Claude tilted his head slightly. He couldn't quite relate to what Aurelia was feeling—he had never needed anyone's validation to know who he was.
He was a king, the descendant of the Lord of Calamity. His sense of self was carved deep into him, cold and unshakable.
So now, watching Aurelia wrestle with doubt, he found himself at a rare loss for words.
He glanced at Aubree, who looked just as unsure, the two of them suddenly feeling like parents fumbling to comfort a struggling teenage girl.
Aubree sighed gently. "Aurelia… I know you're already great the way you are. Isn't that enough?"
"Is good enough ever enough?" Aurelia muttered, her voice tight. "I've never felt like I was enough for anyone…"
Claude frowned. "Then you're being selfish."
Aubree immediately shot him a glare, but he continued, unfazed.
"You're a doctor. A hero. You should understand that helping others is more important than some desperate need for recognition."
