled from a different world. "Yeah? What is it, Celia?"

"Y-you should rest up, Kaiser... It's late. Get some sleep," I said, smiling again—another fake smile, another lie.

He just nodded, not even looking at me the way he used to. He didn't even smile, not even a fake one like I had expected.

He didn't wish me goodnight...

I felt a coldness spread inside of me, my hands trembling. My heart shattered into pieces. Did he just... leave me like this?

I watched him walk up the stairs, and I couldn't breathe. He didn't even pretend to care. He didn't even pretend to like me.

Maybe he was just done pretending... Just like Emma and Levi.

The thought consumed me. I felt the weight of it crushing my chest. The one person who had ever made me feel safe, who had ever made me feel like I mattered... and he was just... gone.

I wanted to die right there. I wanted to scream and cry until I couldn't anymore.

But I forced it down. I held the tears back as best I could, my body shaking with the effort. I walked to my room, the silence suffocating.

The second I locked the door behind me, I collapsed onto my bed, my body shaking violently as the tears finally came. They didn't stop. I couldn't make them stop.

He doesn't care.

The thought echoed in my mind, over and over. He didn't care about me. Not like I cared about him. He didn't care about me at all.

Why did I think he did? Why did I let myself believe it?

I wanted to scream. I wanted to ask him what I had done wrong. I wanted to know why it was always so hard for me to just be enough.

Why was I never enough for anyone?

And then it hit me: He doesn't care about me... not like I thought.

Tears streamed down my face, but it wasn't enough to wash away the pain. It wasn't enough to fix what was broken inside me. He was just like everyone else, wasn't he? Just like Emma, just like Levi.

I wasn't worth caring about.

Why am I always alone? Why am I always the one who ends up broken in the end?

In the past... it was all the same.

I was just too good at pretending to be happy. I convinced everyone around me that I was fine—that I was always fine—even when I wasn't. Nobody could see through it. They all thought I was this cheerful girl with no sadness inside of her.

But that wasn't true. Not even close.

Even before the curse... I was always pretending. I faked happiness, even when I felt completely broken inside. I pretended that everything was okay, even when I couldn't breathe from the weight of it all.

None of my so-called friends noticed. Not my parents. Not even my sister, Lyla... Even she never saw through the act. I thought she was the closest to me, the one person who would understand.

But she didn't. She never did.

That's right. I was too good at acting, too good at wearing a smile that wasn't mine. And no one, not a single soul in this world, could see through it

Probably not even Kaiser. Not even now.

The storm outside raged, the thunder roaring as though it was mocking me, drowning out the broken sobs escaping my chest. I buried my face in my hands, my heart feeling like it was being torn in two.

The rain felt like a reflection of everything inside me—cold, endless, heavy.

I remembered those nights after I was cursed and abandoned. The stormy nights when I would lie in bed, so cold, so alone. My heart would ache, a pain so deep, it made me wonder if I could ever get back up again.

Those nights felt endless, each hour stretching out into an eternity of hurt.

Even Lyla, the one who promised to protect me, abandoned me. She left me behind, just like everyone else.

It didn't matter how much I cried, how much I begged, how many times I tried to make them see me for who I really was.

They never did.

And in those storms, when the wind howled and the rain battered the windows, I would cry. Cry for everything I lost, for the family that didn't care, for the sister who turned her back on me. Cry for the pain I couldn't escape.

Cry for the girl who was always pretending to be happy, even though she was drowning in the loneliness.

It was always like this. It was always me against the world.

Why... why, Kaiser? Why did you do it too?

I don't understand... I thought you were different. You... you were the only one who made me feel like I wasn't alone. But now... now I'm just another person to you.

I thought you cared...

I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them tight, as if somehow, I could make myself smaller—make myself invisible to the pain. My breath was ragged, and my chest hurt so much I could barely breathe.

Why didn't you even smile at me, Kaiser?

Tears streamed down my face, blurring everything around me. I could feel my hands shaking uncontrollably as I reached up to wipe them away. But I couldn't stop. The sobs kept coming, harder, faster, like they were choking me from the inside.

I slapped my hands against my face, hard enough that it stung, as if the pain would distract me from the gnawing emptiness that was spreading through my chest.

"Why... why don't you care about me anymore?" I whispered, my voice cracking as I spoke the words out loud, to no one but myself. I didn't know if I was asking him or myself.

I slapped my face again, harder this time, trying to wake myself from this nightmare. "Wake up, Celia!" I muttered, tears soaking my hands. "Stop being stupid... stop being weak!"

