I Will Hold Your Hand Gently

Chapter 56: Threads In Motion

"Here, place this against your eyes," said Tanya as she gave Lucia an ice-cool wet towel.

"Thank you," Lucia said, taking the towel and placing it against her eyes.

Lucia lay back on the bed, head resting on the pillow, one leg crossed over the other, but her restless fingers betrayed that she hadn't fully let go of what was weighing on her. Tanya caught the look and asked softly.

"Did you say everything you wanted to say to her?" Tanya asked.

Lucia paused for a bit and shook her head, "...No."

"Hmmm...?"

Lucia fidgeted with her finger. 

"I wanted to say... sorry for yelling. And thank you. Thank you for letting me say those things... and for not pushing me away. For being honest with me when I needed it."

Tanya gave a light chuckle, remembering the furious shouting and bitter words she'd heard from Lucia just moments before. She also recalled how Lucia's face had twisted in shock and pain when she learned Cielle's identity as a Spheral. That reaction made Tanya wonder if, even after everything was said, some resentment still lingered.

"So... do you still hate her?" Tanya asked.

"I..." Lucia's voice trailed off for a second before resuming her words, "...I never hated her. I couldn't. It's not even Big sis's fault, so why would I hate her..."

Tanya gave a light nod, "And?"

"And?"

"You wanted to know her name, right? Did you manage to get her name this time?"

Lucia took off the towel from her eyes and quickly sat up. A smile bloomed on Lucia's face, small at first, then brighter as she spoke her name aloud, "I did! Big sis said her name is Cielle!"

"I see," Tanya smiled softly, watching the joyfulness return to Lucia's eyes.

After the storm of tears and anger had passed, Lucia quietly asked for another sugar figurine. Fortunately, Cielle had brought plenty, and Tanya handed one over without hesitation. Lucia ate it slowly, still sniffling but calmer now. Shortly after, Hunter and Tanya entered the Herbal Room. Hunter gently reminded Cielle that it was getting late and time to return to the mansion. Cielle nodded and excused herself.

Before she left, Lucia gathered her courage to ask her name. Cielle also wanted to tell Lucia her name, and now that she has one, she could finally tell her.

"My name is Cielle."

******

THE NIGHT AFTER THE PALACE BALL

"Father," Henry Spheral bowed deeply to the old man seated at his desk, sipping tea with quiet leisure.

"How was it?" the old man asked. "Was the reunion... eventful, my son?"

Henry nodded, a devilish smile spreading across his lips. "As obedient as we trained her to be since she was a child. She even begged us to send someone to tend to her. That monster has been neglecting her health, food, everything."

The old man chuckled darkly, "So... the little spawn cried for help. Pathetic. And the experiment?"

"A success, Father," Henry said gleefully. "Just as that madman promised—we only needed a few sacrificial lambs to breach the palace's defense. Without their noble little deaths, the core alone wouldn't have been enough to tear open the rift."

The old man nodded, clearly pleased. "And no one suspected anything when you left?"

"No," Henry replied, his eyes glowing faintly green. "Not a soul."