Book 14: Chapter 27


    I didnt see anybody I was familiar with at Hilles City. I didnt even see Castell, let alone Mommy Elizabeth. It suddenly urred to me she most likely went looking for Mommy Vyvyan; I was certain of that. I was out of time to return, though. I didnt think the two of them would fight.


    I went to Troy City next. Upon arrival, I was shocked to discover Mommy Vyvyan and Mommy Elizabeths statue had been demolished. The new project they were working on there was a statue of me. It was the first time Id seen such a massive statue. My moms statues were demolished, and then added together to make my statue. However, it seemed a little excessivelyrge and expensive. The base alone was made using gold and embedded diamonds.


    Troy City hadnt existed for even one year. Where would we have so much money from? I told them to halt the project, only to be surprised by the news that taxes at Troy City had been raised by four times and an extra year of taxes was collected. Anyone who couldnt pay their taxesboured away day and night to build the statue. Talk about an unimaginable scenario. I never thought about erecting a statue of myself. If we had to erect one, a water fountain or a normalrge stone statue would suffice. Why splurge on such expensive gold and wring the people dry? Those were signs of a nation meeting its doom.


    Who ordered you to do this?! Who ordered you to do this?!! I raged.


    It was the first time I grabbed somebody by their cor and raged so aggressively. I really did want to bite his neck off. Troy City was my city. It was my moms gift for me. I liked the city named after me. I put in a lot of effort to return the city to normal. I didnt want this city to be hell on Earth. When I stood atop the hill and admired the flowers all around, I felt a big sense of aplishment, but then I found out that it costs these citizens their blood, sweat and tears.


    Why did it turn out this way? Theres no way Freya couldve done this! I shouted in my mind.


    Nier and Lucia didnt involve themselves in politics. This sort ofmemoration activity was definitely not something the two of them would do. Freya would stop them even if they lost their minds and wanted to go through with it. Freya would never do something akin to digging your own grave.


    It was Princess Freya! It was Princess Freyasmand! She she erected an evenrger statue in the North. She took all sorts of expensive gold and diamonds, and delivered them to the North. This is just a small statue. All of Troy Citys money has been sent to the North! Virtually all of it! exined the panic-stricken General Manager.


    The surprise and shock almost put out my anger. I was shocked. I never thought Freya would be the one to give the order ande up with the idea.


    Freya wanted to do this? If Freya is going this wild then what happened? Why did she do this? I wondered.


    It wasnt an intellectual problem; that much I could be sure of. You didnt need to be a genius to see the problem. It was the equivalent of digging your own grave. It was totally different to how Freya used to think. While she didnt allow the citizens to hang on to too much wealth in the past, shed still let them live, give them something to work for and give them hope. She considered the people domestic animals that wouldnt put up a resistance as long as they have enough to drink, eat and could find entertainment. She was nting the seeds of rebellion in the people with this madness.


    Freya even robbed the people of hope. Would the people still be willing to be domestic animals in that state? Did Freya really give the order? Would she really do something so atrociously ridiculous? I didnt believe it. I understood Freya; however, nobody, besides Freya, would have the right to give the order.


    What exactly happened in the North? What happened to my Imperial Pce? I wondered.


    I wanted to make ap around to all of the ces Id been to with the mentality of being relieved and not having to worry about anything. Only to find a fire had been lit again. Troy City and the North were the fruits of mybour. I wanted for both of them to stably develop even if I died. I was confident and satisfied when I saw the fields of dye flowers from the hills. I thought I could see the fruits of mybour and depart feeling satisfied. I never expected such madness to be taking ce!!


    I released him and threw the person in charge away. I did some thinking to myself, and then gave newmands: Dismantle the base. Melt the metal, and remove the diamonds. Take these things that were found and sell them for gold coins. Cancel two years of tax for Troy City. Hand out this money as seasonal benefits, such as spring harvest benefits. Also, buy food, necessities and distribute them. In winter, officials are to provide salt and firewood. You must ensure the livelihood of the people. This sort of stuff is absolutely meaningless. Why make these things when Im not even dead. Taxes are to return to normal after two years, understood?