But no matter how much I hit myself, no matter how much I tried to shake it off, the hurt wouldn't leave. It was still there. The same unbearable ache that I couldn't escape, the feeling of being abandoned all over again.

"Why..." My voice trembled, and I curled into myself even more, burying my face in my knees. "Why did you have to do it too, Kaiser...?"

I kept crying, my whole body shaking with every breath. The night was so long, so cold... All I could feel was the sting in my chest, this pain of betrayal that kept gnawing at me.

This... this was far worse than anything I'd ever been through before. I... I would've rather died... I would've rather been tortured, hurt, beaten for years... than feel this.

Than feel so... so alone.

Loud, shaky sobs escaped from my chest, uncontrollable, broken.

Than... just thinking...

I could barely get the words out, each one feeling like it would shatter me even more. My voice trembled and cracked, and I gasped for air between my sobs.

He... he promised...

My hands gripped my hair, pulling at it, trying to stop myself from falling apart completely. But it wasn't helping... nothing helped.

I... I was his heart... His heart...

I kept repeating it to myself, hoping it would make sense. But all I felt was the cold emptiness where his love used to be.

That... he was going to be with me...

But now... he wasn't. He wasn't here for me. He wasn't there when I needed him the most.

My breath hitched, and I could barely speak through the sobs. Just... for him... I felt my chest tighten as if it was being crushed under the weight of it all.

To not care?

An hour passed. The tears didn't stop. They just kept flowing, like a river I couldn't escape from. I couldn't even remember when the crying started, or when I lost control.

All I knew was that I couldn't stop. I couldn't stop the suffocating pain that clung to my chest, the aching emptiness that spread through every part of me.

What... other reasons did I have to feel happy? Nothing. At all. Nothing at all. Everything I'd ever hoped for, everything I'd ever dreamed about... it all just shattered. It was all just a lie.

I hate myself. I hate that I'm so weak. That I let myself get this close to him, to anyone...

Why did I let myself think that I mattered? Why... why did I think Kaiser cared about me?

"Please..." I whispered between sobs, my voice shaking like I was begging for my life.

"I'll beg you... I'll do whatever you want... just tell me."

My throat was sore, but I didn't care. The words just kept spilling out, desperate, raw.

"Why don't you care about me?"

It felt like I was tearing apart inside. How could he... How could someone who made me feel like I mattered just... walk away?

Just leave me like this?

And then... suddenly, a knock on my door.

Knock. Knock.

I froze, my body tense. My heartbeat skipped a beat, and for a moment, I wondered if I had imagined it. Maybe it was just a figment of my broken mind, a cruel trick.

But then it came again.

Knock. Knock.

It wasn't the sound of a dream. It was real.

I wiped my face quickly, trying to gather myself, but the sobs didn't stop. My vision was blurry, and I could barely breathe through the weight of it all.

Why now? Why... after all this time?

I didn't want to face anyone. Not like this. Not with the mess I'd become. I didn't want to let anyone see the broken pieces I was left with. But I couldn't ignore it. Couldn't pretend the knock wasn't there.

My hands trembled as I pulled myself together the best I could. I tried to breathe, tried to calm my racing heart. But it wasn't enough.

I wasn't enough.

I heard Kaiser's voice outside my door, cutting through the quiet like a dagger.

"Hey, Celia, are you awake?"

I immediately froze, holding my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I wanted to remain quiet, to just pretend I was asleep and that nothing was happening.

Maybe he'd leave, and I wouldn't have to face him—wouldn't have to let him see how much I was falling apart inside.

But then, he spoke again, and it made my heart do this... thing.

"You know, if you're not asleep, I wanted to see you."

See me?

I repeated it quietly to myself, my voice barely a whisper. I felt stupid for even thinking about it, but his words had this effect on me. I stuttered when I said it out loud.

"See me?"

"Yep, you're still awake so open up," he said.

I felt like I was in a trap—one I knew I'd fall for, no matter how many times I told myself not to. Even in this state, broken and raw from everything that had just happened, he still managed to pull me in.

Wow... I really fell for that trap.

I scrambled to wipe the tears from my face, feeling the wetness still clinging to my cheeks. The bed sheet was soaked from the tears, but I didn't care.

I tried to fix my hair, doing the best I could with shaky hands. I wanted to look normal, to look like I hadn't just cried my heart out, but... I could never get it right.

