It hurt Sybil's heart to do it.
To look him in the eyes and tell him not to see her again.
She'd done it to "set him free" but now that the words had left her mouth, she felt like she'd broken something sacred inside her.
She pressed a hand to her chest as the ache grew.
'But what if I was forcing myself on him?' she thought. 'Did he ever even like me back?'
"Hey calm down… There must be a reason you like Azel other than his body and power, right?"
Her mind drifted to his rare genuine smile… The one that made her stomach flutter and her chest feel warm.
"Yes…" she whispered to herself. "But I can't describe it."
She turned to Esme, who was still seated beside her bed, listening patiently.
"I need to do more research," Sybil said.
"Good," Esme replied, her expression growing softer. "Even if you plan to use him to escape your marriage with Reinhardt… you should at least tell him the truth."
That made Sybil pause and her eyes lifted toward Esme.
"Hey, Esmeralda."
"Hm?"
