Book 5: Chapter 41


    Nier! Dont!! I shouted as loud as I could.


    The direction of Niers thrust changed mid-way down and stabbed into the ground. Nier indifferently released the sword, looked at me with a smile and said, Alright, dear.


    Hold up! Hold up! Where did that new way of addressing mee from?! And arent you too good at changing the trajectory of your sword?! I highly suspect you were waiting for me to order you!


    My sincere apologies, onii-sama


    Just as I was about to continue speaking, Freya who appeared God-knows-when suddenly pushed me in between my two moms all of a sudden.


    I staggered and wobbled a few steps before falling straight into Vyvyans arms, where my head buried itself in her valleys of bliss.


    Vyvyan subconsciously dropped her sword and hugged me tightly.


    Elizabeth, who swung her sword this way screeched and then tossed her sword away.


    Vyvyan hugged me very tightly, like a hen protecting its child, as she retreated a few steps. She thundered, Are you crazy?! You crazy woman!! If you had hurt my son just then, I would have erased humanity from this!!


    Elizabeth looked at me with a nk expression.


    Her sword had been two centimetres away from my neck just now. I could feel the whistling wind created by her swing.


    Elizabeth shook so much she nearly dropped to her knees. She staggered as she ran over. She trembled as she stuttered, Son Son Mommy did mommy hurt you? Did mommy hurt you?  You didnt get hurt, did you? Mommy didnt do it on purpose Mommy didnt do it on purpose Dont dont be scared Mommy Mommy didnt do it on purpose


    Im okay, mom, dont worry. Im okay.


    I escaped from Vyvyans embrace and looked in the other direction.


    Luna helped Lucia up.


    Lucias face was covered in tears of humiliation. She bit down on her lips hard while clenching her fists tightly. She was the first one to suggest a duel, yet failed, and was even spared by her opponents generosity.


    I now somewhat regret it. If I could be as decisive as Freya then perhaps the two of them didnt have to fight it out.


    Freya looked at me with a hint of satisfaction.


    I dont know when she started watching, but she saw a solution with her first nce. She really is amazing


    Elizabeth stood next to Nier with joy. She wiped the corner of her eyes to wipe away her tears of fright from just a moment ago and said with satisfaction, See that, Vyvyan? Your Lucia cant be my sons wife. If she cant even protect herself, how is she going to protect her husband? And it was a fair-and-square fight. There was no scheming or underhanded tricks involved. Do you elves not respect such a victory?


    Vyvyan scoffed coldly and replied, If your Nier could protect herself, why did my son have to travel thousands of miles to rescue her? What does that prove? It proves that Nier also enjoys undeserved fame. Shell only put my son in danger again!


    Elizabeth mmed her scabbard on the ground hard and sternly said, Put that aside for now. Were talking about this particr duel. Nier fought Lucia fair-and-square. There were no schemes or underhanded tricks involved. She won with her own bravery and skills. So can you refuse Nier and my son being together?


    Vyvyan clenched her teeth tightly. She looked at Lucia with a hint of despair. She had no way of arguing that. Whether its elvennds or humannds, a fair fight is legally sanctioned.


    Say what you want; Nier won. It doesnt change the result even if you bring body weight into the equation since Lucia initiated the duel.


    I acknowledge this duel. However, that doesnt nullify Lucias love for my son. The two of them genuinely love each other. Are you trying to suggest that love is about strength, too? My son loves Lucia. Since you love my son so much, are you going to steal his love from him, nevertheless?


    Vyvyans counterargument was somewhat weak.


    Elizabeth noticed the w in Vyvyans argument and revealed a smile that indicated she was pleased with herself. She replied, Is that so? Didnt you say that it needed to be monogamous? I dont care how much Lucia loves my son. Nier is the winner. My son travelled day and night to rescue Nier without regard for his own life. He loves Nier, too. Hell be happy regardless of who he marries, so you dont need to concern yourself with this matter anymore. Go home, Vyvyan. Ill send you an invitation when my son gets married.


    Vyvyan clenched her teeth tightly. She had no argument for it. In elven tradition, the loser of a duel has to hand over their lover. And the same applies for humanity. Nier won regardless of what you try to say. That was a fact. Vyvyan couldnt deny it.


    But then I decided to step up.


    Mom!


    Elizabeth reacted with surprise. She looked at me nkly for a moment before switching to her gentle voice to say, Son, is there something you want to say? Its okay. Say it loud and clear.


    I looked at Elizabeth and replied without hesitation, Mom. I love Lucia.


    What about Nier then?!


    I love Nier as well.


    I looked at Nier and said, Nier went through life and death for me. We ventured into dangerous ces together. Weughed together, got angry at each other, and worked towards a goal together.


    But the same goes for Lucia. Lucia didnt abandon me when I was on the brink of death. She starved herself for me. Weve spent so much time together. Lucia has done far, far too much for me. I will not give up one of them for the other. Mom, sorry, but I might have to break conventions. I dont want to abandon either of them if possible! I want to marry both of them! If we cant live together, then Ill live with Nier here in humanitysnds and live with Lucia in the elvennds. In short, I wont give up on either of them! This is my only request. I want to be with both Nier and Lucia!


    Elizabeth and Vyvyan looked at me with utter surprise. The two of them exchanged nces and then looked at me with reluctant expressions.


    Vyvyan budged her lips a few times before saying, That W-We cant decide there. If that is what you wish we wont interfere This is between you three I understand what you want now, though. I, too, support your decision. If they can ept it, mommy is fine with it, too.


    Elizabeth nodded and then said, Nier, can you ept that? I mean His Majesty and Lucia being together. I have no means of rejecting my sons choice, and he isnt ying around just because he lusts for you both. If he loves you both, I cant separate him from his love.


    Nier made a small bow and replied, I respect His Majestys decision. I shall soon be His Majestys wife. While I do have my dis-satisfactions, I support all of His Majestys decisions. As long as His Majesty can love me and be by my side, I shall not interfere with His Majestys choice.


    Good.


    The empress nodded and then Vyvyan looked toward Lucia. Her tone sounded somewhat relieved when she spoke, What about you then, Lucia? You can see that my son loves you as well. Sometimes love isnt a one-and-only thing. If you want my sons love, then you must be able to love him the same way as well.


    Lucia froze up. She trembled as she looked up. Her face was covered with her tears. She looked at me with a hopeless expression.


    Her gaze made me feel worried; it held a sense of not wanting to let go, and surprise, like I had abandoned her. She bit down on her lips and clenched her fists tightly. She then took in a big breath and shouted, I cant ept it!!!