"You know it's cold out here, so open up," he said, his voice warm through the door, but something else was in it too—something almost teasing.

"I'm... I'm coming," I said, my voice breaking, stuttered.

I stood up slowly, heart pounding harder with every step. As I opened the door, I saw him standing there, his eyes locking onto mine with that familiar intensity.

"May I come in?" he asked, his voice soft but still serious.

I nodded slowly, my throat tight. "Y-yeah, you can come in, Kaiser."

I stepped back, giving him room to enter. My room, or rather, the guest room in Levi's house, wasn't too big. The walls were a dull, neutral color, giving it an almost cold vibe, though the bed and a couple of chairs did make it feel homey.

There was a small wooden desk by the window, and a worn rug beneath my feet. Nothing too extravagant, but enough for someone like me—someone who didn't need much, but somehow always felt like it was never enough.

Kaiser stepped in, and before I could register what was happening, he locked the door behind him.

I flinched, my heart skipping a beat.

Did he just lock the door?

"Kaiser...? Did you—?"

He cut me off, his voice calm, almost playful, but there was something else there. A seriousness that made the air feel thicker.

"It's fine if it's just you and me, right? Alone in this room?" he asked, his gaze never leaving mine.

My heart pounded harder, the blood rushing to my ears. I knew what had happened before—what I had just gone through—but right now, standing in front of him, I couldn't ignore the way my body felt.

The way he looked at me. The way I wanted him to be close to me.

Just me and him? Alone in this room?

"Y-yeah... I don't mind. It's fine..." I stammered, my voice barely audible as I forced a smile, my stomach a mess of nerves and something else I couldn't quite place.

Something that made my insides twist in a way I wasn't sure I wanted to understand.

The silence between us felt heavy, like we were both waiting for something—maybe for the other to speak, or maybe for something to just happen.

But as I stood there, staring at him, I couldn't help but wonder. Why did he come here? What did he want? Was this... just him being kind, or was there something more to it?

Kaiser patted the spot next to him, his gesture simple but somehow carrying so much weight. "Come sit with me, Celia," he said, his voice soft, calmer than I expected.

I felt a pang of uncertainty.

I hesitated for a moment, my heart still racing, before I slowly walked over to sit next to him. The bed was soft, but I couldn't relax. I couldn't focus on anything but the weight of his presence beside me.

As soon as I sat down, I felt his hand gently grip mine. It was firm, reassuring, yet somehow... it made everything feel even more fragile.

I froze, not knowing how to react.

"Celia..." His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it, like he was waiting for something from me.

I gulped, my throat dry. "Y-yes... k-kaiser?" My heart was pounding in my chest now, my pulse racing.

His eyes searched mine, intense yet soft at the same time. "Is something wrong?"

Something wrong...? My whole world had shattered earlier. Of course something was wrong. My heart felt like it was broken in a million pieces.

The only thing that had kept me going was pretending... pretending that I wasn't a mess inside. But how could I explain that to him? How could I even put it into words?

"Nothing's wrong, k-kaiser," I said quickly, my voice shaky. I forced a smile, a wide, fake smile. I couldn't let him see how much I was falling apart. Not again.

But the silence stretched on. The storm outside the window raged louder, making everything feel colder, more suffocating. I could barely hear my own thoughts over the constant pounding of the rain. But then I felt his grip on my hand tighten, his gaze sharpening.

"Don't lie to me, Celia," he said, his voice cold but not unkind. It was almost... insistent.

I looked at him, stunned, unsure how he had seen through my defenses. How had he known? No one else had—least of all, the people I had spent years with.

His eyes bore into me, not judging, but understanding. Why? How could he know?

"Earlier," he began softly, his voice laced with concern, but there was also an undeniable warmth in it that made my heart skip a beat. "I saw you making multiple fake smiles during dinner. Why?"

The words hit me like a blow, the last thing I expected him to bring up. How did he know? How did he see it when nobody else had?

"I..." I stuttered, my mind scrambling to form something convincing. I couldn't let him know. Not now. Not after everything that had already happened.

"I... I wasn't faking it, Kaiser," I said, my voice shaking. I could feel the heat of the lie on my tongue, but I couldn't stop it from spilling out.

He tilted his head, his expression unchanged. "Celia..." He murmured. "Why do you think I would ask you that, if I didn't already know?"

His words knocked the wind out of me. I swallowed hard, but I couldn't look at him. I just stared at our hands, my heart racing.

