Besides, he had complimented her, and that added another layer to the complexity of the situation.
Gon had told her that he only turned to admire her beauty, not to kiss her.
His words, though simple, held a sincerity that Celia couldn't easily dismiss.
She could feel the weight of his intention behind them, he wasn't trying to make excuses for what had happened.
He wasn't minimizing it or playing it off as a harmless mistake.
Instead, he was admitting that it had been an accidental misstep, one that had come from being captivated by her presence, by how she looked in that moment.
And she loved his flattery.
Despite the frustration swirling inside her, despite the confusion and uncertainty, there was a part of Celia that couldn't help but feel a flutter of warmth at his words.
His compliment had been sincere, and even if she was trying her best to stay composed, she couldn't deny how good it felt to be admired in such an unexpected, unguarded way.
