Location: Pyrena Castle, Asuna's Old Room
Time: 10:00 AST
After the third series of knocks went unanswered Lucinda made somewhat of an executive decision looking over to the IRIS agent which had followed her against her advice. "You will either leave me now or I'll call Kado and see that your next assignment is scrubbing toilets with a toothbrush for the next year," she said emotionlessly, offering them a moment to leave. Once that moment had passed and they persisted in remaining she sighed, "Fine, you win," she continued as they walked toward the service elevator to the residential wing of Pyrena. Once the doors opened she pressed the button for the ground floor, shortly thereafter the elevator began to move down before Lucinda pulled the emergency stop and pinned the IRIS agent to the wall of the elevator, putting her full weight into the forearm that was pressed against their neck.
"I told you to leave," she said staring into their eyes, "and yet you remained; I put this side behind me but never, for a moment, doubt that it is still not a part of me. Now, you will either give me a moment with Asuna, just one moment to ourselves, or I will kill you. Do you understand?" she asked, as the IRIS agent nodded. "Good," she said as she reached to their waist to take their gun into her custody. "You can report this to Kado if you want," she continued as she unpinned them, "but I don't think it'll go quite the way you think it will. Now then," she said as the elevator door opened, "kindly find something else to do, yes?"
Following that unfortunate diversion Lucinda found herself again at Asuna's door; she had walled herself off for the better part of a week in her old room at Pyrena, so she knocked once to no answer. Knocking a second time she heard the same silence that had presented itself before, before knocking a third time. After hearing nothing Lucinda took a step back, aimed her foot at the door knob, and delivered a decisive kick which threw the door open. While she had expected to find someone resisting everyone around her Lucinda saw that Asuna had not even stirred from her bed; stepping over slowly toward her she laid beside her and wrapped her arms around her.
"My dear," she said as she held back her own tears, "I know you hurt but you can't hide yourself from the whole of Mundus, they'll ask questions and answer themselves in your absence if you do." "Let them," Asuna responded. "No," Lucinda said as she grasped Asuna's wrist and brought her to her feet, "no. Are you going to let them write your narriative, to shape your grief, and otherwise speak on your behalf? You really want the press, social media and other outlets speaking for you because, I promise you, they will and are already planning stories and as wrong as it is, my love," she continued as she sat her down beside her, "it's either your voice or theirs that people hear. I know it hurts, but do you want these vampires preying on the souls of your two to sell papers?" Lucinda left the question linger in the air for a few moments.
"Of course I don't, but how can I face anyone in this moment? I failed to be a mother, to provide heirs to the Throne, in that I cost Thomas his career, I can't shake the anticipations which only led to disappointment and shame for so many." "I'll have none of that," Lucinda replied, "you didn't fail to be a mother, the time was not right I mean after all you are still so young; the Throne is the most secured Throne in Mundus I promise you, we have mechanisms in place to secure that, and you cost Thomas nothing," she paused. "He loves you, he is at your side, and he knows what he signed up for. I promise you, he will not hold this against you and if you give him a chance instead of secluding yourself at your parent's place, you might find some support coming your way. I know this place is comfortable but, let me take you home to the Palace, please. It's in these moments you need to learn to stand, be strong even if you're not feeling strength inside you, and when you feel you might falter trust that there's those in your life to catch you and guide you, just as I'm doing now. I know it hurts but please," she said as she squeezed her, "don't take this on alone, mum, papa, and I am here with you. Now then," she paused as she stood and reached out her hand, "ready to go home?"
Asuna wiped her eyes a few times before taking her hand and nodding. As they approached the awaiting car Lucinda stopped to give Asuna a hug. "I promise you're not a failure, you cost no one nothing, and you are beloved; take this moment as yours, process everything, but don't dwell in sorrow for long; it never ends well. Do we have an understanding?" she asked, to which Asuna nodded. "That's all I needed, you got this. Never doubt yourself," she said as the car began to pull away. Inside Asuna would find her mother, who would then guide her to her chambers, not once leaving her side throughout the night.