It was true.
For all Caelius could remember, there had never been a moment when Soren openly laughed, never a time when genuine joy shone in his eyes back in the North. Even when he smiled, it had always seemed measured and cautious, as if he feared happiness might be taken away the moment he showed it.
In contrast, Soren had been constantly exposed to cruelty.
He was mocked, pushed aside, discriminated against, assaulted and humiliated in ways that would have broken most people.
And yet, he endured it all silently.
To the outside world or at least to Caelius, Soren had seemed unremarkable, almost invisible.
Caelius also knew that Soren had probably never heard a word of genuine praise for his tireless dedication, for the effort he poured into his work despite dealing with so many cruel or careless people. Even when Soren met a few kind souls, it did little to erase the memory of those who treated him harshly first.
