Aria pressed her lips to his shoulder. Above him, Alice's halo dipped until its lower edge brushed his hair.
"I promised your mother I'd protect you... But to think that my own guards... How shameful. I don't even have the face to ask for forgiveness." Yunohana spoke with extreme dejection. She was visibly ridden with guilt.
The woman flexed the fingers of her left hand, and Alexandra smiled with visible relief when they moved.
"You're speaking pure nonsense. Would you try your arm? Carefully, please."
The High Shrine Maiden lifted it from her lap. Her ruined sleeve shifted over skin that had closed beneath the gold, and Kaiden felt another part of the fear in his chest loosen.
"Thank you, Alexandra."
"I'm glad you let me help this time."
Yunohana accepted the gentle reproach with a tired smile, then looked up at Kaiden.
