Book 14: Chapter 53


    Elizabeth gave Daisy gentle pats on her back. Daisy quietly breathed on her grandmas shoulder. Nier, who was by the side, peered out the window feeling irritated. She didnt utter a word.


    All right, Daisy, stay by yourself for a while. The maid will take care of you. Elizabeth ced Daisy into her crib. Daisy silently lied there. Daisy had just finished dinner and was sleepy. Elizabeth gently patted Daisy on her belly, and then pinched her tiny nose. She then straightened up and turned her attention to Nier: Lets go, Nier. Lets go have dinner.


    Yes, Your Majesty.


    Nier spun around. Elizabeth softly sighed: Nier, you dont need to be so worried. Vyvyan came here, which proves that my son is, at least, still alive. For him to still be alive after so long indicates that hes found a way to live, so look forward to Troys return.


    Sorrow and concern were prominent in Niers eyes. There was no sign of her feeling any relief. She pursed her lips then softly sighed: Your Majesty, I understand that. I keep telling myself that; unfortunately, I cannot feel at ease. I cannot feel at ease without seeing His Majesty. I would rather go to his side than stay here, living in fear.


    Elizabeth chuckled in a soft tone. She caressed Niers head: I actually feel the same way, Nier. I know how you feel. Without my son with us, well feel disordered. Well imagine all sorts of tragic things. Thats nothing to feel ashamed of, nor is it wrong. Nier. Thats a manifestation of your love for my son. But Nier, you must know that when a man is out, sometimes what he wants isnt a woman with him, but for his family to not be in a mess. Therefore, during this time that he is out, you must properly take of the children at home.


    Nier looked at Daisy, who was lying in the crib. Her gaze turned incredibly gentle. Daisy was a girl, but Nier could figuratively see Troy within her. The shape of her eyes and her hair resembled her father. Seeing her child seemingly allowed her to see her husbands eyes, too.


    Nier gently sighed. In a somewhat hopeless tone, she responded, But to be honest, I am most worried about His Majestys personal life Your Majesty I am not speaking ill of His Majesty. It is just that I cannot feel at ease about His Majestys personal life I am his wife, so I should support all of his decisions. Still seeing my husband being around other women honestly frustrates me Your Majesty, do you not feel anything?


    Elizabeth looked at Nier with aplex look. She was a little frustrated. She understood how Nier felt. Vyvyan and Elizabeth were once able to satisfy each others lust, but when they both acknowledged their love for Inard, Elizabeth was bothered, nheless, particrly with regards to what took ce afterwards. While her primary reason for fighting with Vyvyan was to fight for her son, there was another reason she kept fighting with Vyvyan. Said reason was that she got a little ticked off whenever she saw Vyvyan. With that said, Elizabeth felt guilty when Nier posed the question.


    Elizabeth no longer understood her feelings for her son. Troy was bing more and more simr to Inard. He wasnt bing the initially nave Inard, but an Inard who had matured a lot more after going through life and death. His eyes and expression were tough as steel. Elizabeth was just an ordinary woman. The tough attitude she had kept up for almost two decades exhausted her. She wanted to live a peaceful life behind a strong man. Her son, her Troy, had grown up and was strong enough. She could live in peace for as long as she was in the North.


    Elizabeth was no longer sure if her feelings for her son were purely motherly love. To the contrary, she had fantasised of herself by her sons side. She knew she couldnt, though. She wasnt able to be by her sons side in the first ce. Seeing Nier and Lucia, she knew she was no longer at their age anymore.


    But then, why did I not reject him that night? Why did I ept him? If I was truly unwilling, why did that happen? I dont understand what Im thinking, to be honest, but Im afraid. I dont want to face my thoughts. Im bold enough to charge the enemy lines at the forefront of everybody, but I dont dare face my childs son, contemted Elizabeth.


    Elizabeth was very reluctant to hear that sort ofint from Nier, for she knew that she was one of the women Nier spoke of. She was aware of how old she was. Vyvyan could go about life in a carefree manner for hundreds of years, while she had to leave her son in mere decades.


    <em></em>What right do I have to possess my sons heart? Elizabeth asked herself.


