Seeing Eula's tears, Amber instantly panicked.
They'd always been close friends, their bond deep and genuine.
Though Amber had said those words deliberately just now—wanting Eula to understand her relationship with Kael—she'd never intended to hurt her.
She certainly hadn't wanted to make her cry.
Watching Eula's tears fall, Amber felt an ache in her chest. She hurried to her side, flustered. "Eula...?"
"Amber... I'm sorry..."
Eula's tears wouldn't stop. She had no way of controlling her emotions.
"Even knowing about you and Kael... I can't let him go... From the moment I first laid eyes on him, I fell in love...
"Just the thought of losing Kael... it's like a knife tearing into my heart... I'm sorry, Amber... I'm sorry... You've always taken such good care of me, and I..."
Amber froze at her words.
So Eula's feelings for Kael were the same as hers.
In that instant, she empathized completely.
Once upon a time, she too had been just like Eula—utterly unable to live without Kael. If anyone had tried to separate them back then, she'd have felt worse than death.
Amber had known Eula for a long time, but this was the first time she'd ever seen the strong, proud woman break down like this.
Her heart twisting, Amber looked at her sobbing, trembling friend and couldn't help but pull her into a hug.
"Eula, don't say sorry... please, don't cry anymore."
Feeling Eula's warm tears falling onto her neck, Amber made a decision.
"In that case... then let's share Kael together."
"What?" Eula blinked at her, stunned.
Amber let go of her, lifted her head, and looked straight into her eyes. "If neither of us can live without him, then let's share him. That way, no one has to be heartbroken."
Amber had noticed it already—Kael wasn't completely indifferent to Eula.
He'd softened toward her before, which meant he could soften toward Eula too.
Amber's gentle heart didn't want to force Kael into a painful choice, nor did she want her friend to suffer like this.
If that was the case... then why not be together?
For Amber, as long as Kael was by her side, that was enough. She only wanted him safe and happy. And if Eula could join her in caring for him, wasn't that even better?
Eula stared at her in disbelief. "You... you really mean that?"
Amber gently wiped the tears from her face, smiling softly. "I do. If it's you, Eula, I don't mind at all."
Fresh tears burst from Eula's eyes.
She hugged Amber tightly. "Thank you... thank you... I'm such a useless big sister, always needing you to look after me..."
Amber whispered into her ear, "That's not true. You take care of me plenty too."
Then she smiled. "Aren't you leaving Mondstadt tomorrow to keep clearing out Hilichurls? Kael and I will have plenty of chances to be together here. Tonight... I'll let you have him."
She patted Eula's back encouragingly. "Go find him."
Eula gazed at her intently, making sure every word was sincere.
Tears still in her eyes, she gave Amber a grateful smile, then turned and ran toward where Kael was.
Watching her friend's retreating back, Amber let out a relieved smile.
"I really hope we can all be happy..."
Meanwhile, after finishing the dishes, Mona trudged upstairs with deep resentment, ready to begin tonight's astrology session.
Xiangling also headed up with Guoba to rest.
Downstairs, only Kael remained, finishing the last of the cleanup.
After sweeping the floor, he put his tools away and prepared to head up.
But just then, a shadow appeared.
Bathed in moonlight, he clearly saw her face.
"...Eula?"
She'd run too fast, too hard—her chest rose and fell as she panted for breath.
Step by step, still gasping, she walked toward him.
"Did you forget something? Or—"
Kael cut himself off as Eula reached him and suddenly threw her arms around him.
He felt her ragged breath against his neck, her soft body pressed tightly against his.
"Eula... what's going on?"
"Amber told me to come find you."
"What???"
Kael's brain nearly short-circuited. Wait—what?
Eula lifted her head, eyes locking onto his.
"Kael... I like you so much... From the very first moment I saw you, I knew I could never leave you..."
As she spoke, she slowly leaned closer.
When she felt no resistance from him, her lips drew nearer still... and deepened the kiss.
----
Tomorrow's the PS reset, so I'm not setting any goals for today… but if we hit 1150, I'll keep the 50PS for a bonus chapter deal going. And I'll drop two bonus chapters too.