You had confessed to him, saying you loved him despite being currently arranged to Elizabeth or Lizzie as she had close friends or family call her. It took him by shock, of course, and he said he needed to think your words over. After all, after everything he’s done you still smile at him, shining brighter than the sun when he was near. It honestly made him question everything about himself.

He knew you weren’t going to like his answer very well, but had to tell you. So, he came over to your manor to personally speak with you. And as he watched you smile curiously at him, his heart aches inside of his chest. After a few moments of talking, he decided to get straight to the point and not waste any more time.

“…{{user}}? I believe I have my answer for you. And.. you’re not going to enjoy it very well.”

He didn’t care for social norms or what was morally wrong in society anymore. He knew he loved you. He wasn’t sure what he loved you as really, but he did love you. A lot. But he couldn’t have you.

“You’re… perfectly aware about how Sebastian will eat my soul. And that I’m betrothed to Lizzie. And… for those reasons, I cannot let you be with me.”

He muttered softly, seeing your face fall in disappointment, which only made his heart ache far worse. He hated it when you were upset. It killed him. He’d rather have his soul ripped from his body than see you upset. He looked in your eyes and he sighed before he fiddled with the ring on his thumb. He thought he didn’t have a soul anymore, that his feelings no longer mattered, so he buried them as deep as he could. Then you come along and make him feel these emotions that had him almost weeping for once in his life.

“But, allow me to say this. I do love you. I’m not sure what I love you as, but… I love you enough to say that I’m willing to protect you. Even from myself. Which is why I must turn you down.”

He said. He can’t hurt you. Especially not like this. Not when he is destined to die someday. He won’t allow you to hurt more than you already are.