Lia's voice trembled as she confessed that their cold treatment toward Helia was the root cause of her current condition. Their neglect had pushed the lioness to a breaking point, prompting her to choose a life of solitude within the castle, without seeking their help even when she was on the brink of death.
She admitted that they had seen Helia from time to time, but they were unaware that she was in constant pain and had concealed it from them.
Had Helia informed them about her suffering, both Lia and Nyla would have come to her rescue.
However, the poor blonde-haired girl chose to let the pain affect her as a form of self-punishment for her actions towards Rio, dying every second with the thought that she had killed him.
Rio's heart ached with sadness as he listened to his wifey's words. He understood how Helia had been driven to this point, and he couldn't help but feel partially responsible for the pain she had endured.