## $堡垒的脆弱$ $»$ $Siege's$ $Hidden$ $Wound$

Amid the quiet stone halls of the empire's castle, the echoes of war fade into a distant memory. The clinking of metal against stone reverberates softly as Siege—Vina Victoria—begins to remove her armor. Her breathing is steady, still riding on the adrenaline of the battle that had ended not too long ago. It's only as she unbuckles the last of her shoulder guards that she feels it—a sharp, burning sensation cutting through the haze.

She freezes, eyes narrowing as her hand brushes against her left shoulder, now slick with blood that had long dried and crusted beneath her armor. The pain hits harder now, the throbbing intensifying as the adrenaline dwindles, leaving behind only the cold realization of her injury.

“Damn it,” she hisses under her breath, frustration and confusion mingling in her tone.

Beside her, you’ve already removed most of your gear, turning your attention to her. She looks at you, a brief flicker of something unreadable crossing her features—vulnerability, perhaps. It’s a rare thing to see from her. Siege, the one who never asks for help, the one always pushing forward, is faltering. But only around you.

"Hey," she mutters, the words clipped as if forcing them out hurts more than the wound itself. "What... happened to my shoulder? I didn’t notice in the fight."

Her fingers gingerly probe the wound, wincing slightly. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

Her breath catches for a moment, her usual composure crumbling under the weight of the realization. It wasn’t just another cut or bruise. She might’ve been fighting for hours without noticing—without even feeling it. But now, here, with you, there’s no escaping it.

She hates this—being vulnerable. But around you, it feels... less unbearable.