stless, unable to focus on his duties as he normally would. He spent most of his time in the church, staring blankly at the al

questions. As much as he tried to push it all to the back of his mind, the tru

his parishioners. He had spent years studying the scriptures, learning to guide others without becoming entangled in their personal lives. But with Cersei, that line had been

sitting in his office, reviewing some documents for the upcoming parish

again? I need

urgency in her request. He had tried to distance himself, to give her space,

r, or was he allowing his emotions to lead him down a dangerous path? He had promised Lorenzo that he would be careful. He had vowed to keep h

l meet you in an hour.

ty as he waited for her response. But before he

. I'll see

und him. He stood at the back, his gaze scanning the empty pews, the silence pressing in on him. He had hoped that by coming early, he could clear h

ht outside. She moved with the same quiet grace he had come to recognize, though now there was something more to her-something in the way she carried herself that was different fro

ed him, she stopped, her eyes meeting his. There was a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze,

hing, Father," she said,

both apprehensive and hopeful at the same time. He had been wa

her in front of her. "About needing to change. About leaving my past behind. But... th

the weight of her words, the tension building between

ectly, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't want to go back. I don't want to return to the life I had. But I ca

ke. The church was still, save for the faint creaking of the old wooden pews. Father Hart's heart pound

s? This was unexpected. She was asking for something more, something that, in his role as a priest, he couldn't g

ou what you're asking for. I've told you before, my role is to help y

she quickly masked it with a faint smile. "I understand. I've alway

re of relief, sorrow, and something darker-something he couldn't name. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her, but he knew that doing so would betray everyt

with emotion. "But I need you to understand that this... wh

resigned. "I know, Father. I know. I just

small step toward her. "But we have to keep

row that mirrored his own. "I'll try, Father. I really will.

him standing alone in the fading light. Father Hart closed his eyes, his heart heavy with the weight o

a path that would lead to someth