"I-I wasn't faking it," I said, more forcefully this time, but my voice cracked, betraying me. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kaiser's thumb brushed over the back of my hand, his touch gentle yet firm, as if he could see through me, as if he could see all of me, the parts I tried to hide.

His voice was calm, but there was a firmness to it, like he wasn't going to let me lie to him anymore.

"Celia," he said again, his tone almost a whisper. "Please. Stop pretending. Stop pretending to me."

I shook my head, my chest tense as I tried to fight the emotions threatening to spill over. "I'm not pretending, Kaiser! I'm not!" I shouted, my voice breaking on the last word. "I'm not pretending! I'm not lying to you! I swear!"

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. Not again. Not in front of him.

But Kaiser wasn't letting up. He leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine. His touch on my hand never wavered.

"You don't have to lie to me, Celia," he said, his voice soft, almost... broken. "I know it hurts. I know you're struggling. But you're not alone in this. You never have to pretend with me."

I pulled my hand away from his, feeling like I was suffocating. My heart raced, my thoughts were clouded with the weight of everything I had been hiding.

I couldn't do this. I couldn't let him see me like this, so broken, so... so lost.

"I am okay, Kaiser!" I cried out, tears finally breaking free, falling down my cheeks in rivers. "I'm fine, okay?! You don't understand! You don't know how much I've tried to keep it together! How much I've fought to keep it from everyone!"

My voice was barely a whisper at the end, my breath ragged. I choked on the words, the tears coming faster now, and I couldn't stop them, couldn't hold it in any longer.

Kaiser was silent for a moment, just looking at me. His face was full of sorrow, but not the kind that came from anger or disappointment.

He leaned in closer, his hand finding mine again, not to pull it away this time, but to pull me toward him. Slowly, gently, as if I were the most fragile thing in the world.

"Celia..." His voice was barely above a whisper, his breath warm against my ear. "You don't have to lie to me. You don't have to pretend with me. Please. Just be honest with me."

The words hit me like a wave. I couldn't keep fighting it anymore. I couldn't keep pretending. I was so tired.

So damn tired of being strong.

"I... I wasn't okay, Kaiser," I sobbed, my voice barely audible. "I wasn't okay... I... I faked it. I faked it every single time. I didn't know what else to do. I didn't know how to stop pretending. How could I stop when everyone else... when everyone else didn't see it?"

The sobs came harder now, shaking my whole body. I curled into him, unable to stop myself, my tears soaking into his shirt as I let everything go.

"I was so scared, Kaiser," I whispered between sobs. "I was so scared that if I showed them how broken I was... they'd leave me. They'd see how messed up I really am. How weak I really am. And I didn't want anyone to leave me. Especially... you. I didn't want to be... alone."

Kaiser wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest, his warmth enveloping me. He didn't say anything at first. He didn't have to. The silence was full of understanding, of comfort, of a promise that I had never realized I needed until now.

But despite his comforting presence, I couldn't help the doubt that clung to me like a shadow.

"But... Kaiser... you don't care about me, right?" I asked shakily, my voice barely more than a whisper, fear creeping into my words.

He paused, his hand gently cradling the back of my head as he pulled me closer to him.

"Huh?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief, almost like he couldn't fathom the thought. "What are you saying, silly?"

I felt the sting of those words, the ones that felt so warm and comforting, yet I still couldn't shake the cold emptiness inside.

Could it be true? Could someone like him actually care about someone like me?

His hand gently cupped my cheek, lifting my face to meet his gaze, his eyes full of sincerity. "You don't have to ask that, Celia. You never have to ask me that again. Because, of course, I care about you."

His words, so simple, yet so heavy with truth, were enough to make my heart skip a beat.

The depth in his eyes, the warmth in his touch, everything about him told me that he wasn't lying.

But there was still that doubt inside me, that voice telling me I wasn't worthy of it. That voice telling me I wasn't worth his time, his care.

"Do... do you actually care about me... K-Kaiser?" I stuttered, my voice cracking as I looked up at him.

I couldn't keep the tears from falling, couldn't stop the trembling in my voice. I needed to hear it from him again, needed to know, but part of me was terrified of the answer.

Kaiser's thumb gently wiped away a stray tear from my cheek, and he smiled softly—gently—as if the very thought of me doubting him was something he couldn't bear to hear.

"Celia..." His voice was soft, but there was something in it, something tender, something almost... intimate, that sent a warmth flooding through my chest.

"How could I not care about you? How could I not, when you're the one there for me? Taking care of me more than yourself?"

