The Duchess sat by the bedside and reached out to hold her.
Cecilia Branford stared blankly at the person before her, a look of fear in her eyes. "...Who are you?"
Her voice was raspy, like sandpaper scraping against a wall.
The Duchess stiffened. Raising her head, she cupped Cecilia Branford's face and looked from side to side. "Cecilia Branford, don't you recognize me?"
"It hurts..." Cecilia Branford raised her hands, pushing the Duchess's away and gently holding her own face.
She shrank back in fear, looking at her timidly.
"Did I hurt you? I'm sorry, Cecilia Branford, Auntie didn't mean to..."
Tears welled in the Duchess's eyes and began to fall. Lowering her head, she wiped them away. "It's all Auntie's fault. Don't be afraid, Cecilia Branford."
Lucifer stepped forward, placing one hand on the Duchess's shoulder. "Mommy, Cecilia Branford won't blame you."
His smiling eyes were fixed on the timid Cecilia Branford. "Cecilia Branford, isn't that right?"
