The entire reason he used a duplicate of Laela's lifeless body was simple: when Lucina looked down from above and saw him grieving over it, she would believe it.
She would think he had finally broken, that the man who refused to obey her was now ready to yield. And that belief would draw her down to him without hesitation.
Aiden remained sitting beside Laela's lifeless body without turning back fully or answering the goddess yet.
She glanced at the body for a moment, with her voice slipping into a tone that sounded half-mocking, half-teasing. "Aww, don't worry. You can always find another elf. Or if you'd like, I can fetch you a replacement wife from Yul'thera."
Aiden didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he asked, "Who's the other fellow?"
Behind him, Herxes stood beside Lucina with his hand holding a short winged staff. There were strange runes glowing around his eyes, rotating slowly in circular patterns.