"I've been here for you. I'll always be here for you, because... you matter to me. You matter more than anything, Celia. More than you'll ever realize."

His hand gently cupped the side of my face, his thumb brushing over my skin in slow, soothing motions.

"You think I don't care?" he continued, his voice quiet but unwavering. "That's the last thing I would ever want you to feel. The truth is, I care about you more than words can say. And when you smile, even just a little bit, it's the best thing in my world."

His voice dropped lower, his words a soft whisper, just for me. "I don't want you to doubt that, not for a second. Because no matter how broken you feel... no matter what you're going through... I'm here. And I'm never going to leave you."

He continued, his words more firm, filled with an unshakable certainty. "No matter where you are. No matter who you're up against, Celia... Remember, I will come and protect you. It won't matter who it's up against or who I am at that point. I'll come and save you."

My breath hitched as I listened to him, the weight of his words sinking into my heart. He wasn't just comforting me. He wasn't just saying things to make me feel better.

No... it was so much more than that. He truly cared. The depth in his eyes, the sincerity in his touch—it was real. It was so real that I could feel it in my bones.

"I... I'm so sorry, Kaiser," I whispered through my tears, my voice full of regret. "I've been so... so stupid. I didn't believe you. I didn't believe anyone could really care about me... not like this..."

Kaiser pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me as if to shield me from the world, his chin resting gently atop my head.

"You know, you're my heart, Celia," he said, his voice almost a whisper now. "And I can't let my heart cry, can I?"

I couldn't help but smile, the smile I thought I had forgotten, the one that felt so real, so me.

"There's that smile I love, Celia," Kaiser said, his voice warm, his eyes locking onto mine with such sincerity. "Don't ever fake it in front of me again, alright?"

I laughed softly, though my tears were still there, lingering. Kaiser immediately noticed and, without saying a word, reached up with his thumb to gently wipe them away.

His touch was tender, like he was handling something fragile, something he cared for deeply.

How... how could I have ever doubted him? I thought, my chest tightening.

Nobody else—no one—has ever seen through my fake smile like that. My family, my friends, even my sister who knew me for years... none of them saw it. But Kaiser, within just a few minutes, during dinner, he saw it.

"Kaiser..." I whispered, my voice barely audible as I tried to understand it. "How did you realize it was fake?"

He chuckled lightly, his playful grin returning as he looked down at me with amusement.

"Oh? You see... the Celia I know," he said, leaning in a little closer, his voice low but teasing, "looks the most beautiful when she's smiling."

"Beautiful...?" I muttered, almost embarrassed by his words. My heart skipped a beat, caught somewhere between warmth and uncertainty.

"Oh yes, the Celia I know gives the best smiles that make me happier than anything. I can't have her faking it now, can I?" He said it so casually, so effortlessly, but the way his eyes shone with happiness made my heart swell.

"You're my heart, Celia. Don't ever doubt that."

The storm outside raged on, and suddenly, with a deafening crack of thunder, the lights flickered and then went out.

The room was plunged into darkness, the only light coming from the flashes of lightning that illuminated the room in brief, haunting bursts.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat at the sound of the thunder, my breath caught in my chest. The fear rushed in suddenly, too quickly for me to stop it.

I gripped onto Kaiser's shirt, my fingers digging into the fabric as my body tensed in fright. I hadn't even realized I was screaming until the sound escaped from my lips, sharp and panicked.

"Hey, hey, what's this? Scared of a little thunder?" Kaiser teased, his voice light, but there was a warmth in it, a protective undertone that soothed my racing heart, even if it didn't completely stop the panic.

I felt my heartbeat in my throat, but I couldn't let go. My hands tightened even more around his chest, and I looked up at him, my wide eyes searching for reassurance, even if I couldn't see his face in the dark.

"Kaiser..." I muttered, still clutching him tightly, feeling his warmth against me. I could hear him smirk, even without seeing his face.

"What is it now, Celia? Scared of the storm more?" he teased, his voice light but filled with a playful edge.

"Shut up," I murmured, my voice tinged with annoyance but my hands tightening on him anyway. I wasn't sure if I was trying to protect myself or hold him closer.

He chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. "You're cute when you're scared. Never thought I'd see you like this."

"I'm not cute, just... just stay with me," I demanded, not able to keep the vulnerability out of my voice. My face pressed into his chest, and I could feel his heartbeat. "Stay with me. Don't leave me alone. I don't want to be alone tonight."

