As the story progressed, Tiel looked at the woman before him and couldn't decide how he felt about her.
Only that the original feeling of longing and self-hatred for being inadequate had slowly dissipated, replaced by a deeper understanding that she did not deserve his longing. She had earned his anger.
Because for her, regardless of everything else, he was just a mistake.
A by-product of a series of unfortunate incidents.
Unwanted.
To be exterminated like a mere insect when he had the right to exist just like everyone else. Then brutally punished when he managed to survive by some miracle.
Knowing that, in this world, this would always be a stain on his heart. A stain on his existence.
Tiel Brightwell. The accident. The unwanted. The mistake.
Now, as he dared to look at himself... the pitiful man who lacked self-respect.
