Amukelo let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head as he looked at the ground. "Looking back at it, it's stupid that I only remember this kind of moments after everything we'd been through together." His voice wavered slightly, the weight of his memories pressing down on him. "But it still weighs on me sometimes." He took a deep breath, but it didn't seem to ease the strain in his voice.
Then, his expression darkened, his voice cracking ever so slightly as if he was barely holding something back. "And God forbid… but what if something happened to him?" His fingers clenched into fists at his sides, his whole body tensing. "I don't want you to feel the same regret, Pao. It's the worst kind of pain after losing someone. Knowing that you could've been better. Even if at the time you thought you were right." He exhaled sharply, shaking his head again as if he was trying to push away the thought. "But you know better now. You know you should apologize."
His words faded into a strained silence, his jaw tightening as he stared at nothing in particular. By the end of it, his voice was nearly inaudible, trembling with an emotion he refused to let spill over. His eyes glistened, but he blinked rapidly, swallowing the lump in his throat.
Pao had never seen him like this before. The strength, the confidence he always carried—it was still there, but beneath it was something raw, something fragile. He had spent his whole life surviving, pushing forward with no room for mistakes, no time for regrets. And yet here he was, telling her that the greatest pain wasn't the struggles he endured but the guilt that still lingered in his heart.
She stared at him, her own throat tightening, her hands trembling slightly. Then, as if the thought had only just fully struck her, she murmured, "Losing my father…" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight of it was undeniable.
For a long moment, she didn't move, didn't speak. Then, she took a deep breath and exhaled shakily. "Okay… I'll do it."
Amukelo's shoulders loosened, and for the first time since they had left the merchant's guild, a small, relieved smile flickered across his face. "That's the right choice."
She nodded, though she still seemed hesitant, as if she hadn't entirely convinced herself yet.
They turned and began walking back toward the merchant's guild, their pace slow, as if the weight of what Pao was about to do made her reluctant to reach their destination too quickly. Amukelo walked beside her, his presence steady, reassuring.
When they finally arrived back at the massive guild hall, Amukelo turned to her and said gently, "So… go. I'll stay here."
Pao hesitated at the entrance, shifting uncomfortably. "But… what should I even say?" She bit her lip, her nerves growing more apparent. "What if he doesn't forgive me?"
Amukelo let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "From the way he reacted when he saw you, I think the better question is… what if he doesn't even remember?"
Pao's face tensed, her uncertainty growing. "Exactly. What if he doesn't remember?"
Amukelo crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly. "Then he'll know you care."
Before he could say anything else, a familiar voice called out from ahead. "Oh? You're back already?"
They both turned to see Silvan approaching, carrying a large wooden box filled with goods. He raised an eyebrow in amusement. "The hour hasn't even passed yet. You still have some time before dinner."
Pao stiffened, her breath hitching in her throat. She opened her mouth to say something but hesitated, suddenly unsure of herself again.
Silvan set down the box beside him and dusted off his hands before turning to her with an inquisitive look. "What is it, my dear?" His voice was gentle, patient, as if he had already sensed something was on her mind.
Pao swallowed hard. "I… I wanted to tell you something."
Silvan blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. "Tell me something? Why didn't you wait until dinner? Why bother coming back early?"
Pao took a deep breath, her hands tightening into fists at her sides. "Well… I wanted to tell you this in private. Without the others."
Silvan tilted his head slightly, curiosity in his eyes. Then, with a kind smile, he stepped closer and said, "What's bothering you, my dear?"
Pao's breath hitched as she lowered her gaze, shifting from foot to foot as if trying to gather the courage to speak. Then, after a deep inhale, she finally whispered, "I'm sorry..."
Silvan's brows furrowed slightly. His expression was puzzled but not unkind. "Sorry?" He echoed, tilting his head. "For what, my dear?"
Pao clenched her fists at her sides, her nails pressing into her palms as she forced herself to meet his gaze. Her voice was steadier now, but there was still hesitation in her words. "Do you remember when we lost our noble status?"
Silvan's face shifted at the mention of it. A subtle tension entered his posture, though his features remained composed. He exhaled softly, nodding. "Yes… I was too careless with something very important, and that cost us dearly." His voice was calm, measured, but there was a faint weight behind his words. "It was a difficult time, but what does that have to do with anything?"
Pao took a shaky breath, her fingers twisting together in front of her. Her throat felt dry, but she pushed forward. "I was so ungrateful." The words came out heavier than she expected, almost like a confession. "I blamed everything on you… and I only made it worse."
Silvan's expression softened, his gaze flickering with something unreadable, but he didn't interrupt her.
Pao swallowed hard, her voice quivering as she continued. "I acted like I deserved everything, when in truth, I deserved nothing. I'm sorry for always complaining when we had so much. And even after we lost it, you still never declined us anything, yet I kept blaming you."
Her voice broke as the first tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, but more followed, her shoulders trembling as she fought against the emotions welling up inside her.
Silvan remained silent, watching her carefully. His eyes weren't filled with anger or disappointment—only a deep, quiet understanding.
"I was a child," Pao whispered, her voice barely audible now. "But I should have known better."
For a long moment, Silvan just looked at her, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a warm smile spread across his face, one filled with nothing but love and reassurance.
"Pao..." He said her name so gently, like it was something fragile that needed to be handled with care. "I never held it against you."
Pao's lips trembled, more tears falling.
"I can see how much you've changed during your journey. And it makes me happy." Silvan's voice was firm yet kind. "But you never needed to carry this burden, my dear. You were a child, and even if you had moments of frustration, I always understood."
Then, to her surprise, he lowered himself slightly to her level, opening his arms wide. "Come," he said softly. "You don't need to hold onto this guilt any longer."
Pao stood frozen for a moment, blinking as she processed his words. Then, slowly, she stepped forward, hesitantly at first, before finally allowing herself to collapse into his embrace.
Silvan held her tightly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "You and your sister are my greatest joys, Pao," he murmured. "Even if there are difficult times, seeing you grow into the woman you are now is more than I could ever ask for."
Pao sniffled, her arms wrapping tightly around him as she buried her face into his shoulder.
"I love you, my dear. And I'm proud of you."
Pao only nodded, unable to speak as the weight that had clung to her for years finally lifted from her heart.
A few steps away, Amukelo stood with a wide smile. He had seen how much this had weighed on her, how long she had held onto this guilt. And now, watching her finally let it go—watching her finally receive the comfort she needed—filled him with nothing but happiness.