Kaiser hummed, his fingers gently brushing the back of my hand. "Hmm, someone's needy tonight." His teasing tone was still there, but I could feel his arms around me tightening, holding me closer.

"I'm not needy," I said quickly, though I wasn't sure I believed it. I could hear my voice crack, and I didn't want to admit it, but I just wanted him there, with me.

"I just... I just want you here. Don't leave, alright? Just stay." My heart felt heavy with the weight of it all, but somehow, when I said it aloud, it felt like a weight lifted off my chest.

Kaiser was quiet for a second, and I could feel him looking down at me, though we were in the dark. "You're full of surprises, Celia. First, you're acting tough, and now you're acting all needy. I can't decide if I should keep teasing you or give in."

I could hear the smirk in his voice, but it didn't bother me. His playful nature made me smile, even in the middle of my fear.

"I don't care," I whispered, my voice softer now, my grip on him a little tighter. "I just want you. I want you to stay... just... stay with me."

There was a shift in the air, a warmth that radiated between us. "You don't have to ask me twice," he said, the teasing gone from his voice, replaced by something far deeper, more serious.

And for a moment, it felt like everything else faded into the background. The storm, the fear, the past. It was just him and me.

"Thank you..." I whispered again, my voice barely audible.

Kaiser didn't respond immediately. He just held me close, and I could feel his breath against my hair. For a long time, we just stayed like that.

After a while in the dark, Kaiser spoke again, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

"You know, Celia, I've had this feeling for a while."

I tilted my head up at him, my eyes trying to adjust to the darkness, barely making out his face. "What feeling?" I asked, my voice shaking a little.

"In my life... I always thought I was worthless," he confessed, his tone heavier than I had ever heard it.

I froze. The words hit me harder than I expected, almost like a punch to the gut. My heart ached at the thought of him feeling that way. The idea of him believing he was nothing—it hurt more than I could express.

I couldn't stay quiet. I couldn't let him think like that, especially not now. I quickly cut him off, my voice coming out more forceful than I intended.

"No. Stop speaking," I said, almost desperately.

"Celia?" he asked, his voice soft, like he wasn't sure what he had just unleashed.

"You're not nothing. Not now, not ever," I said firmly, my hands tightening around him, as if I could hold onto him to make him believe it.

"You're my everything. Now and always, and I won't let you go," I added, feeling every word in my chest.

The silence stretched between us. He didn't say anything, but I could feel the weight of it, the tension in his stillness.

Kaiser, the person who had never shown this kind of vulnerability, had let me see a part of him that was raw, fragile even. He had opened up in a way I never imagined he would.

For the first time, I was the one trying to hold him together, to be the one who stood strong for him. He had always been there for me, always the calm in the storm, the unshakable force. But now, he was allowing me to be the one he could lean on.

And I would never let him down.

Kaiser was silent, and I held my breath, waiting for him to respond. His thoughts seemed far away, distant, but in the quiet, I knew he was thinking deeply.

"Yeah... you're right, Celia," he said quietly after what felt like an eternity.

I smiled a little, feeling the faintest warmth fill the room, despite the lingering shadows. "After all," I said, my voice softer, more intimate now, "how can I be nothing when I am everything to someone?"

There was a subtle change in the air, a shift in how I felt about everything. The storm outside was finally dying down, the winds calming, and with it, the heaviness in my chest began to lighten.

I couldn't see him clearly, but I could feel the change in him, too. There was a soft understanding, an unspoken promise between us. And even in the dark, even with everything that had happened before, it felt like things were beginning to make sense.

Kaiser's voice broke the silence once more, teasing and light as ever. "Well, I guess the storm's stopped now. I should probably be going, huh?"

I pulled him closer without thinking, my hands gripping tighter as I buried my face in his chest. "No... no, please don't go," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need you tonight... I won't be able to sleep alone."

There was a long pause, and I could feel him stiffen slightly. "Celia... What exactly are you implying here?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion and something else—was it amusement?

I froze. My face heated up instantly, the reality of what I had said hitting me. I looked up at him, my eyes wide, and I could feel the blush creeping up my neck. "N-no... I didn't mean it like that!" I stammered, my heart racing.

Kaiser smirked, clearly enjoying my flustered state. "Oh? So you don't want me to stay here with you, then?" he teased, his voice turning playful. "You just want me... for something else, maybe?"

I flushed even deeper, unable to hide how embarrassed I was. "Kaiser, that's not what I meant!" I said, trying to pull away, but he was holding me too close.

