Book 8: Chapter 25


    <em>Poems and songs are nice things. Its just that I havent heard any of them sinceing here. The annual meeting banquet wasnt a dance ball, but a banquet where everyone was seated separately. Everyone would then write a poem to recite, so it could be considered a very literature and art oriented gathering.</em>


    <em>Poetry in this world isnt different to the ones from the world I came from, because their text has something which resembles letters. However, their pronunciation contains a degree of level and oblique tones. Poetry needs to rhyme, and the number of words used must be equal. While the requirements arent high, its not possible to just write them with the click of a finger, either.</em>


    <em>Composing poetry isparable to drawing for the Empress. Its a little difficult for her Im standing at the entrance to her room in the inner court right now. Im here to console her in name, while Im here to ensure she doesnt act restlessly and whimsically, in actuality. As Vyvyan can move around freely, Elizabeth goes to the outer pce every moment shes free to avoid letting Vyvyan have time alone with me. In reality, however, Vyvyan doesnt get the opportunity. Lucia and Nier cling to me during the day, and then the two of them cling to me at night; consequently, I basically dont have time to be alone with Vyvyan.</em>


    <em>But despite that, my two moms will still do everything to get close to me, so I can only get her topose her poem in peace by standing at the entrance of her room. That said, I now feel that mom isnt struggling topose a poem, because shes restless and whimsical, as she doesnt want topose a poem, but that shes being restless because she cant think of anything.</em>


    <em>Mom looked at her pen and paper in front of her. It feels as though asking her topose a poem is tougher on her than asking her to draw. Well, I guess thats not right, since Mom is very happy to draw as its what she wants to do. Composing poems wasnt something she wanted to do, though That would exin why Mom keeps looking left and right and even ying with the feather on her pen all day.</em>


    I ced the book in my hand down. I looked at Mom, who was bored out of her skin, and said, Mom, hurry up andpose your poem. You have to read it out tonight.


    Mom looked at me and smiled helplessly to reply, But Mommy doesnt want topose a poem Mommy is horrible at this sort of stuff. Mommy never paid attention during any of these sses when Mommy was young. Mommy either wagged lessons or angered the teacher until they left, so Mommy regrets it now


    <em>It sounds as though Mom was a very mischievous princess when she was young. But I guess it makes sense. After all, if she wasnt mischievous, she wouldnt have run to the elves alone and got taken back by them.</em>


    I looked at Mom then opened the book I was reading and replied, It doesnt seem as if the requirements are very high to me. Why cant youpose a poem, Mom? And nobody will say anything even if you do make a mistake or two.


    You cant say that. Mommys poems will be saved so Mommy mustpose a good one. Thats why Mommy burns Mommys drawings


    <em>Oh, so mom is aware of her limitations</em>


    Mom patted her thigh, and then looked at me with a bright look in her eyes. I knew what she wanted. I walked over and sat on herp


    <em>Why do I feel as though Im a dog? </em>


    Mom hugged me from behind then reached for her pen and nodded with satisfaction. She said, This does give me a reassuring feeling, all right. Mommy canpose in peace now, but Mommy doesnt know what to write


    I looked at the nk sheet, Is it hard? You should be able topose one soon with your skills, Mom.


    Writing a four line one isnt a problem, but the important part about poetry is being able to express your inner feelings. Mommy values Mommys feelings. If Mommy cant express them, the poem is meaningless.


    <em>Why does it sound as though its Moms excuse to me?</em>


    Your Majesty, Prince, Your majesty ah


    A maid came in and was stunned to see us like this. I, however, cared nothing for shame. The two of us looked at the maid naturally without getting flustered. Mom asked, Whats wrong? Did somethinge up?


    The maid looked at us with a dumbstruck and replied, Ah Sorry, Your Majesty, Miss Freya wanted to borrow His Majesty for a bit.


    Mom nodded. I walked to the door then quickly turned my head around to look at Mom, Dont go running off when Im not around, Mom. When Ie back, I will be checking to see what youve done. If you havent finished by then, Ill be having dinner with Mommy Vyvyan tonight.


    !!


    Mom revealed an astonished expression.


    <em>I think I went a little overboard with my threat but seeing mom immediately sit straight up and think seriously, I think its all right. After all, I can choose not to go to tonights banquet and let Elizabeth deal with all the people from the vassal states, while I eat with Mommy Vyvyan. That was the scariest thing to Elizabeth.</em>


    After leaving Her Majestys room, I noticed that the maid next to me kept looking at me with a very odd gaze.


    <em>Should I prove to her that Im her biological son and not her lover or something? Whats wrong with a mother hugging her child?! Whats the problem?!</em>


    Freya didnt ask to see me for anything important. She just wanted to confirm who would hold power once Her Majesty and Her Highness went off to hunt. There was also the question of having the Valkyries act as guards, since I couldnt let my condition on full-moon nights get exposed. As such, all Valkyries will be stationed inside the pce, and Ill have Alice guard this floor for safety sake.


    <em>Alice may not serve me, but she is Her Majestys bodyguard units captain, so she should be Her Majestys most trusted person.</em>


    <em>I had Nier and Lucia go with my two Moms to have some fun. Staying in the city would be a little too restrictive for them. I can handle things here alone. I dont have time to go out to y with them. With the Empress here now, the Valkyries werent so free.</em>


    After finishing discussions with Freya and delegating tasks, I went back to Her Majestys room. To my surprise, Mom had finishedposing her poem. She cheerfully handed me the sheet of paper when she saw mee in and said, Here, here, here, Son, take a look. Mommy has finished.


    I took the sheet of paper.


    <em>I cant help but admire Mom. It was just as I expected. Mom can do anything she puts her mind to.</em>


    <em>The soldiers have withdrawn their army and horses at the Southern mountain.</em>


    <em>The four seas have been settled and there is nothing left to be worried about.</em>


    <em>When will I be able to spend my days with my son,</em>


    <em>Gazing at the snow in the north until I grow old?</em>


    <em>Wow</em>


    <em>What do I think?</em>


    <em>You could pass this off as a love poem, dont you think? I dont think Elizabeth intended for it to be one though. She just wanted to keep her sonpany until old age, thats all.</em>


    Not bad. I can understand your thoughts, too, Your Majesty. I will ensure that you can live the life of a mother in the future.


    Elizabeth didnt reveal a cheerful smile. Instead, she silently nodded and revealed a sad expression. She smiled helplessly and replied, I knew I wasnt good withposing poems Didnt I justpletely fail to express my feelings?


    <strong>Glossary</strong>


    *Level and oblique tones refers to the tonal nature of the Chinesenguage.