“You are kicking Est out?”

Mattheus only wakes up the next day, and not only does he feel weaker than ever, but he also has to face the worst news possible.

Even if the older fairy has expected this to happen sooner or later - though he had no idea how he would handle it - it still shocks him that the other supernatural creatures are here to do it.

“That’s right. That’s what we were trying to do yesterday.” an old friend explains with a grim expression. “We thought we could save you by taking care of that girl while you were away...”

“Apparently... we were wrong.”

“However, at this point, it’s undeniable how much danger that witch means.”

Mattheus feels heavier with each word said, having trouble breathing and looking at the others.

“We have endured her staying here for over a year... but we can’t endanger everyone’s lives anymore!”

But Mattheus can’t say anything back when he sees the desperation in his friend’s eyes.

“And since we can’t do anything unless one of us decides to be a sacrifice... you have to do it.”

When the conversation is finished, silence falls on the gathered people.

Mattheus totally understands the situation now... though that doesn’t help him feel better... or, well, less miserable.

“...........”

“...... b-but she has finally m-managed to...” Mattheus doesn’t even know what he wants to say... how could he try and fix things...

In the end, he can feel it perfectly... whatever he says... or whatever has happened... It’s too late and too little.

“Mattheus... you can see it too, can’t you?”

“The pain that she is causing... just like all of the witches that have killed our dear ones with a flick of their hands!”

“Just look at yourself! You are so close to dying! And it's all thanks to her!”

And Mattheus hates how his friend’s voice is shaking. It shows that he is actually worried about him.

And Mattheus hates how the others’ thoughts sound true and familiar...

As he raises his hands and sees dark marks on his skin... A part of him knows that the others are right... he will die soon...

... and he may have only ever caused pain and suffering...

But...

He also knows that he can’t walk down a different path. At least, not anymore...

“I... there is no way I could leave Est alone... to defend herself in the outside world... she would only die, I know.”

“A-and there is no way I will give up after all this.”

“I... I-I...”

“If you are sending her away... I’m going with her.”

And Mattheus doesn’t know what he hates more at this moment...

... the way his voice is shaking, showing the hesitation inside him...

... or the way some people around him seem relieved when he says that...

However, his inner turmoil is nothing compared to what is going on in Est’s heart.

She’s supposed to be unconsciously lying in the shack behind Mattheus’s back... but that’s not the case.

No... she’s sitting there and listening to everything quietly, her back leaning to the door all along.

Her eyes look lifeless, showing her true feelings without hiding anything for the first time in a long while.

But it’s gone the moment Mattheus opens the room... and the fairy never realizes that Est was awake during that time...