"No! Stop... stop saying that…"
The black-dressed girl advanced step by step, causing Isabella to break down in sobs.
But just as suddenly, the girl's demeanor changed. She gently pulled Isabella into a warm embrace and spoke to her with a voice so tender it seemed to melt the frost itself:
"Isabella, the things I said earlier weren't meant to scare you. I said them so you would see the truth clearly."
"If you don't want to hold Alan back, then you must gain the power to protect yourself."
"And even that won't be enough. One day, Alan will face dangers of his own, and when that time comes… he'll need your strength too."
"Brother... needs my strength?"
Hearing those words, Isabella lowered her head in confusion and stared blankly at her own hands.
It felt unrealistic—too far-fetched. Her brother was so powerful. How could someone as weak as her ever be needed by him?
