Book 4: Chapter 3


    After getting changed, I walked out of the outer court with the holy water of the elves in hand as I headed to the inner court. I honestly dont know why the queen always gives me a bottle of holy water to give to mom every time Ie here. Does the holy water of the elves work for humans? I thought about how mom looked. Mom should be almost forty now, but her skin and appearance is like that of a twenty year old young girl. Could it be because of this holy water? Id be impressed if she would dare use the water the queen gave her. I mean, they arent exactlypatible with each other.


    The Valkyries standing at the door saw me but didnt stop me. The empress told them to let me freelye and go from the inner courtst time, but I guess the ruckus I causedst time has caused them to dislike me even more. I stepped up onto the steps and Nier just happened toe out from the inner court. She saw me and scanned me from head to toe. She then nodded and said: This way, your majesty.


    I followed Nier into the inner court. Nier saw the bottle hand in my hands and asked: Is this the present from the elves?


    Thats right.


    I nodded and then handed the bottle to Nier. Nier frowned as she looked at it. She returned it to me and said: I cannot see any problems with it.


    I looked at Nier and said: I prepared a present for you too, Nier. When we get back, Ill give it to you.


    I dont need a present, so there is no need for you to bother.


    Nier rejected me and coldly continued, I cannot ept a gift from another. Please dont do something that could cause me to misunderstand. The armour you previously gave me was a great present, and I am thankful for it. However,vishing me with rewards will cause the Valkyries to question my loyalty.


    That doesnt matter. Its just a simple present. I think youll like it. I brought an elven scimitar. Its crafted beautifully.


    Please forgive me, but I cannot ept it. Your majesty, are you not aware of what it means to gift someone a de? Nier sounded slightly angry. Her anger showed on her face. She stopped in her tracks, looked at me, took a deep breath and spoke as calmly as she could, My current sword was given to me by her majesty. epting a sword indicates loyalty. I am a Valkyrie, and I devote my loyalty to the empress, so how can I ept your de? Further, it was made by elves. My parents died to the weapons crafted by elves. Are you insulting me or ridiculing me?


    I had nothing to say. I honestly overlooked that. I forgot that Niers parents died in the war ten years ago and that Nier hated elves with every fibre of her being. Nier wouldnt ept something from elves. I only thought about getting Nier a present and forgot about that.


    Im very sorry!


    I bowed and said, Im sincerely sorry, Nier, I overlooked that. I didnt intend to insult you or ridicule you. I honestly just overlooked it. For that, I sincerely apologise.


    Niers anger on her face slowly disappeared when she saw me bow. She adjusted her expression and reverted back to her emotionless look. She then took a big step towards the door in front and said: Your majesty, you need not be like that. Even if you were to actually insult me, it wouldnt mean anything. I only care about her majestys judgement. Please do not think that I am trying to build a friendly rtionship with you. I am just your bodyguard for a month. Now, please go and see her majesty.


    Nier then pushed the door open. To be honest, my feelings felt a little tangled. Nier was right. We only have a monthly rtionship, with her being responsible for protecting me for that one month. Her post is with the Valkyries, that wont change. Indeed, I have no need to improve my rtionship with her.


    But I really want to build a good rtionship with Nier here in humanitysnd. Luna and I have a good rtionship, but Luna is an elf too. I want a human friend, and Nier was the first person I interacted with; it just so happens to be that shes a Valkyrie.


    I walked into moms room. Mom sat on the bed. When she saw me enter, she hurriedly hid something in her hands behind her. With my elven senses, I noticed it resembled some sort of red ball or bundle, but I didnt get a clear look of what it was.


    Whats mom trying to do this time?!


    My warning sirens immediately went into the highest level of alert. Normally speaking, red is a colour which makes one feel uneasy because it carries a very stimting implication. While I trust that mom wont hurt me, the empress is an idiotic mother! She mightve heard some rumour and then invented a new dish or something. I would believe shed do that if its her.


    Ah, son, youre back. Im d, very d. Come, let mommy hug you.


    Mom faced me and cheerfully opened her arms. I walked over and mom hugged me tightly. Compared to the queen, moms hug was unmistakably excessively tight. It wasnt a gentle hug at all. A better description would be that she yanked me into her embrace and squeezed me. Well, I guess thats a perk of having a generous bosom. If she were t, Id probably have a concussion.


    Mom on the other hand hugged me very happily. She stroked me head, smiled and said: Son My son has finally returned. I missed you. I felt lonely every day you werent here. Its great to have you back. So great. Mommy is so happy, so, so happy, hehe. Son If youck anything, just tell me. Like say if your clothes arent warm enough


    Im alright, I think. All else aside, this thick cape is very warm and with my leather clothing inside, I dont feel cold. But I noticed that moms gaze was full of anticipation. It looked like she was hoping I wouldnt say not cold. I smiled helplessly and said: Im sort of cold


    Before I could finish, mom happily eximed: Thats great!! Mommy made you a scarf. Son, see if you like it.


    Her shout scared me, freezing me in ce. Mom excitedly took out the red thing from behind her back. Ahh, so it was a scarf. Mom pulled me over in front of her and wrapped the scarf around my neck without saying anything prior Wait!! Theres something wrong with the way youre putting it on! Are you trying to strangle me?! Stop!! Stop!! Im going to get strangled to death!!


    Mom wrapped the red scarf tightly around my neck as if she were scared I was going to run away. She tightened it so much I almost suffocated. I desperately escaped from her grasp and yanked it off my neck as I panted for oxygen.


    Mommy anxiously helped me up and pulled me into her embrace before whispering: Ah Sorry, son Sorry Mommy got a bit too excited Mommy mommy was worried you wouldnt like it since since the scarf doesnt look good


    I noticed that moms body was shaking nervously. I looked at the scarf in my hand, and indeed, it should be called a red piece of cloth as opposed to a scarf. It didnt have any decorations on it. In a corner, there were the initials for my name and moms name, sewn on crookedly.


    I noticed that mom had wounds that had yet to heal on her fingers. The wounds were prick wounds from needles.


    I dont know how much of moms blood was on the red piece of cloth. While the scarf admittedly didnt look good, it was a scarf mom sewed for me. Its a one and only.


    It was a scarf filled with a silly moms love.


    Thank you mom, I really like it. I truly really like it.


    I slowly wrapped the scarf around my neck in front of mom.


    After that, this scarf never left my neck in winter