Book 15: Chapter 13


    Freya!


    Freya leapt at me and tightly hugged me. I thought that would happen. I just didnt think Freya would be the first one. She crashed straight into my chest and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck as she loudly cried on my chest. I gently wrapped my arms around her. With a smile, I told her, Freya, you dont have to cry. You dont have to cry. Didnt I tell you Id surely be back? Im back, Freya. I wont leave again. Promise.


    Brother Brother Youre finally home Youre finally back I am so d Brother Youre finally back


    Seeing Freyas expression, I thought, Wait Wait Theres something wrong with Freyas reaction. This cry is extremely abnormal Its not the consoled cry of a reunion after a long time apart, and most definitely not the joy of seeing a brother that you almost couldnt see. This is a breath of relief after finally seeing the bringer of hope


    Freya looked up at me from my embrace and tightly gripped my hand. In her shaky voice, she sobbed, Brother, please dont go Please I cant hang in there anymore I really cant Sorry Sorry Brother Im about to crumble Im about to crumble


    There was something off about Freya I had never seen her wear such a pitiful expression. Freya was a very confident and resilient girl. Normally speaking, she wouldnt show me the look of being on the brink of crumbling. I carefully wiped her cheeks, and then noticed that my scales left a light red mark on her skin. Frightened, I swiftly moved my hand away, only for her to grab it and press it on her face.


    Does it hurt, Freya? Sorry Sorry I. I didnt think my scales would hurt you.


    I wanted to pull my hand back. Freyas face was still very soft; I was very worried about hurting her. My fingers were no longer as soft as they once were. I didnt want to hurt her.


    Im now covered in scales. I no longer have my old skin, Freya. My current body will hurt you Its not as soft as it once was, is it? It must hurt you to hug me, like this, now, huh? It must hurt when I touch you.


    Honestly, I wasnt worried just because I was worried about hurting Freya, but also because I was afraid Id hurt Lucia and Nier. Obviously, I was very afraid Id hurt my children. Liu Yue had grown up, but Daisy and the rest were still infants. Infants had very frail bodies. Their skin might not have been able to handle it.


    Its all right. Its all right.


    Freya shook her head then tightly hugged me. She banged her head against my chest, and then sped my face. She caressed the scales on my face. In a soft voice, she expressed, You are my brother, regardless. You will always be my brother I like and love most. They are just scales. You are still so warm in spite of being covered in scales, so it is all right, my brother. Please go ahead and touch me. Please touch me as you please.


    Freya tightly hugged me and spoke from my embrace. I gently touched her head and used all of my focus on controlling my strength. She gently wiped her tears from my embrace before slowly raising her head. I looked at Freyas crying face and smiled. I kissed her forehead: Whats wrong, Freya? You look different to usual. Did something happen? By the looks of it, can I assume that something painful has recently happened for you to feel so bad.


    Uhm Uhm


    It was unexpected, but wasnt totally outside of my predictions. Freya shakily nodded. In the past, Freya would never admit that she was powerless and suffering from work. After all, she was a very confident and even proud girl. She was the only person by my side who could help me with my work, after all. Plus, she highly valued the post; therefore, shed neverin or show her fatigue. She always showed she had an ace up her sleeve and showed incredible confidence. That way, Id feel reassured and trust her with everything. For her to be able to show despair and distress in front of me went to show that what recently happened had been a real headache for her and caused her a lot of grief. Hence, she admitted to her mistakes in front of me.


    I could understand Freyas plight. Since she almost destroyed the entire North, she had too much on her te to handle. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. The matters she had to deal with were tough, so tough that she couldnt bear it. I needed to step up. Indeed, there were some things that Freya couldnt take care of.


    Freya released me, and then turned her head to look at Luna, who was behind me. Luna stood behind me the entire time, watching our sibling reunion. Noticing we were finally done, she looked at Freya with a smile. She greeted Freya:s Hello, Freya, long-time no see. You have grown quite a bit since Ist saw you.


    Sis Luna!


    Freya leapt over and hugged Luna. She tightly hugged her with joy and buried her head in Lunas chest. Luna softly giggled while stroking Freyas head. Luna was worried that her body would freak Freya out. Fortunately, Freya didnt mind the veins on Luna. Freya, instead, leaned on her chest with a heart-warming expression as though she was looking at her elder sister.


    From her chest, Freya coquettishly asked, Sis Luna, have I grown? I want to be like you


    The two of them had the best rtionship. Perhaps it was because they shared the same background. That would exin how they understood each others sentiments. Further, Luna considerately and meticulously took care of Freya, making her existence as warm as a mother to Freya. Among all those around me, the only one who truly had a good rtionship with Luna was Freya.


    Freya was still some time away from maturing into an adult, right? No matter how you looked, Luna was an adult elf. I looked at Freya andughed: Youll grow in a few years time, Freya. Probably another five years? Luna is already an adult.


    Luna and Freya turned their heads at the same time. There was something strange with Lunas gaze, while Freya quickly went red in the face as she looked at me with a hint of anger. I was confused,pletely unaware of what the two were expressing. Luna awkwardly looked at me and hesitated for a long time before saying, It is all right It is all right Mm Freya is not your biological sister, after all So it is fine It is fine. But Freya is still young, so you need to be careful


    You Brother You What are you saying?!


    I was still perplexed. Freya, whose face was red, looked at me somewhat angry. She then eximed, Brother, we cannot talk about the matter between us!! What are we going to do if others find out?!! I, for one, do not dare to mention it!


    What? What exactly are you talking about?


    I didnt have the foggiest idea as to what they were saying. Seeing my reaction, the two of them seemed to realise I wasnt ying dumb but genuinely didnt follow what they were saying. I looked back and forth between them. I suddenly realised what they were saying when Freya covered her chest


    So you two were talking about that?! I realised.


    No, no, no, no! I was certain Luna most definitely wasnt talking about that at the start. It was definitely Freya. I just didnt get it I inadvertently revealed my rtionship with Freya


    Luna looked at me with a nk look, and then smiled: It is all right. It is all right? Your Majesty, I am used to it. I am not surprised whatsoever.


    I dont feel happy that you understand To the contrary, I want to ask: am I that sort of person in your hearts?!


    Are you not?


    Luna revealed an inconceivable gaze: It is all right, Your Majesty. All Kings will have some side hobbies. How would one be a qualified King if he did not have stronger wishes than themon man? As such, I do not mind this. I believe nobody other than your wives will mind.


    I already told you: its not like that I really didnt realise what you were saying


    I powerlessly covered my face, and then sighed before revealing a smile again. I was at home. I was at my own home. I just needed to continue forward, and Id get to see my family, so regardless of whatever the case may be, Id be able to smile. I turned around: Freya, Ill leave Luna to you. Go see the head maid and arrange a position for Luna. Then, give Luna some basic training, and shell be ready for work.


    Is Miss Luna still going to be a personal servant?


    Freya seemed to be surprised. Luna patted her shoulder and, with a smile, replied, Of course, Freya. I am His Majestys personal servant. I am his only personal servant. I am very proud of it. To be able to serve His Majesty is something to be very proud of, is it not, Freya?


    The two of them were genuinely very close. They went through the same experiences and obtained the same things from me. They were both in the same circumstances even now. They were so simr that it was surprising.


    Freya hesitated for a while. She noticed Lunas gaze. Smiling, Freya nodded: Indeed. Being able to serve His Majesty makes one very proud!


    <strong>Glossary</strong>


    *Freya used informalnguage with Troy at the start of their reunion; that is not inconsistency in trantion.