Book 8: Chapter 47


    I ignored Castell when I arrived at the inner court.


    <em>Castell is technically a victim in this incident, but at the same time, he didnt report it despite being aware of it. Had he told us everything he knew from the start, all of that couldve been avoided. Hence, I dont have any positive feelings for him. If anything, I resent him. Furthermore, hes loyal to the Empress, not me, so I dont need to pretend for his sake.</em>


    I entered Mommy Elizabeths room and spotted her sitting on her bed, looking out the window with a slightly nervous look. She smiled then tapped her thighs, Come here, Son. What should be done must be done. You did storm into the royal familys cemetery for no good reason, damaged a grave and killed Valkyries. Like you, Mommy is very angry, too, so get over here and lie on Mommys thigh!


    <em>Youre not angry, are you?! What part of you shows that youre angry?!</em>


    I think I shouldnt, Mom I I know I was wrong now I shouldnt have been so impulsive. But Mom, you were in the wrong first. Cant I be a little wilful, too?


    Theyre two different things. Just because othersmit a mistake, that doesnt make it a reason for you tomit a mistake, as well, Son. Mom looked at me. She pat her thigh again while looking anxious. She continued, Hurry up ande here, Son. Mommy could acknowledge Mommy was wrong in front of so many people, so cant you acknowledge you were wrong in front of Mommy? And isnt it very normal for a mother to spank her son?


    Not when Im at this age!


    Who said that?! Come here, Son; otherwise, Ille over and forcefully pull you into my embrace!


    Dont, dont, dont. Ille over!


    There was no way I was going to be able to escape Mom. I had to reluctantly go over to her.


    <em>After all, I cant resist against Mom now. If Mom didnt apologise, not only would I not have been able to take Luna out, I would also be locked up here. The fact that Mom could understand me and make such a bigpromise proves that Mom still loves me.</em>


    Iy down on moms thigh and she softly giggled. She then quickly turned me over to pull me tightly into her arms, and then put me down on the bed. I couldnt react in time, so she sessfully put me on the bed. Mom gave me a tight back hug and rested her head on my back. She took in a deep breath and in her soft voice pleaded, Dont leave Mommy, Son Please dont leave Mommy When youre not here Mommy Mommy feels so lonely so so lonely


    I didnt respond. I justy there silently while she sobbed with me in her arms. She said, Mommy cant bear to hit you Mommy feels really sorry for you, too How can Mommy not be hurting when youre hurting so much? But Mommy Mommy is hurting a lot, too


    I took in a deep breath. In a soft but firm voice, I replied, Mom, I know. Its just that I honestly cant ept this. If I makepromises this time and let Alice be ced next to Luna, not to mention enjoying the status of a hero, Ill be betraying Luna when I put her to rest, as well as all those who devote their loyalty to me.


    Uhm, Mommy didnt consider your feelings when handling it. Mommy feels sorry for you, too.


    Mom gently stroked the back of my hand. That was where Alice stabbed me with her dagger. It bled uncontrobly until Vyvyan came. Vyvyan lost it when she saw it. If Elizabeth didnt desperately stop her, Vyvyan wouldve dismantled her hand.


    Does it still hurt?


    Not anymore but my heart still aches a lot I really miss Luna I really do. I miss her so much.


    I tightly clenched my fist. Mom gently stroked my fist and next to my ear, whispered, Mommy feels the same way with Alice Thats why Mommy doesnt want her to end up with the crime of being a traitor. Son, if your heart aches,e with Mommy.


    Mom sat up, and then moved about in her room. I was stunned to see a secret passageway appear behind the bookshelf. The stench of blood came from it, and I could feel the humidity from there. Mom looked at me and said, Come, my son. Pick up the sword on the table. If you still feel upset about not being able to get revenge, let Mommy show you something in here for you to vent.


    I stood up and picked up the sword on the table. This is Moms sword. I scanned it with curiosity. It seemed to still have the warmth of Moms hands on it. Mom grabbed a light from the side then grabbed hold of my hand, and we descended together.


    The further down we went, the more prominent the stench of blood and rotten stuff became. Moms light looked as though it was getting absorbed by this thick moss. It was sticky under my feet. I really dont want to know what caused this marshiness.


    I heard the sound of chains sliding. The iron door in front of us opened. I saw a bunch of people lying scattered all over on the ground, groaning and moaning underneath the sunset shade of light.


    These are all the people involved in the incident.


    Mom led me across in an indifferent manner. She grabbed one the head of one of the individuals. It was a familiar face that I saw. He was the guy who tried to seduce Nier at the dance ball. Mom said, This is that ministers son. Ive dered them dead to the public, but I think that you want to kill him more than I do. Also, this is his wife, these are his friends, and these are his mistresses. His teachers entire family is here. His servants are over there. Mommy has brought all those rted to him here. This is


    The King of Castor.


    I looked at the face of a kid, who was barely breathing, causing him to be unable to even cry. I remarked, Hes just a kid.


    But Castors Regent tried to kill my son! All of the members of Castors royal family have been killed. I spared him for you.


    This, here, is Prince Bagrott. His wife is on the other side.


    I looked at the familiar and unfamiliar faces before me. Mom kicked away the individual in front of her and told me, I spared none of those from the vassal states that were involved with the incident. I even rewarded Nara and Karana. I once led the entire empires military to war for you, so Mommy could ughter an entire city for you this time. Castors shores should be congested with corpses by now. Mommy, personally, killed Alice; as a consequence, you couldnt, personally, get revenge. You can vent your anger on these people, right? But once youve killed them, remember to keep their heads. Well send their bodies back. Well send their limbs out to all corners of the empire to warn everyone.


    Mom had no pity in her eyes. Her eyes were filled with fury and disdain.


    <em>It appears that Moms anger is the same. Nobody who hurt me is getting away.</em>


    I nodded.


    <em>The true target of my anger wasnt these people. The true target of my anger was the one who killed my Luna.</em>


    <em>But Im mad right now and they were aplices, so they contributed to Lunas death.</em>


    Thank you, Mom.


    I drew the long sword in my hand. The Elven King sword reflected the light from the sunset.


    <em>This is the second time I picked up a sword. I killed Mera the first time I picked up a sword. That time, I killed her, because she, too, revolted. Im picking up a sword again for the same reason this time, except this time, I wont have any pity or reluctance!</em>