Book 15: Chapter 6


    Lucia held Nona and gave her daughter a kiss on her face. Nona looked at the empty spot next to her mom with a somewhat sad look; she was on the verge of tears. Lucia tightened her hold on Nona just slightly. Next to her ear, Lucia told Nona, Its okay; its okay, Nona. Dad will be back soon. Dad will definitely be back. Dont worry. Dont worry, Nona. Dad wille back to us. He definitely will.


    Lucia ced Nona and Vera in the spot next to her. Vera rolled over and crawled over. The girls didnt dare to cry after Luciashed outst time. The only time Lucia evershed out was because they mentioned their father and cried. Nona and Vera learnt they couldnt anger their mom. Therefore, the two of them lied there as if they were lying in their dads arms.


    Lucia nkly looked at the way her daughtersid in her husbands spot. Her voice was hoarse. She caressed her daughters heads and let out a long sigh to suppress her tears that wanted to burst forth. She stood up and went to the door. That was when she saw Nier at her door, wiping her tears. Lucia was surprised to see Nier at her room. Nier violently quivered; she did her best to wipe her tears away, but she couldnt hide the fact that her eyes were moist.


    Nier uttered Lucia.


    Nier gave a muffled response. She sniffled then covered her face. Voice soft, she said, Daisy Looking at the way Daisy is searching for her dad in tears I really cant bear it I would rather bear with another dozen years of training than watch my daughter wailing and crying for her dad.


    Lucia understood the pain. She couldnt bear with it and thundered at the girls before. Lucia pursed her lips and softly responded, Hell be back; hell definitelye back. His Highness will definitelye back. His Highness has never let me down. Hell return to our sides, because he promised us. He has never disappointed me.


    Nier wiped her eyes, and then took in a deep breath. In a hoarse voice, she replied, I really shouldnt have stayed here. I would rather climb mountains and cross oceans to find him. Id rather ovee all obstacles and die with him than stay here. This is so painful. I cant bear with this feeling. Its too painful, too agonising. I dream of him every night. I dream of him walking away and me futilely trying to catch up to him I cant bear with it anymore. I really cant bear with it anymore. I really want to go and find him


    Lucia gave her a serious nod. She couldnt be any more familiar with that feeling; she felt it in the past. She wanted to quit on countless asions while in the Shadow Squad. She wanted to return to the side of the man she loved, but she knew she couldnt be by his side once she gave up. When she thought of him at night, the memories felt akin to a horde of ants gnawing at her heart. The pain and torment was difficult to forget. That was exactly how Nier felt. Lucia had been freed from that torment, as she had faith in her husband. She believed he would return to her side, and therefore didnt suffer as muchpared to Nier.


    Lucia took in a deep breath: The only thing we can do is wait. Nier, believe in him. Believe in my Prince. My Prince has never let me down, and Im sure that will be the case this time, too. Everything will be well once my husband returns. There wont be any more painful separations again.


    Nier nodded: Her Majesty has been living outside for some time now. Im not sure if we should go and check on her Living alone in the wilds isntfortable by any means I just dont dare go there without Her Majestysmand


    Lucia nodded: I think its better to not disturb her. Its normal for her to want to wait for His Highness. Shes his mother; its only fair for her to see His Highness first. We should concentrate on taking care of the children and Freya


    Niers gaze turned a little gloomy at the mention of Freya. Frankly, after what happened, Nier wouldnt hesitate to kill Freya; in fact, she wanted to. From her perspective, the girl who ruined her husbands career was an enemy. The girls rash actions almost cost her husband everything he had.


    Lucia, on the other hand, understood where Freya wasing from, so she wasnt angry with Freya. To the contrary, she looked after Freya a lot. On one hand, she was concerned about Freya. On the other hand, she was trying to keep tabs on Freya to prevent her from erring again.


