Chapter 1: Happy Birthday

"Happy Birthday"

As the words were spoken, the world reverberated. The shadow stirred subtly as her ethereal voice caressed them. At first, they were agitated, full of resentment and anger. But then, suddenly they were coaxed. Perhaps it was because of the enchanting beauty of the girl who has spoken those words or perhaps it was the soothing calmness of the voice itself. In any case, despite the already deeply rooted hatred and complicated feelings harbored towards the delicate Saint in front of him. He could hardly bring himself to despise her.

However, he gnawing wound inside his soul was torn open again. Being forgotten by the world was ... too much, even for a seasoned maniac like himself. For a long time, he had buried that pain deep within his heart. It is much easier to ignore it than to confront it. He used to think that if he had the chance to be close to those who are dear to him, maybe, just maybe his soul would be healed. He soon realized how foolish he was. The longer he spent his time with them, the clearer he could see the hideous truth. The wound did not heal. Instead, it festered dangerously. He was lying to himself. He could never ever come to terms with it. 

As Sunny stared at Cassie, his brain was overwhelmed with a plethora of feelings. Some were angered and hated, being betrayed and forgotten by his trusty friends. While some were loneliness and regretful, realizing that he had chosen this path. Others were hope and serenity that maybe he could start anew, because finally after all of those years he ... was not alone anymore.

Sunny was just like a maimed predator. The predator hides itself in the shadow, avoiding every emotion that tethers that would lacerate its skin the more it struggles. It licked its wound in desperation, hoping to be healed... and saved by someone, something. Now, finally, that someone might be standing in front of him.

Cassia, Song of the Fallen, is the secluded Saint that no one pays attention to. Sure, her unworldly beauty attracts a few gazes from others but her overall harmless and forlorn appearance misled them to believe that she was ordinary. However, Sunny knew better than everyone that she was a far cry from the ordinary. Well, he was one of the first to pay a despicable price for it.

But on the contradictory, Sunny feels a weird sense of adoration for this blind seer. Even if she had betrayed him not once but twice by now. Since when did it start? Maybe it started at the beginning, from the days they met at the academy. Sunny chuckled inwardly:

'Ah, those were the first words she had ever spoken to me. Now, even after all of those years, she still wished me a happy birthday with the same tone and expression. We have come so far yet nothing has changed.'

Sunny was trying his best not to utter any self-mockery to stay in character. He had sacrificed so much to gain nothing. Their intricate relationship had come to a full circle, reducing to nothingness again. Even if he was pain by those words, Sunny still felt a bit grateful to the blind seer, albeit the feeling was a bit twisted. Simply because no one in this world... No one has ever wished him a blissful birthday except for her, at least as far as he remembered.

The only other person who might have done it was his mother. However, she was long gone by now. For so long that Sunny couldn't even remember her voice anymore. Only the image of a hagged woman who bears resembles to his sister surface his mind. How unfortunate, even after 24 years of living, he had only ever received two "happy birthday" wishes. One was from Cassie and the other one was also from Cassie. The surprisingly ordinary and common words were far too distant to him. 

'I guess that is fitting for the Bastard Son of Fate, The Heir of Death and the Treacherous Shadow.'

Sunny smile in self depreciation.

Then, calming himself, he put up a charming smile:

"Milady, Thank you for your kindness. I am deeply touched that you even pay attention to this humble shopkeeper."

"You don't need to be so formal, Master Sunless. It is basic mannerism to wish someone happy on their birthday."

'Is it really though? Then how come I only receive wishes from a single person in these two worlds?'

Of course, he did not voice his mockery. Sunny bowed politely:

"Ah, it is getting dark outside, milady. Even though if it has already passed my opening time, still, letting a guest of honor leave my shop without any hospitality is so unbecoming of me. Would you mind having some tea? Of course, it is free of charge. You could see this as my gratitude for your commission."

" If you say so then. Thank you. I will accept the offer. "

Cassie smiles mesmerizingly. Sunny's heart missed a beat by that enchanting smile.

' She sure is a bewitching, beautiful goddess... Huh, actually she has always been that hypnotizing ever since that day. It's a shame that no one ever pays attention to her because of her aloof personality. Maybe that is a good thing. Yes, very beneficial when it comes to hiding a person's true capability. '

For some reason, Sunny was really against others realizing Song of The Fallen's breathtaking appearance. He didn't know why. Was it because of his brotherly instinct or... Something more profound?