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Just then, a drowsy little voice called out to her.
“Winter.”
When she turned, she saw Tiya motioning to her from beside Lev, who had already fallen into a deep sleep.
As Winter came closer, Tiya whispered as if sharing a secret.
“Thank you for helping oppa. You know, meeting you, Winter, is the greatest luck of my life.”
<…Don’t say such embarrassing things. Just go to sleep.>
“Mm… Winter.”
<Yeah.>
“I… Winter, haam… really like you…”
Her eyes fluttered, trust shimmering faintly between her blinking eyelids.
Winter forced a bitter smile, hardening her heart against the softness threatening to seep through.
<What am I going to do. I’m not such a good adult.>
“Mm…?”
Cowardly, it was only after Tiya had half-fallen asleep that Winter’s true feelings slipped out.
<Don’t forget, Astiya.>
She had no right to feel regret or guilt.
Hadn’t she made her resolve the moment she summoned the Spirit of Time? To sacrifice anything—whether family or beliefs.
Even herself.
<Everything is for Vladijev.>
Like a mantra to herself, Winter murmured.
And as Tiya drifted fully into slumber, darkness finally descended upon Winter’s world as well.