Rufus' POV:
Reassured by Sylvia's gentle gaze, I began to vent my emotions.
"My father nearly cried just because I called him 'dad'. And my mother said that I had drifted away from her a long time ago. I didn't realize until today that, ever since I was cursed, I had isolated myself and pushed my parents away."
Sylvia tilted her head to the side and mulled over what I said. "When did you start to distance yourself from Queen Laura?"
"Probably around the time after I was cursed," I said after thinking for a while. Smiling bitterly, I continued, "She didn't know about the curse back then. In order to keep it a secret, my father took me in under the guise of training me. He didn't allow me to contact anyone, including my own mother."
That was the darkest period in my life. Not only did I have to endure physical pain, but also mental suffering.
I knew that I had become a monster. I felt like I was drowning in a devastating pool of despair, choking out any ounce of hope left in me. But I wanted to live. And in order to do that, I had to accept the harsh reality. On the one hand, I despised myself, while on the other, I strived to live. It was also thanks to the mental anguish that the curse caused that my temperament changed greatly. I gradually became sensitive and irritable, not wanting to get close to anyone. " I forced a smile and laughed at myself bitterly." After all, who would want to be friends with a monster?"
Sylvia threw her arms around me tightly. "Rufus, that's all in the past. I'm here with you now, and I'm more than willing to help you shoulder the pain and difficulty. You're no longer alone."
I hugged her back and buried my face in her neck. "Thank you, Sylvia," I murmured in a hoarse voice. "I think I should stop pushing myself. I need to stop ignoring those closest to me."
Sylvia ran her fingers through my hair and said gently, "It doesn't matter, Rufus. It's never too late to try fixing the problem. We still have a lot of time to mend your relationship with your parents."
"Sure..." I sighed, although it felt cathartic to finally tell Sylvia what was on my chest.
Sylvia rubbed her nose against the tip of mine. "Well, don't be upset anymore. If you keep scowling like that, I'm afraid you'll get wrinkles early."
A little embarrassed, I muttered, "I'm not upset." "You are! You face is so gloomy that it can make a child cry," Sylvia pouted, rubbing my cheek with her thumb.
I chuckled and looked at her affectionately. I didn't move and just let her play with my face.
Finally, Sylvia leaned over and pecked me on the lips. Then she rested her head on my shoulder and murmured, "You know what? My life was a mess before I met you."
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