Book 7: Chapter 4


    Elizabeth got worked up and got up from her chair. Shocked, she eximed: What?! You want to go to the desert now?! Son, youre a father now! You want to leave now?! Youre going to leave Nier with me and go? Nier wont say anything but she is definitely hoping for you to stay. Think about your child and your wife!


    I nodded and replied: I know. Of course I know that. But I have no choice. I dont want to give up on this matter either. Plus, Nier will be with you. I trust you. You will definitely look after Nier wholeheartedly. Ive also seen how meticulous you were with Niers arrangements so I dont have to worry, which is why I can go without a worry.


    Elizabeth looked at me with a slightlyplex gaze. She then sighed and said: Its not like that, son. Of course you trust me. Youre my son after all. Nier is also the child I like the most so there definitely wont be a problem. However, thats not how youre supposed to think about this.


    Elizabeth looked irritated. She put one leg over the other and rubbed her temples looking extremely irritated. She sighed with an upset and wronged look. Ive never seen Elizabeth look like that. Her gaze looked particrlyplex. She looked like she was wronged and she was suffering like her husband left her. It was like the one that was actually upset was her and not Nier.


    I looked at mom and said: Why? Whats the problem? Nier said she didnt have an issue with it either. I think that Nier can take care of herself. I dont want to let this opportunity go to waste for nothing either


    Because this is about love!


    Elizabeth tapped on the table and looked at me with a hint of anger. She raised her voice a fair bit: Son, you cant think like that. You have to know that to Nier, you are her husband as well as your childs father. Niers identity as the princess wont allow her to stop you, but youre her husband! Youre her love! A woman doesnt want anything when shes pregnant. She doesnt want a Valkyrie or some maid, but you!


    Nier


    Elizabeth mmed her hand on the table hard and then looked at me furiously. She eximed: Nier is a Valkyrie and your princess! She wont stop you because of this but shes also a woman, dont you know that?! No, you dont! But I understand it! Im a woman! I get it! Youre the same as your father. Do you still not get it?! Do you not know what I want?! I dreamt of your father a few days ago. I dreamt of my husband. Do you know what a woman wants?! She wants her family!


    She looked at me with her eyes full of tears. Her voice sounded somewhat hoarse as she spoke: What will Nier think if you go and leave your wife behind? Would Nier be able to raise your child in peace? Would she be able to take care of her child in peace? Wont she miss you? You think youre the only one who misses her? Shell miss you! Shell miss you! You want her to live here in peace because of your problem? What after? And then youll go to the north and go missing and have just your ring return?! What do you want Nier to do?! What do you want Nier to do?!


    I was speechless. What Lorana said rang in my ear. No ones fate is safe in the desert. Even Lorana mentioned that it was dangerous. Shes the strongest sword saint on the continent and even she said there was danger, so Ill be at risk too. Its not as dangerous as the dragons up north, but I dont think Im as powerful as my father either.


    This was a repeat of Elizabeths past. Elizabeth understood the feeling. History was repeating itself. In the end, she didnt get to see her husband onest time. Her husband left just like that. Only a ring came back and it wasnt even with her. She only had his sword and cape.


    She felt that history was being repeated. She felt the same fate would befall us again. She wasnt being wilful or stopping me. She saw Nier as another her right now. Thats why Elizabeth is stopping me right now. Elizabeth was worried about Nier right now.


    You are the prince, and you should deal with this matter. If you hadnt gotten married yet, and if Nier hadnt gotten pregnant yet, I dont care where you go. Nier would be able to apany you to the desert too. I would be very assured with the Valkyries sword instructor apanying you, but what about now? Youre now Niers husband. Youre the father of the child Nier is carrying. What youre doing is too dangerous! Nier cant apany you too, so how do you expect me to feel assured letting you go? Who else could you bring along that would put me at ease? Freya or Luna? Lucia has already gone to the elven side, so who else left do you have? Mommy has already experienced it once, and theres no way mommy is going to let Nier go through that same experience even once. Not happening! Shes not the only one worried about you, theres mommy too! Mommy is worried about you!


    I looked at Elizabeth silently without saying anything. I had no argument for what Elizabeth said. I was indecisive about it to begin with. Now its even more impossible for me to make my decision.


    How do I protect Nier? But I dont want to just do nothing like this. I agreed on this with the Lorana. This is also the most crucial matter I need to take care of as the lord of this city. Plus, this is the firstrge job of this scale Im carrying out sinceing here. I dont want to give up this opportunity just like this.


    Of course I wont abandon Nier. If Nier needs me, Ill give up on it without any hesitation. Ill let go of everything without hesitation just like I hugged her before if she needs me. But but Nier already said I could go. If I stay, Nier will feel guilty for sure, wont she? But as Elizabeth pointed out, Nier definitely wants for me to stay to.


    In any case, you no longer are who you were before. Son, youve gotten married, but your thinking hasnt changed at all. Mommy is very disappointed with your rashness this time.


    Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh like she had just aged several decades. She stood up and walked to the door. She then softly said: Son, youre a husband and a father now. You cant just think about yourself anymore. You need to think about your family as well. Dont copy your father. You need to understand that its not just your life alone as countless others are also worried for you.


    I understand.


    I lowered my head and let out a heavy sigh.


    Elizabeth turned her head around, looked at me with aplex expression and said: Dont rush this matter too much. Think carefully and then you can decide what you do. Son, grow up a little. Care about the people around you. You are bing more and more like your father. But dont copy your father. Your father was also forced to. He had no choice, but no one is forcing you now so dont do something that would let your family down. You have a family. Do not. Do not neglect your family as your pursue your career. Your family is your real treasure.