Book 14: Chapter 31


    If I continue, Ill probably crash your city wall down. I really want to supervise you as you think about how to live, but I have to take care of Liu Yue, said Ling Yue.


    Ling Yue rested below the city wall, unreasonably shoving away the line of people preparing to enter the city. Everybody was startled and stepped back to avoid the huge fox. The guards on the city wall were also startled. In their panic, they took up their rifles and aimed them at Ling Yue. Their legs mustve been shaking. Their rifles looked pitiful before the huge fox. I doubt they had any confidence they could defeat her.


    Ling Yue looked at the guards with her eyes narrowed. I could tell that she extremely hated having others aim their weapons at her. Perhaps it was due to her past experiences.


    Miss Lucia!! Miss Lucia!! There is a fox at the city entrance!! A very, veryrge fox! cried a Guard.


    Lucia dallied for a moment, and then looked at the guard: Theres no need to be all flustered. Thats Miss Ling Yue. She wont harm us, so theres no need to worry.


    No No What I meant to say was, more importantly H-His Majesty is on the fox! His Majesty has returned!! His Majesty has retuned!!


    Before he could even finish half of his report, Lucia had already given him a p to the face that sent him staggering to the side, where he crashed into a table and nearly tripped. Lucia sped off through the corridor simrly to a gust of wind. She ignored everything and everyone, from maids to guards andmp stands to flower vases. She shoved aside everything that was in her way, leading to people shrieking and things shattering.


    Lucia was an assassin from the Shadow Squad, without a shadow of doubt. Her speed when she ran full pelt was unmatched. The young girls short hair blew in the wind simrly to a g with loyalty and passion written on it. Nobody doubted the young girls loyalty and love when they heard her footsteps zip by.


    I lied on top of Ling Yues body. I discovered I had an extra string of fur in my hands. I looked up and saw her angry look just as I expected. I gently cleared my throat:, Its okay, Ling Yue. Your fur will grow back, so it shouldnt matter, right?


    Your fingernails can regrow at any time, too, so how about I rip them out for you?


    Ling Yue narrowed her eyes. She then stood up and shook out her fur. She went over to one side, and then turned around to take onest look at me. Her gaze teemed with encouragement and reluctance to part. She didnt say anything in the end. Instead, she took off, eventually appearing as a vague red me.


    I turned around to look at the people behind me, while they looked at me, dumbfounded. I was sure that they were very bewildered. The first thing they were bewildered with was why I was there, and the second they were bewildered with was why I appeared before them in that fashion. I raised my hands up high: Everyone, Im back.


    Your Majesty!!


    The people all around respectfully cheered. I saw the scene of the crowd in Hilles City cheering, Your Majesty, again<em>. </em>When I saw the scene at Hilles City, pride and glory filled me for some odd reason. I didnt enjoy the respect for me as a ruler. They only addressed me as such due to my Moms status. This time, however, their King was me. I was the Elizabeth of Hilles City in the North. In the North, they cheerfully call me His Majesty, because of me. But s, I didnt know how much longer I could rule the ce.


    I must admit the prophet was a legit prophet. I assumed I could meet him again. I believed there was still a shred of hope if I could find him. I needed to return. I needed to return to my wives and moms. I didnt want to settle on just ruling as a King. I also wanted to live on and fulfil my obligations as a father and son. I didnt need my mom to give me life or a way to live. I found the will to find a way to live with my own effort. I swore to win an opportunity at life for myself.


    Your Highness


    I was just about to enter the city, but I heard someone at the door call out to me. The voice was hoarse, and its owner was short of breath. I could distinguish the voice regardless of when. It was my most beloved Lucias voice. I could never forget her voice.


    I turned around to see Lucia standing at the city door huffing and puffing. I couldnt discern if it was sweat or tears that her face was covered in. She didnt even have shoes on; she left a trail of blood behind her. The sight of it wrenched my heart.


    Your Highness Your Highness Youre back Youre home I was right. You wont leave me, as I thought Youll always be my side, always. Youll alwayse back Youll always be by my side. Ive always believed that


    Tears of joy gushed forth from Lucias eyes. She leaped straight at me before I could walk over to her. She hugged me tightly and gave me a kiss on my lips. She kissed me with her lips that were smothered with her tears. I relished her fine and slippery tongue. I shut my eyes and sped her face as I earnestly responded to her kiss. The two of us locked each other in a tight embrace as though we wanted to be a single entity. I had prepared for imminent death, but Lucia, who was in my arms, was unwilling to let go.


    I didnt want to die. I didnt want to leave. The girl in my arms was so gentle and warm that I didnt want to leave in the slightest. I never wanted to let go of her. My heart ached as if it was being ripped apart whenever the thought of never seeing Lucia again seeped into my mind. My will to leave weakened. I was more reluctant to die. I wanted to be with her. I want to always be with her.


    Your Highness Your Highness I am so d you are still alive I am so, so d you are still alive I love you I love you, Your Highness Please dont leave again Please dont leave again I believe in you But I really want to lead a peaceful life by your side. Please dont go now that youre back


    Lucia and I didnt release each other until we couldnt breathe. Lucia leaned on my chest and sobbed, while I hugged her tightly. Lucia never pleaded me to be by her side before. She always unconditionally supported me in the past regardless of where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. I just had to mention it, and shed support and wait for me at home feeling reassured. Unlike Nier, shed believe me unconditionally and firmly believe that Id return. The fact she pleaded sufficed to indicate she was truly afraid. She was genuinely afraid that I wouldnt return.


    I overdid it. I should now stay at home and look after my children. I should peacefully live with my moms and wives, I thought. I gently stroked the side of Lucias face: Lucia, I love you I love you I really love you I dont want to leave you Honest. I swear I dont want to leave you at all. Trust me, Lucia. Ive never thought about leaving any of you. Youre my most beloved wife. If I can, Ill definitely stay by your side. I want to tell you about something, though. Lets head back. Lets talk after we return to the pce. I want to see our girls, too. Lets go Lucia. Lets head back.


    Mm, mm, sure, lets go home. Lets go home. The girls would surely be happy to see you. They really miss you.


    Lucia meekly nodded then tightly clung to my arm. I looked at her bleeding feet. I lingered for a moment before picking her up around her waist. She eximed in a high-pitched voice, and then tightly hugged me around my neck. Flustered, she looked around. Her ears turned red, too. With her arms tightly around my neck, she buried her head on my chest and shyly said, This is embarrassing, Your Highness Im so embarrassed


    Me in my mind: Is that something a woman who kisses me in front of a crowd says? You just kissed me, yet youre now embarrassed over a princess carry?


    I chuckled but didnt let go. I whispered in her ear, Its fine. Whats wrong with a husband carrying his wife? Youre my wife. Why are you embarrassed?


    Mm


    Lucias face was flush red with bliss and embarrassment. She then tightly grabbed my shirt, but I could still see the smile of bliss she wore on her face.


    ===========


    Before Nier was a forest. She took out a map and nodded: This should be the ce. His Majesty should be inside the forest. This is the Gdriel Tribesnd. Their vi is located here, so there should be elven guards present.


    What shall we do, then? asked Tanya.


    If possible, lets avoid conflict. If they stop us, we wont back down. I must find my husband. Theres no way I can allow them to lock up my husband, Nier answered.


    Although Nier said that, Tanya could still see her eagerness to fight the elves. The Valkyries resented elves due to their fighting in the previous war. Nier still held onto those feelings despite no longer being a Valkyrie since long ago.


    With their eyes on the forest, they tapped their steeds with their feet and advanced forth.