Yasmine blew the lantern, and I saw tears dripping from her eyes. She was recalling her elder brother who died on the battlefield when she was barely twelve. I clasped her palm, and she wiped the tears from her eyes.

She gave me a smile and brought out what she bought from the shop. They were two black threads, and I knew exactly what they were. On the mainland, it was widely known in various names such as Thread of Protection, Thread of Preservation, or even Fate. Usually, one's loved one binds this black thread to their ankle, and it would protect them from darkness and the eyes of the ones that hide in the darkness.

But most importantly, it was a promise.

"Did Yeriel put you into this?" I asked, as it was mainly the people of Endus who believed in this, though it was quite widespread.

On my old world, there were some traditions like that as well, though I always thought of them as superstitions. But in Shrankor it was a different case entirely. Dreams, emotions, thoughts, held power; people's beliefs, faith, held power; and with the belief of the widespread millions of people on the mainland, this black thread really held some magical power.

But Yasmine bought it for me, so it held even more meaning. There is no helping it. I might fall for her truly.

"Scar," she said, looking at my feet. "I'll leave in a couple of days."

I released a breath. "I know," I said, and I was reminded of what happened to her after that once again.

My face darkened instantly. Actually, I searched the archive on account of it for hours. The beautiful girl before me will actually die, and that too, in a painful way, suffering for weeks.

That was the turning point for Scar. My back became stiff with the cold as I looked at her twinkling eyes again. "Could you not leave?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"You know, I can't do that," Yasmine said and touched my left ankle with her palm. Her palms were warm and soft as she tied the black string to my ankle. "My family depends on me. I cannot give up on them." She looked at me and gave me the other string. Baring her ankle before me, she smiled. "Not yet."

That smile was the most charming thing I've ever seen in my life. I did not know if it was the residual feelings of Scar, but I do know that I want nothing to happen to her.

I remember crying reading the chapter where she died. My eyes were just about to burst into tears now, so I looked down at her ankle and bound the string slowly. My palms shook, and so did her ankle.

I only looked up when I managed to control the tears from flowing out, but it all burst forth when I saw the twinkling tears in her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" she asked me.

"I don't know," I lied. The tieing was done, though my palms were still at her ankle and my eyes locked with hers.

"It's not like I cannot come back," she whispered.

I left her ankle and clasped her palm, bringing it closer to my lips. I did not know where to start, as there is a good chance I can't stop her, but I started anyway.

"I know you wanted this for your all life, but . . ." I paused. "I know I am being selfish, but please, can you--"

Yasmine shook her head as we sat side by side, her hands on mine. I know I can't stop her, even if I tell her the whole thing and she believes me through some sheer luck, she will still leave, as it was the path of the spirit practitioner. Moreover, someone else's life tied to it as well, someone who is far more essential to the plot.

I have thought about all that and which ways it could go, and on many occasions, Yasmine's life can be saved, but I just did not want her to face that kind of danger. Yes, I know I am paranoid, but I did not like to take chances.

"We can talk through the communication channel," Yasmine broke the silence.

"Yes," I said, letting out a sigh. "I don't think they will let us use that every day, even if we paid in full."

"Not that you have that kind of money." Yasmine chuckled.

"How many times do you think it will be allowed, then?"

"Once a week, perhaps."

"Once a week it is, then," I agreed.

Yasmine looked at the star-filled skies, leaning against me. "You have changed, Scar."

Four moons radiated in their brilliance on her face, as I looked at her with a little fear in my mind. I guess I could not hide everything from her. In the end, Scar and I are entirely different people.

"You lied to me today," she said again in a low tone, looking back to me. "You have deceived me many times with your words, crushed my heart many times, but you never lied to me directly."

I knew what she was talking about. Scar, at his worst, swindled money from her day after day and even fell so low as to steal money from her. He passed out in the streets or in bars, drinking all night, and she had to bring him out of there among the stares of many. All of that was already toxic enough for her to still stay in the relationship. Sadly, it was not even the end of it.

Among many things, rumours hurt a lady the most. There were countless outrageous rumours about her in the academy for Scar. Like Yasmine, was sleeping with Scar in order to improve her family's position with the help of House Emberheart. She did not leave him even after that. Scar tried to stop all that, but his path was violent and only went as far as thrashing a few. But violence barely did anything to stop the rumours.

It only dropped the candle fire to ignite the wildfire.

Even though none of these were my own acts, my heart still throbbed just remembering them. I wondered if all those things were better than the simple, harmless lie I told her, so that she wouldn't be worried about me.

"I know that no apology I offer will be enough for what I did," I tried to apologise for what I did not do, but she stopped me.

"I'm not finished yet," she said, putting her index finger on my lips. "Lying to me is not the only change. And I can forgive you for lying if you do not lose yourself again. I know how hard it is for you when you lost your mother." She held out her palm to touch the scar on my right eyebrow. "You never talked about it."

I looked down, indicating I was not ready. Well, as a matter of fact, I am not sure what exactly happened as well.

"I wish someday you will be open about it." She sighed. "But that's talk of another day. You know, how glad I am to see you redeeming the earnest self that you lost after her death. No, you are even more earnest than then, and less arrogant, though your arrogance had a thrilling charm to it."

I cracked a smile, and she smiled, too.

"You talk less and listen to people more. Your anger and fits have lessened as well. You even showed care for other people other than yourself, me, and a few, which is the biggest improvement, I must say."

I looked at her as my eyes widened.

"I can forget the harmless lying, as I'm not an honest person entirely," she said, looking at me and touching my cheek. "But please never lose your earnest self again."

I guess she was watching me as well as I was. I even considered telling her the truth, but the fear of being cast away strangled me. Not before she's safe, I told myself. I won't even think about it until she's safe and sound.

"I will never lie to you again," I said, resolving my mind. 'I will not let anything happen to this woman. It doesn't matter if it's Scar's feelings or mine.'

Yasmine smiled brightly and hugged me. She smelt childlike, like the sunshine of one sunny autumn day.

"You know, there is something else that changed as well," she whispered in my embrace.

"What?"

"Before, your palms would always wander around my body wildly, as if hungry for the sensual pleasure of touch," she said in a whimper.

I looked at her face to see it was all red and blushing, trying to snuggle away and hid.

"Do you want my palms to wander around your body?!" I could not help but say, swallowing a breath.

She snorted and looked away at the star-filled sky, as lots of fireworks burst one after another, enlightening the sky and the river.

I kept her palm in mine and resolved to undermine the half-heartiness that still left in me. I will do everything so that she won't have to suffer the same fate.

Looks like I finally have a goal.

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Edited by Mysteries. Proofread by kqwxz.