"Kiana... Ah! The one causing all this ruckus outside is a feisty young lady, while the other one is equally unapproachable—both truly give me quite the headache." Gently pinching Theresa's soft, smooth cheeks, Hera spoke with profound meaning, a tender and indulgent smile gracing her lips. "Little Theresa, you really don't need to seek answers from me, do you?"
Theresa's expression remained stern as she pressed her lips together and said, "I don't understand what Grandpa means."
"Are you being evasive again? You asked me this question last time we met, and I told you—it's not that I'm preventing her from seeing you; it's because she doesn't wish to meet with you herself. Little Theresa knows well that I would never lie to you. In truth, you already have the answer you seek, although it fills you with fear."
She fell silent.
"If it were indeed my doing keeping the Young Lady away, your problem would be easier to resolve. After all, you could plead with Zeke. With sincerity and a willingness to pay the price, considering the bond between the Young Lady outside and myself, seeking help from my dear friend would be the most reliable option. But you're fully aware now that the issue isn't with me but rather with the Young Lady's own reluctance—hence your deep-seated fear. You dread that after years of neglect, she may have lost hope in both her remaining family members. Worse still, you fear she might even hate you. Just contemplating these possibilities must keep my little Theresa awake at night, am I right?"
Hera affectionately tousled Theresa's hair, her voice filled with warmth and amusement, making it hard to discern which sentiment was stronger.
Theresa pursed her lips, and her hands clenched tightly on her legs.
To Hera, this stubborn reaction was as good as an admission of guilt, causing her smile to grow even sweeter.
Meanwhile, Siegfried, listening quietly from the sidelines, grew somber.
Kiana...
Siegfried's emotions were both chaotic and heavy. He had been unaware of these circumstances Theresa faced, but the mention of his years-long absence pierced him deeply, leaving him speechless. Not even his long, injury-induced slumber could serve as an excuse; he simply failed to fulfill his duties as a father!
Hera quietly observed Theresa's reaction before finally sighing.
"Sigh... If we're being honest, I indeed bear some responsibility for this mess. But to little Theresa here, that hardly matters now, does it? What truly concerns you is winning back Kiana's heart, something that must have caused you immense anguish, right? That's why you came here, disregarding both my crucial mission and the fact that neither of you could possibly overcome me—this wasn't about seeking answers or impulsively trying to rescue someone; it was solely to express your stance."
"Grandpa, enough!"
"Hold on, let me finish slowly. Ending abruptly would be too subtle. Without clarity, how can I ensure she fully comprehends your heartfelt intentions? My dear Little Theresa, your seemingly reckless intrusion might appear meaningless, but in reality, it sends a message to that young lady who may have already lost hope—to show her that you still love her deeply, willing to disrupt grand plans and risk your lives for her sake. Thus, there's still time, provided she grants you another chance, trusts you one more time. You'd stand against the world itself for her... Hmm, such a declaration, such determination, holds tremendous weight for a lonely, heartbroken girl!"
Hera clapped her hands, and given her character, it seemed more like mockery than anything else.
But Hera knew well that Theresa's reckless action brought her closer to Kallen, who had fearlessly declared her love for Yae Sakura during the Trial all those years ago.
Just, brave, kind, unwaveringly devoted to love—Theresa truly embodied another version of Kallen.
Hera lowered her gaze, concealing her immensely complex emotions with silence.
Meanwhile, Theresa's clenched fists began trembling, her eyes reddening as large tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Grandpa, you...really seem to know everything..."
"Oh no, I don't claim to know everything. I just know what I've learned. For instance, Grandpa here knows absolutely everything about little Theresa, oh yes~"
"Then, does my doing this have any effect? Can it bring Kiana even a slight sense of peace? How is she doing now? It's fine if she's disappointed or hates us; please tell me how she's really faring, Grandpa!"
Ever since regaining her memories and hearing from Hera that "she doesn't want to see you," Theresa had been racking her brain with countless guesses about Kiana's attitude, feelings, circumstances... All the while suppressing her own dread and self-loathing. Now, after recklessly throwing caution to the wind, she finally laid these painful wounds bare, gazing up at Hera through tear-filled eyes.
Hera reached out gently, wiping away Theresa's tears but unable to stem the heartrending sorrow in those weeping orbs.
The goddess's hand paused; she had to admit, even with her heart already full of love for Kallen, it now felt a new ache due to Theresa's anguish.
"Sigh..."
With a wistful sigh, Hera suddenly looked toward the temple entrance.
"Why don't you ask her yourself? She is here, come to meet you."
Theresa sniffled, hastily wiping the tears and snot from her face, following Hera's gaze outward.
There, where Siegfried and she had burst through the temple doors earlier, stood a new set: red-painted panels with silver trim, emanating a gentle golden glow from between their cracks.
"That's..."
"The location of Kiana Kaslana. Aside from her, no one else can find this door now."
Hera rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the table as she watched with keen interest.
In the next instant, Theresa and Siegfried charged through the entrance simultaneously, disappearing along with it. The temple doors reappeared, revealing the dazzling aftermath of the intense battle outside.
"Lady Hera, aren't you coming?"
"No need. Just now, I finally received answers about the rogue meddling with Little Theresa's consciousness and the puzzling actions of Siegfried. Indeed, only someone capable of astounding achievements within the consciousness domain—someone enigmatic enough to confound even me, Zeke, and Fu Hua—could possess such unfathomable power. And all along, that mysterious entity has been right before my eyes."
"..."
"Silent again? Sometimes you speak too much, other times you're overly quiet, Amber."
"My apologies, Lady Hera."
"Don't apologize; I'm not blaming you. Speaking of which, emotions truly are the most fascinating aspect of humanity. Do you have anything or anyone you deeply cherish, Amber?"
"I am merely Lady Hera's tool and do not experience such feelings."
"Then I hope someday you will. Without love, life would be far too devoid of color!" Lady Hera leisurely remarked as she slumped over the table, closing her eyes with a faint smile.
As a result, she missed the brief hesitation that flashed across Amber's face—and never saw how intensely focused Amber's gaze was beneath the golden eyepatch she seldom removed, as if nothing else could coexist within it.