A bitter sweet smile fell on Winters lips as she looked off into the distance, trying to put her memories into place. She hated speaking of this, even the mere thought put her on edge.
"Although the task may not be simple the wish itself may seem worth it. Even I thought that when agreeing to it" she said, preparing to tell him one of her many dark secrets.
"I do not remember what my task was but I had completed it and got my mother here safely, I thought everything would be well afterwards… oh how wrong I was" she started, a breath of distaste escaping afterwards.
"Not even a week afterwards and I was in chains. For months on end I was caged like an animal and tortured. I had seen the cruelty of torture but to experience it from my own clan… the despair and pain left me in the wizards company for most of my time there. It was during then did I witness the gain and loss people received from him" she told him, never once turning to look him in the eye. A shiver trailed down her spine making Winter flinch.
"I watched as people wished for things based on their greed and guilt" she continued on, taking a moment to take a breath of air.
"That is why I arrived here in such a mess, before arriving here I was still stuck in that cage" she spat, shaking her head.
"Winter I'm sor-" Jihae softly said,
"That's not the worst part" she confessed, cutting him off in his words.
"Someone I know… knew… made a wish with the wizard" she quietly said, her eyes beginning to water as pain and agony scratched at her heart.
"Anna was her name, she had been a friend of mine for many years but had ended up imprisoned around the same time I had. They believed she was a part of my mother's disappearance… she… she requested my release to this world" Winter told him, her words becoming short and unbalanced.
"What was the price?" Jihae asked but deep in his heart he already knew the answer.
"Her life" she answered him, the tears building in her eyes finally rolling down her cheeks.
"I… I still can't believe she wished me to come here instead of herself. I did not deserve a second chance…" Winter told him, attempting to rub away the tears that stubbornly fell. A shiver ran through Jihae's body as he took in the information, he couldn't believe a life was lost to ensure that Winter would arrive here.
"Do you wish her to be alive again?" Jihae found himself asking, his own past and memories plaguing him.

The mention of death, the wizard and wishes reminded Jihae of why he was here. The time he had spent with Winter had allowed him to push the thoughts and nightmares away but with the topic being so close to his past he couldn't keep them at bay anymore.
"No" Winter quietly said making him look at her wide eyed and surprised.
"Anna asked that I did not wish her back. I didn't understand why she said such a thing at the time but now I do…" Winter told him as she braved to look him in the eye.
"She wanted her sacrifice to have a meaning behind it, to make an impact. She has suffered enough, to bring her back to a world that treated her so harshly would only harm her further. What happened during her life would never erase – she would still be hunted for her 'crimes' and she would still be haunted by the past, present and future" Winter informed him, a weak smiling appearing on her pale lips.
"So I'll do the next best thing I can for her" Winter claimed making Jihae raise an eyebrow at her.
"I'll make her proud and live my remaining days as best as I can" she told him, the smile still on her face. Jihae was warmed by her words but he also found himself questioning his wish and beliefs. Was he doing wrong?
"Something is on your mind" Winter stated, watching the silver rabbit closely. She pushed her thoughts and emotions on hold as Jihae rubbed his temples in confusion. Winter knew she didn't have to tell him that she was there for him, her hand grabbing his was enough to show her thoughts.

Winter watched as the man crumbled next to her, his posture slumping as he opened up and showed his vulnerable side.
"Do you remember when a woman committed suicide in Grass?" Jihae quietly asked and Winter instantly knew who he was on about.
"She was meant to marry the oldest son of the Carrot family if I remember correctly" Winter informed him, thinking back at the reports the assassins would give when spying on people.
"Yes that's right" Jihae blankly confirmed.
"I remember that her parents did not approve of you and the feelings you had for one another" Winter slowly said,
"One of the assassins was assigned to watch over you both" she added on to explain her knowledge. Jihae wasn't surprised by that reveal, he knew people had spied and watched him since birth even in the darkest of shadows.
"Do… do I have the right to love another?" Jihae asked. The question was short and simple, as if he had been wondering it for quite some time. His eyes met hers, there was so much pain and guilt in there it almost made Winter flinch away.
"I am a sinner, I may not even have the right to love someone anymore" Jihae continued on as he looked away to his own feet, trying to search for an answer.
"I was the reason why she died, it is my entire fault" Jihae sourly said, his voice shaking. At these words Winter softly rubbed his hand, giving him the comfort he needed to be freed from his inner pain.
"It was no one's fault, it was her choice that drove her to it" Winter quietly said.
"Dwelling in your own guilt does not do you well" she told him but she read him well, understanding why this topic was so important.
"You wish to bring her back don't you… that is why you are here" Winter slowly said after a moment of silence, everything seeming to fall into place. Jihae nodded and Winter sadly sighed, embracing the man with her shaking body.
"Sometimes we think bringing them back is kindness, will make everything better… make the pain go away…" Winter spoke.
"But we'll never forget what has passed before. Although it goes against our feelings and hearts we just have to move on and honour them" Winter wisely said with a sad smile.

Jihae felt as if a large weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he felt energised and relieved. He had never spoken to anyone about this let alone his own personal feelings.
"Thank you Winter" Jihae softly said, his eyes closing as he enjoyed her embraced.
"It was no problem… always know that I am here for you. This is a new world for us Jihae and we are here for a reason, even if the reason isn't clear to us yet" Winter gently claimed.
"I've been sent here to live a new life and you? You are here to decide if you'll chase your wish down and face the outcome of it or you are here to accept your past, release that guilt within and learn to love again. If anyone deserves to love then it is you, everything you have gone through would lead many down the wrong road but you… you are strong, loyal and protective. You did not let it corrupt you… I admire that" Winter honestly said. Jihae took in her words knowing that he'll have to choose a path and choose it soon. As he looked across at her he couldn't help but feel as if his heart had already chosen a path.