    Your Majesty Your Majesty you you sure change your orders quickly We were already ready. For us to suddenly cancel the project and sell it, it would impact the mark-


    I interjected: It wasnt my order!! Are you retarded?! My pce is just a simple collection of buildings. Why in the world would I construct such an expensive statue? Do you not know what would happen if this continues? What do you think Im doing? Im saving you here. You want to bet these people will kill you if you continue constructing it?!! I dont care what happens. Im asking you to turn these things back into money and return them to their rightful owners. I dont want my peoples lives to be impacted. Sell all of these expensive metals and diamonds to Rosvenor. Worsees to worse, we can sell them to the elves. That has nothing to do with me. Sell it off however you bought it, am I clear?!!


    Yes Yes


    I mounted my horse.


    I couldnt face the citizens of Troy City. Although I wasnt the one who gave the order, the people were convinced I was the one who gave the order. Freya gave the orders under my name. I was confused. In fact, I waspletely confused as to why Freya would do such a thing. Id believe it if it was somebody else, but not Freya!


    Something undoubtedly happened in the North. Something definitely happened in the Imperial Pce. The nobles I spared ran into trouble. I was certain it wasnt Freya who gave this order. The nobles in the North mightve taken advantage of my absence to control Freya, and then used these means to destroy our rule. I said to myself, I must take back my pce. Its my North and my Troy City. Freya, my wives and my daughters are in danger there! I can still move despite having a body thats practically dead, so I cant let anybody harm my family!!


    ========


    Lucia gently knocked on the door. She looked at the girl, who was curled up, and softly asked, Freya, are you asleep?


    The bed sheets rustled. The nket was pulled off. Freya poked her small head out to look at Lucia. She quietly replied, Not yet, Miss Lucia. Should you not be with the girls tonight?


    Not tonight. The maids will be able to take care of them for one night.


    Lucia walked up to Freyas bed and sat down. Freya made way for her. Lucia pulled on the nket and smiled, Can I get in?


    What?! eximed Freya, dumbfounded.


    Lucia didnt care for Freyas response. Instead, Lucia pulled the nket off, got into the bed and then hugged Freya. Lucia pulled little Freya up against chest. Lucia was still in her breastfeeding period. Hence, the scent of warm milk lingered around her chest. In addition, she had a unique scent mothers had; the scent could put children at ease. Lucia stroked Freyas head. Freya was speechless.


    While holding Freya in her embrace, Lucia said, I dont know how I should treat you myself, but I think that if we need to open our hearts, then sleeping in each others embrace is the best method. I guess, entrusting your most defenceless moment to the other will allow them to feel trusted. Freya, I dont hate you. I hit you, because you went overboard. If you continued with what you were doing, you would lead the North to its doom. The North is my husbands glorious achievement that he gave up so much to create. Simrly to Troy City, its his proudest achievement. I believe he doesnt want to see this. What he wants to see definitely isnt a scorchednd and the statue. Hed rather see the people in hisnd leading happy and peaceful lives than a statue of him made from pure gold. Freya, Im sure you understand that, right? Youre my husbands most trusted vassal. Youre my husbands favourite sister. I understand your feelings for your brother. Freya, I love you; do you understand that? Freya, youre my husbands sister, so its a given that I love you


    Miss Lucia


    Next to Freyas ear, Lucia softly said, Thats why you need to stop doing those things, Freya. Trust Troy. Trust His Highness. He loves us; he wont just up and leave. Hes not dead. Queen Vyvyan just took him away. Hes just gone for treatment; hes not dead. His Highness wont leave me. I believe in him. He was able to return to my side regardless of whether he was facing the Earth Dragons or the desert. Therefore, Freya, please dont destroy the North. We need to wait for His Highness return. We need to wait for him to return to us. He loves you, and so do I. Youre his sister, so you must trust believe in him.


    Lucia spoke as if she was speaking to her child. Freyas tears suddenly went out of control, leading to her crying in Lucias embrace. Freya wasnt willing to wail; hence, she mped her fingers into her hand. Her body began to quiver intensely in Lucias embrace. Lucia stopped speaking and wore a smile while tenderly hugging and caressing her. Lucia didnt know how to bring Freya back to normal. Nevertheless, she strongly believed that they could be good friends if they slept together. For instance, the young girlpletely fell for His Highness after they slept together