CHAPTER 315: A CHILD HUNGRY FOR AFFECTION

Valeria’s side seemed to have had more progress with investigations since Arabella already knew Risa and Lucille had no part in it.

It was such a relief. Lucille thought she would die here today.

But then, her former plot was brought up. Now she regretted having her parents with her. The look of disappointment on their faces hurt.

Her mother would surely get even worse from now on. And now her father was disappointed in her too.

What will happen to her now? She had no more future in Obrusca with both of her parents disappointed in her.

Still, what was important right now was she escaped death. But it seems it would constantly chase her from now on.

The Dark Emperor’s words were not a threat. It was clear on his face that he was simply stating a fact. He truly could kill her whenever he wanted. And he truly didn’t mind declaring war on Obrusca.

Ah, but wouldn’t that be for the best?

Lucille had no future there anymore anyway.

If she would have to live in fear of dying every single day, wouldn’t it be better to have it now?

Ah, yes, that’s right. Should she provoke Arabella so she would be killed here now before she sees how much of a laughingstock she would become among the royals and nobility?

But then. . .

Lucille froze when Arabella rose and walked to her side. Arabella raised both of her arms.

Ah, she’s going to pull at my hair. It seems I don’t need to provoke her anymore.

She closed her eyes bracing herself for the pain, and yet, she felt a warm, soft hug instead.

Arabella embraced her.

’Is she out of her mind?! I just admitted everything and she’s embracing me?’

"You’ve been through a lot. It must have been rough going through this all alone," Arabella said and stroked Lucille’s hair.

[I don’t need your pity.] Lucille wanted to get away from her. But somehow, the gentle stroking of her hair and back felt good. The embrace felt nice too. It had been so long since someone held her and tried to comfort her like this.

Lucille bit her lips trying to stop herself from sobbing. But in the end, her tears burst out on their own.

Her bottled-up emotions set themselves free and before she knew it, Lucille was bawling like a child in Arabella’s arms.

It was weird. But in her supposed enemy’s arms, she felt comfort and assurance.

* * *

Arabella smiled at Alwin as he frowned deeply at the sight before him.

[What the hell is she thinking embracing her enemy? This girl just admitted they were never friends in the first place. It’s dangerous to get too close. What if this princess had a dagger and stabbed her?] Alwin was on alert.

She smiled reassuringly and gestured for Alwin and Rendell to both calm down and just watch how things unfold.

After all, Arabella understood now.

Deep inside, Lucille was just a child hungry for attention, approval, and love. She was seeking comfort and shelter when her own mother cannot provide it and her father was too busy to notice what his daughter was going through.

Lucille acted mature most of the time when they were together and only acted differently when her mother instructed her to do so. She was keeping a bold front to hide and protect the child inside her screaming and begging for affection.

But Lucille’s silent screams and pleas for help were left unnoticed.

And she was misguided by her own mother and further triggered by the nobility trying to get close to the crown.

Growing up with a mother so controlling must have been difficult. Especially when her own mother didn’t mind hurting and using her to make herself feel better.

Arabella learned from Lucia’s thoughts though that she did care about her daughter. But she cared more about herself and her image, in front of Arabella’s mother and father.

Lucia gave more importance to her pride and hate. She only kept lamenting what she had lost and failed to look around her. Thus, she was not able to see what she had gained.

Arabella understood this feeling. This was why she was never able to move on when she thought she lost her son. Not that she would ever exchange Fermin for anything, but if she had opened her eyes sooner and did not allow herself to be swallowed by grief, she would have been able to notice the suspicious things going on around her.

Because Lucia was unable to live in the present, Lucille was made into this. If not for what Lucia had done, Lucille would have been able to bloom to her fullest instead of turning into a bitter and insecure person.

She had always been a promising young lady which was why Arabella formerly did not understand Lucille’s envy and insecurity over her.

Lucille was so much better in a lot of things that there should have been nothing to be insecure about. She used to be ambitious and hardworking so she could have been whatever she wanted if she had the support she needed.

It would be a waste to let Lucille die here. With how her thoughts were going, Lucille might even end her life if nothing was done.

Arabella had to meddle. She didn’t like Lucille that much but she didn’t hate her either. Lucille was indeed a promising lady so it was a waste to let her die. It didn’t feel right to just let Lucille become the bitter gossiping old lady she once became in her past life when she grew older because of all the negative things she experienced.

Right now, Arabella could do or say something that could influence Lucille to change. If she doesn’t do anything and let it be, she felt like she would regret it. Thus, she decided to try triggering a change in Lucille’s future too.

Everyone deserved second chances, right? After all, even someone like Arabella got a second chance. Lucille did too.

Who knows, one day, she would be a wonderful queen? Or perhaps, she would even chase the path she once wanted. The path Lucille had long forgotten ever since she was made to take a different path by her mother.