You're being foolish and you know it, Yuuri. [The pigeon fluttered from Ardyn's shoulder to Yuuri's, cuddling in close and preening lightly at her hair.]

You expect yourself to have been able to shield her from all harm. Shouldered all burdens so that she would never have to, protected her against the world and all threats that lay within it. In other words, to do the impossible all for her sake.

[Ardyn's right hand curled into a loose fist, the spark of that bitter anger briefly returning to his eyes if not his voice.]

That's all an elder sibling should expect of themselves. And yet, any human would falter along the way.