Over the Sky | Image Gallery | Artbooks | Last Exile Chronicle | 145
The Relationship Between Dio & Lucciola
Column 19 - Dio and Lucciola's past
Unlike the other servant members of the Guild, Lucciola was exclusively selected by Delphine for Dio as a result of the "purge incident" orchestrated by Delphine.
9 years ago, Delphine killed her and Dio's parents. By chance, Dio witnessed the scene, which instilled a deep-rooted fear of Delphine as a result. Delphine, who did not know that Dio was a witness to the murder, assumed that Dio's change was caused by simply knowing their parents had "suddenly died."
Delphine had a twisted, distorted love for Dio, who was the only remaining member of her immediate family. Rather than inheriting the secrets of House Eraclea as well as the entirety of the Guild by herself, Delphine wished to do so together with Dio.
Because of the changes in Dio that Delphine thought was caused by the loneliness he felt from their parents' death, she decided to give him a servant in order to relieve the emptiness in his heart and keep watch over and protect him from any potential rebels. Delphine chose the younger brother of her most trusted servant, Cicada. Much like Cicada, his younger brother was gifted due to receiving the same brutal training, so although he was not yet old enough to particiapte in the pledge ceremony, he already possessed exceptional combat skills and swore an oath of absolute allegiance to the Maestro and the Guild. Furthermore, his loyalty and unselfishly rigorous nature was suitable to Delphine. Thus, Cicada's younger brother was given to Dio as a servant.
Afterwards, Dio gave this servant the name Lucciola. This act of "giving a name" is the greatest honor for the lower class of the Guild, and their absolute loyalty and dedication to the one who bestowed it upon them is required. This is because in the Guild, the lower class do not have names, and instead are only identified by their duties. Having a name is proof of being recognized as a "person of the Guild" rather than a "part" of the Guild.
Lucciola was imprinted with the education of submission and absolute obidience to Delphine and the Guild, but because it was Dio who gave him his name, his priority was given to any of Dio's orders. As long as Dio behaved and stayed within the framework of the Guild's rules, this was never a problem - especially for Lucciola. Even Dio's specifically odd and off-the-wall requests were accomplished with some adjustment so as not to conflict with his loyalty to the Guild and Delphine. Because of the constant off-the-wall actions from Dio, Lucciola had to think for himself in order to predict Dio's movements and actions and be able to act on initiative. In addition, Lucciola secretly moved to surround himself with trustworthy allies.
Dio, who not only felt a deep loneliness due to the loss of his parents, but a fear of being killed just like they were, instantly became attached to Lucciola. This bond made Delphine extremely jealous, and led to her beginning to doubt Lucciola's loyalty. Though she had appointed him herself, this jealousy caused her to doubt his ability as a servant and guard. However, if she were to take him away or kill him, it would instill feelings of fear and cautiousness in Dio toward her. So Delphine would pull Lucciola aside, testing his loyalty in many ways. Sometimes they would be simple questions and interrogations to get something out of him, and other times she would punish him by not allowing him to eat in order to keep his fear and instincts at a high.
Due to Delphine's actions, Lucciola was lead to act more cautious and careful in response. Dio, who noticed Lucciola's hunger, would secretly give him food, which resulted in the bond between the two of them deepening. So Delphine's jealousy-based actions backfired in this way.