    That cant be helped, Nier. I told you before. One must have greater desires than that ofmoners if they wish to be a King whether that is money, power or women. Its precisely because my sons desires surpass of that ofmoners that he thinks differently to them. If he was still how he originally was, how could he have all of this now? He is now a powerful monarch. Shouldnt a powerful man have more than others?


    Elizabeths only option to was to slip. Nier nodded. Although she was unhappy, she, too, felt that a monarch should have special rights. Ling Yue was a sensible woman, as well; therefore, she wasnt a threat to her. Furthermore, though His Majesty had lots of women, he was fair with them, was he not? He was with her every night.


    The two of them entered the dining hall. Lucia was already sitting to one side. Lucia and Freya were the only ones in the huge dining hall, making it appear very barren. The Imperial Pce had deliberately prepared a banquet to wee Ying and Xia. Though Ying and Troy didnt have romantic feelings for each other, Nier and the others had already considered Ying their partner. Neither Ying nor Xia was at the table, though.


    It was a weing banquet for the sisters, yet neither of them showed up. Ying and Xia should both be the type of people who were disciplined and rigid, so it was impossible for them to bete. Lucia and Nier looked at the food in front of them and wondered what happened. They didnt know what exactly happened. Elizabeths heart almost skipped a beat when she didnt see Vyvyan, either.


    Damn it!!! Elizabeth cried out, startling Nier and Lucia, for they had no idea what happened.


    Elizabeth looked at the two empty seats, stupefied. Fear gradually crept up onto Elizabeths pale face. She fearfully looked at the seats in front of her. She sluggishly eximed, Damn it, damn it, damn it This is bad I shouldve stopped her. I shouldve kept an eye on her! This is bad. This is bad. My son My son is going to be in trouble!!!


    ============


    It was the first time I learnt there was such a vast array of species in the desert. I thought my dinner would be arge goat, as well; nevertheless, I was presented a huge lizard. The dragon wanted to provide me with the freshest food. Thus, she didnt bring back a dead animal. She always brought back a live animal or things still moving and tossed them down in front of me.


    I looked at the lizard in front of me that was still wriggling. I was stunned. I didnt dare to approach it, since it was swinging its tail around powerfully. I was worried that it might snap my calf. Thest one disgusted the White Deer King, while the lizard frightened her. The White Deer King loudly protested. I thought she was saying not to throw disgusting species in front of it. However, the lizard was quite tasty once grilled.


    At night, Dragon Mom eagerly patted the spot next to her for me toe over. It was a duty I had to fulfil every night. She greatly enjoyed. Dragons seemed to consider it a very blissful and warm endeavour, and thereby the most suitable way for a mother and son to express their love. Actually, I was sure that was what she thought. After all, nobody taught her what a mother should do.


    We tightly embraced. If Dragon Mom had a tail out, shed wrap it tightly around me. I felt that she seemed to be in a bit of a rush this time. She satisfied me as fast as possible. We didnt really do more cosy things this time. Once we were done, Id lose all my physical strength; or rather, my body would desperately need rest to digest the mana.


    I shut my eyes. I was somewhat puzzled, but I couldnt figure out what mightve been the matter. She mightve had some idea for all I know and just wanted to give me a pleasant surprise from the desert I wouldnt need to think, then.


    The Dragon went to the door, and then narrowed her eyes. She looked toward the entrance. She wore a hostile expression. The desert was her web. She could sense a mere breeze. The three who entered this time nonchntly invaded her web. The three of them were most certainly not arrogant adventurers. The three of them gave the Dragon an odd sense of concern, and she felt under pressure for the first time.


    The three of them were terrifyingly powerful  a fact that the dragon was aware of. Normally speaking, she just needed to hide up in her cave. She could handle hunger and thirst for extensive periods, but elves cant. This time, however, she couldnt coop up in her cave. Her child was in the cave. She couldnt bring danger inside. The intruders might not locate them, but if they found her, she couldnt ensure her childs safety in the cave.


    I must fight this time. I must stay outside. I must kill all these people who are putting me and my son in danger! The dragon decided.


    The Dragon spread her wings. Herrge wings gusted up a huge sandstorm