I intend to annihilate fate

Even if she was overwhelmed with thoughts at Esmeralda's response, Ophelia was relieved that Pain was with her to divert her thoughts. She gave him some meat to eat and caressed him till he dozed off on a big cushion next to her. The guardian beast enjoyed comfort. She smiled. Who didn't?

With a sigh, she got up and proceeded towards the door, when it suddenly pushed open, revealing Alina with Anastasia and Maria trailing behind. They didn't seem overly startled, indicating that they were aware she was in the room. But she could tell by the looks on their faces that they weren't at all at ease with her presence.

Courteously, she bowed her head and carefully made her way out of the room without making any further contact. Sadly, that wasn't what they were going for. Maria stopped her dead in her tracks by grabbing her wrist.