"Morgan" simply remained silent, waiting to see how Luzbel would react.
Meanwhile, Luzbel was struggling with an inner dilemma, with that voice that always found a way to make itself heard precisely when it hurt the most.
She thought.
- He's right... everything he said is right. But can I really fix what I've broken? Can I truly correct all my mistakes? Do I even have the right to take his hand after everything I've done?
Luzbel slowly lifted her head completely to look at Morgan and the stern expression in his eyes. A gaze that did not judge her, nor look away. One that simply waited.
And despite everything, he still hadn't withdrawn his hand.
Every time she was about to take it, one of her intrusive thoughts stopped her, making her hesitate. Again and again. As if a part of her believed she didn't deserve even that much.
Seeing her hesitation, Morgan frowned in annoyance and grabbed Luzbel's hand himself, pulling her up before she could waste another second doubting.
In an irritated tone, Morgan scolded her.
- Damn it, you really are an incredibly troublesome woman.
Upon hearing that, Luzbel lowered her gaze once more. Sad. She crossed one arm over herself and squeezed it tightly in frustration, as if she needed something to hold onto, even if it was only herself. She couldn't complain or argue back. At this moment, no matter what she said, she would be wrong. She knew it. And the worst part was that he was right.
- But...
That single word made Luzbel's eyes widen. She froze completely, waiting, unconsciously holding her breath.
- I can't allow you to stay in such a miserable state. So whether you like it or not, you're going to get your feathered ass up and start doing things differently. You're going to fix your mistakes, take responsibility for them, and correct them as many times as necessary. Every single time.
With a trembling voice and something stirring in her chest that she couldn't quite name, Luzbel tried to respond to such a firm declaration.
- I... I don't think I can...
But Morgan didn't let her finish. He grabbed her chin and turned her face toward him, forcing her to look into his eyes. There was no compassion in them at that moment, but neither was there cruelty. There was something far harder to endure: conviction.
- It seems you weren't listening. I'm not asking you. I'm ordering you. We're both on the same boat, and I can't let it sink because of you. So if you truly want to help me, if I matter to you in any way, you're going to stand up, stop acting like a little girl, and start behaving like the adult you are. Is that clear?
The silence that followed was heavy. Dense. Like the air before a storm.
His words hit Luzbel in a way she hadn't expected. He was far too important to her. It wasn't wrong to admit it anymore—not now, when she no longer had the strength to lie to herself. He had become the most important person in her entire existence. But doubts still lingered within her, wounds that hadn't fully healed, and when she tried to voice them, Morgan interrupted her once again.
- I said, is that clear?
Morgan's voice was firm. Authoritative. Leaving no room for negotiation.
Luzbel simply nodded.
- Good.
(Morgan said seriously.)
Morgan released her chin and stepped away, turning his back to her. There was a brief silence, and then, almost to himself, he muttered something she barely managed to hear.
- Seriously, what a pain.
(Morgan said under his breath, though something in his tone no longer sounded as irritated as before.)
---
Xol returned Morgan's body to him.
Luzbel remained standing there, processing everything. The words, the tone, the way he had grabbed her hand. She was still putting all the pieces together when Morgan suddenly threw himself at her feet and began apologizing over and over in complete desperation.
- I'M SOOOO SORRY!
This deeply shocked Luzbel. The change had been too drastic, too abrupt. The young man who had just moments ago spoken to her with such harshness, cold authority, and unwavering conviction was now at her feet begging for forgiveness like a little boy who had broken something precious and had no idea how to fix it.
- Please forgive me, Miss Luzbel. Forgive me for everything I said. Sorry, sorry, sorry.
(Morgan said, nearly crying, his forehead almost touching the floor.)
The contrast was so absurd, so endearingly human, that Luzbel let out a soft laugh. A small, almost involuntary laugh that came from the very place where only pain had existed moments ago.
And inside her mind, something finally fell into place.
- Hahaha... he's right. I had forgotten my true goal. I've spent so much time feeling miserable, wasting so much energy drowning in my own self-pity, that I forgot the purpose I set for myself. I want to help him. I want to protect him. I want to protect this ridiculous, stubborn child who is crying at my feet right now. And if that means I need to start acting like an adult, then that's exactly what I'll do. No excuses.
Luzbel slowly crouched down and gently began stroking Morgan's head. With a tenderness she had perhaps kept buried for far too long.
- No, it's okay, Morgan. I truly needed someone to speak to me that way. I needed someone to make me realize just how pathetic and mediocre I was behaving. I'll definitely make more mistakes, but I'll do my best to fix them every time. So thank you. Truly, thank you for that.
Morgan remained silent, completely stunned.
Luzbel leaned closer and, with all the gentleness in the world, placed a soft kiss on top of his head. A small, quiet gesture. Like a promise that didn't need words to be upheld.
- I will protect you. No matter the cost.
(Luzbel whispered to herself, with a sense of peace and determination she hadn't felt in a very long time.)
End of Chapter.
Next Chapter: The Familiar.