Book 14: Chapter 12


    Sob Sob


    Whats wrong? Whats wrong, Nona? Lucia got up and picked up Nona. Nona cried loudly in her moms arms. Lucia undid her clothes and hummed a soothing melody whilst gently rocking Nona. She cated her in a gentle voice, Dont cry, Nona, dont cry. Youll wake up Daisy and Vera. Dont cry, Nona, dont cry.


    Nona didnt seem to care about what her mother said and continued to cry loudly. She ignored the food next to her and just wailed. She looked at the spot next to her mother and reached out as far as she could towards it. Lucia nkly looked at the spot next to her. She felt as if there was something stuck in her throat. She spaced out as she patted Nona and, in a shaky voice, pleaded, Dont cry Please Nona Nona Please Dont cry Dont cry again For Mommys sake and for your sisters sake, please Dont cry Dont cry


    Lucia almost sounded as if she was begging, but Nona didnt care. She continued to struggle, trying to throw herself at that spot next to Lucia. Nonas crying eventually woke Daisy and Vera. Frustrated, Nonas sisters started crying at the same time.


    All of you, shut up!!!! Lucia tossed Nona onto the bed and let out a deafening yell. The three girls shuddered, and then stopped crying due to the fright. Lucia tightly clutched her hair and shouted at the children, You think I dont miss him? You think Ive forgotten His Highness? Hes your father and my husband!! Hes my most beloved Prince! You think youre the only ones who miss him? You think my heart doesnt ache?! All of you, shut up!! I wouldve gone to search for him if it wasnt for you lot! How could I be waiting here as if Im half dead?!!!


    Lucias tears poured out of her tears. The children fearfully looked at Lucia, who had almost gone crazy. They trembled and didnt dare to make a peep. Someone shakily knocked on the door from outside.


    Get lost!! Lucia thundered toward the door, and then picked up a knife for cutting fruit and threw it over. The knife pierced through the wood. The people outside shrieked.


    Lucias furious roar virtually tore through the wooden door to reach outside. The maids outside scattered. The maids considered Lucia to be gentler than Nier. As a matter of fact, Nier wouldnt even spare them a look; she didnt even consider them human beings. Lucia, on the other hand, treated the maids very politely and gently despite being an elf and had never shown irritation in their presence. That night, however, Lucias rage practically tore about the entire Imperial Pce. If the maid who knocked on the door before was one inch closer to the door, the knife would probably have pierced through her eyes.


    Lucia huffed and puffed. She red at the three girls, who didnt dare to cry any more. Despite one Daisy not being her daughter, Lucia took the initiative to pick her up, and take responsibility for her; meanwhile, Nier left to search for Troy.


    Lucia looked at the girls terrified and panic-stricken eyes. She hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching out to pick up Nona. Nona quivered in her arms. She didnt dare to raise her head. Lucia hugged her tightly and firmly pressed her cheek onto Nonas.


    Sorry Sorry Sorry Honey Sorry Mommy shouldnt haveshed out at you. Mommy was wrong You werent wrong Its not your fault Mommy misses Troy very much, as well Mommy loves him too much Mommy loves him the most. Mommy is writhing in pain, too. Mommy dreams of him every night. Mommy chases him every night but cant catch up to him Mommy also wants to be by his side just as in the past Im sure that Queen Vyvyan wouldnt kill His Highness, but I want to be by his side I want to be by my husbands side no matter how he turns out. Sorry girls. I shouldnt haveshed out at you


    Lucia gave each of them a tight hug and consoled them. She did justsh out at them, but they still hugged their mother tightly. It was as though they were the onesforting their mother. Daisy wasnt her child, but she seemed to know that she should depend on Lucia.


    Sorry, sorry Sorry Lucia hugged the girls tightly. Her ice-cold tears obstructed her vision of their cheeks and eyes


    ===============


    I opened my eyes to see Vyvyan next to me. Vyvyan looked exhausted yesterday, yet she looked as though she had replenished her blood stores in the morning. I assumed she had plenty. She wasnt the demi-god Elven Queen for nothing; she was able to recover even after depleting arge amount of mana. Today was probably the best condition she had been in. That being said, for some reason, I felt there was something against my back while her arms were around me. There was something sharp stabbing into my back, causing me to feel ufortable.


