Siris temporarily stopped her explanation and asked Shade:
"Tell me, Shade, what did you think of?"
"Just a feeling. I've neglected you a little all this time."
Siris laughed:
"I thought you were going to say something serious. Neglected? No, no, Shade. Although I can't be by your side as often as Luvia and Duke Galina, I know you think of me often, and I think of you often too. That is already enough for me.
"I am the High Priestess, cult leader, and nun of the Order of the Forgotten. To me, an emotional connection is not merely about seeing one another every day, but about longing for one another. Of course, you mustn't leave without saying a word like Father did. That is the one thing I cannot accept."
"Of course I won't. Sometimes I really feel like I'm scum."
He reached out and embraced Siris. The young Blonde Young Lady gently patted his back, as though comforting Shade:
"You mustn't speak of yourself that way. No one is a perfect saint—not Thirteenth Ring Warlocks, and not you. People always have flaws. We are actually afraid that you might truly become a flawless, perfect person. Then we wouldn't be able to hold on to you."
Though Siris was among the younger young ladies Shade knew, at that moment she had the air of a mother caring for a child:
"But honestly, I am occasionally a little envious of Vanessa."
She said it softly. After gently pushing Shade away, she widened her eyes and looked into his, but a moment later closed them again. Shade kissed her, and only after Siris kicked off her shoes and curled up in his arms did their conversation continue:
"Do you think Vanessa is listening in right now? After advancing to Thirteenth Order,