The moment Lexie stepped out of the room, Ciel was the first to spot her. His face lit up and he bolted toward her, throwing his arms around her waist in a desperate hug.
"You're really coming," he whispered, his voice trembling. "You're really coming with us."
Lexie placed a shaky hand on his head, stroking his golden hair gently as she tried to ground herself. "Of course, Ciel," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with an exhaustion she couldn't quite hide. "I promised, didn't I?"
From across the room, Eijar looked quietly, her sharp gaze fixed on Lexie. There was no mistaking the silent message in her eyes—a mix of pity and disbelief.
Lexie could feel the weight of Eijar's unspoken words pressing down on her, accusing her of foolishness, of recklessness, of walking straight into destruction.
The stare lingered like a brand, but Lexie didn't flinch. Instead, she tightened her grip on Ciel as if his embrace could shield her from the judgment and the storm that awaited her.
