First Warmth In His Dark Cold World II

Seraphine can only gape down at Eric, flabbergasted.

He can actually talk properly, though she is not really complaining at how he keeps stammering the whole time. She understands that his weak state must have something to do with his speech, but it seems like he has recovered enough now. He even went ahead and said something so out of place.

"What's that? Are you trying to imagine how I look?" Seraphine deadpanned, already immune to this kind of compliment.

"I hope I can see you," Eric muttered with a sullen tone, earning her downcast and sympathetic gaze.

"Well… Forget about seeing me. Don't you want to just… you know, see for real? Be rid of your blindness and all?"

"For this moment, I do. Otherwise, being blind or not doesn't really matter. The world will still be dark even if I can see."

That does it.

With what he has said, she probably doesn't need to doubt anymore. That had basically confirmed the conclusion she came up with from all the signs she had observed – he does have a tough life. Not only was he not spared from an eyesight condition, but he was also living such a life. Though she does not know just how bad it is, she can sense that he has been through so much.

Somehow, Seraphine can really empathize with Eric at a deep level.

She can tell that they have something in common – a lot of things, perhaps.

With only one glance, she can see how broken he is. He appears damaged beyond repair. His eyes, his expression, his demeanor, and his very existence alone – they all seem to tell a tragic story. It's like he's been trying to be wanted or needed for all his life, but because he possesses something he doesn't even ask for, he has been shunned forever.

No matter how much he worked hard, he could never get what he wanted.

"You need to get out of here, Eric…" Seraphine then found herself saying out of nowhere, nonplussing Eric.

"Don't give up yet. Get out of here."

For an unknown cause, she suddenly began running her mouth in ways she did not intend to.

Maybe it's because she could see herself in him. Despite their despairing predicament at this moment, she still does want to escape. She will not waste her third life by accepting defeat again. Ever since she came to existence, she has always been a loser. But this time, she wants to win her happiness with her own power – not with beauty, smarts, wealth or anything superficial.

Seraphine is determined to win it with self-love.

And she wants the same for Eric too.

"Don't let your name turn into a curse that would cause people's tongues to be cut off. It should reach far – very far. Way past beyond the castle's walls. Let your name be remembered among all the people in this empire. No, even among the neighboring countries," she continued with a firm and vehement tone, bewildering him even more.

"W-What are you talking about-"

"The world you have may be dark, but that is only your world. There are others to explore. This universe is really big – I guarantee you. You can unearth new territories, travel beyond the borders, leave everything behind. Go and build the world you want, Eric."

Seriously, though, Seraphine has no idea when she has become this much of a poet.

Nevertheless, her words are genuine. She wants this little boy to live. If she managed to get out of the underground together with him, then she would definitely consider that as a success – as proof that she could still change a permanent course. She could still go against fate and do something about her destiny.

"Don't die, Eric."

At that, Eric finally responded.

Seraphine watches in puzzlement as he fully envelops her hand with both of his. He grasps it tightly, looking as if he is hanging on a very thin line of thread. Then, much to her surprise, he suddenly shows her a smile that somehow comes out to be the most precious one she has ever seen.

As for why Seraphine thinks so, it's most probably because of how sincere it is.

"If that's what you say… Seraphine."