Book 5: Chapter 42


    I looked at Lucia nkly.


    Lucia looked at us with rage. However, there wasnt just rage in her eyes. It was primarily despair and sadness. It was like the pain of being abandoned by the entire world. The way she looked at me was like the despair and pain a kid felt upon finding out the fairy tale she believed in was fake.


    My heart ached when I saw her look like that. It was as though someone was cutting my heart into pieces. I didnt want to betray Lucia. I never wanted to betray Lucia. I have always loved Lucia. Always. That has never changed. Ive always loved her. Ive never wanted to abandon her.


    But I dont want to let go of Nier, either. Nier has done so much for me and I like her. I dont want to betray either of them. How nice would it be if they could get along?


    Nier looked at her indifferently. She then extended her hand out to make a hand gesture and added, You can leave now, then. I won the duel, so normally speaking, you shouldve left. It is only because His Majesty likes you that its not my ce to say anything. However, since you arent willing to ept it, please leave. You dont seriously think youre in a position to be negotiating, do you?


    Lucia took in a big breath and then shouted, His Highness is mine! I was first!! I was by His Highnesss side first, ever since we were kids! We were childhood friends, so we should be together! Ive done so much to be together with His Highness! Im His Highnesss wife!


    But you lost our duel. That is enough. What meaning is there even if you have done more? You saved His Highness and I did, too. Dont tell me you think time makes you a winner. Time has never been a factor! Nier indifferently continued, I love His Majesty, so I can obey his every request. What can you not ept as a failure? Leave. Leave His Majesty if you cant ept it!


    I shouted, Nier!


    Nier immediately obeyed and stopped speaking.


    I looked at Lucia who was crying and softly said, Lucia, I love you. I really do. I wont forget how you saved me, and I wont abandon you for any other woman.


    Then dont acknowledge that woman!! Lucia screamed as loud as she could. Big droplets of tears coursed down her face. She looked at me. She looked like she had been sapped of all her strength and consequently dropped to her knees. She sobbed as she continued, Your Highness I beg you please please stay by my side ignore that woman cant cant we be together peacefully? I Ill be obedient Ill do anything but but please please dont dont acknowledge her please I dont need a wind-elf buff or wedding. I just want to get married to you. Please please


    Nier looked at my painful expression and fidgeted with her body out of frustration. She softly pleaded, Your Majesty Your Majesty you wouldnt you wouldnt you wouldnt, would you?


    I looked at Lucia. It took a lot out of me to shake my head and reply, Sorry, Lucia. I cant abandon Nier. You can tell how Nier feels for me. Plus plus sorry Lucia. I dont know when I started to fall for Nier. I like you both equally. Lucia, stay by my side. I promise. I promise I wont be biased toward any of you. I will give both of you happiness equally.


    Vyvyan looked at Lucia and gentlyforted her by saying, Its alright, Lucia. Trust my son. Trust His Highness and trust your love for each other. My son wont abandon you for Nier. He has always loved you. He was willing to cut ties with me for your sake. He definitely loves you. He travelled a long way for Nier, yes, but if you were to run into trouble in the North, he would disregard his life to save you, too.


    As Lucia cried, she looked at Vyvyan and shouted, Your Highness Your Highness this is love. This is the love that God blesses us with that we are talking about How can how can such a holy love be shared? Can this love be shared? I dont understand. I dont understand, Your Highness! It was meant to be a love reserved only for me, so why do I have to share it with a human? I want His Highnesss love. Ive done so much. I just want His Highnesss embrace. Have I not done enough?!


    If you want a hug, I can give you one at any time. If you want a kiss, I can give you one at any time. Ill hug you and kiss you for as long as you want as long as youre by my side. As I mentioned, I wont be biased. Perhaps my love isnt mature, and I dont know how you two view love, and Im even less sure what sort of me you two want. But I will love you both equally! There isnt just one piece of love! Lucia, I love you. I really do!


    I walked forward intending to hug Lucia.


    However, she retreated a few steps as she continued trembling. She looked at me with fear and shouted, Donte here! Dont embrace me with arms that held another woman!


    Nier drew her sword. Before I could react, she had already rested it on Lucias neck. She looked at her with a cold look and eximed, You are not to be rude to His Majesty! You bitch, youre getting angry when His Majesty is willing to ept you? You should be thanking His Majesty for his generosity and thanking me! I should be the one whos angry right now, not you! What right do you have to reject His Majesty? Look at your pitiful appearance right now!


    Lucia took in a deep breath. She didnt pay any attention to what Nier said. She extended her neck forwards, scaring the living daylights out of me.


    Fortunately, Nier managed to pull her sword back in time, so Lucia was safe.


    She stumbled to the ground and cried loudly. She shouted, Youre all picking on me! I trusted all of you! I trusted you, Your Highness! I trusted you, too, My Queen! Ive tried so hard already! I just want His Highnesss love! Is that too much to ask?! I just want to stay by His Highnesss side! Is that fated to never be possible?! Youre right! Im just an ordinary elf! But I love His Highness! You can take anything from me, but but dont take His Highness!!


    Lucia


    I looked at Lucia suffering. I started to choke on my own tears. My conscience was hammering my brain, making me feel that I betrayed her over and over again. I betrayed someone I loved so much. But I genuinely do love Lucia. I genuinely want to be with her.


    Its just that I want to have Nier by my side too


    Lucia stood up. She looked at us and shouted with despair, I hate all of you! I hate all of you! I shall ask God to curse all of you! Ill curse all of you! Ill curse all of you to never be loved! Ill curse you all so that your love rots and bes more rotten than rotten leaves!! My Queen! Your Highness! That includes you!! I hate you!! I hate every fibre of your being! You cheated me of my love! And you cheated me of ten years of my life!!


    I couldnt take it anymore. I really wanted to just tightly hold Lucia and cry loudly. I wanted to tell her I didnt betray her. I wanted to tell her just how much I loved her.


    But in the next instant, a strong gale blew and all that was left was a vague silhouette in the air.


    Lucia ran way No. More urately, she left in despair