    The two of them paused for a bit. While Lucia felt she wasforting Nier, doubt and despair continued to loom over their heads. When she seemingly couldnt stand the atmosphere any longer, Nier spoke up: I really dont want to wait any longer


    Although Nier broke the ufortable silence, their faith in their husband wasnt magically reinforced in any capacity. Her husband left after saying he wanted to live. She had no clue where he went or what he did. She, as a matter of fact, wasnt even sure if he was still alive, yet all she could do was wait for him.


    Lucia didntment. After a short silence, she exined, I have to go back and take care of the girls. Dont overthink, Nier. You have to believe in my husband. The reason youre hurting so much is because youve never believed in him.


    I believe in him! Thats a given! Still, Im worried about him!


    If you had enough faith in him, you wouldnt be so scared.


    I cant help it! Im his bodyguard. I once was. Its natural for me to be worried about my masters safety. Not to mention that Im now his wife, so Im even more concerned as to whether he can make it back or not!


    Nier was irate. The one thing she couldnt stand was Lucia suggesting her love for her husband was inferior to Lucias. That was directly questioning the pride of a wife, something Nier couldnt ept.


    Lucia scrubbed her head in a frustrated fashion: I dont want to continue arguing with you on this topic. In short, you stayed this time, so calm down. I believe my Prince will return.


    Yeah? Well, I dont want your criticism! I know what I should be doing!


    That was just how their rtionship was. The two of them randomly bickered with each other as of recent. Nier was akin to a bucket of gunpowder. Touch her fuse, and shed explode. The kind and gentle Lucia also had a short fuse recently. The two of them began to quarrel every time the slightest thing didnt go their way. Nevertheless, the two of shared amon sorrowful feeling of friendship when it came to their husband.


    The King was the most important post in the Imperial Pce. The Imperial Pce of the North would be in a state of unrest if he was absent. The situation would beparable to an explosive that could implode at any given moment and simrly to thick clouds and rain that was about to flood the Earth. Freyas original n wasnt incorrect. Though it didnt apply to the entire popce of the North, the Kings existence was akin to a moon that could light up the darkness.


    Lucia and Nier returned to their own rooms. When she got inside, Lucia massaged her face to get rid of the frustration and anger on her face. She couldnt worry her children, as well. She walked up to the bed. Nona was already snoring. Vera, on the other hand, opened her eyes upon hearing footsteps. She looked at Lucia with an innocent look of anticipation.


    Sleep, my dear Vera.


    She used her previous training with the Shadow Squad to lightly sit down on the bed without waking Nona. She gave Vera a gentle kiss on her forehead, and then quietly said, Dad will be back tomorrow. If hes not back tomorrow, hell be back this week. Mommy is sure of it.


    Vera gently nodded before shutting her eyes as Lucia watched on. Lucia watched her two girls sleep. She silently rested her head down on her pillow and scanned the ceiling with her lifeless eyes. She didnt make another sound. All that could be heard was her childrens breathing and the ticking of the clock.


    Tomorrow. This week? Will my husband really be able to make it back? I dont know. I lied to my daughter and myself, Lucia said in her mind.


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    Elizabeth silently looked at the open fields outside the window for a long time. She was in a small house. It was just a temporary wooden house that she set up for herself. It had a t ceiling, just one room and all of the furniture was simple items. There wasnt even a firece. Since the wind could get inside, the only way she could stay warm was with a nket and her own body temperature.


    Elizabeth had stayed there for a week. She lived there alone and ate food she ate back in her military days. She didnt have anybody with her. She wrapped herself up with her nket and spaced out underneath the dim candlelight.


    Her son went to the elves forbidden zone, so he had to enter the city from that direction. That was why she stayed at the entrance. She had to stay here as his mother. She didnt want an empire or anything else anymore. She just wanted to be there; she wanted to wait for her sons return as his mother. She could be the first to see her son there, so she had to stay there. She was determined to wait there regardless of how long she had to wait even if it meant waiting until the end of her life. She told herself, I must wait. I must.