Book 4: Chapter 47


    Good morning, your majesty. I shall continue serving as your bodyguard from now on.


    I looked at Nier and nodded with a smile. To be frank, I was quite surprised to find out that Nier was still able to be my bodyguard since I thought mom might not let Niere back. But this is good. It looks like mom doesnt mind our rtionship. Wait, what?! We never had any rtionship to begin with!


    Nier stood up and calmly walked up behind me. Her expression didnt change. She was the same as usual, like nothing happened yesterday. I ced my tea-cup down. Luna came over and filled it up again. I then sat on my seat and looked at the window with azy smile. There was nothing for me to mind.


    Everything was resolved in a blink. The judgement or whatever thates next has nothing to do with me. Freya set everything up as his majestys adopted sister, saving me quite a lot of trouble. Normally speaking, a ruler would be very concerned if his subordinate was sopetent and smart. But I trust that Freya wont betray me because we both share the same pursuits and because I saved her.


    Its just as she said. She needs me to revive her household. Theres no harm to me if her household is revived, and I get a smart individual to help me, so that puts my mind at ease a lot more. Freya is a very valuable asset to me.


    After I finished the next cup of tea, Luna knew I wouldnt have another. Luna knows me really well. She came up to take away the cup and refreshments. I stood up, grabbed my cape by the side and wore it on my shoulders. Nier followed me out of the dining hall and asked: Your majesty, what ns do you have for today?


    I looked at Nier, smiled and replied: Um, I want to go and see the children. Only youve seen them after all so its not really fair. Are the kids well after going through that?


    Theyre alright. Though theyre very scared, we rescued all of them. While a few of them met with misfortune, the rest are fine. The dean is currently taking care of them. Nier looked at me. Her expression bes much more amicable when we discuss children.


    I nodded and said: The dean is a good man to be able to take care of the children whom arepletely unrted to him with absolute dedication. Its not an easy job.


    Yes, however, your majesty, I gave all the money to the dean because I truly dont feel anything towards money


    Thats alright. I trust that the deans will is more valuable than money. I trust the dean. If I have seen how ugly and dark the human heart can be here, then the dean is the one who possesses humanitys unique kindness and generosity. Hes not wealthy. The orphanages finances are tight as can be, yet he does all he can so that the children can maintain a normal life. The orphanage doesnt receive an allowance like officials. Itspletely voluntary on his part.


    I believe that when the thirty-thousand coins are ced before him, he will only be thinking about how to improve the childrens lives with them, and not how to repair his office.


    Compared to gold, the deans noble heart and soul is the most valuable asset. One with that much wealth may not necessarily possess a heart as pure as his.


    We walked past the market and saw the public notice column announcing the news of the churchs judgement. The people whispered among each other as they discussed the matter. Most of them were saying no wonder why his majesty destroyed the church, I cant believe the church did so many bad deeds, Look, her majesty gives us money and free salt. Based on their discussions, it looks like the people are leaning towards us.


    It went just as Freya said. What the people require is guidance. We would rather let the church take up arms than let them continue wielding the power to preach. If the church wanted to engage in peace-talks, they will have to give the authority to preach to the empress, otherwise they can forget it. Thats whats most important. As long as we have the authority to preach religion, we can get the people to voluntarily trust us.


    Its the same for everyone. Belief and faith is a tool.


    I left the ce and smiled helplessly. I thought back on how crazy I was thest few days. Calling people to go and destroy the church was like a dream. Ive never tried doing that sort of stuff. Though Id dreamt of myself being mighty in my fantasies, I was an ordinary person at the end of the day. But I truly did it now. I can go and do anything as long as I want to. Its just that I have to sometimes do that which I dont want to do as well.


    I turned my head around, looked at Nier and asked: Nier, do you think what we did the past two days was meaningful?


    Nier paused and then replied: I dont know, your majesty. I have never wondered whether or not what I do is meaningful or not. I only consider whether or not it is necessary.


    I stayed silent at first. I then smiled and said: What you say makes sense, Nier. You dont have to walk behind me. Hasnt our rtionship improved thesest two days? Can I be considered your friend now?


    No, you are still the prince, and I am still a Valkyrie. Its just that Im no longer against being your bodyguard thats all.


    Nier looked at me. The look on her face didnt change at all. She was still proud and lonely. However, that was what I admired about her. Nier isnt nobility, but she has the dignity and pride of a Valkyrie. Even if it was a lonely pride, even if her path was one of bloodshed, she never hesitated to continue walking it.


    Perhaps we didnte out at the right time. Maybe everybody wasid back recently. Or maybe there was some important festival, but we were getting squashed in the crowd. Though it was sometimes squishy in the past, this time, it was virtually enough to separate Nier and I. Nier desperately tried to stand behind me, but she couldnt make her way over.


    Her majestys birthday ising. Tomorrow is the ceremony so everyone ising out to buy things now.


    From behind, Nier desperately tried to speak. I smiled helplessly as I continued squeezing my way forward. This situation is shocking. Ive only seen such a situation when they raise the g at the za on the national holiday. I was proud of it at the time. But this time, its just the empresss birthday and yet theyre so excited


    Okay, the empress does indeed equal the empire. Im actually worried. If all the vassal states around and the people trust the empress, can I bring them under control if she passes on? It looks like I need to be as qualified as the empress


    I reached my hand out and grabbed Niers hand. I then struggled to pull her over to my side. Nier reacted surprised. She looked at me and eximed: Your majesty, what are you doing?!


    If we hold hands, we wont get separated, right?


    But I cant draw my sword like this!


    I dont think anyone will try anything funny with me at this time. Since you cant draw your sword, they cant either.


    I smiled as I held Niers hand. Niers hand was stiff, allowing me to just pull her along as I wanted. She didnt give me any reaction. But being able to hold her hand meant that our rtionship had improved a fair bit.


    In that case Ill be in your care then, your majesty


    Nier looked at his majestys back and at her left hand that he was holding. Her heart beat sped up again without her being able to control it.


    Why? Why do I feel strange every time his majesty touches me? I suddenly want to smile and randomly feel annoyed. Why? Why can the man in front of me make me feel flustered?


    <strong>Glossary</strong>


    *When he referred to national holiday, hes talking about Modern Chinas national day.