Ein closed his eyes, placing his emotions in order.
"Do you know what I felt when I saw the kids die one after another?" he asked Nayta and Melina with a wry smile.
"Nothing... I felt pity for them and anger at the monsters, but that's it." Ein sighed. "In the end, I was the same as those priests and nuns who abandoned them. I didn't love them, even though I thought I did..."
Nayta felt a pang in her chest. She then looked over beside her, where her daughter was. Nayta imagined what she would feel if Melina left before her, just like her husband... And just imagining it almost sent her to the depths of despair.
When her husband left the world of the living, it took her decades to recover her true smile. Right now, she was positive that her feelings for Ein were just as strong as what she offered to her late husband. Nayta felt like this was what love meant, but hearing Ein's story, she started doubting even herself.
I'm actually split right now...
This book isn't meant to be R18, but the next chapter is perfect to insert one... Would everyone get angry if I just used the "and then it's the next morning" trope?