And now, as I stare at it again, cradled in Eris' hands… that feeling rises once more.
A strange, hollow sadness.
Grief that has no name.
And buried beneath it, deep and burning like a coal pressed into my chest, is anger.
I swallow hard, chest tight.
My eyes don't leave the dress.
One day, I want to ask Alter what this meant to her, what memory it holds, why it still hurts, and why it feels like it's tied to something she's lost, someone she couldn't protect.
I wonder if they are related to Morvena too.
"Oh…" Eris falters as she sees the shift in my expression, her playful grin fading. "I'm sorry… Are you… still feeling those emotions?"
"Nn…" I nod faintly, my fingers fidgeting in my lap.
But this time, it's different. Now that I know those emotions aren't entirely mine… it doesn't hit me as hard. It still stings, still tugs at something deep in my chest—but I can breathe through it now.
"Alright… I'll put it back then," Eris says softly.
