Hero of Darkness

TEN MINUTES LATER. 

Kahn forcefully carried Kassandra back to the bedroom before she made any stupid moves due to her current mental state. 

Although it looked like a hasty decision… as someone who had gone through it once, Kahn knew how the mind of a depressed person actually worked unlike the self-proclaimed experts on the internet and social media. 

When someone has had enough of suffering, constant defeat, their lives changing drastically, and realizing that their whole existence didn't matter… in that mental state, you feel like you're a worthless being. 

And letting go of it all seems like the only way because you feel caged inside your body. The mind loses all rationality and voice of reason while the heart-wrenching sadness makes you feel like you don't deserve to live.

And in those moments when you've mentally broken down… you make decisions that you might never return from. 

Soon, Kahn left the room as Kassandra properly dressed up again while he donned his white shirt, black tie and undercoat outside of the room. 

Kassandra, having no choice but to comply because she knew that Kahn won't let her jump anyway. And now that she was just a normal human, she wouldn't be able to die even if she willed it. 

After she got out of the room while still being covered in his longcoat.. Kahn took her to the wide terrace. Both of them sat on a wooden sofa under the bright and serene moonlight. 

As for why was Kahn trying to act like her therapist? 

Because he was in a similar situation just like Kassandra back when he lived as Elric on earth. 

And that night… there was no one who came for him. No one stopped him or said that it was going to be okay. 

Although he felt bad for her… there was nothing he could do to help her come out of this situation. 

So at least, he wanted to be that person for Kassandra. 

"Speak everything you want to say. Don't think that it's weird to let your heart out in front of a stranger. 

I'm not going to judge you or even pity you. 

You don't need to convince me or think about how I will change my opinion about you. 

Just speak the truth that you want to let out. I'm all ears." spoke Kahn. 

Kassandra was still in the phase of losing her will to live since her whole life has been proven meaningless. 

Tears of sorrow dropped from her face again. 

This was the worst day of her life. 

After a few minutes, she barely mustered up the courage and strength to speak again.

"I… I grew up pretty lonely despite living together with both of my parents. They were always busy doing things I didn't understand. Other than having two meals together, there was hardly any time we spent together. 

Growing up… I always wanted my parent's attention and approval. That they were proud of me as their daughter. 

And I worked very hard to surpass others and live up to their reputation, my family name who are the descendants of the first sage.

Even in the magic academy, I was always avoided by others because of my heritage. 

Other than my cousins who grew up with me… I never had any other friends or anyone I was familiar with outside of the main family." spoke Kassandra in a hoarse voice. 

"Instead of wanting to play house or spending time with other kids… I sacrificed my freedom to learn magic as soon as I could think on my own. 

But even after I did everything, surpassed all of my peers, and excelled in magic by putting in a lot of effort… there was no one who praised me or said that it was because of my own hard work. 

From childhood till now… I have only lived in the shadows of her parent's glory and their prestige." said Kassandra with a jittery tone as her hands trembled. 

Ever her face had a constricted expression as she slowly started to express her mind. 

"I even unlocked an Ancient Rank job with sheer will and hard work but then, my family told me not to reveal it to anyone. 

The Emperor's Chosen competition was going to be my chance to prove myself to everyone. 

And after I lost to you… no one even reprimanded me as if they never expected me to win in the first place." she said with the eyes of a person who at least wanted to be scolded for her failures. 

But she didn't even get that.

"Rather… Everyone in my family focused on you and your rule as the Sovereign of this fiefdom.

And in a way… 

You became the biggest target I wanted to surpass." spoke Kassandra as she brushed off a teardrop on her right cheek. 

"But when I met you that day along with the other heirs… 

I knew that I couldn't even touch your shadow at this rate. 

But I still persevered and hoped to achieve my goal one day. But now…" she said and suddenly stopped speaking. 

Her head fell down and she clasped her palms. 

"I could've managed to accept it that they offered me to you after I lost my powers. In this world… only powerful rule over others anyway. 

But if they planned to do so even without me still being as powerful as I was… then what does that mean?" asked Kassandra as she looked at Kahn with an expectant gaze. 

"That I was not worthy in their eyes even with all of my strength and achievements?" 

She asked and soon, had another meltdown. 

As she kept sobbing… 

Kahn was reminded of himself back when he lived as Elric. 

His story while growing up wasn't much different than hers. 

Just that, he chose to seclude himself from others while Kassandra was an outcast because of her family's background. 

And no matter the efforts and achievements… there were still higher levels of expectations. 

Both of them were the victims of… 

Failed Parenting.