A long breath slowly escaped Selena's lips as she looked down at the old Pope still kneeling before her.
"Please stand up. There is no need to kneel." Her voice had softened again, and when Lucius still seemed hesitant, Selena made a small motion with her hand, almost forcing him to finally rise.
"Your Grace…" Lucius's old eyes trembled as he slowly stood, his gaze remaining lowered for a moment as though even standing equally before her somehow felt wrong now. "I apologize."
"It's alright." Selena sighed again, rubbing her fingers together before looking directly into his eyes.
