Book 8: Chapter 2


    Luna made a small bow while looking at us and saying, All right then, I shall take my leave now, Your Majesty, Princess. His Majestys washed clothes are over there. Another maid will bring tomorrows breakfast over. I apologise for having to trouble you to look after His Majesty, Princess.


    Nier nodded and replied, All right, Luna. Its been rough on you, too, having to journey so far with my husband. Have a good rest tomorrow. I shall take care of him tomorrow!


    I nodded then looked at Nier next to me and said, Sorry, Nier. I might not be able to keep youpany, because I have a feeling Her Majesty will keep me there.


    Today is her majestys private invite. There will be nobody but Nier and I. I dont think Ill be able to leave this sort of banquet. Once the banquet is over, Ill definitely be called to her room. Then Elizabeth, wholl be drunk, will sleep holding me; so, I wont get to keep Nierpany tonight.


    Nier nodded her head with disappointment. However, she quickly regained her spirits and replied, I understand, Dear. Im all right. You were off far away before, but youre right next to me this time so I wont lose sleep, because youre not next to me. I know that you must go to Her Majesty.


    Thank you for being understanding, Nier. I kissed Nier on her head then held her hand to leave together. Luna pulled the door open. From behind, she bowed with a smile and said, Please enjoy dinner. Goodbye, Your Majesty.


    I turned my head around to see Luna smiling with a tinge of loneliness.


    I couldnt say anything to Luna. Our rtionship was no longer what it was in the desert now. Were now only Prince and personal servant. My Nier is next to me. I, therefore, cant be as intimate with Luna as I was in the desert.


    Ah, Luna.


    I stopped in my tracks and turned around to call out to Luna. Luna looked up at me feeling somewhat surprised. She didnt know what to say. She seemed to never expect me to turn around and call out to her. I looked at her face. I gulped my saliva and after a pause, said, Come back to work soon, okay? Youre my only personal servant. Without you, my life is a mess, so resume work soon, okay?


    Luna froze up for a moment, and then a bright smile gradually surfaced on her face. With the suning down, her smile was simr to the one on that night in the desert. That night, Luna hugged me tightly, and it was the first time we embraced each other and enveloped each other in our love for each other under the moonlight, not because of my condition, but our feelings. But that was our only night, as we had to then return to Troy City.


    Luna responded with a firm nod. With her eyes shining, she smiled and responded, Sure, Your Majesty!


    Goodbye then, Luna.


    I waved my hand, grabbed Nier and turned back around. I didnt add anything after that or even look at her again. Nier looked at me with suspicion, but didntment.


    <em>Luna and I are now back to our master and servant rtionship, and nothing more.</em>


    <em>However, shes my only personal servant. She will be the only one ever. If Luna leaves or is not around, I wont ever have another personal servant. For me, personal servant, is a title reserved for only Luna, alone. </em>


    Is it ready?! I personally prepared this dish for my son. Do not drop a single drop! Have you all taste tested it? Its fine, right?! Uhm, uhm. Remember, I personally made this for my son. None of you had a hand in it, understood?! Understood?!


    The chef looked at the floor and trembled. Elizabeth stood with arms akimbo and watched the maids at the side, sort out the dishes. The dishes dont look bad. They werent drool inducing, but they should be normally edible. Its no longer that rubber soup anymore. But well have to see if these dishes were prepared by Elizabeth. Since she said she did, lets just take her word for it.


    Uhm, uhm, the dishes are ready. What else what else Ah, wine, wine. I must prepare good wine. You wont let me hug my son outside? Fine. Ill hug him in my room then.


    Elizabeth grumpily tossed a few bottles of wine into the water barrel then looked to the kitchen and thought about what else she could give her son.


    <em>Frankly, I dont ask for much. Just a meal is fine. When Castell came to see us, he wore a Youre on your own. Good luck. sort of look and informed us that Her Majesty, personally, prepared the dishes this time. I was more terrified than I was touched Mommy Elizabeths rubber soup still gives me nightmares today. I dont think I will ever forget that strange smell.</em>


    <em>Thats why I was honestly reluctant to bring Nier along If by chance If something bad happens after Nier eats the food, what are we to do? Nier has two lives right now! We must be careful! </em>


    <em>I noticed that the dishes could be considered normal when they were served up, though. How shall I put it? They were very ordinary? It makes sense, though. Its a massive improvement if something mom prepared was edible. Im very satisfied with the food this time, since I came to the table feeling as though I returned from death. </em>


    Son, how is it? How is it? Is it good or not?


    I raised my head and sincerely nodded. I saw Elizabeth sp her face with a silly smile as she looked at me as if she was going to explode with happiness. I replied, It really does taste good. Thank you, Mom.


    Hehehe hehehe Have some more if you like it. If you like it, Mom will cook for you every day, so that you dont have to eat thats Elfs food anymore Cooking? Big deal. I can cook now


    Elizabeth wore an extremely blissful smile as she pushed everything over to me. It was virtuallyparable to having the entire desk mmed on my face. I started to panic a little


    <em>Am I supposed to finish all of this? Youre going to kill me!!</em>


    Fortunately, Nier helped me finish some of it. As she was a Valkyrie, she had very low requirements for food, so she didnt have an opinion on the taste.


    <em>It seem that I need to nurture Niers taste standards now. For Nier, up until now, all foods were to be eaten, and all wine was to be drunk. Thats not how a Princess should be. </em>


    After dinner,e with me for a walk, son. Then well have a bath and rest. Sleep in my room tonight. I feel bad about Nier, but a mother should get priority over a wife. Therefore, bear with it for another night tonight, Nier.


    The instant I ced my fork down, the Empress stood up and tightly grabbed hold of my hand. I couldnt have fled even if I wanted to. Nier looked at the Empress determined eyes. She silently lowered her head and answered, Understood, Your Majesty. I shall return to the pce to rest, then. Goodbye.


    Despite Nier now being a Princess, before the Empress, she still replies the same way a Valkyrie would.


    The Empress nodded and then pulled me up the same way you would yank a torn doll up. She dragged me by my arm as she headed out and said, Lets go then, Son. I want to hear what happened in the desert. I want to hear everything. Its slightly cold outside, but exposing yourself to the cold before getting in a hot bath is even more soothing. Lets go, Son, lets go.


    <em>All right! All right! Gentle, Mom! Gentle! You could rip my arm off like this, you know?! Save me! Save me! </em>


    <em>I felt my body was at risk after leaving the desert once again</em>