* Knock *

* Knock *

* Knock *

Sudden knockings on the door abruptly interrupted their conversation.

" Ah. Come in...! " Lili said to the one who knocked, revealing it to be Bell as he opened the door.

" Uncle...! " She said, her voice brimming with happiness.

" Lili...and Miss Alfia. I am glad to see you're doing well. " Bell said while walking over to them.

" ...Bell. " Alfia said curtly.

" Does the pain persist, still..? " He said, his voice holding a tone of worry for his aunt.

" ...No. Lili had done much good to ensure I am able to celebrate Christmas with you. "

" Is that so...? Lili is a good girl, isn't she? " He then gently patted her head.

" Ehehehe... " Lili let out small a small giggle as Bell's hand ruffled her hair.

...In the background, Alfia smiled softly as, despite being blind to the scene before her, the warmth emanating from the two was enough to cause her cheeks to slightly loosen.

* tap *

" Hm? "

Bell felt the warmth of his aunt's hand caress his cheeks.

Gently feeling upon her niece's face with her thumb, in spite of the boy's skin being no rougher than that of an adolescent's...the toll of time can be vaguely felt, buried deep underneath the facade.

...And it brought her such sadness that she can "see" no more than what is shown on it's surface.

In more ways than one, Bell, the last gift her sister brought into this world...had outgrew her. He had become bigger than what she was before.

" ...You've grown. " Was all that was said, breaking the moment of silence that seemed to have lasted forever.

He took in his aunt's words.

Despite all that was said, underneath the two simple words, it conveyed the meaning of a thousand's.

" ...Indeed, I have. " Bell replied, choosing to do so in a similar manner to Alfia's.

" ...And I wasn't there. "

" ...No...you were not. "

She knew why.

Had she went to see him that day, she knew that she will be unable to turn her back on him.

How laughable, she thought to herself. Only after being broken did she realize that those were the actions of a coward...the thing that she despises the most in this world, second only to herself.

...Or perhaps, it had always been that way, since the beginning.

And so, running away from what could've been...she chose another path.

The other path that would eventually lead to...chaos.

" ...I am sorry. " Alfia said, her tone remorseful.

" Nay...it is not my intent to fault you. " Bell replied, speaking true to his heart that held no ill will towards his aunt.

" ...I could've been there. For you. For all of us. "

" Perhaps...Yet, it matters not. What is important is that you are here, now. "

" Bell...I am a sinner. "

The shame in those words alone caused her to shy away her hand from her nephew's face.

They both knew the significance of what had been said.

...And yet, instead of letting her get away from him, he clasped her hand with those of his own.

" ...! "

He had heard about what she did all those years ago, and whilst he may have had a few qualms with how history took it's course...what she did was not too dissimilar to what he had done.

In the end, both of their actions are born out of the stagnancy of the world...as well as desperation.

" Miss Alfia...no man is born without sin. You may be a sinner, yet ultimately you are the one who had laid the foundations to the Orario of today. "

" Bell... "

" No amount of self-justification can undo what had been done. As such, it is in our nature as humans to carry on the burden of sin and keep living for those who hollowed along the way. "

He then took a deep breath, before letting out a decree, the Dark Soul within him bearing witness.

" Miss Alfia. Upon my name as Bell Cranel, I hereby sentence you...to keep living. "

" ... "

" You will keep on living, and carry out the burdens of those whom ambitions are unrealized. For your sins, you will be here in their place, in order to protect those still smouldering with the flame of ambition...until the day you finally draw your last breath. That... "

A teardrop fell.

" ...is your punishment. "

" Thank you...Bell. "

Author notes : Yea, I'm ending the Christmas arc here. I realized i got lazy halfway writing this chapter and instead of dragging it out I'll just leave it here for the time being while we continue on with the main story.