"Are you sure? Because you seem like you've got other plans in mind," he teased again, his voice just the right mix of flirtation and amusement.

"Stop it!" I laughed, though I couldn't help but keep holding him tighter. "I just—" I hesitated, my hands tightening around him even more. "I just want you to stay with me tonight, alright?" My voice was quieter now, more serious, but the lightness still lingered in my tone.

I quickly placed a hand over my mouth, trying to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks, feeling suddenly shy under his gaze. It was the truth, though. More than anything, I just wanted him to stay with me... to hold me through the night, and to keep that warmth close.

Kaiser leaned in slightly, raising an eyebrow. "So, what you're saying is... you want me to stay here, hold you, and make sure you feel safe and warm?" He tilted his head, his smirk still present.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean," I muttered, my voice soft but filled with determination. I wasn't going to back down now.

Kaiser chuckled, clearly amused by my persistence, but he finally sighed, his smirk fading just a little. "Alright, alright. I guess I can stay for a little longer. Don't get too comfortable now," he said, though there was no mistaking the softness in his voice.

I squeezed him even tighter, burying my face in his chest once more, relieved and happy that he hadn't left. "Thank you," I murmured, feeling a wave of contentment wash over me.

Kaiser shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips. "You know, you're lucky I'm in a good mood tonight. I won't let you off the hook so easily next time," he teased, though there was no real bite to it.

I smiled against his chest, feeling safe and secure, even though the storm had long since passed. "I don't care. I just want you here, with me."

"Well, if you say so," Kaiser replied, his tone warm, and for once, it was clear that his teasing had melted away into something deeper. He wrapped his arms around me again, pulling me even closer.

And I held him—tight, like I would never let go.

Kaiser let out a breath, his voice catching slightly. "Oww, I can't breathe, so tight," he said, his tone a mix of teasing and surprise.

I didn't let go. In fact, I pulled him even closer. "You're my crazy... Kaiser," I whispered, my words barely audible, but there was a deep sincerity behind them.

His teasing grin never wavered. "Oh? Claiming me as yours now?" he said, his voice playful, but I noticed a shift in the way he said it.

"Yes," I said softly, my grip tightening around him. "I am. You're my everything." I wasn't playing anymore. My words weren't filled with teasing or nervous laughter. They were simply the truth, the kind of truth I never thought I could say out loud.

Kaiser was silent for a moment, his body going still in my arms. I could almost see the confusion in his eyes as he looked down at me, raising an eyebrow.

"You're acting like a sweet doll right now," he tried to tease again, but I could hear the subtle shift in his tone. It wasn't as confident as before.

Without missing a beat, I tightened my hold on him even more, not letting him slip away from me.

"Then come and play with me, as much as you want," I whispered into his chest, my voice firm but soft.

He froze completely. His usual smirk faltered, and for a moment, I could see the confusion in his eyes. I wasn't teasing him, wasn't blushing or shying away from his playful remarks.

Instead, I just held him, offering something deeper than games or light-hearted flirtation.

I whispered once more, my words quiet but powerful, "I just want to be your sweetheart."

Kaiser froze for a second, and I felt him look down at me. His gaze was gentle, unsure of what to make of the words I had just spoken. I couldn't see his face clearly in the dark, but I could feel his presence, so strong and steady against me.

"So just let me have your heart," I added, my voice quieter now, almost fragile in the silence that surrounded us.

I felt him tense. He was caught completely offguard, and I could almost hear the confusion in his breath. He didn't say anything for a long while, and I wondered if he was processing my words.

His reaction was nothing like I expected. He didn't blush or shy away like a normal person. He didn't pull away from me, as most would. Instead, he simply stayed there, letting me hold him.

I didn't care. I didn't care about anything else at that moment. I held him tighter, pulling him closer to me, never wanting to let go. Because deep down, I had realized something that shifted the ground beneath me, something I couldn't deny any longer.

The feelings I had for him before, the ones I thought were too complicated to name, weren't just feelings anymore. They weren't just a passing admiration or infatuation.

They were real, they were powerful, and they were love.

He was the person I loved the most in my life now. The only person who could see through my fake smiles, who could make me feel more than just an illusion of happiness.

Kaiser was the one who filled the empty parts of me I didn't even know were missing. And in that moment, I realized that everything I had felt up until now—everything that had confused me—was love.

Real, raw love. The kind of love that wrapped around my heart and held it hostage. The kind of love I would never let go of.

