Book 9: Chapter 18


    Troy Citys festival, huh Mommy must take part, then.


    Mommy Elizabeth looked at me. From the bed, she turned onto her side, and then patted the spot next to her, which was a signal for me toe over


    <em>I swear to the heavens I didnt go over to her because I could see the contour of her body through her sleeping gown. I swear I went over to her purely as her son!</em>


    I sat on the edge of moms bed. Vyvyan supposedly returned to the elvennds as something came up, not to prepare materials. Meanwhile, Mommy Elizabeth chose to wait for me to return before returning to the Royal Capital, herself, and while she was at it, brought some Valkyries over to help guard the pce.


    Nier, who was the current captain of the Valkyries, was present; therefore, the Valkyries here were not going to do what Alice did. In reality, there werent many Valkyries who sided with Alice. The majority of them only followed the Empresss orders. That was the reason the Valkyries ordered to guard the outer court were willing to fight their captain to the death without any hesitation. The Empress and Nier were both here this time, so this group of Valkyries was absolutely loyal.


    As such, I didnt worry about Nier and Lucias safety.


    Mom hugged me from behind. I could feel her weight from behind. Mom wrapped her slender white arms around my neck. Her faint scent enveloped my body. Mom mustve just had a bath. Her ck hair gave off a mellow scent. I could even feel the warmth of her chest.


    Mom I actually wanted to invite you to this festival


    I desperately tried to stop myself from focusing on the soft feeling on my back. We only had two thinyers of clothing between us. I felt an urge to turn around as I felt Moms breaths and small tremors. However, I was not here to do that sort of thing this time. Ill leave once Im done saying what I have to. I <em>will </em>leave once Im done.


    Sure. Mommy will definitely take part. Mommy must participate in the first festival youre holding at your city, Son.


    Mom bit my ear gently and giggled in a tender voice by my ear. She whispered, Its so nice to be able to hug you, like this, Son Mommy is honestly very scared. If you get angry, Mommy wont be able to hug you again. Mommy would suffer so much if that happened. Mommy has gotten used to having you with Mommy. Mommy has gotten used to life with you. If youre no longer with Mommy, Mommy will have to live as Mommy did for thest ten years again. How would Mommy live that way?


    Mom At the time I mm well I was indeed angry. Thats why I left without a word In actuality I shouldve spoken to you about it.


    I felt Mom tighten her arms around me.


    <em>Please, please dont continue You might not feel anything, but I cant take it If you hug me any tighter, my hips are going to give in I want to distract myself with something. Otherwise, Ill start hating myself again!!</em>


    <em>Ill never have a boner in front of my mom again!</em>


    Yeah. Mommy understands now. Mommy understood after you said that Regardless of who it is around mommy, be it Castell, Alice, Nier or whoever, theyre forever merely Mommys vassal. You will forever be the only one who understands Mommys thoughts


    Mom gently brushed her face against mine. With a smile on her face and in a soft voice, she said, Nobody has ever noticed mommys suffering. The Royal Capital is a bird cage to Mommy. Mommy shouldve been in the outside world enjoying freedom; but instead, Mommy is on the throne carrying the expectations everybody has for Mommy. Mommy can only look at the iron bars Mommy, personally, built up. Everybody says that Im the greatest woman in this world, but none of them realise that Im also the loneliest woman in this world. Theres nobody I can lean on in this cage. The only one who could provide me with warmth was the man in my arms, who will never return to me. Mommy still has you, though You probably dont know how happy and how moved Mommy was when you said you would destroy this cage. At that moment, Mommy just wanted to give up everything and leave with you, just as Mommy eloped with your father back then


    <em>Hold up! Please wait a moment!</em>


    <em>I can understand you being touched and your circumstance, but dontpare me with my father! Do you know how much that scares me, Mom?! Im your son! If you say that Im the same as your husband, it sounds disturbingly weird! Am I supposed to ask my father for forgiveness?!</em>


    <em>I dont detect a miniscule chance of him forgiving me!</em>


    Ah Mom


    I finally get to see my son grow up. Mommy can understand the bliss of being a mother now Mommy particrly understands itTheres nobody for Mommy to rely on, act wilful with or coquettish to anymore. Mommy has gotten used to living as an Empress. Mommy has gotten used to the determined mask behind the ck veil, but when Mommy sees Mommys son growing up, Mommy finally recognises how tired Mommy is


    Mom sat straight up and clung to me from the back. I felt something heavy pressing down on my head. It also gave off a warm and dark sensation Mom continued from overhead, Son, youre bing more and more like your father. No wonder why Vyvyans love for you has never decreased ever since you were a kid. Its because you resemble our most beloved so much. Although my rtionship with that woman is bad, I must admit that we share the same thinking Come, turn around, Son.


    I felt the weight and warmth leave my body. I then felt my heart beat speed up as well as the odd smell of sensuality in the air.


    I turned my head around to see Mommy Elizabeth wearing a gentle smile that didnt suit her usual self at all. She was kneeling on my bed. Ive only ever seen Moms confident and proud look, or otherwise, her silly smile. Recently, Ive seen her kind and consoled smile, as well. But this time, it was the first time that I saw her wear such a gentle and shy smile that made it seem as though she wasnt the Empress, but a young girl in love.


    <em>This smile must be the smile that belongs to my father</em>


    To be honest Mommy was always slightly jealous to hear that you and Vyvyan kissed You finally took the initiative to kiss Mommyst time Mommy wants to kiss again


    My entire body shuddered. I looked at Moms peach-coloured lips that glistened under the light of the me. Her lips were shiny as diamonds.


    I quickly stood up and walked to the door with big strides. I then pulled the door open. Without turning my head around to look, I said, Sorry Mom. Itste now. Im going back to sleep You should sleep soon, too. Goodnight


    I quickly closed the door behind me then leaned on it. I took in deep breaths in order to calm my racing heart down.


    <em>That was seriously too scary, in every meaning of the word</em>