Chapter 1087: Comfort
At that very moment, Stella suddenly began to cry.
Or rather, it was not crying, but a sudden collapse. Stella's hands began to shake, and she bent over, leaning against the table.
The sudden change left Lairin at a loss, but Pakart sighed softly and gathered Stella into her arms.
Lairin grew confused again and looked to the old woman for help.
"Go," Pakart replied with her lips. "I'll take care of her."
Lairin slipped away without a sound and gently closed the door behind her.
The room was utterly quiet. Pakart's hand patted Stella's back, soft and gentle, as though she were lulling her to sleep.
"...Pakart." Stella's voice trembled. "Does an afterlife really exist?"
Pakart raised her brows slightly. "I don't know, child."
Stella turned her face to the side. "...If nothing unexpected happens, you'll find out before I do, won't you?"
Pakart nodded.
"If there is," Stella said, looking at the old woman, "could you find a way to tell me?"
"All right." Pakart nodded again. "If an afterlife exists in this world, then once I confirm that fact, I'll find a way to tell you."
Stella sniffed hard, then suddenly laughed at her own childishness. With bright, glistening eyes, she looked at the old woman and murmured like a child, "...You really are the best mother in the world."
Stella looked toward the slogan.
"Everything that can kill her can kill me," she murmured softly. Her friend appeared in her mind once more. "The only thing worth being grateful for is that it isn't my turn yet... not today."
"Stella," Pakart continued, "although I still can't be certain whether an afterlife exists, there is one fact that I am not only certain of, but one that many people in this world must already