Book 12: Chapter 46


    Guns?


    Yes.


    Mommy Elizabeth ced her cup of tea on the table and looked at me with a serious look. She replied, To tell the truth, Son, I admittedly am very interested in your repeated-firing rifles. I never thought Lorana would be able to create that sort of rifle. Mommy understands that this sort of rifle will change warfare henceforward.


    I can sell them to you You are my mom, but I need money more, right now


    Hahaha. Momughed, and then scrubbed my head: Mommy understands. Family wise, you are my son and I am your mother, so we dont need to worry about who profits and who loses. However, nation wise, you are the leader of the North, while I am the Empress of the empire. We need to discuss the welfare of our two nations. As such, dont bring emotions into this discussion.


    Mom leaned backward into her chair. She folded her arms and spoke in a serious tone: So, as Im the Empress of the South, I should buy these firearms then imitate them, and then have my generalse up with new battle tactics, factoring in the weapons and train new soldiers. As your mother, nevertheless, I cant buy your weapons.


    I picked up my cup of tea. I asked, Why, Mom? I really need money right now. I wouldnt sell them, otherwise.


    I actually had a rough guess as to why.


    Tone still serious, Mom answered, Because Mommy cant be certain they wont be used against you. We shouldve learnt a lesson from Lunas misfortune. Son, Mommy loves you. You know that. Mommy would never do anything that would harm you, but Mommy can no longer say with absolute certainty that Mommy can keep you safe. Mommy wants to protect you, but Mommy cant guarantee those around Mommy wont harm you. Mommy hase to understand that your biggest threat isnt a foreign enemy  and even less so the elves but the people around Mommy. They are your biggest threat. Nheless, Mommy cant kill them all. Consequently, Mommy can only prevent giving them an excuse to leverage against you.


    Mom, Im just selling a small portion, so there shouldnt be a problem. Additionally, I should be respected by those around you now, right? I led an army and conquered the North. Isnt everybody saying that Im, without question, your son?


    Mom exined, No, Son. You have to understand that what they want most right now is your North. Son, you used my army to capture the North. They consider you my son  the Prince of humanity. Thats why thend you captured already belongs to the Rosvenor Empire. Mommy doesnt care. Youre Mommys son. Thats why Mommy absolutely trusts that you wouldnt threaten us despite now upyingnd and dering yourself King. Plus, Mommy doesnt care about expanding Mommysnd anymore. Mommy thinks that the empire is perfect as it is with regards to its size. The morend you own, the harder it is to manage. Mommy knows how big Mommys appetite is.


    Mom then licked her lips before carrying on: However, Mommys people may not yet be satisfied. From their standpoint, their authority and climb to power has just begun. To them, taking back the North for me is a political achievement that would grant them the stepping stone to ultimate power. For that reason, they all want to take the North from you. I told them that I want to let you establish a nation in the North, but s, Im afraid that they wont listen to me. As such, Mommy doesnt want for you to hand over your weapons for protecting yourself with. In Mommys opinion, being able to protect yourself is the best scenario.


    I picked up the tea kettle and poured Mom another cup. She watched me whilst wearing smile, and then looked to the west, where the sun was setting: If you need money, just let Mommy know. The things in the Inner Court are Mommys personal belongings, so nobody will care if Mommy gives them to you. Son, you need money for your coronation ceremony, right? Consider it Mommy providing you with funds.


    Wouldnt I be too pitiful if my coronation ceremony was funded by somebody else?


    Mom stood up and stretched her back out. While gazing at the sun outside, she replied, Its no big deal. Its a moms present for her sons coronation. Will that do? Its getting dark. Lets head in. The breeze from the valley is still cold at night. Catching a cold isnt fun and games.


    I nodded then gently took hold of Moms hand. In a soft tone, I said, Its all right, Mom. If youre worried that somebody will try to bring harm to the North using the firearms, dont worry. Mommy Elizabeth, I trust you, so if you want, Ill sell them to you.


    I stunned mom. She took in a deep breath and, in a serious tone, said, Youre still considering that even after what happened to Luna? Son, youre always careful, unwilling to mention Lunas misfortune, because its not a nice memory.


    I argued, Yes, but I still trust you in spite of that. I was a little impulsive at the time. Lunas misfortune had nothing to do with you. It was Alices fault. Youre my mother. I obviously trust you. If you were to hold a sword up to my neck now, Id still firmly believe you wouldnt stab me.


    A smile gradually crept up onto Moms face. She pulled me into her embrace, and I hugged her back. She gently stroked my back then giggled: Mommys nightmare has finally ended. Mommy has always avoided recalling Lunas incident, but Mommy has finally been relieved of it.


    Mom I hugged Mom: Mom, I wont me you, because you werent at fault. Alice was at fault. I still hate her. Ill never forget it. That being said, Ive always trusted you, for you are my mom. My mom.


    Mm, mm Son Son Elizabeth tightly hugged me, and I reciprocated the gesture.


    Mom was right. Once the sun went down, the chilly breeze from the snowy mountains was still cold despite it being summer. A slightly cold breeze blew Moms ck hair simrly to a g. I could feel the cold breeze graze my arms, back, neck and body However, my chest against Moms chest was warm Our hands holding each other had each others warmth


    I pondered, Why do I feel an odd sense of nostalgia? Why do I oddly feel touched? Why do I feel as though I forgot something? It had been a few months since Ist felt this feeling? Why am I feeling this sensation again? What exactly did I forget?