259. Forbidden Emotion

From what seemed the very depths of his being, Persona Non Grata turned to face Countess Emily.

"Countess... I... I cannot," he choked, his voice raw with unspoken torment.

"Cannot what?" Emily pressed gently, her gaze searching his, willing him to speak.

His posture slumped as if the weight of his sorrow was too great to bear. He swallowed hard, his lips barely moving as he whispered—so softly that Emily had to lean in to hear—

"I cannot... I must not feel."

The words, laden with grief, settled between them like an insurmountable wall. Emily’s heart clenched.

"Who told you such a thing?" she asked, her voice barely more than a breath.

But he only turned his face away.