I couldn't imagine life without him. He was my heart. He was my soul. My entire being was tied to him, and I didn't want to change that. I wanted to be his forever.

I shifted my position slightly, still holding him tight, feeling the warmth of his chest against mine. My hands instinctively tightened around him as though to anchor him to me, as if I could make him stay with me, forever and ever.

I rested my head against his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat under my ear, feeling the rise and fall of his breath. My fingers curled into his shirt, clutching him even closer, as though afraid he might disappear if I let go.

Kaiser chuckled softly, his voice playful, "Careful now, Celia. You may also fall for me if you're this close."

I couldn't help but smile, even though I tried to keep my expression serious. "Oh trust me, I won't," I said, my voice calm but with a hint of amusement. Little did silly know, I've already fallen for him.

As I held him close, I realized how true that was. Tonight, I thought I'd be crying to myself in the dark, overwhelmed with the weight of feeling alone, with nobody to turn to.

But instead, he was here—Kaiser, the one person who had always understood me, the one who could make me feel lighter, even in my darkest moments. I didn't feel alone anymore. I felt... safe. Happy. More alive than I had in a long time.

He was my everything now, and I knew that without a doubt. I would do anything to protect him, to keep him by my side. Anything.

If the world itself had to burn for us to be together, I would let it. Because with him, I knew I would be happy, as long as we were together.

I tightened my hold on him just a little, feeling his warmth, hearing his heartbeat. And I knew in my heart—no matter what happened, I would never let go.

Rain had never been my favorite; I hated it. It always reminded me of the nights I spent crying alone, my heart heavy with sadness, the storms outside matching the storms inside me.

But tonight, holding him in my arms, it felt different. The rain no longer felt like a cruel reminder of my loneliness. Instead, it felt like a comforting soundtrack to this moment—a reminder of how much I had changed.

How much he had changed me.

I smiled widely, my heart lighter than it had ever been. This stormy, rainy night was no longer something I dreaded. It was something I would cherish forever, because it reminded me of the love I had found in him.

For the first time in so long, the rain wasn't a reminder of my pain. It was a reminder of my love for him. How he had taken all my broken pieces and made me whole again, how he had turned my sorrow into something beautiful.

I held him tighter, feeling his heartbeat beneath my fingertips, and whispered softly, just for him, "I never thought I'd love the rain, but with you... I do."

I smiled widely, feeling the warmth of him against me, his presence somehow making the storm outside seem insignificant.

I looked down, and that's when I realized he had already fallen asleep, his breath even and slow. He must've been exhausted, his body still recovering from everything. I gently placed him onto my lap, careful not to disturb him.

"Sleep well, dummy," I whispered softly, my hand lightly brushing through his hair as I watched him, the quiet rhythm of his breathing calming me.

In the stillness of the room, with only the soft sound of rain and his steady breathing filling the space, I leaned down. My voice was barely a whisper, a secret meant only for him.

"I love you, silly. Only mine," I murmured, a smile forming on my face as I gazed down at him. My heart swelled with emotions I couldn't quite put into words, but the feeling of him in my arms made everything feel right.

The night passed, the storm outside continuing its relentless dance, but in here, with him... I had everything I needed.

My thoughts flickered back to the present.

I was fighting Xander, wasn't I? The words he'd spat at me, so cold and final, echoed through my mind: Kaiser's dead.

The anger had risen within me like a storm, overtaking every other emotion, blinding me to everything else.

But now, as the battle became one-sided, as Xander's overwhelming strength as a Sword Saint pushed me to the brink of death, I felt the weight of my own helplessness.

I was going to die. I could feel it in the way my body refused to move, the way the world felt so far out of reach.

But then, amidst the chaos and despair, someone had come. Someone had saved me. The memory of those words—Kaiser's words—were etched in my mind, repeating in my ears like a promise:

"No matter where you are. No matter who you're up against, Celia... Remember, I will come and protect you. It won't matter who it's up against or who I am at that point. I'll come and save you."

Was it really you, Kai? Did you really come back just to protect me?

I was holding onto that thought, that fragile hope, like it was my lifeline. Because, no matter what, he was my everything. And to think that he'd come for me, that he'd kept his word... I couldn't help but believe it.

I looked up, relief flooding through me as the warmth of a familiar embrace surrounded me. His arms held me tight, like that night when we were together. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, reminding me of him—the real him.

But when I looked up to meet his eyes, my heart sank.

It wasn't Kaiser.

It was him—the weird bandaged figure.

Aldric.