Matteo's POV

I took another slow sip of the blood wine, staring at the one person who, despite everything, still manages to soften something in me.

She’s one of the weakest souls I’ve ever seen, soft, quiet, and far too innocent in a world like this.

Not just that, she’s also kind of funny in a way that sneaks up on you. I lost count of how many times I chuckled today, just because she was sitting beside me.

The way she grabs my arm whenever someone is slaughtered in front of her… and how she lets out those sharp little screams when she sees blood, all made this ceremony...