Book 4: Chapter 44


    Your majesty! You have worked hard! Wee home Ah this miss is Luna nkly watched me carry Freya off the horse. She caught Freya with puzzlement. Freya leaned on Luna, looked at me and said: Your majesty, if you have time, I would like to speak to about my ns for the next step. For the first step I already have


    I cut her off: Go and rest first. Eat, wash up, sleep and then well talk about it. While I dont have much time, I can spare a day or two. I wont let you overwork yourself until youre rested. I cant just exploit you. Since youre going to help me by my side, you need to prepare yourself to work hard.


    Understood.


    She looked at me and nodded. Luna looked at me confused. I said: Luna, take Freya to wash up first and settle her living arrangements If there are any problems, discuss it with the head-maid.


    Alright. But your majesty, you need to rest first


    Im going to pay her majesty a visit. Ill be back real quick. Of course if I donte back after a long time, that means mom kept me there to eat dinner. And Im absolutely certain itll be her cooking. When that happens, you must remember toe and bring me back. Im serious!


    The bowl of purple soup resurfaced in my mind The burnt-rubber taste appeared in my mouth again and wouldnt go away. That thing is my nightmare in this lifetime. I trust that theres no one who would be willing to drink a bowl of burnt rubber. But Ive tried it. Mom said it was a medicinal concoction used on the battlefield, but I reckon its a fatal poison!


    Alright, your majesty.


    Luna didnt smile. Instead, she wore what looked like a forced smile. She looked at me with an expression like she was mad as if she didnt ept my decision. It was simr to how Lucia looked at Mera which really surprised me. But I quickly caught on and understood what was going on. Elves are extremely jealous creatures. Could it be that Luna thought I brought home another maid to look after me with her causing her to get jealous?


    Youre jealous of this too?!


    I looked at Luna and said: Ah, Luna, you dont have to worry. She is originally a noble. I dont intend to make her my servant. You alone are enough.


    Im not angry!


    Although Luna said that, I noticed that the corner of her mouth crept up into a relieved smile. However, that was the smile that scared me. Surely the jealousy of elves is a little excessive. If a personal servant doesnt allow me to have a second personal servant, Lucia would probably grab a de and chop Luna up to vent her anger if she found out I hugged Luna.


    Heck, she might even hack me.


    I thinkI think its better not to mention it


    I silently walked toward the inner court. Nier wasnt by my side this time. I didnt see her at the inner court either. Alice wasnt there either. Only Castell came up to me to wee me. In his hands were clothes stained with blood. He smiled when he saw me and said: Your majesty, you were very sessful today. I never thought you could be so resolute. While your method was very extreme, the results were very good.


    Thank you, Castell. Is her majesty in?


    Her majesty is in the bathroom. If you head over, I believe that her majesty would be very happy. Her majesty has not worn this to go out to battle in a long time. Her majesty is in a very good mood. Perhaps it is because she had held it in for a long time and could finally let it out. However, your majesty, there is something I would like to speak to you about.


    Castell cleared his throat and then continued, Her majestys birthday ising up. Although she receives peculiar and amazing gifts from many ces, I feel that what her majesty wants most would be a gift from you. I think you should prepare something to make her majesty happy.


    Youre right. I paused for a moment. To be honest, I dont have a clue as to when Vyvyan and Elizabeths birthdays are. Its not excusable for a child to not know their parents birthday. But Ive just arrived. Yeah, I just arrived.


    Please prepare a present then, your majesty. Her majestys birthday is in two days time. I think you still have ns for your next move, but I believe it is best to pause for a moment for her majestys sake. Castell bowed as he smiled and added, After all, it is to your benefit if her majesty is happy as well. That is all. I still have to deal with this clothing, so I shall take my leave first.


    Alright.


    I watched Castell leave and suddenly realised I dont know what mom likes. Mommy doesnt usually dress up or use make-up. If Im going to cook a meal, well, there arent many ingredients here, not to mention I cant cook. So what sort of thing can express my love for her as my mother? Carnation?


    Come to think of it, back when it was moms birthday, I just gave her a call. The only birthday present I can think of is a cake. Am I supposed to make a cake here? Come on, I cant even make dinner let alone moreplex sweets.


    What does mom like? I think mom likes me. What, am I supposed to tie myself up with a silk ribbon and offer myself up to her? If I did that, I bet Vyvyan would massacre her way here and the second war for their son would begin.


    As I thought about it, I found Id arrived at the bathroom. I changed my clothes. The maids by the side walked up. They didnt ask me anything. They just bowed and then pulled the door to the bathroom open. The bathroom had three separate sections as aforementioned. Nier usually goes to the section with freezing water while I like hot water.


    Mom sat in the warm-water area, with her back against the edge. On the tray by the side was fruit and wine. Two maids stood to a side. Moms long hair was like kelp floating on the water. A few strands of ck hair stuck to moms snow-white shoulders. Mom heard the door behind her but she didnt turn around. She just smiled and said: Its you right, son? Youre back a little bitte, son.


    Yes. I was held up for a bit.


    Mom turned around and looked at me somewhat nervously. She extended her hand out and said: Come, son. Come and bath with me. I wont be so rough this time.


    I was slightly surprised. I didnt think shed remember what happenedst month. Mom looked slightly nervous. It looks like she was afraid that Id get angry again. I smiled helplessly and walked up to moms side, and sat into the water. Mom sat properly this time. It doesnt look like what happenedst time will happen again. But now I feel a little awkward.


    After a moment of silence I said to mom: Mom, thank you for helping me today. If it wasnt for you, I dont know how many guns Id have had to square off against


    Mom smiled as she shook her head and said: Thats because Im your mom. Mommy will definitely protect you. While mommy didnt protect you when you were young, mommy will definitely protect you now.


    Mom nced at the scar on my chest and bit down on her lips. I gently reached my hand out and hugged moms arm. Mom shivered intensely and then revealed an expression where she wanted to smile but didnt dare to be audacious. She kept her lips pursed together tightly. I smiled and said: Mom, its alright, I wont feel that youre rough this time.


    I-Is that right?


    Mom turned around stiffly. She had trouble deciding what to do with her hands and feet. She looked at me to check my reaction and said: L-Let let mommy hug you then as long as youre not angry


    I smiled and opened my arms.