258 I will die

Esme stepped back, avoiding his touch as she lowered her head.

Aleister stiffened, ''Are you angry? I...'' he paused for a moment as he raked his fingers through his hair.

Did he tease her too much? Did she feel like he was trying to make a fool of her? Did she hate him again? Was she going to leave now?

Countless questions appeared in his head and he panicked, ''Esme,'' he called her softly, ''I know I was wrong. Forgive me...''

'Thump'

Esme fell to her knees, cutting his words off as he looked at her with a shocked expression on his face.

''Es—''

''Why are you so good to me, Al?" she tilted her head to look at him, tears streamed down her cheeks as her lips curled down.

Yet, he was too stunned to say anything.

'Not my lord. You can call me Al.'

'No.'

'Yes, my dear moon.'

'No. No. No.'

Aleister felt his heart skipping a few beats as he stared at her in a daze.

Esme. His Esme.