Fay pressed her lips into a thin line, then slowly shook her head. "I also told him to stay with you until you were truly settled," she murmured, her gaze distant as if reliving her own adversities. "But I've come to realize… finding happiness in this world is a luxury reserved for the fortunate few."
Daisuke's heart sank at that eerie truth, but he waited patiently for her to continue.
"Lefahne and Zurrel… they took me in when I was on the brink of giving up," she confessed with a bittersweet smile, hugging her knees a little tighter. "They were warm, selfless… the kind of people who helped not for praise, but because it was simply who they were. It makes perfect sense they ran an apothecary."
Her eyes drifted down to the shoes on her feet—Lefahne's gift. "I was a complete stranger, yet they welcomed me without hesitation. Gave me shelter, comfort… trust. They shared pieces of their lives with me—someone they barely even knew."
The final words cracked as they left her lips. Grief-stricken and restless, Fay rose unsteadily to her feet, stepping closer to the water's edge. The moon's reflection rippled and blurred, distorted by the tears welling in her eyes.
"Silvie… she was like a sister to me," she uttered, tears spilling down her cheeks now. "She was so bright—so confident and beautiful. I saved her that day… but in doing so… in doing so…"
"Fay…" Daisuke whispered softly.
"I-I killed them," she sobbed, her shoulders trembling as she shook her head. "Lefahne and Zurrel… they gave me nothing but warmth and kindness. They welcomed and treated me like family. And how did I repay them? I led death right to their door."
Her voice grew more fragile with every word. "I keep telling myself it's not real—that it's all just some horrible nightmare… but no matter how hard I try… I can't wake up."
Daisuke's chest tightened, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.
Then Fay's hands flew to her face as she broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably. Her body trembled, wracked with grief. "I'm tired! I'm so tired of this cursed life! What did I ever do to deserve this?" she cried out. "Everyone who gets close to me gets hurt—innocent people! I-I'd rather die than let someone else suffer because of—"
CLASPP!
Daisuke pulled her into a sudden embrace, her sorrow crashing into him like a typhoon, reverberating through his own chest.
Fay gasped, her eyes wide with shock. Instinctively, she pressed against him, struggling to break free—but the harder she tried, the more firmly he held her, as if letting go would shatter them both.
"You did the right thing saving Silvestia," Daisuke whispered, his voice solemn yet soothing. "If anyone is to blame for what happened to that couple, it's the Kaelmonts. They're the ones who brought ruin—not you.
You chose to save a life. No matter the outcome, that's never the wrong choice. Those two… from the bottom of their hearts, I believe they were grateful. And if they had the chance to do it all over again, I'm sure they'd make the same choice—to give their lives if it meant saving their daughter."
Finally, Fay stopped resisting, fresh tears welling in her eyes.
Daisuke pulled her closer, her small frame pressed tightly against the solid wall of his chest. As her sobs softened, memories began stirring within him.
"For the longest time… I thought I was cursed too," he murmured, his voice low and rough with emotion. "But the truth is, this region of the world is just rotten and twisted.
It punishes the weak and preys on the kind. Just existing here is a challenge, especially for demihumans. You try to rise, to hold onto something precious, and suddenly everyone wants to tear it from you."
He drew a breath, steadying the storm inside him. "Eventually, I understood. If I wanted to protect myself… if I wanted to break this cycle and protect the people I care about… I needed power and influence. Enough to carve out my own slice of paradise in this world. A place where I could finally breathe. Where we could all live without fear."
Slowly, hesitantly, Fay lifted her trembling arms and wrapped them around him. His warmth seeped into her like a soothing balm, chasing away the ache in her chest. A soft flush stained her cheeks as she buried her face against him, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird.
"…It's warm," she whispered beneath her breath. But then, her brows furrowed as that comforting sensation, by extension, tangled with darker memories. "I'm scared," she admitted.
Daisuke gave a faint, bittersweet smile and gently stroked her hair. "It's not your fault," he murmured, his tone patient and reassuring. "Go ahead. Say it."
Fay hesitated, her lips tightening with uncertainty.
"Go on," Daisuke urged again softly, his hand never leaving her head.
"…It's not… my fault?" she echoed, as though the words themselves felt foreign on her tongue.
Daisuke clasped her shoulders and gently pulled her back, his butterscotch eyes burning with intensity as they locked onto hers. "Again," he said firmly. "Say it clearly."
Fay's lips quivered, warm tears streaking down her face. "It's not my fault," she said again—this time with strength.
A brilliant grin lit up Daisuke's face. "You and Silvestia should stay with us," he offered, his voice velvety soft and inviting. "That paradise I'm fighting to build—there'll be a special place for you there too. And don't worry… Zephyr and I are pretty damn stubborn. I promise—we won't die easily."
Fay's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening with a storm of emotions. She quickly turned her back to him, regretting that day in the forest when she left him alone with Rai.
Her cowlick flicked from side to side as she nervously fiddled with her fingers. "Does your offer still stand… even if I'm not like regular people?"
"Of course, it does," Daisuke answered without a moment's pause. "This slice of paradise will be meant especially for unique people like you and I. The ones who don't quite fit into the mold."
Fay blushed. And for a moment she was silent. "Y-You'll have to take responsibility for those words, Haxks Starfrost."
Daisuke flinched. "Wh-What do you mean?"
Fay clutched the hem of her dress, her fingers bunching the fabric as she squirmed. Her crimson eyes gleamed beneath her lashes, avoiding his gaze as she murmured, "I-If you want me to be your friend… you'll have to accept my selfish request."
Daisuke blinked. "Request?"
Fay nodded, her cowlick bouncing like a spring. "If you do, then… then one day… if you're worthy, I'll tell you my real name."
There was a pause. Then—
"Challenge accepted," Daisuke replied with a grin, arms crossed confidently.
"Eh…?" Fay's heart practically lodged itself in her throat. She stared at him like he'd just agreed to marry her on the spot. "Y-You didn't even hesitate…!"
Her cowlick began spinning rapidly like a wind-up toy about to explode. Face burning bright pink, she pressed her hands to her cheeks and turned slightly away.
"The c-condition," she stammered, "is that… y-you have to keep your eyes on me from now on. Just me."
Her voice shrank to a whisper at the end, cheeks practically glowing. She peeked at him from the corner of her eye, waiting for him to mock her—or worse, laugh.
But Daisuke just tilted his head. "Keep my eyes on you? That's all?" He shrugged. "Sure, sounds easy enough."
Fay stiffened.
Then her whole face turned crimson red, steam practically puffing from her ears. Before Daisuke could even process her meltdown, before she could faint from the sheer embarrassment, Midnight erupted from the shadow beneath her feet, his eyes shining with mischief. Then an inky pool opened beneath Fay.
"I-I need a little time!" she blurted, flustered and overwhelmed. "I-I just want to stay by Silvie's side for now, okay?!"
And then—whoosh! She sank through the shadow with a sparkle, vanishing completely in a swirl of dark mist.
A silence lingered.
Daisuke stood there, blinking. "…First Zephyr, now Fay?" He muttered. "Does that mean I could've teleported this whole time too? Man, I feel stupid for not trying it earlier."
With a sigh, he turned his eyes skyward. Stars blinked down from the velvet canopy above. "Since I've got the time… I should head back to the apothecary."