    What is this thing? I wondered.


    I moved my back around. It felt as though it was some sort of metal. I tried to move my body inside the prison she built for me in order to try and turn around. For some reason, though, Mommy Vyvyan was so sound asleep for the first time.


    I turned over to look at her interlocked hands. Inside of Moms hands was something shimmering and could reflect the first rays of sunlight. I thought it was something somewhat familiar. I grabbed it and pulled it out of Moms hands. Her body lingered for a moment before subconsciously stretching out to press her hands on mine. She asked, Whats wrong, Son?


    I looked at Moms hands that were firmly pressed on mine. Although it was just for a split moment, I identified the thing in her hands was my chest pin; or rather, <em>once was</em> my chest pin. The chest pin shined in my hands.


    I pondered, I gave this to the maid. Why is it in Mommy Vyvyans hands?


    Vyvyan wore her usual smile. She chuckled softly: Good morning.


    Good morning, Mom I want to know This chest pin I had given it to the maid, so why is it with you? Mom, didnt I say not to me her? It wasnt her fault, and I didnt get hurt. Plus, she bears a striking resemnce to Luna.


    Mommy Vyvyan looked at me with a slight frown: Son, have you forgotten Luna is dead? You have no reason to miss her.


    Voice quiet, I replied, I miss her; I let her down; I couldnt do anything for her. I couldnt do anything for her when she was alive and still couldnt after she passed away. I couldnt do anything, and I still cant. I let her down. My guilt towards Luna will haunt me forever, even now. Mom, to be frank, I want to make a trip back. I want to return to North once. I want to see my children.


    Vyvyan solemnly responded, You want your children to see you in your current state? Son, would you want toe here after seeing your children? Do you want your child to see a blood-sucking dark elf? If you dont replenish enough mana at night, you will go hunting for survival. Do you think your children will be safe when youre with Lucia? Son, you want to go back in this state?


    I spaced out. I didnt know what to say. I had to admit she was correct. I couldnt go back in that state. It was better for me to stay if I was going to be a hazard for my wife and children. It was thest thing I could do as a father. I had to protect my children. It was my rightful duty as a father.


    Exactly. Son, you dont owe Luna anything, either. She was your maid. It was only right for her to protect you. She did what a maid should. You dont need to feel guilty towards her. Mommy Vyvyan gave me a kiss on my forehead then added, Son, dont think about these things when youre with Mommy. Mommy wants to see you safe and free of qualms, the same way you want to see others safe and free of qualms. I hope you can rx when youre with Mommy and forget your past. Please live well with Mommy.


    Mom wheres the maid?


    Mommy Vyvyan titled her head. She replied, Mommy doesnt know. Different maidse every day, because Mommy doesnt want to let them disturb your life. All the women around you are attracted to you for some odd reason, right? Thats why Mommy calls for different maids every time. Dont worry, though, Son. The maids Mommy calls for are all maids with an abundance of mana. Additionally, theyre excellent elves, so dont worry. As for this, Mommy picked it up in the corridor. It seems that the maid doesnt really care for it.


    Really?


    I was a little upset. I never thought thered be somebody whod throw away something I gave her. She was so sincere and unhesitant, yet she threw my chest pin away. Mommy Vyvyan patted my back with a smile: This is what Mommy picked up, so Mommy shall keep it as a treasure. Son, get a new chest pinter on. Mommy needs to get out of bed to prepare breakfast for you. You can sleep for a while longer.


    Vyvyan stood up and got dressed. She gripped my chest pin tightly and left the room. She shut the door behind her, and then looked at the pin in her head. She thought, I mustve instinctively brought it back, because it has my sons scent.


    Vyvyan gave the chest pin a rub. There was some blood on it that she couldnt scrub off. She threw it into a flower vase by the side. A green me rose from inside the vase, instantly burning the brilliant flower to ashes, including the chest pin inside