They soon got ready to depart from the Tower. The Tower Master wasn't around to see them off, as he had to attend an urgent meeting right after breakfast.

Leaving Nana behind wasn't easy for either of them. However, it was the safest place they could arrange for her, somewhere she would always be surrounded by people.

For her emotional healing, she needed to interact with more people, and she also needed to slowly let go of her restraints. For that, Venessa was the right person.

Emma had received a permit to use teleportation, so she would be coming over every weekend, and sometimes even in the middle of the week if she found the time.

Now that they had entered the mid-phase of the first semester, classes wouldn't be that important. And since she had already completed the studies of the third year, she could afford to slack off a little.

"Take care," Venessa said as Emma stepped toward the carriage.

The silver head turned, and found Nana waving at her from the entrance. The girl was doing her best to hold back her tears while smiling broadly, but that only made things more difficult for Emma.

In the end, she had to look away, or they would have never left.

As Emma boarded the carriage, William pulled the door shut and looked outside.

He waved back at Nana as he mumbled under his breath, "If I ever get the chance to graduate before the end of the year, I'm taking it and building a house where I can stay with her without any problem."

He had already planned how he would arrange the house.

A big playhouse. Lots of toys. No limits on sugary items. A few pet animals if she wanted. He would even bring children from the orphanage to play with her if she ever got bored.

After meeting Nana, William realized how helpless he could become at times.

"Am I not invited to that house?" Emma asked with a small smile.

The carriage had begun to move.

William sighed and finally looked at the silver-haired girl.

Crossing his arms, he asked, "I heard from Nana that you cried?"

Emma froze in her seat, her big eyes blinking before she asked, "She… saw that?"

William nodded. "Yes." After a brief pause, he added, "Why, Emma? Did I say something to hurt you?"

Emma instantly shook her head. "In fact, I feel you didn't react the way anyone else would have. I've seen how desperately you've been searching for answers about your origin, about the reason behind your anomalous situation. And despite knowing the secret behind it, I never told you."

Lowering her gaze, she added, "You aren't the reason for my tears. It's because of how helpless I am in this situation."

William frowned. "Why, Emma? What's stopping you from letting me know whatever it is? Do you not trust that I could take the truth?"

He didn't want to return to the topic so soon. After his small argument with Emma last night, William had gone through several thoughts and emotions that kept him awake all night.

However, one of the many things he had learned from his father was this: talk before a simple argument turns into a crack in your relationship.

Emma shook her head and told him honestly, "It's the promise. The Shaman said that if I tell you about this, there are beings who might not remain dormant anymore and would attack without hesitation."

William blinked in surprise. "But… why? What exactly have I done?"

First, the Mark left by an immortal being, and now this. What exactly was he?

Emma thought for a moment, carefully calculating what she could tell him, before finally uttering, "Just know that you are going to be constantly targeted from both sides. You are a threat to them, and why that is… I guess we both know."

Emma and William had witnessed what William had turned into at Island Beta, a being who wiped out a General-ranked Devil as if it were nothing more than a mob.

Whatever that creature was, it was a part of William's consciousness.

The blond man leaned back in his seat and asked, "You heard everything from the Shaman before the deal was finalized, right?"

Emma nodded, confused as to why he asked that all of a sudden.

With a small smile, he continued, "And if you wanted to, you could have ended the deal right then, and the Curse would surely have crushed my soul."

Emma went still and didn't respond.

The answer was yes. As absurd as it might sound, the Shaman had actually given her the opportunity to cancel the summoning. She would have left without any offering.

But, "I never summoned that being with the intention of backing away. It might appear that I was hasty in liberating you, but I had thought things through, William. And I know I would never regret that decision."

Seeing that unwavering certainty in her eyes and the warmth in her voice made his heart race and yet called it down at the same time.

If she truly wanted to, she could have left him to die. He was, undoubtedly, an unwanted being on this planet, someone destined to be targeted by both Devils and Angels. And yet…

He suddenly extended his arm and pulled her beside him.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he said, "Despite knowing all the dangers you would have to face after untying those chains, you didn't hesitate even once and just… made the decision."

Emma melted into his embrace. It felt as though she had been breathing since last night, yet hadn't truly been alive.

She took a few moments to simply relish his warmth before she spoke, "I have never fallen for someone before. And when I did, there was no turning back."

William chuckled as he kissed the top of her head and said, "Sorry for leaving like that yesterday. I didn't know you were so emotionally vulnerable."

Emma shook her head. "I should be the one apologizing. I should have explained things more calmly, but I was taken off guard when you suddenly asked me if I knew something."

William smiled helplessly. "I mean, it became obvious from the lack of your reaction to everything that had been happening around us."

Emma pouted. "Now, don't doubt me ever again unless I give you a pretty big reason to."

William pulled her even closer, her face pressed against his chest, as he said, "Stop being so adorable, or I will definitely bite you."

Emma giggled. Just like that, the cloud of gloom surrounding the two of them faded away.

•••••••

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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