Book 15: Chapter 15
I let go of Daisy. Nier knew what I was planning next. She wasn’t too willing to let me go, but she knew I’d insist. I went upstairs. Lucia didn’t come down to welcome me. I thought, perhaps she was busier, because taking care of two kids was more work than taking care of one. She might’ve been breastfeeding and couldn’t come down. It didn’t matter to me. Whether Lucia came to me or I go to her was all the same.
I stood at her door and knocked. I soon heard footsteps from within. Lucia gently pulled the door open and appeared before me with a smile. She dawdled for a moment when she saw me, but then she revealed a very happy smile. She made way and, with a soft giggle, exclaimed, “You’re back, Your Highness!”
“Yeah. I’m back, Lucia.”
I walked inside and gave Lucia a big hug. Lucia leaned onto my chest, and then gently cupped my face with her hands. Smiling, she commented, “How surprising. Your Highness, you actually have scales.”
“Yeah. I didn’t think I’d have scales on my body, either. I’m worried about hurting you when I hug you, though, because of these scales. I no longer have skin, so I don’t feel soft to the touch. Lucia, I’m very worried about hurting all of you and not being comfortable to hold…”
“That’s not true.” Lucia vigorously shook her head. She then clasped my face and ran her fingers across my face. She looked at me with a smile and continued, “They’re just scales. Your face is still the same; you’re still warm, you’re still you. They’re just scales. Your Highness, it wouldn’t matter to me even if you hurt me with your scales, as I am your wife. How could I refuse to come into contact with you just because of your scales? I’m your wife. It’s a given that I’ll always be by your side and embrace you. It doesn’t matter to me if I’ll be covered in wounds.”
I lowered my head and kissed Lucia’s lips. She kissed me back with a smile then tightly grabbed hold of my hand: “You won’t leave again, will you? Will you still be leaving, Your Highness?”
“I don’t think so. All my matters have ended. I’ll always be by your sides from now.” I took hold of Lucia’s hand and smiled: “I’ll always be by your side henceforth, Lucia. In the past, I left you for a variety of reasons and hurt you, yet you have always supported me. I will always be with you from now, and stay with our children, watching over them as they grow up. I’m sorry, Lucia, I’ve hurt you too many times.”
I kissed Lucia’s hand. She gently shook her head then went up on her toes to caress my head. She softy laughed: “It’s nothing, Your Highness. I have never been angry with you, since I love you. Now then, welcome home, Your Highness.”