Chapter 184: Hex

Malefica leaned back slightly into his embrace. Her hesitation was palpable. 

"Y...you do realize the reason I took such a drastic measure?"

Alicarde nodded, his lips forming a confident smirk.

 "I know. You only did what you did yesterday because you love me, not some creepy Knight of Order."

She was silent, her gaze fixed on the horizon. He pressed further.

"If you didn't care, you wouldn't have risked it."

Her fists clenched slightly as she grappled with her feelings.

 "Do you feel guilty, Malefica? Like you're dragging me into your troubles?"

"I do," she admitted quietly, her voice trembling. "I feel like I'm dragging you into a storm you don't deserve."

"Why then?" Alicarde asked, leaning closer, his tone unrelenting yet gentle.

She hesitated, biting her lip as if the words would shatter something fragile within her.