Young Aether stayed quiet while Nova, a woman older than him, cried like a child in his embrace.
Under different circumstances, he might have found the sight strangely amusing, but there was nothing amusing about it now.
He gently pushed her away from his embrace. Though Nova hesitated, her fingers lingering against him for a moment as if she were reluctant to let go, she eventually released him and wiped her tears with trembling hands.
"P-Please... Believe me... I... I am not an ungrateful person. I know the days and nights you stayed right beside him... When I thought I was going to die, you stayed right beside me and gave me strength and hope. I would never, ever forget that. If not for you, this woman would have died a long time ago..." Her voice cracked as more tears quietly slipped down her cheeks.
Young Aether stared at her in silence for a moment before asking,
