"Thank you," Aether softly murmured, his gaze tender as he looked at the Archpriestess who had skillfully healed his injured hands, a gesture of gratitude and admiration in his eyes.
The Archpriestess, her brow furrowed with concern and her eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and pain, met Aether's gaze steadily. Despite knowing that his feelings were not directed toward her romantically, she couldn't help but feel a tug at her heartstrings, a swirl of emotions she couldn't easily dismiss.
"You could at least remember to cover up before handling dangerous items," the Archpriestess remarked gently, her voice carrying a hint of motherly concern as she carefully inspected Aether's now-healed hand.
Aether's eyes briefly stared at the woman before him, a fleeting moment where memories of Stella, with her own worried face, flashed through his mind. The similarities in their expressions were just the same.