Book 7: Chapter 16


    The journey south was actually quite joyous. To avoid revealing my n, I took a detour to the elven border first so that the envoys would see my final traces at the elvennds. Once I got there, I took another path south. When we got to the royal capital, we rested for a while also for the purpose of letting Lorana buy new supplies. We stayed inside the royal pce at night. There were no other flourishing cities further south so this was the soldiersst rest and supplies replenishment stop.


    Your majesty, your washed clothes are ready.


    Luna came up to me with a pile of clothes and ced them in front of me. I nodded then stood up and put the book in my hand down. I looked at my outer court feeling a little nostalgic and said: I havent been back here in a long time. This ce is quite nostalgic. Luna, how are the maids?


    Luna smiled then looked around and replied: The maids were very happy to see you return since they get really bored when you are not around. Your majesty, when will be the next time we return? To be honest, this ce is filled with memories for me. Lots of things happened between you and I here after all, and they were all very happy things.


    I grabbed hold of Lunas hands. She didnt resist and instead looked at me with hope. I stroked her head with a smile and replied: I too really like this ce. Too many things happened here. I met Nier and the rest of you here.


    Lunas gaze turned nk when she heard Niers name, but then she quickly returned to normal. She smiled and said: It is gettingte, your majesty. We need to continue the journey tomorrow, so you should go and take a bath. After that rest up, your majesty Without Miss Nier you you


    I smiled and then stroked her head. I dont hate sleeping with Luna. Lunas very skilled. Its just that Im married now. Its not right for me to be intimate like that with Luna again. But because Nier rode my hips every night, Ive felt a little lonely and agitated thest two nights without anyone by my side.


    Luna looked at me and held my hand. She softly said: Your majesty, I am alright. If you need me, I am alright with it Plus, I really like it too If possible. Please let me take care of you tonight, your majesty since we will be heading into danger and if if I die


    I covered her mouth then kissed her forehead and said: Dont say that sort of stuff, Luna. Youll be fine. Youre my only personal servant. I wont let anything happen to you. If something happens, Ill do my best to protect you because you are the one and only for me.


    Your majesty


    Have a good rest.


    I stroked Lunas head and then picked up my clothes and left the room. I closed the door gently and let out a soft sigh. I touched my chest and felt the small protective talisman thump gently with my heart beat. I took the talisman out and gentlly ran my hand over the somewhat rough surface. I smiled and said to myself: I feel like youre still by my side, Nier. Am I wrong?


    Please enjoy, your majesty.


    After cing a serve of grilled meat and frozen fruit wine on the tray down, the two maids got up and left. I soaked myself in the warm waterfortably. It was sofortable that I moaned. Immersing myself in this bath of warm water thats like a swimming pool is seriously toofortable and too blissful. I reached my hand out to tear up the piece of grilled meat in front of me and then had a drink of the frozen fruit wine.


    This hot-outside cold-inside feeling was marvellous. The soothing feeling made my mind go nk. I didnt want to think about anything anymore. Being useless like this feels pretty good too.


    Hot water and women can weaken ones resolve and body as I thought!


    I closed my eyes and listened to the water gently swish around. The only sound around was the sound of water swishing around and running water. This soothing feeling


    Ssh


    Why was there the sound of something entering the water all of a sudden? Is it mom? Im already used to it if its mom. Im used to both Vyvyan and Elizabeths behaviours. Now what? I dont care if its a booby face-wash or groping me since theyve done it countless times already anyway.


    But nobody came over. The person who entered the water seemed to stop moving. Thats when I suddenly realised that I was in the royal capital right now! Im in the royal capital! Elizabeth and Vyvyan couldnt be here! One of them is at Troy City while the other is at the imperial capital, so they cant be here! So whos next to me right now?!


    Luna. Luna is a maid. She isnt allowed to enter my bathroom unless I call for her. Only my personal vassals may enter my bathroom. Which means only Nier, Lucia and Freya would be allowed to enter my bathroom. But then none of them are here with me!


    I opened my eyes and noticed that half of the grilled piece of meat had been torn off. I saw red hair waving around before my eyes. Lorana lowered her head, tore into the piece of meat and then gulped mouthfuls of my ice-wine down. She then let out a big sigh and then her body shivered. She said: You sure know how to enjoy yourself, your majesty. It feels pretty damn amazing to eat like this.


    Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!! Why are you here next to me?!


    I shrieked before covering my chest and retreating to one side. She wiped the water that sshed on her face as a result of me jumping up with annoyance and said: You dont have to react so surprised do you, your majesty? Youve seen plenty of female bodies, havent you? Is there still any need for you to be surprised like that about this? Moreover, Im old enough to be your mother so I dont care about your body. So theres no need for you to be shy.


    No, no, no Wh-wh-wh-why did you appear next to me?!


    Didnt you ask me toe?!


    No! Why did youe into my bathroom!


    You want me to strip around those soldiers? Lorana frowned and then pinched my shoulder to pull me back over. She then draped her arm around my shoulder. She waved the grilled piece of meat around as she exined, Your majesty, I dont want to change in front of others either. Im a woman at the end of the day. Im like this around you because I see you as my son.


    Dont be like that. I already have two moms, so I wont need a third. Further, if Vyvyan and Elizabeth discover that you see yourself as my mom, theyll seriously get angry. Plus, theres that Valkyrie, Shusia. Shes here as well, so why didnt you go and have a bath with her?


    Shes ying around outside with that punk Philes Ah


    She realised she had a slip of the tongue so she covered her mouth as she looked at me. I didnt allow anyone to leave the grounds. Youre my guard, a soldier. What sort of soldier leaves to go y whenever they want? But Ill turn a blind eye to this I looked at Lorana, got a little serious and said: Ill overlook it. But how much do you know about the desert were headed to?


    She looked at me and then replied seriously: Not much. However, theres one thing you must know. Theres no room for mercy or softness in the desert. You will also never be able to tame the desert, so please do away with your sympathy and merciful nature while were in the desert. Only des can open a path in the desert. Your kindness is useless in there.