“Kyran…” Deirdre murmured. A warm glow seemed to be enveloping her chest. The corner of her lips curled. “You don’t need to say things like that to make me feel better, Kyran. I’ve gotten used to it. People have been making these comments about me for four years. I know what will happen the moment I step outside looking like this.”

“Does it weigh hard on you?”

Deirdre shook her head. She used to feel dejected, but not anymore, or she would not have chosen to stay in Alnwick.

“If it doesn’t, then why don’t you want to step outside?” Kyran stated matter-of-factly. “The Deirdre I know doesn’t give a d*mn about what the shallow masses think of her. She lives true to herself and is comfortable with herself. All of them were stray characters who wandered into her life only to be forgotten when they were out. So… why is the same girl suddenly afraid of letting them see her now?”

Deirdre froze.

“Is it because of me?”

Deirdre’s pupils seemed to be trembling. She looked perturbed. Freya’s