Book 14: Chapter 33


    Elizabeth pressed Vyvyan onto the bed then sighed. Elizabeth called a maid outside to bring a pot of tea. She poured a cup and handed it to Vyvyan. Vyvyan indifferently took the cup. Elizabeth pped her across the face. Vyvyan revealed an expression of one just waking from a dream. She nkly looked at Elizabeth as her tears coursed down her face.


    Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh and said, What exactly happened? Why are you in this state? Wheres my son? What exactly happened to my son?!! I have to take his corpse even if hes dead. Hes my son. I will never let go of him.


    Vyvyan looked at Elizabeth. She gripped the corners of her dress tightly and weakly replied, Its all over Its all over Its all over My son is gone He left Hes gone


    Elizabeth leapt to her feet and grabbed Vyvyans hand. She eximed, Whered he go? Where can he go in his current state?! Shouldnt he be extremely weak right now?! Where can he go?! Where else can he go?! Where did you send him?!


    It wasnt me. It was he himself


    Hopeless, Vyvyan closed her eyes. Her tears seeped out uncontrobly. She hugged Elizabeth tightly. She buried her head in Elizabeths abdomen and wailed. The steam from the hot tea by the side blew sideways. Elizabeth was stupefied. Elizabeths mind was a muddle to begin with. With Vyvyan hugging her, Elizabeth ended up at a total loss for what to do but hug Vyvyan back and give her gentle pats on her back.


    I failed I failed I cant save my son I cant help him! What sort of mom am I when I cant even save my son? All I could do was watch my son leave right before my eyes. What sort of mom am I?! Vyvyan hugged Elizabeth and wailed. She got her tears, snot and blood on Elizabeths chest.


    Elizabeth could only hold Vyvyan in her arms and ask, Where exactly has he gone, then? Tell me, Vyvyan. Where exactly has my son gone after leaving this ce? Tell me the whole story from beginning to end. What exactly happened here? I dont even know if my son is dead or alive right now!!


    Vyvyan sobbed: Hes alive, but hes going to die soon. Im helpless I really cant do anything. My son cant live without sucking blood Hes not willing to Hes not willing to Hes not willing to use that method I really cant do anything. Ive done all that I can. Ive even tried to use all the mana in Duargana to sustain his mana requirements But he wont ept it I cant help him.


    Elizabeth scrubbed her hair. Irritated, she thundered, He wouldnt choose that sort of method, of course! Do you not know how kind he is?! I just want to know where hes gone!! Tell me, where did he go after leaving this ce? There must be a way. There has to be. If youre out of ideas, Ill find ways. Ill definitely save my son!


    Its useless. Its useless. My son cant produce mana. You humans cant help him. Im the only one who can save him. Only I could but I have no solution I dont I cant save my son. Ive honestly tried my utmost I really did my best But I cant


    Dont just give up. Youre the one who cant save him, not me. Theres got to be a way. Im absolutely certain theres a way. Even if we dont have one, he should have a way. In short, my son will be fine! Theres definitely a way to save him!! Im certain there is!!


    Not even I have a way! argued Vvyvyan.


    Elizabeth shouted back, That doesnt mean someone else doesnt!! I Its just you whos out of ideas! You have to trust others around you! You have to trust them! Trust my son. If my son wants to die, then hell definitely die, but if he wants to live then there will definitely be hope! As long as he wants to live, hell be fine! Hell definitely make it if he wants to! I believe in my son!


    Hes just a kid! Hes still just a kid! How is he going to live without his mom? What can he do without me?


    Hes no longer just a child. Hes now on the same footing as us. Hes the ruler of the North, the King of the North. Hes no longer a child. Hes grown up. Hes already a great ruler. He can definitely save us. Hell make it as long as he wants to live. Vyvyan! Tell me!! Where exactly has my son gone off to?! Where?!!!


    Vyvyan had her eyes wide. Elizabeth sped Vyvyans face. She looked at her solemnly and sternly as she spoke: Vyvyan!! Calm down! You have to calm down! My son isnt dead yet! Hes still alive! As long as hes still alive, hell make it, Vyvyan! Right now, though, you have to calm down! You must calm down! Now, tell me, where has my son gone? Tell me! Where exactly is my son? We must empower him with the will to live again, so tell me!!


    Vyvyan eyes had terror and despair in them. Her lips budged, but it took her a long time before she could reply, albeit softly: The North The North


    Where in the North?!!


    The Imperial Pce He should have arrived by now. The mana in his body will onlyst for a few days, so he should be back at the Imperial Pce by now


    Elizabeth threw Vyvyan aside, and then exited. Two silhouettes suddenly emerged from the forest. Nier was surprised to see Elizabeth, but the same couldnt be said of Elizabeth. Elizabeths reaction suggested she predicted Nier and Tanya would show up at the vi. She didnt say anything to them. Instead, she rubbed her chest, for Vyvyans maniacal behaviour from before hurt her.


    Your Majesty?! eximed Nier.


    Nier, return to the North, the Pce in the North. My son is there right now. Hes returned to the Imperial Pce. We must reach him before he leaves!! We must hurry! stated Elizabeth.


    Ah, yes, Your Majesty! responded Nier.


    Nier and Tanya had no idea why Troy was there, but Elizabeth didnt provide them with an exnation, either. Instead, she rode off to the North. Puzzled, Tanya inquired, Royal Princess, why would His Majesty be at the Imperial Pce in the North? Why did we not meet him if I wasnt there?


    Nier turned around: Perhaps we just missed him. We have to analyse what exactly happened. We just need to do that. Since His Majesty is in the North, we must head there. Lets go, Tanya, lets head back as fast as we can. The faster the better.


    Roger!


    As a guard, Tanya didnt make anyints and followed Niers direction. The three of them sped off toward the Imperial Pce in the North.


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    Lucia gripped my arm tightly: Your Highness, Your Highness Please Please dont do this Dont leave us Arent you still alive? Arent you still alive right now? Why must you die? Why must you die? You still have me. You still have me, dont you? Why do you have to do this? Your Highness, there has to be a way. There has got to be. You could make it through so much, and I trust you so much. Youve made it back to me every time. Are you lying to me this time? This time dont lie to me


    It was the first time that I saw Lucia cry. I had never seen her cry so tragically. I virtually couldnt see her eyes behind her tears. All I saw were trails of tears. Her legs werepletely powerless as a result of her crying. She practically had to grab onto my arm to barely stay standing. I supported her body and let her wipe her tears with my clothing.


    I promise you. I promise you, my wife, my Lucia. I promise you. I wont just roll over and die. I previously nned to see you, and then leave. I thought that there was no hope, since Mommy Vyvyan was out of ideas. Now, though, I suddenly feel I cant just vanish. I must survive. I must survive for all of you. I understand that now. I truly want to be by your side and see our children smile. I want to be by their side as they grow up and see their smiles. I want to live, so I must work hard. I must do my best to live. I must live for all of you. Believe me. Believe in me, my wife. Ill definitely be back. Do you trust me?


    Lucia raised her head. I looked at her expression of agony and despair as I slowly wiped away her tears: Are you willing to trust in me this once, my wife? Are you willing to trust me this once? Lucia, I hope you can trust me. This is thest time. Its thest time, I promise. After this time, I wont make you trust me this way again.


    Lucia looked at my eyes and I looked back at her. I lowered my head and kissed her lips. She kissed me back with her moist lips as though she never wanted to separate from me. The two of us eventually released each other. She wiped her tears. In a soft, yet resolute, voice, she responded, I always believe you. Your Highness, I have and will always believe you